Question

Answer the following questions related to dimensions of the culture depicted in “Nosedive” as they relate to interpersonal attraction, and the formation of groups and close relationships: 5) Is this a purely individualistic or purely collectivistic culture? If not, in what ways is it a hybrid of both? 6) To what extent is the wedding the main character attends based on romantic love? To what extent is it an arranged marriage?

Answer 1

Dimensions of Culture in Nosedive an episode of the TV Series Black Mirror.

• Interpersonal Attraction
• Formation of groups and close relationships

This is mostly a collectivist culture as it stresses group goals over individual goals. The type of culture shown in Nosedive prizes the notion that citizens are interdependent and part of a larger group. An individual's orientation is outward, toward the group, rather than inwards to himself in a collectivist culture. Individuals are considered 'good' when they are generous and tend to the needs of others. They emphasize the well-being of the group over individuals and their well-being. Such cultures are seen mostly in Asia. Korea, Japan, and China are some examples where things like decision making often happen within a family, and younger members look to and respect the advice of elders. Chinas Social Credit System from recent years was an inspiration for the writes of Nosedive. Apps like Peeple where people can rate others on a scale ranging from 1-5 based on positive and negative experiences with them causing one to achieve a credit score that benefits an individual economically as well as socially. Group Identity is very important in this episode of Nosedive as everyone is made to feel that they are part of a community or group that benefits society directly.

It is also an individualistic culture because in the second half of the episode the main character Lacie Pound finds a lady(with a 2.0 rating) who gives her a truck ride closer to the wedding she is to attend. This woman(Susan) talks about how getting off the whole social credit system made her feel much lighter. Susan used to care about her rating(she was a 4.6 before) until her late husband was passed over for vital cancer treatment because their scores were deemed not high enough. Susan says she stopped obsessing over ratings after that. Susan represents the more individualistic side of the culture where a person has free will and choice. This makes the episode a hybrid of both cultures as Susan is shown practicing individualistic values while Lacie follows the more collectivist ideals and values.

The nosedive episode also shows a classist and capitalistic society as people are divided based on the ratings they have and those with higher ratings have more power and luxury. Lacie is addicted to momentary pleasure that comes with the app much like how people get momentary pleasure from upvotes, likes, and positive reviews on social media platforms. Lacie wants very much for other people to like her so she tries to do everything in her power to reach her goals be they validation or hedonistic ideas. Social media is not correlated with happiness especially in the longterm. Research has found that social media has a more negative than a positive impact on its users and it also affects both genders.

Based on the pilot programs run in China, the main activities the government is trying to promote and include fiscal responsibility, filial behavior, friendly behavior between neighbors, respect for the environment, generosity to those who have less and patriotic behavior. These actions are all considered to be moral but being incentivized and/or forced to act good may not be moral. The concern with this is that people are acting and doing “good” because they want benefits and not because they want to help someone. Real empathy is missing in this case.

According to my understanding, the wedding that the main character attends is based more on arranged marriage as both the individuals to be married have a high rating and social credibility which would make them compatible from the perspective of their so-called moral and good collectivist society shown in Nosedive. Combined together both these high rated individuals will have a greater score making it beneficial for both of them from a monogamist view as well. Once again this also shows the classist aspect of the society shown in Nosedive. A person with a low rating will have lower chances of being affiliated and accepted by a person with a higher rating. Higher rated individuals also live and work in a higher class environment which makes no space for lower-rated individuals to socialize with. Such discrimination is seen in the real world too up to date.