[Note: This has originally been published on 19 May 2022. Things have evolved, but I thought it may be nice to have this as a first post.]

Welcome to this shiny new blog of mine. You’re entering the Black Mirror Matrix, the realm of the red pill (not the incel one^^). There may be no turning back once you’ve come inside. So, please proceed with caution.

It’s all in the name

If you like dystopian anything as much as I do, you will have a pretty good idea of where this name comes from. I’ll explain anyway. The Matrix is a science fiction film released in 1999. It showed a dystopian version of what the world could be. Many people say it was more of a documentary. I’ll leave that judgement up to you. In the film, the protagonist Neo is offered a choice: Taking the red or the blue pill. The blue pill keeping him in the matrix, in an illusion of what reality is. The red pill opening his eyes to what is really going on. Well, he took the red pill. And that’s what I’m offering you on here as well. This red pill shines a light on what is going on in politics and society; mainly in the UK, but always influenced by what is happening in the world.

Now to the Black Mirror part. This was a series on Netflix (I’m team “Bandersnatch is shit”) showing dystopian versions of daily life. Even at the time, many episodes made me gasp because of how close to reality they were. Despite being dystopian… 

Putting it all together, I’m offering you the black mirror with the matrix inside. If you stay, you’re taking many red pills along the way. If you leave now, I do hope you find your way back but if not I hope you’ll have the best life. Truly. 

I’m not here to convince you

Don’t get me wrong, I would love to change a few people’s minds. Overall, though, I am here to open your eyes, to show you what life is really like at the bottom. Wait, bottom? Yep, this is what it feels like where I am right now. I’ve been on benefits (Universal Credit for my UK peeps) for a while now and am working on growing my own business. Don’t you worry, it’s all approved by the authorities and I’m reporting my (mostly non existent) income monthly. Wouldn’t want that black mirror to be shattered too soon, I do want to keep a roof over my head.

Anyway, I am giving a voice to what so many people are going through right now and I will do my best to help you see what is really going on. You don’t have to change your mind because of me. But you do have to engage in discussions respectfully. I do not tolerate any trolling, harassing, bullying or any other form of violence towards myself or members of this community. If you choose to engage in that type of behaviour anyway, I am not shy to block and report you. Your actions have consequences and this is a hard boundary of mine. 

I would love to hear from you

You may have found your way to me via my TikTok. If so, hi! Know that I love you already because you’re part of a great community showing me so much love. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, please give me a follow.

It is there that it’s easiest to get in touch with me and get a fairly quick answer (do give me a day or two!). And if you’d like to share more of your story and are happy for it to be shared anonymously, you can email me at blackmirrormatrix[at]gmail[dot]com. I will then publish your story here or discuss aspects of it on my social media, which is mainly TikTok and I don’t see that expanding anywhere else right now.

Questions?

You can use that email address or the comments section below to ask your questions about this project, myself and anything else you fancy.