4. Ideological State Apparatus

The process of subjugation within Ideological State Apparatuses continually reinforce the dominant values of society. The promise and possibility of upward mobility reinforced through the Ideological State Apparatuses ensures the continued reproduction of the conditions and relations of production. Through the use of a communication and media Ideological State Apparatus, “Black Mirror” effectively continuously and perpetually reproduces the conditions and relations of production. This is achieved through the subjugation of workers to a wage system style of life through the communication and media Ideological State Apparatus, where the workers have to ride bikes and watch programs in order to gain the credits needed to purchase needs and wants in their lives. One excellent example of this in “Black Mirror” is choice of some workers to save enough credits to buy a spot on the “Hot Seat Show” in hopes of achieving the value of fame and success which is promised to the few that actually achieve it. However, the majority of the workers who purchased a spot on the “Hot Seat Show” were demeaned and marked as failures for the entertainment of other workers who are watching the show. The hope to achieve the value of fame and success is instilled within workers through the process of subjugation within the communication and media Ideological State Apparatus, where the various programs all contribute to the main idea that if you work hard, you can achieve the success you dream of. This secures the successful reproduction of the conditions and relations of production where workers agree to continue working and earning credits.