In this final Monday Science Live before our summer break, Dr. Bahijja Raimi-Abraham wraps up the Black Mirror Season 7 series with an in-depth look at USS Callister: Into Infinity, a bold sequel to the iconic Season 4 episode.

We follow Nanette Cole and her crew—digital consciousnesses cloned without consent—as they fight for survival and freedom in a vast online universe controlled by 30 million players.

This episode explores:

• The science and ethics of cloning human consciousness from DNA

• Consent, autonomy, and digital imprisonment

• The risks of advanced VR and mind uploading

• What it truly means to be “real” in a virtual world

Dr. Bahijja also reflects on key takeaways from the entire season and invites listeners to continue the conversation while the podcast takes a short break.

This is the last live episode before Monday Science goes on pause...join us as we end the season!

🎧 Follow @DrBahijjaRaimiA and @MondayScience for updates and return dates.

In this emotional and thought-provoking episode, we explore Eulogy — a Black Mirror story that dives deep into the ethics of memory, grief, and technological immortality. Set in a world where people can relive and even edit their most traumatic or treasured memories, Eulogy centers around the use of AI-assisted therapy and memory playback technology.

Join us as we unpack the science and ethics of this episode — from digital memory preservation and emotional manipulation to the societal consequences of controlling our past.

We explore questions like: Can revisiting pain help us heal, or does it deepen the wound? Who owns our memories once they’re uploaded? And what happens when grief is commodified?

We also reflect on:

• The risks and benefits of using tech for trauma processing

• The blurred line between therapy and surveillance

• The impact of nostalgia on mental health

As the episode builds to its haunting conclusion, we discuss the power of memory to shape identity and the moral implications of letting machines curate our most intimate experiences.

Whether you’re a science lover, an ethics enthusiast, or just a Black Mirror fan, this discussion will leave you questioning the future of healing — and the price of remembering.

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Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of consent, sexual assault, and sexual harassment.

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Bahijja Raimi-Abraham speaks with Dr. Douglas Zytko, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at Oakland University, about how virtual reality is reshaping the landscape of dating and relationships.

About the Episode

As virtual reality technology becomes more immersive and accessible, new forms of connection are emerging—especially in the realm of dating. This episode explores the rise of VR dating platforms, their similarities and differences compared to in-person interactions, and the psychological and social implications of falling in love in a digital space.

Together, Dr. Raimi-Abraham and Dr. Zytko examine the potential benefits—such as accessibility and safety—as well as the challenges, including questions about authenticity, consent, and emotional connection. Could virtual reality enhance our capacity to form meaningful relationships, or is something vital lost when touch and presence are replaced with code and avatars?

Tune in for a fascinating conversation at the intersection of technology, intimacy, and the future of human connection.

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