The Cost of Constant Approval: Lacie Pound’s Breakdown in a Social Media-Obsessed World

This is the third prompt in my freshman composition class:

The Cost of Constant Approval: Lacie Pound’s Breakdown in a Social Media-Obsessed World

In the Black Mirror episode “Nosedive,” Lacie Pound lives in a world where every social interaction is rated, and one’s digital reputation dictates real-world success. As she obsessively chases approval, her life unravels spectacularly. But what truly caused Lacie’s downfall? Was it the suffocating influence of social media, or did her collapse expose deeper psychological fragilities that existed long before the ratings system amplified them?

For this 1,700-word essay (MLA format required), analyze Lacie’s psychological and emotional breakdown, evaluating whether social media directly caused her downfall or merely revealed an inevitable unraveling. Use insights from:

• The Social Dilemma (Netflix documentary)
• Jonathan Haidt’s essay “Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid”
• Sherry Turkle’s TED Talk “Connected But Not Alone”
• The Black Mirror episode “Nosedive” (as a primary reference)

Key Focus Areas for Analysis:

1. The Role of Social Media in Shaping Identity – How does Lacie’s obsession with external validation mirror real-world patterns of social media influence, as explored in The Social Dilemma?
2. Mental Health and the Validation Culture – Use Haidt’s analysis to examine how constant ranking, comparison, and digital pressure contribute to anxiety and emotional distress.
3. Authenticity vs. Performance – Discuss Turkle’s argument that technology fosters curated personas rather than genuine connection. How does this performative pressure accelerate Lacie’s mental decline?
4. The Inevitability of Lacie’s Breakdown – Was her collapse truly caused by the rating system, or did social media merely amplify existing insecurities and psychological struggles?

Essay Requirements:

• Length: 1,700 words
• Format: MLA (Modern Language Association)
• Sources: Minimum of 4, cited in MLA format
• Required Texts:
  • The Social Dilemma (Netflix documentary)
  • Jonathan Haidt’s “Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid”
  • Sherry Turkle’s TED Talk “Connected But Not Alone”
  • Black Mirror: “Nosedive” (episode reference)

Conclusion:

What does Lacie’s downfall reveal about our relationship with digital validation? Is her story a cautionary tale about social media’s psychological grip, or does it expose a deeper human vulnerability that would exist with or without technology? Through this analysis, explore whether Nosedive serves as a critique of social media itself—or if it’s ultimately a reflection of something far more personal and timeless: the human craving for approval.