Watch All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace

All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace is a three-part documentary series by Adam Curtis, first aired on BBC Select in 2011. The show explores how the rise of computers and cybernetic systems has had a profound impact on society's relationship with technology, nature, and the world at large.

In the first episode, Curtis examines the influence of Ayn Rand's philosophy on the development of Silicon Valley. He argues that Rand's ideas of individualism and self-interest inspired tech entrepreneurs like Stewart Brand, who believed that computers could liberate people from the constraints of traditional power structures. The episode also explores how the NASDAQ market became a symbol of the new information-based economy, and how it contributed to the burst of the dotcom bubble.

The second episode shifts focus to the ecological movement of the 1970s and how its ideas were hijacked by systems theorists like Jay Forrester who believed that ecosystems could be modeled and controlled through cybernetic systems. Curtis argues that this approach gave rise to a dangerous techno-utopianism, which believed that technology could solve all of society's problems, including climate change. The episode traces the rise and fall of projects like the Biosphere 2 experiment in Arizona and explores the consequences of this kind of thinking.

The final episode of the series examines the impact of self-organizing systems on politics and society at large. Curtis argues that the idea of a self-correcting market is flawed and that free-market economics and politics have contributed to an unstable and divisive world. The episode explores the legacy of the cypherpunks, a group of cryptographic activists who believed in radical privacy and the power of code. Curtis also examines the rise of China, and how its government has used technology to create a form of authoritarian capitalism.

All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace is a visually stunning series that uses archival footage, interviews, and animation to tell a complex story about the relationship between technology, society, and nature. The show challenges viewers to think critically about the assumptions that underpin our reliance on technology and the way we understand the world. While some may find the show's arguments controversial or challenging, its rich storytelling and thoughtful analysis make it a compelling and important piece of documentary filmmaking. Whether you are interested in tech culture, politics, or environmentalism, All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace has something to offer, and is sure to leave you thinking deeply about the world we live in.

All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between and on BBC Select