“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
A loyal employee prays before a towering, monolithic corporate building in reverence, as mega-corporations have now become the new deities. They take on the roles of gods; powerful, untouchable, and unquestioned, shaping not only what people consume, but how they think, behave, and believe, often more than they realize.
“Thou shalt not covet.”
Two figures stand back to back, their cybernetic arms revealing the differences in status. The one in the spotlight dons sleek, pristine, high-end enhancements, while the other is outfitted with outdated, damaged tech such as exposed wires, cracked plating, and visibly inferior parts. Its eye glows green with envy, representing the dangerous desire for perfection in a society obsessed with technological advancement.
“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.”
Citizens gather in worship before a massive, glowing holographic figure; an artificial idol representing flawless beauty and divine perfection. The scene critiques a futuristic dystopia where technology creates ideals to be idolized, digital illusions, and unattainable standards.
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”
Society now worships a super-intelligent AI as their new god, its symbol displayed on billboards across the city like sacred propaganda, watching and observing like an omnipresent eye. Defacing its image is seen as an act of blasphemy, yet a lone figure spray-paints over the AI’s symbol in defiance, while the system watches silently from the skyline, ready to strike.
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
A world consumed by relentless work and corporate control, rest has been abandoned and is now seen as a rebellion against capitalism. Corporations have rebranded Sabbath day into a mandatory recharge period where workers are forcefully plugged into machines for “optimization.” Dozens are lined up for the recharge station, mindless corporate workers waiting to be energized, before returning to work. Rest is obsolete and productivity is prioritized.
“Honor thy father and thy mother.”
In a future where children are engineered and grown in artificial pods, the concept of parenthood is stripped of emotional connection, now purely clinical and detached. A fetus floats in a sterile chamber while two doctors observe, serving as symbolic figures of the “mother” and “father.”
“Thou shalt not kill.”
A violent act challenges the very definition of murder in a world where robots are designed to resemble humans. If a being lacks a heartbeat, does its destruction still count as killing? This dilemma is seen through a person violently tearing off a robot’s human-like faceplate, revealing the cold, mechanical endoskeleton beneath. Wires snap and fray as the mask of humanity is forcibly removed. The absence of a heart further reinforces the question: without life in the traditional sense, can there truly be death?
“Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
A man engages in a virtual reality affair, his body plugged into a headset while his avatar entangles with another in a surreal, digital space. Limbs fuse, colors pulse, and sparks fly in contrast to the dull stillness of the real world, where his unsuspecting spouse sleeps beside him. This is the reality of a world shaped by technology so advanced, where the allure of infidelity is effortless, harder to detect, and dangerously tempting.
“Thou shalt not steal.”
A mysterious, hooded hacker manipulates holographic floating screens, their hand reaching towards a glowing padlock within the interface storing a cathedral of valuable data, unlocked and ready to be breached.
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”
Deception and misinformation are rampant, used as tools to control, manipulate, and mislead. A figure of authority addresses a crowd with confidence, preaching the so-called “truth” while concealing crossed fingers behind his back. A scale floats over his back, tipped in his favor, representing the imbalance of power and deliberate distortion of justice.
Commandments 10.0
“Commandments 10.0” reimagines the 10 commandments, aka ancient moral codes, in a dystopian, cyberpunk world to question and explore evolving moralities, technological impacts, and ethical choices.
