n one episode of the series Black Mirror, a world is depicted where everyone has gadgets that allow them to rate each other – not on social media, but in real life. Smile at a passerby, yield to someone, help a neighbor – they give you five stars. Be rude, insult, or deceive – they give you one star. Every interaction ends with a like or a dislike.
To many, this idea might seem frightening. Perhaps because the film portrays the consequences of such a system in a dark light. The protagonist loses everything while desperately trying to earn a high rating – flattering people, feigning insincere friendliness, and forgetting herself.
But if we set aside the artistic drama and think soberly, the idea at its core is a good one.
What if every person knew that any of their actions could be rated by others? Imagine how daily life would change. People would become more polite, more friendly – not only out of inner decency and kindness but also out of calculation, because rudeness and arrogance would directly impact their reputation.
A social rating would become a universal feedback system and, at the same time, a kind of currency. The higher your rating, the better your chances of landing a good job, receiving better service, or getting bigger bonuses from banks, restaurants, or airlines. It’s like life today: people are more willing to help pleasant individuals and offer them better things. It would just become clearer and more logical.
Yes, there would be excesses.
Yes, there would be fake do – gooders with forced smiles.
But honestly, even such performative politeness is better to me than the insolence and rudeness we still often encounter in public places, on transport, or at work.
A world where politeness is the norm – even if it’s for the sake of stars – appeals to me more than a world where honest rudeness is the norm.
So, if such gadgets appeared tomorrow, I’d give this invention five stars.
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