Charlotte Hull

Black Mirror

Black Mirror is a British television anthology created by Charlie Brooker that plays with the reality of the modern world and the evolving technologies alongside a dark, dystopian future. It’s set

in a hyper real world, a version of 'now' rather than the real world we are familiar with. However, we are unaware of who's in

charge/who supplies compliance. The series is based on a dystopian world, the contrast between the privileges of the

ruling class and the dreary existence of the working class. The dystopian genre is reflected as they don't earn money, don't

earn real life rewards, lose and cannot regain the lost love and ultimately can't overcome grief.

15 million merits is set in a world where the virtual platform is the new reality, everyone has a virtual self in virtual world which they can develop depending on the merits earn; it exhibits how media is constantly being thrown at us and can allow for an individual to exist in an alternate reality. They are not represented by themselves but instead who they choose via media. It's futuristic and based on a video game where everything is man made even the 'fresh' food. There are public executions of individuals who fail to demonstrate talent or provide enough merits. Fat people are classed as 'second class' citizens and dehumanised through being made to wear the colour yellow. Bing's heartfelt rebellion that was meant to oppose and overcome this way of life was even broken down and sold to the people who were responsible for it. The world represented imitates prison, the high-tech environment, common uniform and unwanted job the individuals have to complete for others. Black Mirror demonstrates technological dystopia where the negative effects of virtual space are misleading which heightens the impacts on their real presence.

15 millions merits

Baudrillard:'We live in a world where there is more and more information, and less and less meaning.' The information shared by media becomes diluted, saturated and contaminated as it is shared to more and more people.In Black Mirror, Bing says 'fake fodder is the only thing that works any more'. Showing it's not only media that changes the truth but us too as it is the only thing we are interested in.'If technology is a drug and feels like a drug...what are the side effects?' Discomfort Danger Addiction Destructive Illegal Placebo Stimulant

Theory

Technology modifies what we are and the idea we have of ourselves, its based on:Technology of production where we can produce, transform, manipulate things via media.In 15 millions merits the real world and the virtual world are intertwined. The characters are isolated in their own room with only their virtual avatar for company and no place for intimacy. You are not in control of your own leisure activities due to the never ending ads that appear and the consequences of sheltering your eyes.Sign systems used to identify signs of identity.The characters in Black Mirror purchase items to decide the virtual avatar's identity. The avatar's participation is more meaningful then their own. The judges-Faith, Hope and Charity-present theological virtues of Christianity. The programme mocks the aspect of Christianity who try to avoid salvation but in Black Mirror they try to obtain a real virtually.Power which determines our behaviour based on environment.In 15 million merits the individuals are constantly being observed and measured, being punished for lack of achievement physically (being constrained to watch the adverts) and symbolically (how they choose to wear headphones to partake in the virtual world and avoid interaction in the real world). Lives are mediated by consumerism where the citizens have to keep fit and power the unknown source.Self based on religion/gyms etc.Everyone seen has to work continuously to maintain status through credits. Foucault describes our self as a mask, an artificial creation shaped by technology which directs us so we are made by others.

Foucault:

Be Right Black is a story about a widow, Martha, who looses her husband, Ash, before finding out she is pregnant whilst faced with grief. She turns to an online website after the recommendation of a friend where she can communicate with a simulation of her dead husband. Martha turns to the internet and technology in order to survive and continue through her otherwise meaningless life. She requires warmth, to discover who she is/where she belongs now she is no longer part of her couple identity and she needs to feel like she is stronger than death. The technology acts as a pill, although it helps her to overcome her original symptoms of loss it will never cure it.'Happiness cannot come/be created through science and technology'

Be Right Back

Macbeth:‘She would have died later anyway. Life is nothing more than an illusion’.The programme is based on the myth of progress, although it appears to help her grieve and provide a better world for her it is only a false pretence to delay the inevitable. Technology is a dangerous aspect, creating a pretend world that will keep the dead living for as long as needed. However, as Martha finds out, a substitute created by Ash's online presence will never be the same as her real husband. It is ultimately dystopian as there is no better ending for Martha.

Theory

The text is similar to other media in that the narrative is created to allow the audience to relate and reflect on their own experiences in regards to technology and the grasp that has on their lives. However, it is different to traditional media as it is futuristic but in a realistic way. The program includes aspects of our daily lives that we are used to as well as aspects which are being created and could become common features. For example, the possibility of creating a simulation of someone based on their online presence is not as far off as we may wish. The technology for creating a modelled mannequin designed with specified features or requirements as the user wishes is already being seen. The secret lives of living dolls documentary shows how some people are turning to things technology/science has created instead of human interaction as echoed in these episodes. It relates to TV dramas in its harsh representation of reality and social issues that an individual is facing that can be relatable (be right back) as well as supporting the celebration of the underdog (15 million merits). It represents modern advertising pushed by companies such as Apple and Samsung who demonstrate new and innovative products which are bound to have a positive effect on our lives. Yet Black Mirror provides the growth of negative influences and what could happen if these ‘positive’ examples were negative.

There are direct links to media such as entertainment shows and social media within these episodes which reflect similar media and their use in a way we do now but exaggerated. The programs reflect the hyper-real scenario of what we are already using daily for example, judging people on the TV for being talented or not regardless of their background/what they have been through etc. Also, using social media to share images/videos which other people can comment on and model to shape the form of ourselves online. In Black Mirror this is adapted to creating that individual yet it is no substitute for the real thing. The current talent shows and dramas we know are seen but in a much darker take with a heightened level of mockery/abuse in the way the judges tell Abi she is no good for the singing business and so carelessly throw her into the porn advertisement business instead. It challenges traditional media and the concept of ideology, the program doesn’t represent the concept of the perfect image as it demonstrates the awakening reality of it’s effect on individuals.

How is Black Mirror postmodern?

Charlie Brooker wants the audience to reflect on the effects of the media and the impact it is potentially having on their lives. Media can be a dangerous tool that we are slowly becoming more reliant on and Brooker demonstrates this in regards to a version of our future and how it could turn out. He wants to make the audience think about the type of future they want, whether ‘re-creating the dead’ is a good idea or not. It produces a possible end scenario where it will be too late to prevent the effect of the media and so he is using this platform to advertise the worst case scenario. It follows the reception theory in how it is made for a niche audience who have some interest in the impact of technology and a more challenging text as this is what he is known for. However, it also fits within the effects theory as although the main character gives in to something he hates and was fighting against, in some ways it is empowering. It makes us think and challenge the impact of technology like any other program.The types of technology/media explored in Black Mirror:15 Million Merits-Gaming/online avatars, simulated environments from computer screens to produce an endless showing of chosen programs/ads, surveillance, privacy, the role of a celebrity.Be Right Back-Social media, smart phones, computer screens that act as tools for a job e.g. her art easel where drawings could be changed/moved all through the screen.Foucault:The external audience of us watching others who are watching othersThe internal audience of voyeuristic slaves who are dependent on watching things, entertainment shows, adverts, merits.