Severance (TV Series): Ben Stiller On Lumon Industries And The Apple Comparison

Hugo van Dijk

5 min read

Post on May 17, 2025

4.7

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The Severance Procedure: A Core Comparison

The show's central concept, the surgical separation of work and personal memories through the “severance procedure,” is both horrifying and fascinating. This fictional technology forces a stark division between an employee's "innie" (work self) and "outie" (personal self), creating a chilling commentary on the anxieties surrounding work-life balance in today's always-on culture. The ethical implications are profound.

• Ethical Implications: The procedure raises serious questions about consent, autonomy, and the manipulation of human consciousness. Is it ethical to essentially create a second, controlled personality for the sole purpose of increased productivity? The show doesn't offer easy answers.

• Technological Advancements: While currently fictional, Severance prompts us to consider the potential for similar technological advancements in the future. Could advancements in neuroscience and memory manipulation lead to a reality where such a procedure becomes possible, even plausible?

• Voluntary vs. Forced Implementation: In the show, the severance procedure is presented as voluntary. However, the power dynamic between Lumon Industries and its employees subtly suggests coercion. This raises the terrifying prospect of a future where such a procedure might be imposed rather than chosen.

• Psychological Toll: The psychological toll on the severed employees is immense, mirroring the stress and burnout prevalent in today's high-pressure work environments. The show highlights the detrimental effects of unchecked corporate ambition on individual well-being, pushing the boundaries of what constitutes acceptable work practices.

Lumon Industries as a Tech Giant: Parallels with Apple

Lumon Industries, with its sleek, minimalist design and secretive operations, bears a striking resemblance to tech giants like Apple. This isn't merely superficial; the parallels extend to corporate culture, employee control, and the unchecked power of technological advancement. The show uses Lumon as an exaggerated reflection of real-world corporate practices.

• Opaque Corporate Structure: Lumon's secretive structure mirrors the famously secretive operations of Apple and other large corporations, where internal workings are often obscured from public view. This opacity fosters a sense of mystery and unease, highlighting the potential for manipulation and control.

• Technological Surveillance: Both Lumon and companies like Apple utilize technology for surveillance and control, albeit on different scales. Lumon's pervasive monitoring of its employees is extreme, but the ever-increasing data collection practices of real-world corporations raise similar concerns about privacy and employee autonomy.

• Controlled Work Environment: Lumon’s highly controlled and monitored work environment represents an extreme version of today's workplace trends. While not as overtly dystopian, the pressure to constantly perform and adhere to corporate expectations are familiar aspects of modern employment.

• Employee Loyalty & Manipulation: Both Lumon and real-world tech companies cultivate strong brand loyalty among their employees, often through perks and a sense of shared purpose. However, Severance explores how this loyalty can be manipulated and exploited to the detriment of the employee’s well-being.

Ben Stiller's Vision: A Commentary on Modern Corporate Life

Ben Stiller's directorial vision is crucial to Severance's impact. He uses the unsettling atmosphere of Lumon Industries to create a potent critique of modern corporate life, highlighting concerns about corporate power, worker alienation, and the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancement.

• Directorial Choices: Stiller's deliberate stylistic choices—the sterile aesthetic, the unsettling soundtrack, and the ambiguous narrative—contribute significantly to the show's overall atmosphere of unease and suspense.

• Social Commentary: The show’s use of suspense and psychological thriller elements amplifies its social commentary. By placing the viewer in the unsettling shoes of the severed employees, Stiller forces a critical examination of our own relationship with work and technology.

• Stiller's Intentions: Interviews with Stiller reveal his intention to explore the complexities of work culture and the psychological cost of unchecked ambition. He successfully uses the extreme scenario of Lumon to highlight issues that resonate deeply with contemporary audiences.

Conclusion

Severance masterfully uses the fictional Lumon Industries and its unsettling severance procedure to offer a chillingly relevant commentary on modern corporate culture and the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancement. The parallels with tech giants like Apple, though fictionalized, raise profound questions about workplace ethics, employee well-being, and the nature of control in the 21st century. Ben Stiller’s vision shines through in the show's chillingly realistic portrayal of a dystopian, yet not-so-distant future. The unsettling concept of the severance procedure itself becomes a powerful metaphor for the increasing disconnect between our personal and professional lives.

Have you considered the implications of Severance's exploration of corporate control? Discuss your thoughts on the parallels between Lumon Industries and real-world tech companies in the comments below. Further explore the unsettling world of Severance and delve deeper into the intricacies of the severance procedure – you might just find yourself questioning the line between work and life.