The popular series "Black Mirror" darkly - befitting the title - fantasizes about modern technology, social relations and their mutual influence. The collection “The Gray Mirror” by Andrei Zhvalevsky is also, in general, about this, although the story of the same name was written long before the release of the series. About the deadly immersion in video games - and the no less dangerous “gamification” of real war. About an information war, which very easily develops into a hybrid one, where by definition there are no winners, but there are always victims. About harmful addictions and pleasant addictions - but still creepy. But in “The Gray Mirror”, unlike “Black”, there is a silver lining - Zhvalevsky’s multi-genre stories are united not only by a serious reason for thought, but also by a light style, a dynamic plot and an excellent sense of humor. And a transparent humanistic message, which is the only way - easily, dynamically and with humor - that can be read, perceived and adopted.