“The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.”
William Gibson, Neuromancer
There is perhaps no better introduction to the world of Cyberpunk literature than this indelible quote from the very first, true novel in the genre. A work in which William Gibson, author of the Spraw Trilogy (of which Neuromancer is the First Book), lays out for us the many elements that would define this tech-noir world for the next four decades and going!
Hi-Tech, Low-Life Lit
The origination of Cyberpunk owes a great deal to a few rebellious beatnik authors who sought to offer a unique vision of science fiction, distinct from the hopeful and naive versions presented from the likes of Isaac Asimov, etc. The core elements of this movement include a world where governmental power is diminished, corporate capitalism rules, the one-percenters have become real-life gods having wealth, power, and can ultimately escape death by digital means, technology magnifies the issues found in society and the stark depiction of rebellion against the system that controls them without walls or guns.
The literary themes found within these worlds include political conspiracy, hacking, body modification & augmentation, racial politics, noir tones, and cityscapes plunged into eternal night. Join BCB Cyber as we offer a video series that explores how the different literary works in High-Tech, Low Life Lit can fuel our own Cyber-Passions to Re-Define Our Lives in the Virtual Future.