The 10 Best Fictional Inventions From 'Black Mirror', Ranked

2022-04-02 09:41:54 By : Ms. Sara Dong

'Black Mirror' has a knack for coming up with world-changing devices. What if they were used for good?

Black Mirror has never been a show to pull its punches. Since its debut in 2011, the show has maintained its edge by displaying both the good and harmful effects that technology has on society. Viewers have seen everything from memory playback devices that act as a human DVR to nanobot bees that have the capability to strike a specific target. Black Mirror's main theme throughout its run has always been about the consequences of the advancement of technology.

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But that doesn't mean that it is all bad news. There were some inventions highlighted in the show that, with a few constructive tweaks, could prove to be useful. Some of these products could even become a reality in the not-so-distant future.

In a very rare wholesome episode of Black Mirror, "Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too" basically played out as an updated Hannah Montana storyline. Miley Cyrus plays a pop star who wants nothing more than to be herself. After her likeness is uploaded into a line of dolls called "Ashley Too," that desire for normalcy carries on. When Ashley Too is accidentally given a bizarre update to her software, she becomes sentient and takes on the real Ashley's persona.

Okay, maybe it's not the most practical of all the Black Mirror products, but just think of the possibilities. A fully interactive AI doll that can be customized to upload any celebrity's personality. The technology could be applied to anything from public relations tours to comforting children in hospitals. Who wouldn't want a miniature Tom Hanks cheering them up?

Featured in the Season 1 episode "Fifteen Million Merits," viewers were first introduced to the treadmills as Bing (Daniel Kaluuya) went through his mundane daily routine. Over time, it became apparent that the treadmills not only paid out a type of currency but were also used as a source of energy in a dystopian futuristic setting.

The idea of using humans as a utility does seem a little cruel, and as shown throughout the episode, the riders were not treated particularly well. However, the idea of a reusable energy source using a dedicated force of willing participants is an interesting alternative. If done in a much more humane way, human-powered treadmills could very well be the energy source of the future.

Black Mirror has highlighted video game technology several times throughout its history. In "Striking Vipers", viewers saw the possibility of interchangeable avatars that blurred the lines between make-believe and reality. "Playtest" took the concept of virtual reality and gave it a much more grounded concept, putting Cooper through what seemed like a very time-consuming journey in a matter of seconds.

Virtual reality is a popular niche in gaming, but there is still a way to go for the genre to really find its footing. If properly tested and ran through safety protocols, the tech shown in "Playtest" would be an instant hit in the real world, with users playing through a realistic simulation in mere seconds in real-time.

In the second episode of Season 4, "Arkangel" told the story of how an idea with good intentions could be exploited and used for nefarious reasons. The concept of a device that allows for a user to monitor their child comes from the idea of safety and peace of mind. But as viewers saw, the device opened the door for a totalitarian style of parenting that bordered on obsession.

But what if Arkangel was used for pets instead of children? Taking the concept and using it to monitor animals that are unable to effectively communicate their discomfort would be more useful than using it as an intrusive surveillance device.

Taking a real-life concept and running with its impact is a common theme in Black Mirror. "White Christmas" focused on the idea of blocking a person and used it as the shocking twist ending in the episode. Played by actor Jon Hamm, lead character Matt Porter finally faces the consequences of his actions and is unable to physically interact with another person.

If possibly refined with a more deft touch, real-life blocking could be an invaluable tool against stalkers and other predators. Creating a more permanent punishment would certainly be a more effective deterrent to abhorrent behavior.

The first episode of Season 2, "Be Right Back" told the story of a woman grieving the loss of her beloved partner. Thanks to the stunning and seemingly wholesome technology, Martha (Hayley Atwell) was able to once again be with Ash (Domhnall Gleeson). Throughout the episode, Martha begins to learn that Ash was not the same, and it was impossible to truly replace who she once lost.

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In typical Black Mirror fashion, it was heartbreaking to watch Martha come to the realization. But it could be argued that it was a very useful tool in helping her through the grief. Instead of completely holding onto the past, she was able to (sort of) move on.

Killer nano-bees that can attack anyone with a simple Twitter hashtag, what's not to love about that? "Hated In A Nation" showed the power of an anonymous online mob and the consequences that online attacks can have. In the episode, London is thrown into a city-wide panic as the lethal attacks continue. It isn't until the very end that online users who participated in the hashtag meet the same fate as those they wished to harm.

But what if a fleet of command-controlled nanobots could be used for good? Instead of using costly equipment, farmers could simply type a command and have the bots plant seeds. Thousands of nano-bees could even be used as a litter patrol in a large city, picking up discarded trash. If harnessed for good, the technology would have endless possibilities.

"Crocodile" took a very simple story and added a very typical Black Mirror twist. In this episode, investigators have access to a device that puts normal lie detectors to shame. The device can view a person's visual memories. Mia Nolan (Andrea Riseborough) learns the hard way that there is no running from your past.

Applied to real-life practices, the device would prove to be invaluable to investigations with murky or confusing circumstances. The days of unreliable testimony would be gone and replaced with an indisputable record of what occurred.

"San Junipero" is a favorite to many Black Mirror fans. The story of a budding relationship with a flair for the nostalgic 80s struck a chord with viewers. In atypical Black Mirror fashion, "San Junipero" showcased the benefit of advanced technology as the twist was revealed at the end of the episode. Kelly (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) was able to relieve her happier and healthier youth with Yorkie (Mackenzie Davis).

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The technology to relive the past may be a slippery slope, but it would be a rewarding experience for those who wish to not forget their earlier life. For the elderly and infirm, the idea of a virtual time machine would prove to spark joy in their time of need.

Like the technology used in "Crocodile", "The Entire History of You" also focused on memory. However, this device allows for the user to actually view anything from the past, no matter how big or small. Liam Foxwell (Toby Kebbell) learns throughout the episode that some stones are better left unturned. He was unable to deal with what he already suspected.

As shown in the episode, there are consequences of always recording everyday lives, but do they outweigh the possible benefits? Just think of the practical application for those suffering from memory loss. This device would be a complete game-changer. Even on a smaller scale, users would be able to remember minute details they may have looked over. Worries about lost keys would be a relic of the past.

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