Topic: Black Mirror

6 chapters across the catalog

Mass Formation
Episode 1373 2:54:19 - 3:05:38

1373: Mass Formation

George Bernard Shaw, Eugenics and Social Worth

An archival clip of George Bernard Shaw features the playwright advocating for a "properly appointed board" to justify an individual's existence every few years. The hosts compare this historical eugenics mindset to modern social credit systems and "cancel culture" depicted in science fiction media.

Googers
Episode 1146 2:37:35 - 2:43:48

1146: Googers

Hong Kong Protests, Extradition Bill, Social Credit Hacks

Massive protests in Hong Kong against a proposed extradition bill have led to violent clashes with police. Protesters fear the bill will allow Beijing to target political dissidents and foreigners, effectively ending the "one country, two systems" policy. Additionally, reports suggest that youth in China are finding ways to "hack" or circumvent the social credit system, offering a glimmer of resistance against state surveillance.

Act IX
Episode 1103 1:53:56 - 1:58:00

1103: Act IX

Social Reputation Scores and Klout Downfall

The discussion turns to the concept of social reputation scores, referencing the TV show "Black Mirror." They discuss the failure of Klout, a service that attempted to rank social media influence before being shut down by Lithium Technologies. The hosts brainstorm ideas for a "spooky" new reputation app that would track how often a person appears in others' photos.

Flash Meetup!
Episode 1100 1:51:49 - 1:56:20

1100: Flash Meetup!

Data Backup Strategies and Black Mirror Bandersnatch

A host describes a multi-layered backup strategy involving separate drives, clones, and cloud storage. The conversation shifts to the Netflix interactive film *Black Mirror: Bandersnatch*, which contains hidden Atari code that can be decrypted via a cassette tape emulator to reveal a QR code.

Rats on a Plane
Episode 996 1:14:57 - 1:19:01

996: Rats on a Plane

Rhabit App, Workplace Performance Tracking

The Rhabit app is a mobile performance management tool that allows employees to rate their colleagues in real-time, similar to the interface of Tinder. Critics compare this "behavior scoring" to the dystopian themes of the television show *Black Mirror*, noting it codifies workplace surveillance and "stack ranking."

Missile by Nike
Episode 995 59:49 - 1:04:41

995: Missile by Nike

Executive Producer Donations and Black Mirror Discussion

Executive Producers Sir Nils Bonnaker and Adam Dill are thanked for their $1,000 donations. The conversation transitions to the Netflix series *Black Mirror*, specifically the episode "Nosedive," which depicts a society governed by social ratings. One host notes their 4.98 Uber rating and jokes about the real-world parallels to the show's dystopian themes.