The Great Hack (2019) Netflix Documentary Review

Summary

In this review of *The Great Hack*, the host reflects on how the documentary about Cambridge Analytica's data manipulation during the Trump campaign and Brexit reshaped their understanding of the internet. Through eye-opening revelations, the film exposes how social media companies, like Facebook, turn users into commodities targeted for manipulation. The host emphasizes the film’s gripping narrative and powerful message, urging viewers to reconsider their online actions and the impact of big data. Ultimately, *The Great Hack* is praised as one of the best documentaries of 2019, leaving viewers questioning their digital lives and responsibilities.

Takeaways

• 😀 The documentary 'The Great Hack' on Netflix reveals how data mining by companies like Cambridge Analytica influenced major events like the Trump presidential campaign and Brexit.
• 😀 The documentary highlights how social media platforms like Facebook turn users into commodities that can be targeted and manipulated by political campaigns or corporate interests.
• 😀 Whistleblowers and conspiracy theorists are featured in the documentary, providing testimony about the unethical use of personal data for influence.
• 😀 The film makes viewers question whether their online behavior and opinions are truly their own or shaped by external forces.
• 😀 The Great Hack challenges the audience to consider the ethical implications of their internet usage and personal data.
• 😀 The documentary’s gripping narrative keeps the viewer engaged, forcing them to reflect on past choices and how they’ve been influenced by social media.
• 😀 Similar to other impactful documentaries like 'Supersize Me' and 'Bowling for Columbine', 'The Great Hack' forces a societal reflection on the cost of modern conveniences and choices.
• 😀 The film emphasizes the need to take back personal data and be vigilant in resisting exploitation by big corporations.
• 😀 'The Great Hack' portrays a clear conflict of 'the people vs. power', showing how large entities profit from manipulating the masses.
• 😀 The documentary also addresses conspiracy theories, including the idea that phones are constantly listening, and explains how human habits make us vulnerable to manipulation.
• 😀 Overall, 'The Great Hack' is praised as one of the best documentaries of 2019, offering a powerful message about responsibility in the digital age.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the documentary 'The Great Hack' discussed in the video?

The main focus of 'The Great Hack' is how Cambridge Analytica's data mining and manipulation of social media influenced the outcomes of the Trump presidential campaign and Brexit, highlighting the power of data in shaping political and social events.

How does the host describe the impact of social media and the internet on individuals?

The host describes how social media and the internet have turned individuals into commodities, making them targets for manipulation by those with specific agendas. This manipulation is often subtle, influencing people’s opinions and decisions without them realizing it.

What emotional reaction does the host have while watching 'The Great Hack'?

The host feels shocked and somewhat betrayed while watching the documentary, as it makes them realize they have been manipulated through their online activity, causing them to question whether their thoughts were truly their own.

What does the host compare 'The Great Hack' to in terms of its impact?

The host compares 'The Great Hack' to impactful documentaries like 'Super Size Me' and 'Bowling for Columbine,' noting that it forces the viewer to critically analyze their past choices and the consequences of their actions.

What is the significance of Mark Zuckerberg’s meeting with Congress in the documentary?

Mark Zuckerberg’s meeting with Congress is significant because it highlights the scrutiny and accountability issues surrounding Facebook and its role in data manipulation, serving as a critical moment in the film that connects the personal to the political.

How does the documentary portray the fight between individuals and big corporations?

The documentary portrays the struggle as a fight of the people versus powerful corporations like Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, emphasizing the need for individuals to take back control of their personal data and resist manipulation by these entities.

What key question does 'The Great Hack' encourage viewers to ask themselves?

The documentary encourages viewers to question whether their online activities, opinions, and choices are genuinely their own or if they have been shaped by external forces, particularly through data mining and targeted messaging.

What conspiracy theory does the documentary address, and what is its conclusion?

The documentary addresses the conspiracy theory that phones are always recording conversations. It concludes that the real issue is not surveillance but rather our habitual behaviors and vulnerability to manipulation, which can easily influence our actions and opinions.

What does the host suggest as a possible personal response to the documentary's message?

The host humorously suggests that after watching the documentary, they are tempted to delete their internet presence altogether, particularly Facebook, due to the realization of how much personal data has been exploited.

What rating does the host give 'The Great Hack,' and why?

The host gives 'The Great Hack' a perfect 10 out of 10, praising its powerful message, compelling storytelling, and its ability to make viewers question the modern digital world and their role in it.