Ep 5. Black and Blue/Our Bionic Future

In the fifth episode of Vice's fifth season, titled "Black and Blue/Our Bionic Future," Vice takes a deep look at how technology and innovation are shaping our lives. The episode explores two distinct and unique topics that, at first glance, seem to have nothing in common - the surveillance state and the promise of bionic technology.

The program starts with a compelling report on the state of police surveillance in America. With the use of cameras and facial recognition technology, authorities are increasingly monitoring and tracking citizens on a mass scale. The episode features interviews with law enforcement and privacy activists discussing the implications and consequences of such changes.

The show goes on to explore the human consequences of these monitoring systems. We hear from people who are wrongly harassed or questioned by the police because of inaccurate facial recognition technology. They describe how it feels to be constantly watched and harassed by the state, and the trauma they face. We see the potential for danger when errors in identification happen; we witness examples of the disproportionate policing of marginalized communities and the negative impact it has on people's lives.

The second topic the episode delves into is the future of bionic technology. The show takes us inside the world of prosthetics, looking at the advances in technology that have made it possible to create bionic limbs and organs. The technology offers more than just cosmetic or functional benefits- it has the potential to provide people with a level of independence not previously possible, and to create opportunities for enhanced human performance.

The episode features a young woman who was born without legs, who now has bionic legs that allow her to compete in the Paralympics. We hear from advocates who support this expanding field of bionics, providing us with a unique insight into the opportunities it can provide. However, the show also takes an ethical perspective on bionics, asking questions about the potential dangers and unintended consequences that could come with advancing this technology.

We learn about the ethical questions concerning the affordability of such technology and look at the inequality it could create between those who can afford bionic enhancements and those who cannot. The program analyzes the implications of the technology's promise- would it make humans less than human due to increased dependence on technology? The show challenges us to contemplate the new world that may come with future technological advancements, particularly in bionic technology.

"Black and Blue/Our Bionic Future" is a fascinating episode that asks the tough questions about technology and how it's shaping our lives. It provides an illuminating look at the latest developments in surveillance that are becoming increasingly common in America, while also providing a glimpse of the future of humanity. The episode succeeds in offering a well-rounded perspective, examining both the positive and negative aspects that come with technological advances. The show is engaging, informative and leaves you thinking about the world we are building and the consequences of advancing technology.