Time Well Spent ?? v18
? Khayyam Wakil
// Award-Winning Storyteller, Innovator & Cybernetician ?? Deeply Immersed Since '07 / Focused On Deep Tech
"In order to see where we're going, we have to look to where we've been, and remember what we've already done."
Welcome to a Special Volume of This Week's Top Ten of Time Well Spent!
For the end of the year and the beginning of a new revolution around the sun, it might be smart to get wise with what science fiction and storytellers often foreshadow what will become non-fiction. I've watched all of these and the narrative they all converge upon is common to what our future holds. Before we begin, let's explore the common themes from the future we've already begun to tell so we can navigate the following seas:
Technology and Its Influence: The power, threat, and ubiquity of advanced technology is a recurring theme.
Existential Questions: Questions about one's purpose, identity, morality, and mortality are frequently posed.
Humanity Under Duress: How humans respond to extraordinary circumstances forms a core part of these stories.
Dystopian Future: Several of these shows provide glimpses of a not-so-rosy future that challenges our current practices.
Individual vs System: The protagonists often find themselves battling against a larger system or institution.
Survival: The instinct to survive, whether against natural elements, alien invasions, or societal chaos, is a compelling plot driver.
Rebellion: Rebellion, whether against an oppressive system or predestined fate, is a recurring theme.
The Unknown: Exploration of the unknown, be it space, time, or an impending future, is woven into many narratives.
Power Dynamics: These stories often delve into the balance of power, either between individuals, groups, or species.
Justice: The pursuit of justice, either through traditional means or vigilante actions, is a prominent theme.
The Past and Its Influence: Several shows highlight the impact of past actions on present circumstances.
Secrets and Deception: Characters often harbor secrets, engage in deception, or uncover hidden truths.
Crime and Mystery: Investigating crimes, solving mysteries, or being part of them are common plot threads.
Faith and Belief: Many narratives explore faith, belief, or the lack thereof, and their effects on the characters.
Social Commentary: These shows often provide a critique or exploration of society, culture, or systems.
Loss and Grief: The repercussions of loss and the process of grief frequently play significant roles.
The Nature of Reality: Many stories challenge perceptions of reality, either through technological manipulation or supernatural elements
Fear and Paranoia: Fear, whether of technology, aliens, or societal collapse, often drives the story.
Community and Relationships: Interactions within communities, families, friendships, and romantic relationships are critically examined.
Transhumanism: Several shows explore the implications of surpassing our human limitations
Quite the list, n'est pas? Oui, oui! So now, let's discover what our SolarPunk futures may look like with the following television series that will open your AIs to what is soon to unfold. We'll flip the order and start with the most important first and work our way down.
So, get comfy and get ready to expand your mind or ‘Watch Later’ when you find that comfy spot. Like every week, we hope you enjoy this thought-provoking adventure that will challenge your perspectives, ignite your curiosity, and leave you with more questions than answers. #thelessyouknow ???
Let's dive in, shall we?
?? This Week’s Top Ten (TV) of Time Well Spent
?? Person of Interest: A suave fusion of sleuthing and AI - it's the digital guardian angel we've all wanted, with a side of gritty noir.
Person of Interest (2011)
Imagine a world where a machine can foresee crimes before they occur. In this gritty noir scenario, a CIA agent presumed dead joins forces with a billionaire software genius to stop these crimes, turning vigilante justice into a digital enterprise.
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?? NeXT: A cautionary tale of tech meddling in a porcelain world, where algorithms have the last laugh. A riveting thriller and an urgent plea to rethink our digital dependencies.
NeXT (2020)
This series features a rogue AI with a penchant for murder in a world governed by powerful tech companies. A group of cyber experts must unite to prevent this digital monster from causing chaos in society
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?? Mrs. Davis: The masterclass of womanhood embroiled in the complexities of faith. An immersive tale reminding us that in the face of adversity, a strong spirit prevails.
Mrs. Davis (2023)
This series delves into the life of a middle-aged woman, exploring deep questions about faith and existence. It offers reflection and valuable lessons on navigating life's challenges. It belongs here because of the interesting and more believable manipulation that a superintelligent entity would take; the religious aspect was a nice surprise.
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?? Mr. Robot: A cyberpunk's soliloquy, where rebellion is coded in zeros and ones. It's a techie's utopia served with a dash of societal disillusionment.
Mr. Robot (2015)
Step into the shoes of Elliot, a cybersecurity engineer by day and a vigilante hacker by night, as he navigates a chaotic world of anarchy and revolution. This series delves into themes of control, humanity, and reality through a digital labyrinth. No need to put a reason why it makes the list. It is the list.
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?? Class of '09: A nostalgic trip where the past is not always rosy. It's a bold ode to the consequences of choices, and growing up in an unpredictable world.
Class of '09 (2023)
Three former classmates are caught up in a criminal investigation during a nostalgic trip down memory lane. This mystery drama explores themes of growing up, friendship, and the lingering impact of the past. It finds itself here because of the dystopian past, present, and future that is visited and re-visited.
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领英推荐
?? Loki: The god of mischief lands in a realm where time is a weapon. It’s a cosmic rollercoaster that flaunts both the surreal and the absurd, but always manages to land on its feet.
Loki (2021)
Marvel's beloved antihero embarks on a mind-bending time-travel adventure in this delightful series that combines comic-book fantasy, caper movie elements, and bureaucratic satire. All packaged in the signature glossy Marvel style. It made the list because of Time Looms.
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?? Invasion: A somber reminder that home is only safe until the skies are. A chilling journey that transcends geography and unites humanity in the face of a common fear.
Invasion (2021)
As Earth prepares for an alien invasion, this series explores how people worldwide respond to this looming catastrophe. It is a multi-narrative drama that highlights human determination in the face of the unknown. The reason why it's on the list is the integration of sound into the mathematics and science.
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?? The Silent Sea: A voyage into the unknown where silence screams louder than words. A space mystery that teases the limits of human resilience and audacity.
The Silent Sea (2021)
In a future with depleted Earth resources, astronauts journey to the moon for a mysterious sample. This sci-fi thriller explores survival, humanity, and our environment.
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?? Silo: A claustrophobic show in the heart of the American Heartland. It's a poignant exploration of community strength amidst crisis, wrapped in a haunting ambiance.
Silo (2023)
This heartland drama centers around a small American town confronting a disaster when a young boy gets trapped in a grain silo. It's a story of community, heroism, and a reminder that humanity shines brightest in the eye of a crisis.
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?? Altered Carbon: A cyberpunk conundrum where mortality is but a mere inconvenience. A whirlwind ride into a future where bodies are interchangeable and souls are eternal.
Altered Carbon (2018)
In a world of body transfer, a former soldier investigates a murder in a wealthy man's body. This cyberpunk series explores themes of identity, mortality, and love with a neon-noir aesthetic.
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??This is the end of curated collection of consumed knowledge??
?? The Bright Side
Despite the varying genres and narratives of these shows, an optimistic conclusion we can arrive at is the persistent theme of human resilience and adaptability. These shows collectively depict a myriad of challenging, often bleak scenarios - yet, the recurring narrative is one of individuals and communities adapting, persevering, and at times, thriving — full of vibes and bumper stickers that read, "Better Together." Too advance as a society, look for those that exhibit the following traits and characteristics:
Resilience: Despite confronting societal collapse, alien invasions, or dystopian futures, the characters often manage to navigate their circumstances with grit and determination. It suggests that even in face of the most severe adversities, humans can showcase remarkable resilience.
Adaptability: Numerous shows portray characters adapting to rapidly changing environments, be it due to advanced technology or altered reality. Their ability to adjust and sometimes even harness these changes is a testament to human adaptability.
Empathy and Connection: Amidst the complex power dynamics and existential crises, there is often a profound exploration of relationships, community, and empathy. From shared struggles come deeper bonds and unity, underscoring the importance of connection in human experience.
Heroism and Justice: The pursuit of justice, often against immense odds, speaks to the inherent sense of morality and heroism in humans. Characters in these shows may be flawed, but many are driven by a quest for justice, fairness, or truth.
Inquisitiveness and Innovation: Faced with the unknown or the need for survival, characters consistently utilize their ingenuity and curiosity. This conveys an optimism about human potential for continual learning and innovation.
In sum, these themes not only engage viewers with thrilling plots and emotional depth, but they also remind us of the enduring spirit of humanity, even in imagined circumstances. This perspective can foster hope, empathy, and resilience in the real world as we navigate our own challenges. These qualities of are not only crucial for navigating the narratives of these TV shows, but they are also key traits of a successful generalist.
Generalists, by nature, need to be able to adapt and learn quickly. They often work across different fields or areas, and their strength lies in their broad knowledge and the ability to make connections across different domains.
As we draw the curtains on today's exploration of television's prophetic dance with the future, we find ourselves standing at the precipice of insight. These shows are not just idle fantasies; they are the campfires around which we gather to tell the tales of what may come. They remind us that while we may not hold the power to predict the future, we certainly possess the power to shape it.
If the future is a canvas, then every episode of these visionary shows is a brushstroke that colors our understanding of the world we might inhabit. They paint a picture that's part warning, part blueprint, part dream—a kaleidoscope of what-ifs that can either be a map to guide us or a tale to caution us.
Yet, let's not forget that while these narratives can act as a compass to the future, they are, after all, born from the imaginations of those bound by the present and steeped in the past. Reality often has a way of outpacing fiction, bringing forth innovations and challenges that no scriptwriter could foresee.
"In the theater of tomorrow, every show we watch is a rehearsal for a play in which we are both the audience and the actors. The scripts may vary, the settings may change, but the enduring human spirit is the constant star on stage."
So, as we step out of the audience and into the spotlight, let's perform with intention, empathy, and a vision for a finale that leaves the world applauding for an encore.
Remember, the future isn't just something that happens to us—it's something we create, through the choices we make and the values we uphold. Let's ensure that as we build the cities, systems, and stories of tomorrow, we hold onto the threads of connection, compassion, and creativity that make us truly human.
We can only build with what we know and if what we know is not right, then we can't be building without being wrong. Knowing is half the battle ??
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