«If you can’t tell the difference, does it matter?»: The magic circle and the frame in Westworld
Abstract
This article examines the concepts of the magic circle and the frame in the three seasons of the Westworld television series broadcast to date. Based on a content analysis, the article examines contemporary fears about the possible social consequences of living in hybrid spaces that alter the boundaries between the virtual and the real. Likewise, the series allows us to consider current dilemmas about morality in virtual worlds and its connection or opposition to morality in offline spaces. Lastly, one of the plot lines in the series facilitates the exploration of the idea of free will in information-driven and highly virtualized societies from a dystopian perspective in which control over citizens’ information is used to surveil and modify their behavior.
Downloads
Article download
Crossmark
License
In order to support the global exchange of knowledge, the journal Teknokultura is allowing unrestricted access to its content as from its publication in this electronic edition, and as such it is an open-access journal. The originals published in this journal are the property of the Complutense University of Madrid and any reproduction thereof in full or in part must cite the source. All content is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 use and distribution licence (CC BY 4.0). This circumstance must be expressly stated in these terms where necessary. You can view the summary and the complete legal text of the licence.
