A cautionary tale of tech innovation
“I love technology, I love computers. But I’m also a natural worrier... I’m often worried when some new development or gizmo will give us power, and the responsibility that comes with that. And how easy it is to misuse that or the unintended consequences...”
Charlie Brooker, in a 2023 interview with Vox.
In 2011, Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror TV series hit our screens. Its main character is technology - each episode shows how an existing tech could evolve in the future, for better or for worse. Many episodes touch on the use (and misuse) of our data, covering topics such as social networks, profiling, fake news and augmented reality. While the storylines appear to unfold in a dystopian world, the show also depicts current events, creating uncanny scenarios that serve as a cautionary tale about how technology can change society as we know it.
One notable episode, ‘Joan is Awful,’ offers a twisted tale about the unsolicited use of our personal information, as well as a real reminder to always check the terms and conditions. The episode revolves around Joan, who discovers that every detail of her daily life is being broadcast worldwide on a streaming platform. Disturbed by the invasion of her privacy and the use of her personal information - seemingly without her consent - Joan discovers that her agreement to the terms and conditions upon signing up for the platform prevents her from suing for defamation, or indeed, getting any help whatsoever.