In The Code Breaker, Walter Isaacson tells the story of Jennifer Doudna, a biochemist whose work with CRISPR gene editing is shaping the future of science – and humanity. With CRISPR, scientists can now “cut and paste” DNA, opening the door to treating genetic diseases, improving agriculture, and even editing human embryos. But what struck me most while reading about Doudna was not just the innovation – it was how seriously she takes the ethical questions that come with it. From the start, she has asked herself as well as those around her: Just because we can edit life, does that mean we should?
That same spirit of questioning and curiosity fuels the creative work of Charlton (Charlie) Brooker, the mind behind Black Mirror. Though Brooker is not a scientist, his creativity thrives on imagining the implications of technological advancement – what it might mean for identity, relationships, and society as a whole. Each episode of Black Mirror presents a different “what if” scenario: What if grief could be eased by AI? What if your entire memory could be replayed on demand? What if surveillance technology went too far? These stories are not pure fantasy – they are often unsettlingly close to our reality.
The parallel between Doudna and Brooker lies in how they both use creativity to explore future possibilities. For Doudna, the creative process involves building on scientific discoveries, experimenting, and collaborating with other researchers. In The Code Breaker, Isaacson describes how Doudna and her team worked relentlessly, often through trial and error, to develop CRISPR. But what sets her apart is that her creativity is guided by a strong moral compass. She did not stop at innovation – she helped organize global discussions on bioethics and gene editing, even urging scientists to pause before editing human embryos.
Brooker’s creative process is different in form but similar in intention. In interviews, he has spoken about how his ideas often come from observing small changes in technology or human behavior and imagining where they might lead. He works closely with a team of writers and producers to bring these ideas to life, blending humor, horror, and vulnerability. Like Doudna, Brooker does not just showcase what is possible – he wants us to ask whether it is desirable.
Both Brooker and Doudna reflect what Augustín Fuentes refers to in The Creative Spark as the deeply social nature of creativity. Doudna’s breakthroughs were only possible through collaboration – sharing ideas, debating possibilities, and refining experiments. Similarly, Brooker’s shows thrive on input from actors, designers, editors, and even the audience. Creativity, Fuentes argues, is not just about making something new – it is about solving problems and shaping meaning through connection and conversation. In their own ways, both creators are using their fields to reflect the human condition – and to question how far we should go in reshaping it.
Both The Code Breaker and Black Mirror challenge us to think critically about the innovations we celebrate. They show that truly creative people do not just build the future – they question it. And in doing so, they invite the rest of us to think more deeply about the kind of world we want to live in. Whether you are holding a pipette or a pen, the most powerful question you can ask is: What kind of future am I helping to create?
Great post! That last sentence really brought your blog home. I am a huge fan of Black Mirror and I constantly find myself recommending it to others because of its unmatched social commentary that—though presented in futuristic context—is all too relevant today. I think the connection between gene editing/CRISPR and Black Mirror is an important one to make since our future is being decided with our actions now. If we understand the consequences of our decisions, we are less likely to fall into the dystopian futures outlined in the show. I also read Code Breaker and something that stood out to me upon reading was Doudna’s commitment to the morality of her innovation (something other scientists in the field did not wholly consider); By considering issues of ethics and accessibility, Doudna gains a complete understanding of the future she is creating. Technology is often our friend, but Doudna’s moral pondering and Brooker’s 'fictional' societies definitely teach us that it can also be our foe. Thank you for making this great connection!
ReplyDeleteHi! Love this post as well! Jennifer Doudna's creative process is interesting in that it is not super unique, she is embracing the spirit of collaboration that is necessary for success, especially in academia. Her desire to ensure that her invention would have a positive impact societally is also admirable.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to usage of technology related to gene-editing, and/or the brain, Black Mirror does raise a number of important issues with how this technology is used. In particular, it depicts the usage of such technologies as a form of social control (if I am not mistaken). Many scientific innovations that require an abundance of creativity can ironically lead to the onset of control societies that stifle creativity (that was my first thought reading this).
Hi Najiya, I really loved reading your blog post! I just started watching the new season of Black Mirror, so your insight is super timely. It’s fascinating how you connected the way Black Mirror and CRISPR came about, as I would have never realized the parallels in their creation. Your insight did a great job highlighting the similarities between Charlton Brooker and Doudna’s creative processes, and I now see how scientific exploration, experimentation, and collaboration set them apart as innovative creators.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed how you compare Brooker’s process to Augustine Fuentes’ description of the social nature of creativity. I’ve never considered Black Mirror a collaborative work, as I incorrectly thought a different team made each episode, with other writers, producers, etc. However, now I see how Brooker collaborates closely to create every episode, and I agree that his creativity stems from his social connections.
It was reassuring to read how people like Doudna and Brooker still think critically about the scientific advancements and technologies we create. It can feel discouraging to see the direction of the future with “advances” like artificial intelligence or the metaverse potentially causing more harm than good. However, hopefully, as works like The Code Breaker and Black Mirror spread the message to question technologies, we can ensure our well-being in the future.