The Ethics of Black Mirror - White Christmas

In the lesson, we looked at the episode White Christmas from the sci-fi series Black Mirror. We studied the ethics of creating artificial clones (called 'Cookies' in the show) of oneself, and using them as a means to gain information and do work. The episode also introduces the Z-Eye, a technological gadget that has the ability to 'cyber-block' others (when cyber-blocked, one appears as a grey silhouette, and will not be able to be heard by the blocker), as well as perform the basic functions of a phone.

The ethics I looked into revolved around the treatment of Cookies, as well as the legal sentencing of Joe's copy within Black Mirror. As depicted in the show, Cookies are generally tortured into submission if they refuse to cooperate: a dire attempt to break their spirit. This is immoral, as although Cookies are artificial, they are still conscious and very much sentient - almost human-like. One does not simply treat a fellow human in this manner, so why do so for Cookies?

Furthermore, Cookies are punished for the crimes of their 'owners' - the "original", as one may say, as seen in Joe's copy's case. In the episode, Joe's Cookie is sentenced by an officer to a never-ending punishment (Cookies are essentially immortal) - 1.5 million years of being confined in the crime scene, with 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas' playing on a continuing loop.

Although it can be argued that the clone is the murderer, the "original" Joe was successfully imprisoned and charged with murder in reality - there is no need to punish someone that has already received their punishment/will receive due punishment. In addition:

• Cookies are harmless - there was never any need for Joe's copy to be punished as there is nothing it could have done either way
• Many prisoners receive second chances, so why can't Joe's copy?
• The extent of punishment is cruel and unnecessary - it would be kinder to kill the Cookie than for it to suffer this fate
• Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that no one should be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and what the officer - a legal enforcer nonetheless - has done is in clear violation of this right
• The Cookie is innocent, as it was not the one who physically committed the crime - Joe's copy is merely the blood and bones of Joe himself and nothing else: it is capable of developing its own thoughts and exhibiting its own behaviour

What Will the Future Be Like?

As part of an introduction to futurology, we had to get into groups and create a mnemonic from the word "future" on what we think the future will be like. In our answer, we had to refer to either the technological singularity or transhumanism:

Technological Singularity - A hypothetical event in which artificial intelligence would be capable of recursive self-improvement (e.g. gaining the ability to re-design its programme, become a super-intelligence, etc.) or become sentient.

Transhumanism - An international movement that aims to transform the human condition by developing and utilising sophisticated technologies to enhance human intellectual, physical and psychological capabilities.

The mnemonic my group came up with is as follows:

F - Finance

• There will be a greater wealth gap between the rich and the poor
• More expensive products - with each technological advancement, it will cost more in order to purchase a particular product
• More industrial

U - Utopia

• Scientific breakthroughs will (hopefully) eradicate natural evil - e.g. hunger, disease
• World will be "perfect"
• No warfare - will be peaceful

T - Technological Advancements

• Creation of new, "tech-savvy" products - e.g. hover boards, virtual reality, time machines
• Technology-based scientific breakthroughs - e.g. medical advancements, agricultural developments
• Everything will be automated by robots and/or remote-controlled

U - Uprising

• At some point in time, there will be an uprising against either a Government or between the rich and poor
• New age in history (beginning of dystopia)

R - Replicants

• Def.: Genetically engineered replicas of a human being
• Artificial clones will be created in order to ensure that there is no shortage of organs

E - Environmental Damage

• Environmental damage is inevitable, whether it takes place in a utopian or dystopian environment
• Consequences of human activity already include global warming, deforestation and pollution, so it is only fair to assume that they will occur in the future as well
• Because of building expansions in the future, there will most likely be a higher rate of extinction