Before we talk about Hated in the Nation, let’s flashback to when this episode was first released: October 21, 2016

In 2016, the European Union teamed up with big tech companies like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Microsoft to launch the “Code of Conduct on Countering Illegal Hate Speech Online.” This voluntary agreement aimed to fight the spread of illegal hate speech. The platforms committed to reviewing and removing such content within 24 hours of being notified. While it was a significant step forward, challenges remained regarding its effectiveness, accountability, and balancing free speech with regulation.

Smartphone manufacturers integrated facial recognition features into their devices in 2016. This allowed users to unlock phones, authorize payments, and access secure apps using facial biometrics, adding an extra layer of security and convenience.

Also in 2016, the Robird, developed by Clear Flight Solutions, emerged as an innovative solution for bird control, particularly in environments where pest birds could cause significant damage or pose safety risks like the airport. 

The Mirai botnet attacks of 2016 were a series of cybersecurity incidents that targeted Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as security cameras, home routers, and smart home devices. The hackers exploited common vulnerabilities like default passwords and insecure configurations to infect a large number of IoT devices and launch massive distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks highlighted the security flaws in IoT devices, leading to more efforts to improve network defenses against such threats.

In 2016, costume companies and retailers got into trouble for selling offensive Halloween costumes. Some faced backlash for designs that were seen as perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Celebrities like Chris Hemsworth and Hillary Duff were also called out for their costume choices. However, they weren’t the most hated figures of the year.

In February 2016, Martin Shkreli, a businessman, appeared before a congressional hearing to testify about drug pricing practices. The hearing focused on his company, Turing Pharmaceuticals’ pricing of Daraprim, which had been raised from $13.50 to $750 per pill, and its impact on patient access to affordable medication. Shkreli’s unapologetic demeanor and evasive answers during the hearing only made the public angrier, cementing his status as one of the most hated people in the world.

And that brings us to episode 6, season 3 of Black Mirror, “Hated in the Nation.” This episode isn’t just a crime drama; it dives into the dark side of social media and technology. It makes us think about how tech is used in climate change and law enforcement and how online anonymity, mob mentality, and viral outrage impact society. Who is responsible for the fallout from viral trends and public shaming? What are the ethical and moral implications of our actions online? And how do we handle the backfire of our good intentions? 

 In this video, we’ll explore 3 themes of this episode and determine whether similar events have happened — and if not, whether they are still plausible. 

The Right to Offend

In this episode, detective Karin Parke found herself plunged into one of the most disturbing cases of her career. It all started with the mysterious death of a journalist who had been targeted online. The hashtag #DeathTo seemed like a cruel joke, but it quickly became clear that this was no coincidence. Each victim had been publicly shamed and vilified on social media, and now they were turning up dead.

Most of the people who used the hashtag #DeathTo didn’t think it was serious. They saw it as just another way to vent their frustrations or join in on the latest online mob. They believed joking online shouldn’t have real-world consequences, and they never imagined their actions could lead to someone’s death. This mindset highlighted a disturbing hypocrisy.

The inspirations for this episode were plenty. The creator of Black Mirror, Charlie Brooker had firsthand experience with public backlash after writing a satirical article for The Guardian in 2004. In the article, Brooker wrote, “John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald, John Hinckley Jr, where are you now that we need you?” — implying the assassination of then-U.S. president George W. Bush.

This led to a torrent of violent messages directed at Brooker, prompting him to apologize and The Guardian to remove the article from their website. Although this experience occurred before the rise of Twitter, with early social media, people no longer needed an authoritative platform to share their unsavory thoughts anymore. That was… until 2013, when the public had enough and the right to do whatever you want on the Internet officially ended. The warning signs came in the form of Cancels.

Kevin Hart faced significant backlash over homophobic tweets from nearly a decade earlier. These tweets resurfaced after he was announced as the host for the 2019 Oscars. The controversy led to Hart stepping down from the gig and issuing multiple apologies.

Roseanne Barr posted a racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett, a former advisor to President Obama. The tweet was widely condemned, leading to ABC canceling the 2018 reboot of her show “Roseanne” and relaunching it without her as “The Conners”.

Kathy Griffin faced intense backlash after posting a photo of herself holding a prop that looked like the severed head of President Donald Trump. The photo sparked outrage across social media and led to Griffin being fired from her role as co-host of CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast, as well as receiving death threats.

And the list continues. 

But this is not limited to public figures. When normal people do something that the public feel is disrespectful, they are often called out now. 

In 2014, a teenager from Brecksville, Ohio, Breanna Mitchell posted a selfie on Twitter smiling at Auschwitz. The photo was widely condemned. But the phototaker wondered if in fact the mob against her had gone too far. Was she really not allowed to smile? 

Following the popularity of the TV series “Chernobyl,” there was an increase in tourism to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in Ukraine. Some visitors were criticized for taking playful or inappropriate photos at the site of the nuclear disaster.

In this episode, we are asked to question the rights people have to express themselves and to fully understand what the freedom of speech actually means. 

Freedom of speech is not absolute and is subject to certain limitations, such as when speech incites violence, promotes hate, or jeopardizes public safety. In democratic societies, there are often laws and regulations that balance freedom of speech with other societal values.

While freedom of speech protects the expression of diverse viewpoints and critical discourse, it also entails accountability for the impact of one’s words on others and society at large. “Hated in the Nation” reminds us to be mindful of what we say and do online, because while we may take full liberty of our freedom of speech, we never know who might be watching, or better yet, recording.

Unpopularity Contest 

As the investigation unfolds in Hated in the Nation, it is revealed that the ADIs, those robotic bees, have been hacked by an individual seeking to punish those who were nominated by using a social media hashtag, #DeathTo.

Trending topics are familiar, the internet is known to use hate and anger as clickbait through sensational headlines and polarizing content. Media outlets and content creators capitalize on that to boost engagement metrics like likes, shares, and comments. Additionally algorithms amplify this by promoting content that aligns with users’ beliefs, creating echo chambers that reinforce extreme viewpoints. 

While effective for driving traffic, these tactics undermine civil discourse and exacerbate societal tensions. For instance, during the 2020 U.S. presidential election, many right-wing users were frequently exposed to posts and news articles supporting claims of election fraud. This led to a stronger belief in misinformation and contributed to events like the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. 

But it doesn’t begin and end in politics. Echo chambers are also prevalent in other communities as well, including health and wellness, sports, lifestyle and hobbies, and entertainment. 

Gamergate was a 2014 controversy that started in the gaming community but quickly became a broader cultural phenomenon. It involved harassment campaigns and online abuse targeting women in the gaming industry and facilitating the spread of misogynistic rhetoric and coordinated attacks against those perceived as threats to the status quo in gaming culture.

Trends are essentially the heartbeat of the Internet. It keeps it alive and active. With an endless scroll of influential idiots to follow, it’s hard to predict what people will get caught up with next. 

“Momo” was a controversial and widely discussed online trend that emerged in 2018. It involved a creepy-looking sculpture of a woman with exaggerated features, initially created by a Japanese artist. The image was used in online challenges on social media platforms, where users were reportedly encouraged to contact “Momo” and engage in dangerous tasks that could lead to self-harm or harm to others. The trend spread globally, causing panic among parents, educators, and Kim Kardashian.

Many experts and authorities suggested that the trend was largely a hoax or urban legend, with no confirmed cases of direct harm linked to it. Despite the ambiguity surrounding “Momo,” it highlighted broader concerns about the influence of online trends and challenges, particularly those targeting vulnerable individuals such as children and teenagers. 

But online challenges have long existed: 

The Tide Pod Challenge gained infamy in 2018, with participants, primarily teenagers, posting videos of themselves biting into or consuming laundry detergent pods. 

Originating in Russia between 2015 and 2016, the Blue Whale Challenge reportedly encouraged participants to complete a series of tasks over 50 days, culminating in self-harm such as carving “F57” into their writs or suicide. Russian independent media, Novaya Gazeta reports that about 130 children have killed themselves after participating in this game. 

And let’s not forget the ever fateful, Choking Game. Although not exclusive to social media, the choking game is as it sounds. It involves self-strangulation or suffocation to induce a temporary high or euphoria. In the U.S., 82 children aged 6 to 19 died from playing the Choking Game between 1995 and 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This ignited fear as the game gained popularity online in 2016, with over 36 million YouTube results, many of which providing instructions for this activity.

I can go on… but let’s stop there.

The reasons for following trends are as basic as human connection and community, but social media and digital platforms often play a role in what trends we follow, promoting content through algorithms. While humor and creativity can trigger the algorithm, nothing sparks engagement like content that promotes fear and loathing.

Fake Animals, Real Hacks 

RoboBees are tiny, insect-inspired robots developed by researchers at Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering. The project, which began in 2009, aims to create autonomous flying microrobots capable of performing tasks typically carried out by bees, such as pollination. 

Much like the ADIs (Autonomous Drone Insects) in “Hated in the Nation,” RoboBees are incredibly small, weighing just a fraction of a gram. They are constructed with components made from lightweight materials like carbon fiber. 

Early versions of RoboBees were tethered, receiving power and control signals through a wire. However, researchers are developing untethered versions with onboard power sources and advanced sensors for autonomous navigation and operation.

Developing fully autonomous RoboBees requires advanced sensors, control algorithms, and efficient onboard power systems. Current research includes creating lightweight micro-batteries and energy harvesting technologies. Another area of focus is developing swarm behavior, allowing RoboBees to work together, similar to how real bees operate in a hive, which involves sophisticated communication and coordination algorithms. 

 “Hated in the Nation” illustrates the dangers of such technologies being misused for surveillance and targeted attacks. But real-world researchers must also assess their impact on ecosystems and ensure responsible use. 

Overall, RoboBees represent a fascinating intersection of biology and engineering, with the potential to address critical challenges in agriculture, environmental conservation, and disaster response. Despite the significant technical and ethical hurdles that remain, the ongoing research and development efforts hold promise for a future where RoboBees could play a vital role in various fields, just as ADIs were intended to do in “Hated in the Nation.” 

The stark comparison underscores the importance of careful consideration and regulation to prevent potential misuse and unintended consequences. As we saw in the episode, failure to do so will be dire. But the real world is also full of alarming examples.

In 2011, a cybersecurity breach at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, compromised systems controlling US Predator and Reaper drones. Malware — including a keylogger, a virus used to capture passwords — infected both classified and unclassified networks, raising security alarms — and ultimately impacting the control over the drones operating in Afghanistan. This incident spurred efforts to bolster defenses against cyber threats targeting essential defense systems.

But alas, no technology can be considered completely unhackable, as the potential for exploitation often exists due to the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats. 

Governments allocate substantial portions of their budgets to cybersecurity. For example, the United States federal government proposed a $12.33 billion budget for fiscal year 2025 to secure federal networks and combat nation-state cyber threats and hacking campaigns. This represents a 10% increase from the previous year.

However, all the security didn’t prevent a global tech outage on July 19, 2024, which grounded airlines, knocked news channels off the air, brought banks offline, and disrupted 911 operators. People worldwide couldn’t boot up their computers due to a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, causing Windows computers to crash with the Blue Screen of Death. World wide chaos, all due to a simple error — not a malicious hack. 

So it seems, when it comes to our technological infrastructure, we are only as strong as our weakest link.

Whether we are part of the swarm or trapped in it, “Hated in the Nation” reminds us of our personal and collective mistakes. As technology advances and our communication expands, so does our isolation and the power of the mob. Safety in numbers is an illusion, and acting alone is impossible. What happens to your neighbor will likely happen to you. We are playing with unstable toys — new and shiny, but precarious dominoes ready to fall. We are right on track for events in this episode to unfold as it’s harmful to stay alone and terrifying to join the crowd. 

For more writing ideas and original stories, please sign up for my mailing list. You won’t receive emails from me often, but when you do, they’ll only include my proudest works.

Join my YouTube community for insights on writing, the creative process, and the endurance needed to tackle big projects. Subscribe Now!

Before we discuss the events in “Men Against Fire,” let’s rewind to the day it was released: October 21, 2016.

In 2016, unmanned Aerial Vehicles, commonly known as drones, underwent significant advancements worldwide, enhancing capabilities for reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike missions.

ISIS employed drones equipped with cameras to gather intelligence on enemy positions, troop movements, and strategic targets, including military installations and civilian areas. By late 2016, ISIS started weaponizing drones, namely against Peshmerga and Western soldiers in Northern Iraq. 

This increased fear, as the terrorist group was responsible for over 40 major attacks in 2016, such as those in Brussels, Istanbul, Baghdad, and Nice, resulting in numerous casualties and highlighting their ability to carry out terrorism on a global scale.

But the US army had been using drones for over a decade, and they had some pretty powerful ones, including the MQ-9 Reaper. Equipped with advanced sensors and targeting systems, this $31million aircraft is capable of conducting long-endurance missions and precision airstrikes against ground targets, particularly in counterterrorism operations.

These drones played a crucial role in disrupting ISIS’s operations and eliminating key leaders, such as Hafiz Saeed Khan, stopping him from expanding the terrorist group’s capabilities in Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, drone strikes have also led to the deaths of countless innocent lives. Transparency and accountability are lacking in drone operations, raising concerns about adherence to international law and human rights standards. 

Speaking of war and lack of transparency, we must speak of Russia. In December 2016, with Russian support, the Syrian government achieved substantial gains in eastern Aleppo, leading to the evacuation of rebel fighters and civilians to northern Syria, marking a pivotal moment in the conflict. 

Of course, Russia was involved in other conflicts, most namely in eastern Ukraine, which was initiated by the annexation of Crimea in 2014. While the Western world was focused elsewhere, Russia was supporting separatist forces despite ceasefire attempts and diplomatic negotiations. 

In Afghanistan, the U.S. continued Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in 2016, focusing on counterterrorism efforts against groups like the Taliban and al-Qaeda, while supporting Afghan government stabilization efforts.

The Afghanistan War, beginning in 2001 in response to the 9/11 attacks, stands as the longest war in American history. Under the Biden Administration, the United States officially withdrew its military forces from Afghanistan on August 31, 2021, marking the end of its nearly 20-year military involvement. 

Estimates by the Costs of War project at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs indicate the war’s total cost exceeded $2 trillion from 2001 to 2021, encompassing direct military spending, interest payments on war-related debt, and long-term care for veterans. 

And that’s what brings us to this episode of Black Mirror, episode 5 of season 3, Men Against Fire. This episode doesn’t only trigger discussions about the use of technology in combat, and the psychological toll on soldiers — it makes us question the reason for the war itself. Who is leading us down these paths? Why is the momentum of war so hard to stop? And in the end ask, what does victory even look like? 

 In this video, we’ll explore 3 themes of this episode and determine whether similar events have happened — and if not, whether they are still plausible. 

The Optimization of War

In “Men Against Fire,” we’re thrust into a war-torn landscape where soldiers like Stripe are deployed against a mysterious enemy known as the Roaches. The vague reasoning to exterminate them was because they allegedly carried contagious sickness. It’s not until Stripe’s Mass malfunctions that the facade of duty crumbles, revealing a grim reality, the Roaches were people too.

This often overlooked episode resonates with today’s global uncertainties. We’re teetering on the edge of World War III and the enemy is increasingly ambiguous. Warfare is a recurring TV series, renewed each season as long as there’s public support. Governments, whether democratic or dictatorship, rely on propaganda to justify military interventions, stirring fear and rallying citizens to perceived threats from across the border. 

Propaganda appeals to patriotism, nationalism, and loyalty as a duty to defend one’s country and uphold its values. Currently in the midst of an invasion, Russia employs a multifaceted approach to garner support for its military actions, both domestically and internationally. Through tightly controlled state-owned media outlets, the government disseminates narratives supportive, framing attacks as necessary measures to protect national interests, counter external threats, and restore stability. 

By portraying Russia as a defender of traditional values and a bulwark against perceived Western aggression posed by NATO and geopolitical rivals, Vladimr Putin justifies military actions as preemptive measures to safeguard its interests. 

In 2022, the Kremlin spent approximately $1.9 billion in propaganda. It is not cheap to manipulate public opinion, spread misinformation, and undermine trust in Western institutions. But as we will learn, nothing about war is. 

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs , about 11-20% of veterans who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom are diagnosed with PTSD in a given year. Additionally, approximately 12% of Gulf War veterans experience PTSD at some point in their lives, and about 30% of Vietnam veterans have had PTSD.

As of 2022, there are currently 16.2 million veterans in the United States, which makes 20%, 3.24 million people.

In 2023, $139 million of US government spending was invested in Veterans Affairs research programs and $16.6 billion in the Medical Care program to improve access to mental healthcare. Furthermore, the budget allocates $559 million to preventing veteran suicide. There’s no argument about the need for resources, but it’s also a big price to pay to keep the business running. 

In 1961, President Dwight D. Eisenhower coined the term the military-industrial complex, which encompasses the symbiotic relationship between the military establishment, defense contractors, and government agencies involved in defense and national security affairs. It perpetuates wars through a combination of profit incentives, political influence, institutional inertia, and security imperatives. Defense contractors benefit financially from ongoing conflicts and arms sales, exerting pressure on policymakers to prioritize military interventions and increase defense budgets. 

In this episode, the psychologist Arquette tells Stripe that in the wars of the past, most soldiers don’t fire their weapons on duty, thus extending the war — decreasing he demand for bullets. The Mass was introduced to speed up the process of killing. 

The optimization of war is an ongoing development, however, it’s also a double-edged sword, no wait, more like an atomic bomb.

Want to 10x war? Nuke them. 

The atomic bomb’s development intensified the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War era, driving both superpowers to expand their nuclear arsenals and develop more advanced weapons systems. Fight fire with fire. 

Quite a conundrum. How can we optimize war without destroying ourselves? How do we find this perfect equilibrium? Surely great leadership will be required. Because the weapon is available and should any of the nuclear powers become backed into a corner, then in order to save itself, there hardly seems to be a reason not to use it. And so it goes with any new weaponry developments. 

The challenge remains to hold governments and political powers accountable for their actions and reactions. The momentum of war can leave many victims and there’s not much that public protest can do when the enemies, out for revenge, are knocking at the gates. 

This episode of Black Mirror reminds us that when it comes down to it, we don’t get to pick our enemies. They are hardwired into our very existence. We are programmed to hate, fear, and be repulsed by them. But even when we see the light. Even if we become woke, so to speak, it’s too late to stop the waves from crashing. Because even if you are no longer controlled, your perceived enemies are. And in dystopia and war, it’s not a battle of bees. It’s a battle of hives. And sacrifice is necessary to make a return on investment.

Constructing the Others

When Stripe encounters a Roach family, the MASS implant distorts his perception, presenting them as savage creatures instead of individuals pleading for mercy. To protect himself, he slaughters them. This manipulation reduced the soldiers’ sense of guilt or remorse when committing violent acts against the Roaches, resembling real-world tactics where psychological conditioning is employed to rationalize atrocities.

Politicians regularly cultivate an “us vs. them” mentality to create a sense of solidarity among the populace. They use dehumanizing language, stereotypes, and negative portrayals to depict the adversary as inferior, barbaric, or morally reprehensible. 

During a speech in Wisconsin on April 2, 2024, Presidential candidate Donald Trump perfectly demonstrates this by using such language to describe migrants from Mexico: “The Democrats say, ‘Please don’t call them animals. They’re humans.’ I said, ‘No, they’re not humans, they’re not humans, they’re animals.” 

America is not alone. Europe has also been engulfed by social tensions, xenophobia, and intergroup conflicts. 

Perhaps the most dramatic example is the weaponization of migrants at the Belarus-Poland border in 2021. Migrants, predominantly from the Middle East and North Africa, have amassed at the border seeking entry into EU territory, meanwhile Belarusian authorities are accused of enticing or coercing these migrants, aiding their movement to the border under false promises of easier access to the EU. This strategy, attributed to Belarus’s President Alexander Lukashenko, is viewed as a retaliatory measure against EU sanctions imposed on Belarus.

Fear is a great motivator. And diseases are scary. When we see another culture as a disease that can stain generations, then we begin to understand how followers of dictators think. 

Before any guns are fired, before any bombs are dropped, it starts as a battle of ideas:  fire against fire. Ideas too can spread like diseases. We don’t have to look far, just remember all the arguments we had during the height of COVID-19. 

Remember the politicians deflecting blame and responsibility for the spread of the corona virus by scapegoating certain groups? This has included blaming foreign countries, immigrants, ethnic minorities, religious communities, or political opponents for the outbreak or for failing to contain the virus effectively. By portraying these groups as the “other” responsible for the pandemic, politicians gained public support through fear and xenophobia. 

Blame is a powerful way of constructing the other. We saw that during COVID, and we saw that on March 22, 2024.

After a Moscow concert hall was attacked by a group of terrorists which led to the death of 137 people, Vladimir Putin pointed the finger to Ukraine, despite the off-shoot of ISIS claiming responsibility. We see this clearly from afar that Putin was relishing in another attempt to maintain his invasion in Ukraine. 

However, the West is not above using the blame game for ulterior motives either. An example of this is how the USA used public anger after 9/11 to justify the war in Iraq in search of weapons of mass destruction. 

There are few motivations more powerful than revenge. We can trace every critical event through history as one domino piece falling upon another. We saw this after the Oct 7, 2023 attack in Israel from the Islamic militant group, Hamas which has escalated the war in Gaza. We saw this in the decade long war in the Central African Republic. We saw this in the Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar. We see the cause and effect of revenge taking form in all parts of the globe.  

Yes, blame is easy when the enemy looks a certain way, but what do we do when the enemies look like us? This is a notable question that the episode poses. 

The resurgence of anti-semitism is a concerning one in America, as it encapsulated the cultural descent into darkness. 

Despite vows to never allow the atrocities of WWII to happen again, 1 in 5 Americans don’t believe that 6 million Jewish people were murdered during the holocaust. Some thought the number was lower. Others don’t think it happened at all. 

On Oct 8, 2022, a sleepy Kanye West went on Twitter and posted about going Defcon 3, a military combat command, on the Jewish people, and then confusingly implies that Jewish people have used their power to bring down anyone who opposes them. 

While Kayne’s comment was another piece of evidence of his mental breakdown and personal short-comings, it also emboldened anti semitic groups that seemed to have been living in the shadows waiting in dormant until the time was right for them to rise again. At last, they can openly blame their scapegoat again for all their problems.  

Holocaust denial, minimization, and distortion contribute to the normalization of antisemitism and undermine efforts to combat prejudice and intolerance. Pro-Palestine protests across US university campuses are now receiving criticism for walking that fine line. 

Facts and lies are both ideas. And in a battle of ideas that is going to last generations, both have an equal chance of winning. 

There is no problem in this world that is caused by one group of people. None. Therefore, any solution based around getting rid of or holding captive a group of people will at the end fail to resolve anything more than some personal or political gain. 

A strategy built upon blame is often nothing more than a distraction tactic, diverting public attention away from domestic issues, governance failures, or systemic problems within the country.

This episode of Black Mirror is revealing. If you find yourself blaming others or attacking others for life not going your way, you must ask what the governing powers are saying. Are they blaming others to maintain power? Are they using hate to fuel personal gains? As long as we are fighting enemies, we don’t have time to challenge ourselves. We won’t be able to see the monsters we’ve become. We fail to realize that we have only been destroying ourselves the whole time. 

Pleasure Dreams and Tortured Memories   

In sleep, Stripe is rewarded with a dream sequence depicting intimate moments with his lover as positive reinforcement for his performance in combat. However, after his Mass got infected, it becomes evident that these dreams are tools to maintain soldiers’ loyalty and compliance, blurring the lines between reality and manufactured fantasies.

Sigmund Freud, often regarded as the father of psychoanalysis, made significant contributions to the study of dreams with his groundbreaking work “The Interpretation of Dreams,” published in 1899. 

One of Freud’s central concepts in dream analysis is the idea of wish fulfillment. He proposed that dreams serve as a way for the unconscious mind to fulfill repressed wishes or fantasies that are unacceptable or unattainable in waking life. In that, there is great reward for one to tap into the ability to control their dreams. 

The term “lucid dreaming” was first coined by Dutch psychiatrist and writer Frederik van Eeden in 1913. Van Eeden used the term “lucid” to describe dreams in which the dreamer is aware of being in a dream state while the dream is occurring. He documented his own experiences with lucid dreaming and described various aspects of this phenomenon in his writings, one of which was a vivid flying experience.

One key aspect of lucid dreaming is reality testing, where individuals question their waking reality by performing checks like looking at their hands or trying to read text. This habit can extend into dreams, enabling lucid dreamers to recognize when they are dreaming and take control of their dream experiences. 

If we can learn to control our dreams, then what is the likelihood that machines can control our dreams? 

Research into the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), on dreaming has shown potential modulation of dream recall, intensity, and emotional content. 

Organizations like The Dream Science Foundation and The Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry are actively involved in these studies, aiming to uncover the precise mechanisms and long-term implications of brain stimulation on dreaming. 

Electroencephalography (EEG) technology, used by institutions like The Society for Neuroscience (SfN), allows researchers to monitor sleep-related brain activity, providing insights into sleep stages and patterns, although it does not directly reveal dream content. 

Government-funded organizations such as the United States Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) focus on researching various aspects of sleep, including sleep disorders, sleep optimization, and the impact of sleep on cognitive and physical performance in military personnel. 

Sleep is critically important for soldiers due to its multifaceted impact on their physical recovery, cognitive function, emotional resilience, situational awareness, physical performance, and overall health. While the military wants to reward good sleep for their soldiers, they can also deprive sleep as a weapon. 

Sleep deprivation is a powerful torture technique. Prolonged sleep deprivation leads to physical and mental exhaustion, weakening resistance to stress and increasing vulnerability to coercion. Hallucinations and psychosis may occur, exacerbating the individual’s distress and compromising their ability to discern reality. 

During the Cold War, Soviet KGB agents were known to use sleep deprivation extensively as a method of breaking down detainees’ resistance and extracting information. Such methods to keep detainees awake include continuous interrogation, physical discomfort, noise and light exposure, temperature manipulation, threats, food and water deprivation, physical stress, and psychological manipulation.

Similarly, in more recent times, reports have emerged of sleep deprivation being used as a tactic in Guantanamo Bay and other detention facilities during the War on Terror.

If one can control our dreams to instill pleasure, then they can use nightmares for punishment. 

Nightmares can disrupt sleep, cause emotional distress upon waking, and may be associated with underlying psychological issues, stress, trauma, or anxiety disorders. While nightmares can be triggered by PTSD, the most plausible method a third-party can apply to control your nightmares would be with drugs. 

Some medications, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, and beta-blockers, may have side effects that contribute to the occurrence of nightmares or oneiroid syndromes, where a person is trapped in a dream-like experience often unable to move or distinguish between what is real and what is a hallucination. 

One example was of a 67-year-old woman with a history of prolonged depression, untreated for over a year, was prescribed a daily dose of 20 mg paroxetine. However, after 16 days, she required hospitalization due to behavioral disruptions and delusional beliefs that she was being pursued by malicious individuals. Further evaluation revealed that these delusions stemmed from recurring nightmares and an oneiroid state.

This episode is a great reminder that our brains are easily influenced. How we interact with others, what we see in the media, and other ways we feed our minds in wakefulness and rest may lead us to salvation or doom. 

While it may be a scary thought that technology can tap into our brains and manipulate our senses, looking at the world around us, and seeing the horrors committed on a daily basis, one can say that advanced technology isn’t even necessary. There are already many existing methods of controlling a person, radicalizing them to turn against their own. 

While Men Against Fire is an often forgotten episode, it is so relevant because it touches on the theme of dehumanization. In today’s context, where misinformation, social media echo chambers, and targeted content can distort reality and fuel polarization, the message about the power of perception and manipulation is particularly poignant. 

It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked influence, the importance of critical thinking, and the ethical considerations surrounding technology and perception management in our increasingly digital and interconnected world.

So before you sign the next contract, before you get a loan, before you vote, or make a commitment, ask yourself, who’s pushing you to do so? 

Join my YouTube community for insights on writing, the creative process, and the endurance needed to tackle big projects. Subscribe Now!

For more writing ideas and original stories, please sign up for my mailing list. You won’t receive emails from me often, but when you do, they’ll only include my proudest works.

Before we discuss the events of San Junipero, let’s first take a look back to when this episode was released: Oct 21, 2016.

In 2016, consumer-grade VR headsets like Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR became widely available, making virtual reality more accessible to the masses. 

In the same year, VR found applications in healthcare, particularly for pain management during medical procedures. This was often called “Virtual Reality Distraction” or “VR Distraction Therapy,” where VR headsets created immersive experiences to distract patients from pain.

Mobile dating apps became the dominant platform for online dating in 2016, making the dating process more convenient. The concept of casual dating and hookup culture gained popularity, with apps like Tinder associated with short-term, non-committal relationships.

However, Tinder and its algorithm faced criticism for allegedly perpetuating racial and gender biases in online dating, which raised concerns about fairness and inclusivity.

2016 was a notable year for global equality, with countries like Colombia legalizing same-sex marriage. However, in the U.S., debates on transgender rights and bathroom access intensified due to North Carolina’s “bathroom bill”.

Tragically, the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida on June 12, 2016, targeted the LGBTQ community, resulting in 49 deaths and numerous injuries, making it one of the deadliest mass shootings in America.

Brittany Maynard’s 2014 case continued to influence the euthanasia and right-to-die conversation as it inspired discussions on end-of-life autonomy. In June 2016, California’s “End of Life Option Act” went into effect, allowing terminally ill adults to request medical aid in dying, making California the fifth U.S. state to legalize physician-assisted suicide.

2016 marked a transition year, with technology becoming integrated into various aspects of life, offering opportunities and challenges. This year set the stage for a more connected and digital society, impacting dating, healthcare, and our ability to cope with loss.

And that’s what brings us to this episode of Black Mirror: Episode 4 of Season 3: San Junipero, an iconic episode that invites us to contemplate the implications of a digital afterlife. 

In this video, we’ll explore 3 themes of this episode and determine whether similar events have happened — and if not, whether they are still plausible. 

Til Death Do Us Part

The episode begins with Yorkie navigating the bustling Tucker’s nightclub, where she crosses paths with Kelly, who encourages her to dance. This encounter sets the stage for a deeper connection beyond the surface allure of San Junipero’s neon-lit nightlife.

The 1980s was an interesting time. While there was progress in the women’s rights movement, traditional gender roles still persisted in many areas. Women were often expected to balance a career with homemaking, and men faced pressure to conform to traditional masculinity. Those who didn’t conform to societal norms often faced stigmatization. This included individuals with alternative lifestyles, like the LGBTQ community.

The American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder in its diagnostic manual in 1973, but the emergence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s sparked fear and amplified existing stigma. 

While HIV and AIDS remain a concern, medical advances and a better understanding of the virus have improved the outlook for those affected. HIV today is no longer a death sentence, with approximately 39 million people globally living with the virus in 2022.

Acceptance is a major theme in this episode. Acceptance is also the final stage of grief. While Yorkie’s family never accepted her after she came out and after her accident, Kelly struggles to accept her husband’s death and the end of their marriage, despite her enduring love for him.

Aging, loss, injustice, and differing viewpoints are all factors we must accept. While we may start with denial, anger, and depression, we can’t grow without eventually finding a way to accept and live with these realities.

In the 1980s, mental health issues were not openly accepted, and individuals facing such challenges were sometimes viewed as weak or even dangerous. People often believed that those with depression could overcome it by “cheering up” or “snapping out of it.” 

In the same vein, conversion therapy, also known as “reparative therapy” or “ex-gay therapy” aims to change the sexual orientation of a person who identifies as LGBTQ. It was based on the belief that like being depressed, someone’s sexual orientation was a choice and could be “cured.” 

There is evidence now to suggest that genetics may play a role. Studies of identical twins have shown a higher likelihood of shared sexual orientation compared to fraternal twins. 

Today, while not universal, many LGBTQ individuals experience greater acceptance and support from their families and social circles, with same-sex marriage legally recognized in much of the Western world.

In 2000, Vermont became the first U.S. state to introduce civil unions for same-sex couples, offering legal recognition and benefits but not full marriage rights. It took four more years before Massachusetts made history by legalizing same-sex marriage, granting equal rights and privileges to same-sex couples.

But the war for acceptance still continues. In 2023, the battleground is the education system, where acceptance and inclusion are key to a new generation of LGBTQ feeling safe. Across North America, protestors and counter-protesters clashed at the steps of suburban elementary schools over the teachings of gender and sexual orientation. Should such topics be excluded from school curricula, leaving such education solely to parents? One side demands it. But what if those parents hold intolerant beliefs, similar to Yorkie’s parents? Where can children find support?

Approximately 41% of transgender individuals have reported attempting suicide at some point in their lives. Additionally, the suicide attempt rate among LGBTQ adults is nearly 12 times higher than that of the general population.
The rise of social media has enabled us to share messages, raise awareness, and learn from others, but it has also made it more challenging to find contentment in our own lives due to constant comparisons. Research conducted by the Pew Research Center revealed that about 60% of social media users in the United States experience feelings of inadequacy when they see others’ posts showcasing their accomplishments.

Social media feeds are filled with idyllic depictions of flawless marriages, dream vacations, picture-perfect families, and enchanting love stories, creating an endless popularity contest. However, it is crucial to recognize that the notion of a flawless life is a fallacy; such flawlessness does not exist in the real world.

And that is something we need to accept. 

Ghosted 

During their dance, despite their contrasting personalities, Yorkie and Kelly share a joyful moment. However, when Yorkie becomes overwhelmed, she leaves the dance floor, and outside, Kelly makes a sexual proposition to her, to which Yorkie declines by telling her that she’s engaged.

The following week, Yorkie returns, and in the restroom, Kelly once again propositions her sexually. This time Yorkie accepts.

But on the third week, Kelly is nowhere to be found at Tucker’s. Yorkie searches for her at the Quagmire, a BDSM nightclub, and bumps into Wes, the man Kelly had been avoiding. Wes, like Yorkie, expected Kelly to adhere to their relationship, but it becomes evident that Kelly has chosen to avoid the pain and complexity of such commitments by ghosting them.

Ghosting, which involves suddenly cutting off communication without explanation, became more prevalent in the mobile dating app scene, often leaving users hurt and frustrated. This phenomenon is emblematic of modern dating culture, where the ease of online connection and reduced face-to-face interaction can lead to less personal and sometimes inconsiderate approaches to ending relationships.

According to a 2023 Forbes study, 76% of participants have experienced either ghosting or being ghosted in a dating context. Nearly 60% of individuals report having been ghosted, while 45% acknowledge ghosting someone else.

After their intimate night together, Kelly experiences complex emotions. Her initial encounter with Yorkie at the nightclub was more about enjoying the moment and having fun. While she has developed genuine feelings for Yorkie, she also grapples with her internal conflict. 

According to Business of Apps, as of 2022, over 337 million people worldwide are using dating apps. And not all of them are necessarily looking for a soulmate.  

The dating app market is nearly a $5 billion industry that caters to diverse needs. For instance, Grindr is there for the LGBTQ community, Bumble empowers women to initiate conversations, and OkCupid lets users specify their intentions, whether it’s casual flings, short-term dating, or long-term relationships.

Time was referenced often in this episode, and does indeed play a crucial role in relationships and life. The intense passion in the early stages of romance are evolutionary mechanisms to help individuals form connections and reproduce, but they typically fade as relationships mature, causing us to question whether they were real at all.

In San Junipero, at midnight, those who are trialing the platform must return to their physical bodies. This serves as a metaphor for how we must confront the physical and mental challenges that come with aging, as well as our capacity for love. Kelly’s hesitation in forming deep emotional connections is partly due to the guilt she carries from her years of devoted love to someone she lost. Letting go of that love is a daunting prospect for her. 

Meanwhile, Yorkie sees being with Kelly as a chance to finally experience the richness of life and love that had been withheld from her in her previous existence.

In this way, to love each other is to let their past lives die. 

People now have the freedom to choose their experiences and relationships. Apps like Tinder popularized the concept of swiping right to like or left to dislike profiles, turning the search for potential matches into a game. 

However, the fundamental human experience remains unchanged. We still grapple with the passage of time, knowing that every decision we make and every opportunity we miss may come back to affect us. And so, it raises questions: What if there’s something better out there? What if we never find something as good again? Dating apps are games, where we create our own characters and hope that the chosen one leads to a happy ending.

Second Life or After Life 

At the end of the episode, Kelly faces a significant choice. Her decision centers around joining her late husband and daughter in the afterlife or staying in San Junipero with Yorkie and embracing digital eternity. 

The Internet has made the preservation of memories complicated. For those still alive, managing their digital legacy is a growing concern, and various apps and platforms help them plan the distribution of their digital assets and online accounts after their passing. Services like Everplans and Cake offer such support.

Some people may choose to leave more than assets and accounts behind. They want to create digital versions of themselves. Technologies like Replika, an AI chatbot, engage in conversations with users, preserving their thoughts and stories for future generations.

But the notion of permanent existence in another world raises questions not just for the afterlife but for our present lives. Many living individuals now opt to spend time in entertainment realms, where they can create avatars that reflect their personality more than their physical appearance. This mirrors Yorkie’s born-again experience, transformed by the Tucker technology.

One popular form of this digital second life is the game with the namesake: Second Life, where players create avatars and explore a user-generated 3D environment with various activities, from socializing to designing virtual items. As of 2022, there are 64.7 million active users on Second Life.

Online platforms provide safe spaces for people to explore and express their identities, and LGBTQ+ communities on social media, games, and apps have shown to offer support and acceptance.

While the hype for the Metaverse had simmered down for consumers, industries are still bullish about its potential. We see this with technology companies like Nvidia designing “digital twins”, a virtual representation of a physical object for use in constructing automobiles, infrastructure, energy, and more. 

The Metaverse is not going away, despite companies like Disney and Microsoft shutting down projects. In 2023, we saw Apple joining the market by announcing their headset, Apple Vision Pro. While it may seem laughable that we would be wearing those giant goggles all day, tech companies are betting that soon people will buy in.

The hope is by then, governments and policymakers will have a better understanding of the regulatory and ethical aspects of the Metaverse, especially concerning digital identity, data privacy, and virtual economies.

This leads to the topic of a second life as an afterlife. While digital immortality is not yet possible, it sparks debates, especially around a speculative concept called mind uploading. This involves transferring a person’s mental state, including consciousness and memories, from a biological brain to a non-biological or digital form. 

There are a number of companies already embarking on this venture, such as Nectome and Alcor Life Extension. But as of 2023, there doesn’t seem to be any advancement beyond preserving the bodies and brains of the deceased. 

If mind uploading ever becomes possible, its development will hinge on scientific progress, societal acceptance, and ethical frameworks, making it a complex and multifaceted journey.

James Hughes, American sociologist and bioethicist, raises a fundamental question: “The pursuit of digital immortality opens up a realm of ethical concerns. Who owns the digital copies of our minds, and what rights do they have?”

San Junipero is an emotional ride. The episode beautifully explores themes of love, identity, and the nature of existence. It’s known for its captivating blend of nostalgia, romance, and thought-provoking questions about life and death in a digital age. 

While rewatching this episode, I was surprised by how moved I got at the end. Perhaps now, I have gotten older. The past few years have revealed the potential bleakness of the world. Although I have made many commitments, the fear is not that time will stop, but that I may squander it by clinging to something fleeting.

Join my YouTube community for insights on writing, the creative process, and the endurance needed to tackle big projects. Subscribe Now!

For more writing ideas and original stories, please sign up for my mailing list. You won’t receive emails from me often, but when you do, they’ll only include my proudest works.