I loved this episode. I remember thinking what they hell is going on here? And was like mesmerized by all the music and the 80s, 90s and 2000s references. Fantastic piece. It gets you thinking. I don't really like to discuss death, but it's something we all have to face. Now I think I might have to go watch again.
Loved this episode - and your musings on it. It's probably one of the single standout shows/movies I've seen that has lived rent free in my brain ever since, but I also must admit I'd take my chances on the nothing. I don't think any of us were made to live forever, digitally or otherwise, and I'd rather rest peacefully in darkness than risk living groundhog day forever.
I feel like everything grows old eventually, even the best of days. I spent four years of my life living in a little fringe community in Cambodia, which on the surface seemed idyllic, but there was so much messy drama and unhappiness too. I wrote about it yesterday, actually. But anyway, love this and have thought a lot about it over the years. Thanks for sharing!
this is a great comment—it's pretty brave to accept the nothing, as you say. I think many people have a difficult time with it. Before we were born it was all nothing, and for some reason it's just harder to accept the idea of a peaceful nothing for all time after. You're right though, everything grows old, and part of getting away from the drama and unhappiness is finding some sort of acceptance with our fate. I'll definitely take a look at what you wrote. Glad to have run into you. Cheers.
Ah, my life these last few years has been coloured and clouded by dementia, so I think the nothingness has a certain appeal because of that. No doubt I'd have found my way there anyway, but anyone can have too much of a good thing - and now my journey is finding good things in a bad thing, which is a whole life lesson in itself. Anyway, here's to the deep conversations and forever going to the interesting places!
"on the other side of that great divide, pleasures so grand, they stultify" Stultify—what an excellent word. The way it sounds and works so well for this poem. Thanks.
Deep reflection on an excellent Black Mirror episode, Franco. Playing tribute to art with art. Makes me want to watch it again, too (rewatching great movies and great episodes of series is always really rewarding. Now I want to see what else I'll get out of it).
I'd take the chance, I think, if the digital afterlife could be Liverpool, 1957, and time continued to move forward from there. still, it's that last bit that's key, I think. maybe it's the ephemeral nature of everything miraculous and beautiful that makes it miraculous and beautiful. if i rose bloomed eternally, it would likely lose its magic.
I agree, setting the time period and the parameters is nice and seemingly perfect. but human beings are notoriously bad at predicting the exact set of circumstances that will make them happy. sometimes it's the tension, the paradoxical nature of things, the contrast between two opposing forces, the continued striving for something, that makes us feel most content and balanced
I never heard of the show you referenced, but I apparently missed a gem. Here lies the larger question Franco. Which is actually the simulation, the one we are living now, or the one to come? Deep, and not necessarily science fiction. Excellent work. Thanks, Mark
I agree, I think that is a question we have to confront as well, and it is kind of scary that it is not necessarily one of science fiction. Thank you, Mark. I appreciate your follow-up commentary.
I agree with the idea that an eternal existence cannot be existentially self-sustaining for finite beings. “Life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone.”
Not a JCM fan but that line bubbled up first.
The bucket is filled from outside the veil. If you can only (must) carry the bucket onward forever, but the spigot stays fixed...
Well done, Franco-Great poem and excellent notes. I think we’re getting closer and closer to living in a simulation, although a claim can be made that culture is suffering from anterograde amnesia. BTW, “San Junipero” is my favorite Black Mirror episode, too.
That's awesome to hear that it's your favorite episode. I appreciate the comment and agree that this is already a weird simulation-ish reality and most of us have no idea what to do about it.
I haven't seen this episode, though I'm now curious, very thought provoking.
This makes me think of reincarnation with one key difference. With reincarnation, I'm not sure you get to choose when you start something new, or what shape that newness might take.
Though I suppose being stripped of volition wouldn't seem very heavenly to many.
"Humans need constant reinvention. We have to allow one another to be whoever we choose to be at whatever time we choose it. Because heaven isn’t being in one place for all time. A true heaven means always feeling like we have the freedom to start again if we so desire."
great point about being stripped of volition. I do wonder a lot about reincarnation too. Sometimes it's comforting but other times it seems horrifying too. I guess it depends on what you come back as. thanks for adding to the conversation, Reginald.
I loved this episode. I remember thinking what they hell is going on here? And was like mesmerized by all the music and the 80s, 90s and 2000s references. Fantastic piece. It gets you thinking. I don't really like to discuss death, but it's something we all have to face. Now I think I might have to go watch again.
haha, i know. I think I've seen it like three or four times now
hmm... well that depends, do we know each other from some other part of the Internet? Or something
The things that can never be are the worst....
yes, indeed. well said, David!
These are the kinds of things I think about at two in the morning...
Haha yep perfect fodder for 2am thoughts
Well... I’m thrilled knowing I’m not the only one! 😅
definitely not :)
Surely we're in the majority!
:)
A very interesting and thought-provoking piece, Franco.
It’s also interesting to know the poem was inspired by black mirror, that makes a lot of sense. :)
Thank you, Michael! Glad you enjoyed it, my friend.
Loved this episode - and your musings on it. It's probably one of the single standout shows/movies I've seen that has lived rent free in my brain ever since, but I also must admit I'd take my chances on the nothing. I don't think any of us were made to live forever, digitally or otherwise, and I'd rather rest peacefully in darkness than risk living groundhog day forever.
I feel like everything grows old eventually, even the best of days. I spent four years of my life living in a little fringe community in Cambodia, which on the surface seemed idyllic, but there was so much messy drama and unhappiness too. I wrote about it yesterday, actually. But anyway, love this and have thought a lot about it over the years. Thanks for sharing!
this is a great comment—it's pretty brave to accept the nothing, as you say. I think many people have a difficult time with it. Before we were born it was all nothing, and for some reason it's just harder to accept the idea of a peaceful nothing for all time after. You're right though, everything grows old, and part of getting away from the drama and unhappiness is finding some sort of acceptance with our fate. I'll definitely take a look at what you wrote. Glad to have run into you. Cheers.
Ah, my life these last few years has been coloured and clouded by dementia, so I think the nothingness has a certain appeal because of that. No doubt I'd have found my way there anyway, but anyone can have too much of a good thing - and now my journey is finding good things in a bad thing, which is a whole life lesson in itself. Anyway, here's to the deep conversations and forever going to the interesting places!
"on the other side of that great divide, pleasures so grand, they stultify" Stultify—what an excellent word. The way it sounds and works so well for this poem. Thanks.
thanks, Victoria
Deep reflection on an excellent Black Mirror episode, Franco. Playing tribute to art with art. Makes me want to watch it again, too (rewatching great movies and great episodes of series is always really rewarding. Now I want to see what else I'll get out of it).
yes, I always notice new things when I re-watch :) thanks for stopping by to read today, Craig
I'd take the chance, I think, if the digital afterlife could be Liverpool, 1957, and time continued to move forward from there. still, it's that last bit that's key, I think. maybe it's the ephemeral nature of everything miraculous and beautiful that makes it miraculous and beautiful. if i rose bloomed eternally, it would likely lose its magic.
I agree, setting the time period and the parameters is nice and seemingly perfect. but human beings are notoriously bad at predicting the exact set of circumstances that will make them happy. sometimes it's the tension, the paradoxical nature of things, the contrast between two opposing forces, the continued striving for something, that makes us feel most content and balanced
I never heard of the show you referenced, but I apparently missed a gem. Here lies the larger question Franco. Which is actually the simulation, the one we are living now, or the one to come? Deep, and not necessarily science fiction. Excellent work. Thanks, Mark
I agree, I think that is a question we have to confront as well, and it is kind of scary that it is not necessarily one of science fiction. Thank you, Mark. I appreciate your follow-up commentary.
I agree with the idea that an eternal existence cannot be existentially self-sustaining for finite beings. “Life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone.”
Not a JCM fan but that line bubbled up first.
The bucket is filled from outside the veil. If you can only (must) carry the bucket onward forever, but the spigot stays fixed...
great insight, Kevin and apt lyric pull. I like the bucket metaphor too. thanks for reading this one
'Black Mirror' is now a must watch for me.
Your comments on a production I have never seen really struck me, you made sense of something I couldn't see.
glad you enjoyed it—I hope you get to check it out sometime. cheers
Well done, Franco-Great poem and excellent notes. I think we’re getting closer and closer to living in a simulation, although a claim can be made that culture is suffering from anterograde amnesia. BTW, “San Junipero” is my favorite Black Mirror episode, too.
That's awesome to hear that it's your favorite episode. I appreciate the comment and agree that this is already a weird simulation-ish reality and most of us have no idea what to do about it.
I haven't seen that show, but from the poem, I could see that particular death.
thanks 😊
I haven't seen this episode, though I'm now curious, very thought provoking.
This makes me think of reincarnation with one key difference. With reincarnation, I'm not sure you get to choose when you start something new, or what shape that newness might take.
Though I suppose being stripped of volition wouldn't seem very heavenly to many.
"Humans need constant reinvention. We have to allow one another to be whoever we choose to be at whatever time we choose it. Because heaven isn’t being in one place for all time. A true heaven means always feeling like we have the freedom to start again if we so desire."
great point about being stripped of volition. I do wonder a lot about reincarnation too. Sometimes it's comforting but other times it seems horrifying too. I guess it depends on what you come back as. thanks for adding to the conversation, Reginald.
It can also be about unrequited love if not for the show. Beautifully written.
that's a perfect interpretation as well, I love that. Thank you, Heather.
fourth ☹️
four hearts for fourth ❤️❤️❤️❤️
wow thats a lot of hearts😳