In the very first moments of Black Mirror, the sight of a spinning white icon against a dark backdrop, accompanied by a piercing sound and the fragmented title, sets the stage for a series that examines the complex interactions between humans and technology. This icon, known as a "throbber," symbolizes the active connections between networks beyond our screens. Events unfold, energies flow, and our existence is mediated by electronic devices that filter light into our consciousness. While we draw closer to one another, the vastness of the universe seems distant, with the media acting as a barrier between us and the cool darkness beyond.

Black Mirror presents a fragmented narrative that highlights the profound challenges we face as intellectual beings on a small planet in an expansive universe. The series illustrates a groundbreaking media theory for the 21st century — the distinction between hot and cool media, linking social media with astronomical instruments to reveal the varied impacts of different media technologies, all shaped by our focus and the content displayed.

Fractured narratives and visuals in Black Mirror underscore the conditions of our continuous media spectacle, a phenomenon first articulated by Marshall McLuhan in the 1960s. McLuhan, a pivotal figure in media studies, recognized the transformative effects of media technology on society. He foresaw the creation of the World Wide Web long before its inception and coined terms such as "the matrix" and "the global village," which encapsulate our current media landscape and serve as a backdrop for Black Mirror's episodes.

McLuhan understood that we inhabit an electronic media environment that enables instantaneous communication across the globe, effectively drawing us closer to one another. This "global village" represents immediate interaction akin to face-to-face communication but on a planetary scale. However, this closeness is not without its drawbacks; as we become more entwined in each other's lives, we also experience friction and conflict. Our proximity to one another leads to agitation, resulting in reactions that reflect our tribal nature.

In this global village, events occur simultaneously, leading to an onslaught of ideas, images, and occurrences that we can perceive on multiple levels—local, national, and global. The constant collision of these elements reinforces our desire to retreat into smaller, more manageable groups.

Social media, often saturated with "hot takes"—instant reactions to various stimuli—emphasizes our role as central figures in our narratives, echoing McLuhan's hot-cool distinction. His original framework highlighted how media varies in the amount of information presented and the cognitive engagement required. While this binary was once relevant, it has evolved with the rise of digital technologies, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Yet, the concepts of hot and cool media remain significant in our 24/7 existence, dominated by electronic screens. Hot media prompt an inward focus, creating a dense environment filled with human interaction and energy. The screens become a medium for viewing others, fostering a space where events collide and coexist in a high-friction atmosphere.

This phenomenon is vividly illustrated in the Black Mirror episode "Fifteen Million Merits," where characters are ensnared in a world of overwhelming imagery and the pressures of hot media, as symbolized by the reality show Hot Shot. The rapid pace of hot media fuels quick responses, diminished attention spans, and accelerated feedback loops, amplifying our emotional states and intensifying our experiences.

The heat generated by our gaze directly impacts our identity, which is why social media can be perceived as "ego-media," an arena where individuals engage in the spectacle of existence. As previously articulated, our media landscape is rife with content and connections that reflect our collective ego-driven pursuits.

These conditions encapsulate the essence of our 24/7 media spectacle. We find ourselves endlessly scrolling through images and information, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content that defines our reality. The opening sequence of Black Mirror, characterized by its unsettling tone and fragmented visuals, epitomizes the hot media landscape that surrounds us. To counterbalance this intensity, we must learn to adopt a cooler perspective.

Cool media, in contrast, encourage an outward gaze, distancing us from immediate surroundings. They include tools like telescopes and satellites, which allow us to explore the cosmos beyond our planet. As we peer into the vastness of space, we begin to understand that we are not the center of existence; instead, we are a small part of a much larger universe filled with mysteries.

The Hubble Space Telescope serves as a quintessential example of cool media, revealing the staggering expanse of galaxies and cosmic phenomena. Through these images, we confront our place in the universe, recognizing that our existence is shared among a multitude of life forms and landscapes.

In the realm of cool media, time slows down, and we gain the ability to reflect rather than react. This broader perspective encourages us to view ourselves as part of a collective existence, transcending individualistic tribal conflicts. As we delve into the vast cosmos, we acknowledge that we are but a fleeting presence in an ancient and boundless universe.

While hot and cool media can intersect, their effects differ significantly. For instance, Hubble images can circulate on social platforms, merging hot and cool experiences. However, the essence of hot media keeps humanity at the forefront, while cool media serves to remind us of our transience and insignificance in the grand scheme.

In Black Mirror, narratives that embody cool media themes remain scarce. The episode "USS Callister" comes closest, exploring the existential consequences of a character's actions within a digital universe, ultimately leaving him adrift in a void of anonymity. This fate encapsulates the challenges posed by our engagement with cool media.

Cool media force us to confront a fundamental paradox: the vastness of the cosmos reveals our smallness and potential insignificance. As philosopher Jean-Francois Lyotard suggests, this realization prompts profound existential questions about our place and purpose in the universe, overshadowing all other concerns.

In the conclusion of "White Christmas," a poignant narrative unfolds where a character faces the consequences of social media voyeurism, resulting in an existence defined by isolation. The electronic barriers prevent him from engaging with others, leaving him to contemplate the universe's origins, akin to the static seen on television screens—an echo of the big bang.

Ultimately, Black Mirror captures the unsettling reality of our existence within a hot media environment, where bright screens shield us from the expansive darkness of the cosmos. The series invites us to consider the potential for a cool media narrative that transcends the superficiality of our current experiences, challenging us to confront the greater mysteries of our universe and our place within it.