In the Black Mirror episode entitled Nosedive we learn of an alternate society where individuals are rated off of every encounter they have with one another. People are allowed to rate you up to five stars and each rating contributes to your overall score. This, in turn, contributes to how people treat you, as higher rated individuals are prioritized and reap more benefits. In this episode, Lacie Pound is a people pleaser who has made her life revolved around trying to achieve a high rating. Currently, her eagerness to increase her rate is higher than usual because she has to move and the place she wants requires a rating above 4.5 for a 20% discount. She finds an opportunity where she can increase her score fast, by attending an old friend’s wedding where the guest list is filled with high ranking individuals. In the end, through many tribulations, her score ends up being lower than it’s ever been and she realizes the unimportance of the ranking system.

Watching this episode related so much to today’s society, where everyone does what they think will get the most likes or friends. The common saying “Do it for the gram,” exhibits how people will make careless decisions just to get a laugh from others. People’s perception of you has become more important to society than your own personal happiness. I even fall into this category as online I tend to be more careful with what I post, in fear of others judging me. Whether it be making sure I post pictures that are “Instagram worthy” or that do not show my imperfections. Watching this episode was in a way sad and made me feel empathy for the people who feel as though they need to liked by everyone in order to be happy with their self.