Memory and Technology
A couple of years ago I was invited to contribute a chapter to an edited volume on a Netflix series called Black Mirror. Each episode of Black Mirror is a stand-alone story of speculative fiction that is set in a near-future dystopia and utilizes science fiction technology. It’s kind of like the 21st Century version of The Twilight Zone (though, I’ve never actually seen an episode of The Twilight Zone so I am taking other peoples’ word on this). This was a fun project for me because it is not typically my thing to write about pop culture. Also, it was a new thing for me because, for the first time, I was able to write and think a little bit about liturgy. The episode I wrote about is called The Entire History of You, and my essay focuses on the topic of memory. In the essay I compare the episode's understanding of memory and technology with Thomas Aquinas’s approach to thinking of memory as a virtue. Also, by drawing on the Eucharistic theology of the Eastern Church, I compare the episode’s understanding of technology and memory with the liturgical concept of anamnesis. Ultimately, I make the case that the liturgy, feasting, and fellowship are better solutions to remembering than implanting chips in our brains which help us remember things we have experienced.
Along with this essay, I was also interviewed about my essay on a podcast. Below is a link to the interview I did with a few other contributors from the volume. Hope you enjoy the essay and would love to hear what you think sometime.
If you are interested in reading the essay let me know and I’ll send it on to you.