Common People

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Over a span of approximately 15 years, the series Black Mirror, created by Charlie Brooker, has consistently constructed thought-provoking, darkly amusing stories set in a technologically advanced society. Surprisingly adaptable across its seven seasons, this anthology series delves into the complexities of humanity’s interaction with technology, leaving lasting impressions that are both unsettling and heartwarming. While episodes like “San Junipero” from Season 3 offer a lighter touch, it is often the darker episodes that remain etched in viewers’ minds.

Season 7 commences with an episode titled “Common People,” which could be one of the most powerful and unsettling episodes produced yet by Black Mirror. Featuring Chris O’Dowd and Rashida Jones as Mike and Amanda, a married couple who turn to a subscription service in a desperate attempt to save Amanda from a terminal brain tumor, this episode showcases Black Mirror at its finest – manipulating real-world situations into unsettling extremes. This particular scenario is one that has become all too prevalent online in recent times.

Online Platforms’ Slow Decline

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve found myself often reflecting on the evolution of various online services and platforms that, at first glance, seemed promising. However, over time, it seems like these companies prioritize their shareholders’ profits over our user experience.

This trend is evident in several ways – for instance, a gradual shift towards relying heavily on ad revenue, hiking up subscription fees, and in the case of streaming platforms, noticeably reducing the library size. It’s disheartening to see this pattern repeated across the internet, from escalating costs of streamers to social media feeds swamped with ads and AI-generated content that feels less genuine.

A term, “ensh*ttification,” was popularized by writer Cory Doctorow starting from 2022, as it became increasingly evident since the late 2010s and early 2020s. This term describes a practice that has been observed across various platforms, such as Netflix’s ad-supported tier, Twitter’s transformation into X, or Amazon pushing third-party sellers to compete for better page placement. Doctorow contends that these online platforms often operate at a loss in their early stages, attracting customers and suppliers with the expectation of value, only to later find ways to maximize profit by degrading the user experience over time.

“Common People” Explores the Ensh*ttification of the Mind

In a nod to Netflix’s critics who claim the streaming service degrades its platform through regular price hikes and ad introductions, “Common People” seems reminiscent of Black Mirror critiquing its own streaming domain, a subject they’ve enthusiastically tackled before. The episode pushes the concept of degradation to an outrageous level when Mike enrolls Amanda in a service called Rivermind, which duplicates the tumorous part of her brain and replaces it post-surgery, even performing the operation for free. However, there’s a twist: after the surgery, maintaining Amanda’s active brain requires a monthly subscription of $300.

Rivermind’s representative, Gaynor (played by Tracee Ellis Ross), entices a mourning Mike by proposing a tempting offer of bringing his wife back. However, the situation soon turns disturbing. Initially, they must upgrade to “Rivermind Plus” for an extra $500 per month to escape the limited service area and disable the intrusive ads that users like Amanda are compelled to repeat without their consent. Later, Amanda realizes she’s sleeping for extended periods of up to 16 hours without feeling refreshed. This is because her cognitive abilities are being utilized to support the costly “Rivermind Lux” package. Gaynor casually suggests that all their issues with the service can be resolved – provided they continue to spend more money.

I can’t help but be gripped by the stark reality of Mike and Amanda’s predicament as their financial struggles intensify. They find themselves caught in a vicious cycle, as they desperately seek funds to maintain a deteriorating service. The stakes are particularly high for Amanda, since her cognitive abilities are tied to this subscription. Terminating the service would be catastrophic, effectively equating to a life-threatening decision.

This situation serves as an alarming reminder of the consequences that can arise from our increasing dependence on digital services, where we’re not actually the owners of the content we consume. The allure of streaming platforms is undeniable, but it becomes a different story when the subscription isn’t just for entertainment, but for something as essential as life itself. It’s a chilling expansion of the digital enslavement experience, bringing it from the online world into the tangible reality we inhabit.

Black Mirror frequently demonstrates an eagerness to experiment with its narrative structure, showing it can create a wide range of tales under its sleek black canopy. While many of these deviations have been quite successful, “Common People” serves as a reminder of what initially made the show so captivating: its skill in crafting stories that escalate ordinary human experiences into chilling extremes, delving into the dangerous directions we might be steered by our intertwining with technology.

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2025-04-17 04:02