Assignments > Forum: Black Mirror
Due on Thu, 08/22 @ 11:59PM. 4 Points.
Joan is Awful Discussion Questions
- What stood out to you? What scenes were most memorable and why?
- How have advances in computation, data collection, and networking (via the Internet) made this world possible?
- In what ways do you think this fictional world already exists in real life? Who is most impacted?
- Can you think of a “real life” example of a person’s story / everyday experiences / identity being made public either without their permission or in a way that doesn’t reflect the truth?
- Who is this most likely to happen to? Are certain “types” of people more likely to be targeted? If so, who?
- How is Streamberry capturing Joan’s life for all to see? Do you think she could reasonably opt out of this? Why or why not?
- Connect Joan’s (Annie Murphy) privacy dilemma to the real world:
- Where does data collected about your behavior come from (list as many sources as you can think of)?
- How much control do you have over this?
- What are some potential harms that might come from this kind of data collection?
- In minute 42 of the episode, Selma tells Joan:
“They have taken 100 years of cinema and diminished it to an app. I’m going to go and take that computer and rip the cables out of it…”
- How do Selma’s concerns relate to the concerns of other artists, videographers, actors, musicians, etc., given recent advances in generative AI?
- Is it possible to unmake generative AI and “go back” to a time where this wasn’t possible? Is “ripping out the cables” a viable solution?
- Do you agree with the Streamberry CEO (minute 47:00) that the most engaging, relatable content is negative? Why or why not?
- “Personalization” is a term that typically has a positive spin. What are the pros and cons of having content delivered to you that is “personalized.” What does “personal” mean to a platform?
Nosedive Discussion Questions
- What stood out to you? What scenes were most memorable and why?
- What does a person’s score measure?
- Can people opt out of this system / not participate? Why or why not?
- How does the system not only “measure” behavior, but also shape it?
- What resources & opportunities are conferred / denied to people with low / high scores?
- Is this a meritocratic system?
- Who is most vulnerable in a system like this? Why?
- In what ways do you think this world already exists?