‘Altered Carbon’ Projects Loss of Humanity in a Scientific Future

By Mackenzi Butson

The Netflix original show “Altered Carbon” is a sci-fi “Blade Runner” replica that grips tightly to its cyberpunk roots, but ultimately leaves audiences distracted and confused. Creator Laeta Kalogridis imagines a world where technology takes over and humanity adapts to the mysteries of immortality, or digitized consciousness.

The wealthy can store their consciousness when their body ages to its natural fatality mark and pay a hefty fee to place their consciousness into a vacant bodily specimen.

In theory, the idea of displaced consciousness is a riveting scientific feat, but the cinematic portrayal of the advancement projects a dire loss of humankind. Since people can vacate and re-enter different bodies through scientific procedures, the populations no longer value their bodies. Like wild animals searching for their next meal, they size-up other individuals to see what the different vessel offers them: money or longevity.

While watching the series, I found it difficult to follow unless given my full attention. Due to the high sci-fi elements, it’s not an easy show to watch and scroll through Facebook with.

To fully grasp the world Kalogridis constructs, you need to immerse yourself in the television screen, otherwise you may miss vital information leaving you confused and bored.

Make sure you have some extra time to give to this Netflix show, because let me tell you, your attention to the specifically placed details is dire. Half-assed viewing just causes confusion and, in my case, bitter rewinding to figure out where I lost my grasp on the plot.