Few things to watch about social media

Dear Peach’z,

Today we’re going to talk about something a bit different because, yes, it’s quarantine. And when we have to stay at home without seeing anyone except the other being in our home (family, husband, cat, ghost, whatever), well, we probably all running on Netflix to find something to watch and kill some time. That’s why I made for you this little list of series and movies on social media, their addiction and how they change our lives. Here we go ;

1. The Circle

‘Secrets are lies. Sharing is caring. Privacy is theft.’

That’s the rather sinister mantra of the super-powerful organisation this timely techno thriller, that almost makes Google appear unobtrusive. Adapted from Dave Eggers’ best-selling novel with the same title, The Circle sees Emma Watson play a young recruit who works her way up the corporate ladder via an exhausting amount of clicks, likes and shares – but at a deadly cost.

Perfect exemple of the negative side which emerges from an extreme and malicious use of social media.

2. The Square

For something completely different, this gripping documentary about the Egyptian crisis shows how social media can be a powerful force when it comes to political democracy. The Oscar-nominated The Square, shows how YouTube, Twitter and Facebook all played a major part in the 2011 Egyptian uprising, which was dubbed an online revolution.

We find some hope in this one which is remaining us that social media are just a platform, and we are the one who decides how to use it, thereby you’re the one who decide to do something good or not.

3. Lo and Behold, Reveries Of The Connected World

Werner Herzog once described social media as ‘a massive, naked onslaught of stupidity’, which makes him an unlikely candidate to tackle the subject in this Sundance hit. A grieving mother, who suffered horrific abuse at the hands of internet trolls is just one of many interesting cases the legendary director delves into, for this thought-provoking meditation on our online lives.

If you think you need to take a step back, here you can find the help to realize a good introspection to understand better your own approach to social networks

4. Life 2.0

The notion of what’s real and what’s not is at the centre of this feature-length documentary about the phenomenon that is your second round at life. Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker, Jason Spingarn-Koff, the non-judgemental Life 2.0. follows a group of its most avid users, as they form both new identities and new relationships in an entirely virtual world.

This one is probably the scariest one, and it’s probably because how real this documentary is. You will just find the worst side of the addiction.

5. Black Mirror

Few TV shows have explored the dark possibilities of social media as skilfully as Charlie Brooker’s dystopian anthology, Black Mirror. In Be Right Back, the first episode of season two, a grieving widow brings her late husband back to life using his social media history; in White Christmas, season two episode four, a man is blocked in real life by his ex-girlfriend with the use of pixelation technology; while in the first episode of season three, Nosedive envisions a society where online ratings are the ultimate currency.

Last but not least, Black Mirror regroup a lot of episode with a new world in each one, always exploring the possibility of the futur but also our fear about how humanity can change. Of course social networks play an important role in this projection of the future.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my selection. Have a good time on Netflix my dear Peach'z !

By Julie Hamel