When conceptualizing new technologies and their implementations, it is important to consider the ethics and possible outcomes. Sci-fi books and movies are a brilliant avenue through which we can explore the implications of futuristic technology, and shows like Black Mirror and Altered Carbon can leave us with a very chilling perspective. In the dystopian universe of the Black Mirror episode “Nosedive,” each person has a rating displayed next to them that everyone around them can also view. On their phones, individuals can leave ratings for those around them which ultimately culminates in how they are treated. People can have unreasonably low scores, as in the case of the main character who was penalized for getting frustrated at the airport, or artificially high scores based on bribes, such as when the main character gave the lady working at the airport 5 stars so that she could get on her flight. While on the surface, it might seem like a good way to let other people know if someone around them is dangerous and should be avoided or is agreeable, it can further stereotypes and lead to a lot of dehumanizing outcomes. Off the top of my head, I can think of so many ways this technology could be abused: from race discrimination to manipulation to fraud and deceit. It is one thing to press ‘like’ or ‘dislike’ or rate a piece of content on the internet, and another to do it to people.
In a way, this might be exactly why social media is so toxic, especially for young kids. Placing an enormous amount of your self-worth on how many likes you get is already evidently damaging, and I can’t even imagine how much worse it would be if other people looked at those numbers and decided what way they’ll treat you based solely on that. The pettiness of people should never be underestimated when it comes to how they’ll use new tech and new designs.
The Feed presents a whole other problem: privacy is a quickly dwindling human right as companies like Google and Facebook pile up and store tremendous amounts of information on us. When people are so connected that they can perceive every single thing another person thinks and feels, there is no privacy left and it’s no wonder the trailer depicted violent outbreaks near the end. On the one hand, if someone has low self-esteem and finds out someone else thinks highly of them, it might help them out, but it could go so incredibly wrong when people inevitably have negative thoughts. I don’t think it is unrealistic to think that technology can go in these dystopian apocalyptic directions, especially when hate crimes birthed from misinformation are already plaguing us. But I also don’t think it makes sense to curb invention for fear of what could be. The responsibility lies with the designers and inventors to create constraints on negative impacts, and the government to bring laws up to pace with technological advancements.
I agree with your look on FEED. I think we will say goodbye to our privacy very soon.