Don't Look Up: Tech Industry Critique

The Core Critique of Tech in ‘Don’t Look Up’: Beyond Musk and Zuckerberg

Numerous interpretations surrounding Mark Rylance’s portrayal of Peter Isherwell in “Don’t Look Up” have surfaced, focusing on parallels with figures like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Larry Page. However, the film’s most pointed critique centers not on specific individuals, but on the phenomenon of the Tech Demo itself.

The Rise of the Tech Demo

The concept of showcasing new products as elaborate stage presentations largely originated with Apple’s Steve Jobs. His natural charisma and impactful presentations, dating back to 1983, set a precedent. Following the debut of the iPhone in 2007, competitors increasingly adopted similar methods to unveil their innovations.

While demos existed previously, they served a different purpose. They were crucial for internal teams at Apple to gain approval and resources from Jobs, with a successful demonstration potentially securing support, and a flawed one risking project cancellation.

Internal vs. Public Demonstrations

Internal demos, when conducted effectively, offer leaders a transparent view of ongoing work, facilitating guidance and problem-solving. Conversely, the public tech demo has evolved into a carefully constructed spectacle, often divorced from the realities of the technology it presents.

“Don’t Look Up” highlights this disconnect with three key scenes – two formal demos and a “hands-on” experience – that expose the inherent flaws in modern tech presentations.

The Demos in ‘Don’t Look Up’

The first demonstration introduces Bash’s new smartphone software, designed to read emotions and provide comforting content. Rylance’s character is surrounded by children also using Bash phones during the presentation.

Isherwell’s disregard for the children’s requests, and his subsequent focus on perfecting the demo itself, foreshadows his broader detachment from real-world consequences.

The second demo, presented to the president and her staff, showcases Isherwell’s plan to avert the planet-killing comet. Utilizing a sophisticated hologram, the system appears flawlessly effective. He also cites respected academics to bolster credibility, though these references lack substantial depth.

Finally, Isherwell displays the asteroid-mining robots to the president, offering a brief, visually impressive glimpse of the technology, but one ultimately unsupported by actual performance.

Fabrication and Rigging

In each instance, Isherwell’s demonstrations are meticulously staged and manipulated. They represent idealized scenarios, concealing the true capabilities – or lack thereof – of the technology when applied to the real world. The smartphone OS, for example, autonomously purchases music for DiCaprio’s character’s son without consent.

The asteroid dismantling robots collide and ultimately fail to break up the comet. Isherwell avoids accountability, shifting his focus to a new venture: a doomed colony ship.

The Importance of Peer Review

The film’s scientists criticize Isherwell’s plan for lacking “peer review.” This critique, while seemingly minor, underscores a critical issue within the tech industry.

Bash’s scheme to monetize the existential threat of the asteroid mirrors the earlier operating system launch. Both represent potentially impactful technologies released with minimal consideration for unintended consequences or divergent outcomes.

A Broader Commentary

“Don’t Look Up” employs parody to exaggerate absurdity, prompting reflection on the acceptance of technologies with potentially profound effects – like smartphones and social networks – without rigorous scrutiny.

The central message for those within the tech industry is clear: Never trust the demo. The potential ramifications may not be apparent until it’s too late.