Lonelier Nights has been- from its inception- a film made with the goal of educating young people about the technology that rules and will rule our world. As such, we wanted to provide a lesson plan that could accompany the film and enrich its educational potential in a classroom setting. Below, we have provided just that.
(below is an unfinished draft representation of how the curriculum will look once finished)
Plain-text Curriculum Questions:
Corporate Consolidation
Recall - There is a tech company called "Rolly" in the film. Can you recall some of the different services Rolly provides?
Reflect - Can you think of a tech company in real life that provides many different services? What do they offer?
Challenge - What benefits and issues can you see with a technology company that provides a wide variety of tech services?
Decide - What is your opinion about corporate consolidation? Do you think it makes your life better or worse?
Privacy
Recall - What types of data did CADE collect on Sam?
Reflect - What companies, platforms, and services do you use that might collect data?
Challenge - What are the benefits and drawbacks of extensive data collection?
Decide - Do you feel comfortable with the data that tech companies might have collected of you?
Metaverse
Recall - What types of things were you able to do in the Metaverse in the film?
Reflect - In the real world, what are some things you would like to be able to do in the Metaverse?
Challenge - What negative consequences could arise from a widely-used Metaverse?
Decide - Do you think that the development of a metaverse will yield a net positive or a net negative for our world?
Artificial Intelligence
Recall - In the film, what was the purpose of the CADE system?
Reflect - Where have you heard of AI being used in real life?
Challenge - What concerns could AI bring in the future? On the other hand, what societal benefits could be unlocked using this technology?
Decide - Are you excited about or scared of the way that AI is going to impact our future?
Suggested Further Watching:
(Note - Some of following recommendations contain explicit content. Seek parental guidance before watching or use www.commonsensemedia.org)
Her (2013)
Ready Player One (2018)
The Social Dilemma (2020)
Black Mirror (2011-2019)