Algorithmic Intimacy, Prosthetic Memory, and Gamification in Black Mirror

Abstract: Black Mirror (2011–current), an anthology science-fiction television series, portrays how digital technologies reflect and shape our dreams and nightmares about the current media environment. The ways in which Black Mirror depicts the world where digital devices are strongly tied to human consciousness and bodies can be elaborated by focusing on three keywords: algorithmic intimacy, prosthetic memory, and gamification. There are two major arguments presented. First, Black Mirror provides critical perspectives on quantified relationships, artificial memory, and social ratings. Second, at the same time, the ways in which this science fiction text portrays current media environments renders these critical representations of digital technologies ironically normalized.