Knowledge is Power: Is IO Moonhaven’s Version of Tiktok?

By: Myriam Akbar

First things first – keep in mind that above all else, I’m discussing literature and film. Although I will mostly examine the 2022 sci-fi/crime series Moonhaven, I will also make comparisons to modern society and early 1900's novels that discuss similar thematic concerns. Completely separate from my review of the show, my conclusions here are solely based on critical thinking and observation – plus some innocent, fun creativity. With conversations of a TikTok banning, users have expressed frustration and urgency to understand the true meaning behind it. An imperfect yet underrated series, suggests a possible reason for the removal of the app. 

AMC+ produced, Moonhaven follows a pilot and detective investigating a conspiracy within a community of humans living on the moon. While it tackles a seemingly far-fetched concept, with today’s technological and scientific advancements — it’s as far-fetched as the robots discussed in Karel Capek's RUR (where the term robot comes from) that now exist. Although space exploration has been discussed since ancient times, colonization (to various degrees; for example only retrieving resources) of the moon is stated to have been discussed since the 17th century. This would explain chapters in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World Revisited that critique this proposition. What I found the most intriguing and realistic about Moonhaven wasn’t the humanitarian mission to space, but a form of artificial intelligence called IO that is used as a sort of behavioral guide. 

One can assume the obvious — Earth is in shambles and like many sci-fi stories, we are searching for answers to save our species. In some cases, from ourselves and in other cases, forces outside of us. The series explores various causes that prevent us from harmony, such as: environmental destruction, violence, and prejudice. It questions: is harmony even possible? IO is a device that detects patterns in human behavior throughout history. Our responsibility is to work hand-in-hand with it, allowing it to aid us from repeating our mistakes. The essence of IO is learning information in order to unlearn behaviors, to yet again learn new ones. In Moonhaven, this would be constant awareness of the technology’s power and acceptance of the way it reinforces humans to behave accordingly. We would then use the development of new psychological and sociological philosophies to build a new reputation, spreading the word to those back on Earth. This colony acts as a home for those who plan to use IO properly, as it is our last hope of saving humanity. TIK TOK. TIK TOK. TIK TOK. Problem is, we’re still human – even if we’re on the moon. While many follow the guidelines, the main character rejects IO’s resourcefulness and part of the plot twist is that some feel it interrupts the chaos they want in the world. 

Different from other social media apps, TikTok has done more than allow humans to communicate throughout the globe. Yes you can request to follow people and message them, watching their content as it’s uploaded. But more than anything – users found themselves asking: have I ever had an original thought or experience? The truth is, humanity exists more in repeated cycles of behavior than it does drastic change. Some may even say that Earth’s crisis can be summarized with a handful of isms, for example: imperialism, racism, sexism, capitalism etc. TikTok has done more than showcase catchy, yet annoying dance numbers or help make everyday people overnight famous. It educates users in a plethora of subjects, exposes untold aspects of history, gives voices to the oppressed, provides video proof of wrong doings, and reminds many where they come from. It embodies how there’s strength in numbers, power in community, and information out there that can radicalize society. 

So why ban TikTok? In my mind along with many others, its creation was a failed weapon of mass distraction. Like most sources of entertainment, the human mind latches onto the perceived separation of art and reality. “Art imitates life,” we know this. I believe with TikTok, users are attempting to find the mindless nature of entertainment in the app but it isn’t there. There’s no escaping the reality within it. This has caused radicalization for many, in the way that some have previously grasped from works of science fiction or political philosophy; for example. The problem isn’t Tiktok, social media, or technology. It’s how we use them and what is compromised in the process of creation (resource distribution, slavery, capitalism).

So what do we do with this information or any information for that matter? Falling into complete apathy or complacency will certainly get us nowhere. I suppose what will be most useful is to prioritize access to knowledge and freedom of expression as an ethical responsibility. We must remember what we learn about our behavior with enthusiasm to unlearn it, in order for positive change in the long run. 

Photo Cred: Spoilertv.com