The first of two lectures bridging narrative media by David LaRocca, author or
contributing editor of twenty books, including Metacinema, The Philosophy of
Documentary Film, and Television with Stanley Cavell in Mind. In today’s talk,
LaRocca reacts to an episode of Black Mirror in which a streaming platform offers a
metacritique of its own existence—and a possible near-term future for its wares. In the
midst of an emerging AI takeover, the refractive parable forecasts the further
pulverization of audiences for corporate profits. We look upon the encroaching
horror, deranged by its assault, unable to turn away.

Presented by the Freedman Lecture and Criticism Today Series.