5 Black Mirror dystopian storylines that became hauntingly true

Tech dystopia? More like tech pre-dystopia. Black Mirror is not just a television program, but it is a mirror to where we are heading. Charlie Brooker uses his narratives to discover the role of technology in the way we think and relate and much of what was initially perceived to be far-fetched in the show is now coming off as disturbingly real.

Starting with AI collaborators and memory replay, here are five canonical episodes that have passed from the realm of fiction to a sense of deja vu in reality.

Be Right Back (Black Mirror Season 2, Episode 1)

The story in "Be Right Back" is about a woman who lost her partner but then recreates her man through AI, based on his online messages and social media, bringing him back in a digital form. Initially, it reassures her, but soon it proves to be weird and uncomfortable since the AI is not actually him.

However, this science fiction is gradually turning into reality. Now, even companies are developing AI chatbots that can imitate dead people, so that people can chat with the dead person even though they are gone. Voice cloning, deepfakes and human-like robots are still developing and require perfection, yet, they demonstrate that AI companions are already here, and they are posing ethical concerns.

Nosedive (Black Mirror Season 3, Episode 1)

"Nosedive" envisions a society where each and every social interaction is rated and your overall rating determines your life, whether it is to buy a house or for a job prospect. Sounds familiar? The Social Credit System of China keeps a record of the actions of Chinese citizens and gives them grades that determine their travel, loans, etc., reminiscent of the pastel dystopia of the show.

In addition to that, Uber and Airbnb ratings, follower counts and algorithmic karma are already part of our everyday life, controlling opportunities in a way. It now feels a little dystopian to refresh your likes obsessively as it has become so relatable.

The Entire History of You (Black Mirror Season 1, Episode 3)

In this episode, there exists a memory chip in which people may record things that they observe and hear and may play them at any moment. We do not have such technology yet, but we are getting closer. Wearable cameras, smart glasses and round-the-clock surveillance already capture huge areas of our lives. Tools such as Snapchat Spectacles, AR headsets, and facial recognition are already able to keep track of our whereabouts and what we do. Although it is still a science fiction fantasy to be able to replay every embarrassing conversation, the world is getting used to the habit of recording and storing our lives.

Metalhead (Black Mirror Season 4, Episode 5)

"Metalhead" is a quite rudimentary yet frightening Black Mirror episode. It demonstrates a world in which one man is hunted by killer robot dogs when society has collapsed. These murderous robots do not exist (yet), yet there are real robot dogs. Machines like Boston Dynamics’ Spot can walk on uneven surfaces, open doors and are already employed in factories and at security locations. Robots are also being tested by some police forces and armies. They do not go after individuals but specialists fear the rate at which technology is being weaponized, anything is possible.

Striking Vipers (Black Mirror Season 5, Episode 1)

"Striking Vipers" revolves around two friends playing a virtual reality fight game but their experience begins to venture into the emotional as well as personal territory. We are yet to become completely immersed in the world of virtual realities as presented in Black Mirror, but VR is rapidly expanding, from social VR environments, virtual dating, to adult VR, all are becoming increasingly prevalent in today's time. New devices such as haptic feedback are rendering touch in the virtual world more real, and one day metaverse applications will allow digital avatars to become a part of who we are, meaning the concepts of the show are not as far-fetched from reality as we think.

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