I see Black Mirror is back in the mix on Netflix and this new series is supposed to be insane.
It’s basically a tech dystopia funhouse mirror that shows us all the ways the future is going to be terrifying (and weirdly, kinda cool)
Every episode is its own self contained nightmare. It’s one of those grim warnings wrapped in slick storytelling.
And, sure, it’s about technology, but dig deeper, and Black Mirror is really about us. What we want. What we fear. What we obsess over.
The thing is, Black Mirror doesn’t just come across as a well told story it’s also hitting on some of those primal desires. Our desires. Our insecurities. Our fascination with possibility. It knows how to grab our attention and make us feel things. Disgust, awe, sadness, terror and that’s why we keep coming back for more.
Even when it makes our skin crawl.
Now here’s where it gets interesting. Because whether you’re creating a product, marketing your art, or just trying to carve out a little space for yourself in the world, you can take a page from the Black Mirror playbook and here’s how:
Find the Thing People Obsess Over
There’s something you want to learn to do, right? Something that looks cool or fun or valuable. Maybe it’s woodworking. Maybe it’s making neon signs. Maybe it’s marketing itself. Whatever it is, you’re not the only one who’s into it. Other people are spending money on tools, advice, accessories. Just like you are. They’re following creators, watching tutorials, buying gear.
You don’t need to invent a brand new interest. You just need to tap into the thing people already care about.
Document the Journey
This is where you become the story. You don’t have to be the best. You don’t have to be an expert. You just have to show up and share your pursuit, your wins, your failures, your “WTF am I even doing?” moments. Because like a good series. people love a good journey. They love watching someone figure it out, bit by bit, because it makes them feel like they can do it too.
Think of it like this. Black Mirror doesn’t just show us shiny tech and all the bullshit surrounding it. They take it a step further and show us how we interact with it. That’s the human side. That’s what makes it compelling. Your journey is your human side. It’s the thing that turns a casual observer into a fan.
Build the Fandom
Fans love what you love. They want to geek out with you. They’ll follow your progress, cheer you on, and yes spend money on the same stuff you’re using. They’ll buy the tools, the books, the accessories. They’ll share your content. They’ll tell their friends.
What starts as a casual documentation of your passion can turn into something bigger too.
A following, a community, maybe even a business. At the very least, it can help you finance your hobby. At best, it can become your entire livelihood.
Make Them Feel Something
Like Black Mirror, you need to make people feel. Whether it’s excitement, curiosity, inspiration, or even a little bit of fear, emotions are what hook people. They’re what keep them coming back.
So, don’t just show the thing. Show the process. Show the struggle. Show the joy when it finally clicks. That emotional connection is what turns an audience into a fandom.
Permission Granted
Here’s the part where I tell you that yes, you can do this. You don’t need to wait for someone else to pick you. The internet has made it easier than ever to start documenting your passion and connecting with people who care about the same things you do.
You have everything you need.
A thing you’re into.
A willingness to share the journey.
A world full of people ready to cheer you on.
So, yeah. Go build your fandom. Make your own little corner of the world. Even Black Mirror started as just an idea, a story, a “what if?”
Now it’s a global phenomenon.
What’s stopping you from doing the same?
And if you’ve never heard of it before you can read about it here
Stephen Walker