Neuromancer and Cyberpunk

Neuromancer is a novel written by William Gibson. It creates a visually impressive, yet disturbing, world in which technology has penetrated every aspect of society and the human body. Characters in the book have numerous mechanical modifications to their bodies, and the obvious disregard for human health and the sanctity of nature paints a dark picture. Between the living conditions of Chiba City and the bodies that inhabit it, it can be seen as either a haven for the "Cyberpunk" or a terrifying place filled with criminals and hazards at every turn. The seemingly infinite amount of body modifications have shaped this society into a lawless jungle, filled with "human" animals of every shape and variation. Between the razorblades sheathed in fingertips, the grafted muscles imbuing unnatural strength, and vats of replacement human tissues, Chiba City offers dangers and opportunities that would feel foreign to us readers. Has technology helped or hindered this society, and does it bear any resemblance to humanity's future?

This book takes the popularity of the 80's punk life style and adds a technological aspect to it. The grungy, careless misfit attitude applied to body modifications seems like a good fit. As with the mohawks and studded leather jackets of 80's punk, Cyberpunk has a similar type of anti-establishment aesthetic. Self expression through tech body enhancements really showcases each person's ideal vision of themself. Whether they want to see better, fight more effectively, or just stand out, the different ways to augment the human body adds a whole new layer beyond just clothing and apparel. The same "fight the system" mentality resides within both standard Punk and Cyberpunk. Those that wish to aesthetically express themselves have almost limitless options, letting their imaginations run wild. A key to both Punk lifestyles is an underground feel, and Cyberpunk definitely nails it with the extremely loose, or nonexistent, regulations concerning the surgical procedures involved with the tech body modifications.

In the beginning, you are introduced to Case, a physically below average man in his early 20s. He showcases his skills as a cyber expert, whose main interest is gaining access to cyberspace. He gained employment to do just that, and to steal data. Unfortunately, due to his greed, he ended up keeping something that he was hired specifically to steal. This lead to his nervous system being damaged as a form of morbid punishment, so that he may never jack into cyberspace again. With the character Case and his mission to reverse the affects of the toxin, we see that Cyberpunks have furthered what we think of as an internet connection. Case's punishment for stealing is to be denied access to Cyberspace, and considering the crime, Cyberspace access must be highly regarded and cherished among Cyberpunks and the denizens of Chiba City. The Cyberpunk vision of cyberspace shows us humanity's longing for connection, and how losing oneself in something bigger can be addicting. Whether it be drugs or connecting into one large social space, the human need to feel something "more" is timeless.