A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially ones that are equally undesirable (see also on the horns of a dilemma).
The word is recorded from the early 16th century, denoting a form of argument involving a choice between equally unfavourable alternatives; it comes via Latin from Greek dilēmma, from di- ‘twice’ + lēmma ‘premise’. [The Oxford English Dictionary]
As you have probably heard by now, Netflix recently released a documentary under the name "The Social Dilemma" that touches on one of the most significant advances in all of human history — the advent of social media. This thought-provoking, interesting, and downright terrifying film will hopefully one day be discussed alongside other pivotal documentaries like "Harlan County", "USA", "An Inconvenient Truth", and "Blackfish".
The film, which is more a documentary-drama hybrid than anything else, examines the various ways social media and social networking companies have manipulated human psychology to rewire the human brain and what it means for society in general. Through a series of interviews with Silicon Valley engineers who designed the technologies they now fear, along with discussions with various tech and psychology experts, "The Social Dilemma" offers an eye-opening look at a world that so few really understand.
Before I decided to press "play" to watch "The Social Dilemma", I asked myself if it was worth watching and if I should allow myself to get all worked up. And although I was in a "mood" after the credits finally rolled on the documentary, I am glad I ended up learning more about social media platforms that I use every day. It's shocking, sometimes appalling, and frightening throughout, but "The Social Dilemma" is something you shouldn't skip.
Remember: if you're not paying for a product, you're the product!
