Does Social media pose the greatest threat to humanity? That is a question which is becoming very popular recently. And Jeff Orlowski as a filmmaker has always been concerned with the destruction of the world. So after Chasing Ice and Chasing Coral his latest concern “The Social Dilemma”. It takes an aim at a greater evil Social media. The overall theme of the documentary is what our future will look like with social media.
The Social Dilemma starts with technologists stating their fears about their creation. It is kind of like Frankenstein the scientist who went too far. The technologists acknowledge that there are problems and that is we spend too much time on Social media. The Social Dilemma points out that the breach of privacy and use of personal data to earn money is not a “bug” but a deliberate feature.
More about the Documentary
In brisk interviews with the creators of Social media, Jeff explores how Social media is an existential threat to humanity. The technologists all tell their predictions of the future. Most of the problems outlined in the documentary-like addiction to social media, breach of privacy for personal gain, suffering relationships are common.
But the documentary drama goes the extra mile and can not be accused of being subtle. It has over the top approach with a dramatic Narrative that runs throughout the film and with fictional scenes of a family facing all the problems. With the whole family silent at the dinner table and teenage daughter with damaged self-esteem and a son watching radical videos.
Though in the end, The Social Dilemma explores Good technology and Bad technology. It criticizes Social media directly by pointing out that depression has spiked with social media. But Harris who has been critiquing Social media for some time now concedes that it is not so much Social media that is a threat to humanity but how it brings out the worse in us is the problem. Social media didn’t invent bullying, beauty standards, Loneliness it just amplified them.
So the War isn’t as much with Social media as it is with bad impulses of Humanity. “The Social Dilemma” ends with producers asking the most obvious question ”What should be done now?” Some creators suggest to tweak the design, some say to regulate the use, and some hint at directly shutting down the companies. Although most of them have no answer to this question they just stare blankly.
The Social Dilemma will be out on Netflix Today! Do give it a Watch.
