Amazon Prime’s Upload is one of the top shows that people are talking about. The series centers around a young man who dies prematurely and is subsequently uploaded to live in a fancy virtual reality for all of eternity, financed by his wealthy girlfriend.
The show has many similarities to other shows of the past five years, such as Black Mirror and The Good Place, but it also offers elements that these other series do not, such as a more in-depth look at class inequality, something that comes front and center when considering the Lakeview afterlife–a place that Nathan could never have afforded if his girlfriend hadn’t pressured him into it on his deathbed. So is Lakeview somewhere fans would want to live? For many reasons, yes. For others, not at all.
Would: Therapy Dogs
They’re a pretty weird feature of Lakeview, but they are also kind of awesome. When Nathan first walks in to use a therapy dog, he expects what most people would expect–to sit and hang out with a cozy animal for a little while, comforted by petting and interacting with them.
But the interaction that comes with Lakeview’s therapy animals, literally having a therapist inside of the animal one pets, brings the situation to a whole new level.
Wouldn’t: Glitches
Nora tries to argue that the flaws in Lakeview are what makes it similar to the living world and, therefore, more charming or comforting, but this isn’t necessarily a winning argument.
The living world is certainly flawed in many ways, but it’s not riddled with glitches that pause time or cause images to appear distorted, reminding one that they are in virtual reality with their actual body in a cooler somewhere.
Would: No Aging
A major perk of living in a virtual afterlife is that one never ages.
A person has endless chances to try out different ways of existing, to read as many books as they want, try as many new philosophical viewpoints as they want, and never have to feel stressed that they have chosen the wrong one because they will literally never run out of time.
Wouldn’t: Out-Live Loved Ones
The downside of never aging is that people in the virtual world will have to witness those they love in the living world grow old without them.
Being in Lakeview would provide the extraordinary opportunity to watch one’s friends and family live their lives even after one’s death, but this might not be all it’s cut out to be, especially since they would not just be watching, but they’d be able to talk to them and possibly watch their pain at seeing that their departed friend or family member can’t grow with them.
Would: Sensory Functions
Lakeview is great compared to some other virtual afterlives that the show offers glimpses of. Lakeview enables the deceased to visit one another in a way that feels real, placing them virtually in the same room.
They also allow them to actually feel one another’s touch as if they are together in the living world. Even more exciting, a person can smell and taste and feel hungry in Lakeview–and who would want to exist without being able to enjoy a meal?
Wouldn’t: Redundancy
The show suggests how redundant a virtual utopia can become by featuring a scene in which deceased people in Lakeview, Nathan’s neighbors, pay extra to feel as though they have a head cold.
In a world that is constantly satisfying and offers every abundance, pleasure becomes boring and meaningless without the contrast of absence–such as health versus illness.
Would: 1-1 Customer Assistance
The idea of being uploaded to virtual reality after death sounds pretty terrifying. What if a person doesn’t like it? What if they need help or can’t figure out how to adjust?
These worries are eased with the prospect of having an “Angel,” the one-on-one assistant and guide to responding to a resident’s every question or concern. It’s a rare case when someone has around-the-clock personal assistance, but in Lakeview, it’s forever.
Wouldn’t: Unfairly Paid Workers
The less enchanting aspect of having an “Angel” is that the Lakeview resident is very much dependant on them for their well-being, and it seems like the representative they get is simply the luck of the draw.
One would think these would be highly trained professionals, but they turn out to be underpaid members of the futuristic working-class. Someone who has a person’s afterlife experience in their hands should be paid well; otherwise, they might not perform their duties as well–a scary prospect for the Lakeview resident.
Would: There Are Updates
Life in Lakeview could indeed get dull. The glitches could get too unnerving, the food could get boring, the AI assistants repetitive and aggravating. Even the weather relies on the resident changing it, which doesn’t make for much anticipation or mystery in life.
A sort of virtual, technological version of change in seasons could be found in the occasional update, though. Living in a high-tech, popular virtual reality means that Lakeview undergoes system updates, giving residents something to look forward to.
Wouldn’t: It’s Classist
The most off-putting, upsetting aspect of Lakeview is the inequality of the program. Only the rich can enjoy entry, and even then, the experience is not all-inclusive.
Nathan is supported by his wealthy girlfriend, who pays his fees to exist in Lakeview, but if he wants certain items of food or particular activities, he is faced with a pop-up asking him to pay extra for it. The system is glaringly capitalist and has no regard for members of lower economic standing.
