While I try to dedicate as much time as possible to reading books and sharing moments with the people I love, I also do enjoy a lazy evening in front of Netflix. I often have conversations about the best shows to watch. Here is an intentionally short list of stuff I’ve recently watched on Netflix that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The Mind, Explained. A mini-series of short documentaries about the weird ways our brain works, narrated by the wonderful Emma Stone. I wrote about my (spoiler free) impressions, and encourage anyone interested in better understanding their own mind to watch these. They’re very high level, but it’s a great introduction to neuroscience.
The Most Unknown. A beautiful celebration of science. Scientists exploring big questions such as dark matter, space-time, and consciousness take each other through their latest research. This movie left me in awe of humanity’s endless curiosity.
Connected. A fun investigation of “the surprising and intricate ways in which we are connected to each other, the world and the universe.” Great to watch with kids who are into science. My favourite episode was the one about poop.
Love, Death & Robots. A collection of animated short stories by world-class creators, which features… Well, love, death, and robots. The tales span genres such as science fiction and fantasy. The 18 episodes are pretty short and most are excellent, with many based on classic novels. My favourite was Beyond the Aquila Rift (number 7).
The Midnight Gospel. A series of podcasts episodes voiced over unique animations that make for a trippy, thought-provoking experience. It’s not for everyone, but if you like to think about the nature of reality and the meaning of life, you will have an amazing time. The last episode in particular is a masterpiece.
Unnatural Selection. An eye-opening docuseries about gene editing with a particular focus on the DNA-editing technology of CRISPR. It alternates between the perspective of scientists, corporations and biohackers working from their home. The filming, the characters, the implications, everything will make you think.
More Netflix goodness
A few more shows I recently watched and enjoyed. I’m mostly into sci-fi. Disclaimer: I do love Black Mirror and Stranger Things and many of the well-known titles, so I’m only listing lesser known shows that may pique your curiosity. I don’t watch long multi-season series anymore, so everything on this list will either be a movie or a mini-series.