"There are only two industries that call their customers "users": illegal drugs and software."
Director: Jeff Orlowski
Where Available: Netflix
Rating:
Summary:
This documentary-drama hybrid explores the dangerous human impact of social networking, with tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations.
Review:
This may be the most important documentary for you to see this year.
I know it's not just me when I say I LOVE technology. From my phone to my iPad to my computer, I have an apple product near me at all times. On top of that, there is all the social media created for teenagers just like me. I am constantly on Snapchat and Instagram to talk with friends and catch up on pop culture news. Every time I see the voting tab on the top of my instagram feed or an ad about the product that is currently in my Amazon cart, I don't think much about it and just keep scrolling.
In The Social Dilemma, previous creators and engineers of companies like Instagram and Twitter come forward and not only expose their companies, but apologize to us for the harm they have done. There are thousands of algorithms lined up in rows of giant computers at these companies headquarters working to keep me infinitely scrolling, no matter the cost.
I LOVE DOCUMENTARIES, which is why I was so excited to watch another one from Jeff Orlowski. For those who haven't heard of his other work, Orlowski is the director of both Chasing Ice and Chasing Coral. If you did not see either of these in your environmental science class, add them to your watchlist. Orlowski is able to take a giant concept like climate change and bring it down to a human level that everyone can understand. The visuals in Chasing Ice are ABSOLUTELY INSANE and will change the way you look at the environment and climate change. In The Social Dilemma, he pretty much compares the creators of "the digital age" to "Dr. Frankenstein": the creator who went WAAYY too far.
Even if you don't really like documentaries, use social media, or care about Mark Zuckerberg and his Facebook drama, this The Social Dilemma is still worth the watch. It takes a deep dive into whats happening with the growing use of technology around the world not only through interviews, but acting and animation. The drama aspect of this show might be able to connect with you on a more emotional level than the CEO's of Pinterest can. The actors are able to dramatize what the interviewees are saying. This film was debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January, but has since been updated to include news clips and scenes about the BLM movement and the coronavirus. I think this was a super important addition, since these events have changed the way we look at media.
The Social Dilemma is pretty much that documentary that backs up everything your parents have said about the internet your entire life, but told by more informed people who actually created the platforms you use.
Actually, I'm going to make a bet with you right now and say that you can't watch the entire documentary without clicking a notification on your phone. Leave your phone right next to you as you watch, and see if you can do it. Now, as you go and watch that documentary, I will be deleting Twitter from my phone.
This was definitely a short review, but I really wanted to quickly talk about it for you guys since it is SO IMPORTANT. So many more reviews and fun blog posts coming soon:)!!
Quotes:
"Nothing vast enters the life of mortals without a curse."
"If you are not paying for the product, you are the product. Your attention is the product that is being sold to advertisers."
"Social media is a marketplace that trades in human."
"There are only two industries that call their customers "users": illegal drugs and software."
"How do you wakeup from the matrix when you don't know you are in the matrix?"
"Whether it is to be utopia or oblivion will be a touch-and-go relay race right up to the final moment..."
"Tristan Harris: I mean, it seems kind of crazy, right? It's like the fundamental way that this stuff is designed isn't going in a good direction. Like, the entire thing. So, it sounds crazy to say we need to change all that, but that's what we need to do."
"Interviewer: Think we are going to get there?"
"Tristan Harris: We have too."
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