Summary:
Technological advancements have shaped society today. Along with cyberpunk literature in theinternet, it has taken over peoples perspectives today, as well as the aspects of culture and mind.
Through years of advancements in the world, technology has become greatest aspect. The development of technology by incorporating the human mind and culture has brought about a new era. These are the criteria of cyberpunk literature, in which William Gibson's "Johnny Mnemonic" is a good example of cyberpunk literature. The novel reflects on how the human mind has been incorporated into the advanced technological world. This relates to cyberpunk literature because it follows the same ideas, but to a greater extent. Elmer Dewitt's "Cyberpunk" and Sterling's "Preface to Mirrorshades" both give an excellent criteria to cyberpunk literature in both aspects of culture and mind.
Cyberpunk is an aspect of technology that has been incorporated into people's lives. The first aspect is how it afflicts with the human mind. The idea of cyberpunk was to relate it as a whole with human beings and technology. Virtual reality is one way in which technology comes to life. People are able to believe and experience something without physically taking part in it. I believe this is a very important part of cyberpunk literature because people are able to express their physical being with the apparatus of technology. Dewitt excellently shows the relationship of the physical mind with technology and computers. "The cyberpunks look at those wires from the inside: they talk to the network as if it were an actual place- a virtual reality that can be entered, explored and manipulated." (Dewitt 60) This shows how the idea of cyberpunk literature is interconnected with technology as one. It allows people to express themselves in different ways. The idea of virtual reality was also presented in the novel "Johnny Mnemonic" when he is connected to the machine to extract his memories. The story clearly relates to this idea because it incorporates the mind conjoined with technology. "and one day I'll have a surgeon dig out all the silicone out of my amygdale, and I'll live with my own memories and nobody else's"(Sterling 12-13). This shows how this type of technology could be too influential in this aspect. Although, it is made clear in cyberpunk literature that it incorporates the idea of technology and the human mind as working together.
The second criterion of cyberpunk literature is integration of culture and technology. These aspects relate to how people join together and make technology and computers part of their culture and lifestyle. People have become more united because of cyber communities that have developed. The idea of using computers to communicate with one another is a great example of cyberpunk literature. People are able to connect in a whole new fashion. Using computers and technology along with interacting with several people has become a way of life. Sterling shows how people become so accustomed to using technology. "Technological literacy- are not just literary tools, but an aid to daily life. They are means of understanding, and are highly valued." (Sterling). This shows how technology is not just a phase or a fad but has been assimilated with society and "cyberpunk" communities. It is a way to gain efficiency in daily life. This relates to the novel as well because to work better you must be efficient. "Low technique, low technology" (Gibson 8). This shows how not having the right plan in using technology, will ultimately result in failure for the correct function of a machine. Also, it takes place in a time when people must be united together with technology for survival. This is similar to our society today because we cannot live without technology. It is a criterion that has been adopted and used for the better of man. These ideas clearly show how society and the world have changed so drastically because technology is a way for people to express themselves.
Clearly, the affect of cyberpunk literature has been immensely good for humans. Technology has become a major aspect of human thinking, experience, and interactions. Today people can only depend on technology, thus becoming a way of life. People are able to express themselves in more ways. It has had a great affect for numerous of reasons such as becoming more united in communities to offer more to one another. Because, cyberpunk literature is not just a phase it has become a part of our daily lives.
This is the complete article, containing 711 words
(approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page).
