‘Black Mirror’ Study Guide: Hang The DJ

In an unexpectedly different episode, “Black Mirror” examines the datafication of everything, digital assistants, and the algorithms of modern life.

‘Black Mirror’ is a satirical anthology series that examines the dark aspects of modern society, particularly as it relates to our relationship with technology. Each standalone episode presents a picture of a world that’s futuristic, yet believable; cool, yet horrifying. Each of these study guides will touch on some of the themes the episode explores.

The Datafication of Everything

“Everything happens for a reason”, the digital love assistant, Coach, tells Frank. She says this to Frank in an attempt to comfort him after a series of tiring relationships that amount to nothing more than an opportunity for Coach to gather data that will, eventually, lead to Frank’s “ultimate” match. It’s a means to an end. All of Frank’s actions and reactions are silently noted by Coach, quantified, then used to further fine-tune the search for “the one.”