William Gibson ——
William Gibson is widely regarded as the forerunner of the science fiction sub-genre cyberpunk. Thornhill (2020) seems to be a writer at the crossroads of the past and the future. Vivid visions of the future accompany his reflections on history. This science fiction writer coined the term 'Cyberspace.' His vision and description of the future are also shown in his novel, a masterpiece of science fiction.
Science Fiction ——
As a pioneer of science fiction, 'Cyberspace' arises from Gibson's creative process. The Internet was a myth in the past, but it's not impossible. Science fiction is the product of science fiction ideas. Gibson discussed cyberspace extensively in his magnum opus, the sci-fi novel Neuromancer.
Romanticism ——
Science fiction is prolific in the author's subjective imagination, focusing on the description of the ideal world in the future. Neuromancer is working with romantic solid colors. In addition, this science fiction is devoted to the theme of friendship and love. (Streeter, 2010)
Meaning in life ——
Science fiction makes the current life colorful and satisfies people's curiosity and imagination about the future. Furthermore, science fiction plays a positive role in the development of human beings and society. The novel Neuromancer, for example, lays out its first ideas about the Internet.
Information Highway & Cyberspace ——
According to Streeter (2010), Information High way is a system, such as the Internet, that quickly provides information to an audience. On the other hand, cyberspace offers viewers more autonomy by defining the Internet as a realm of adventure, a means of accessing organized information.
Utopianism ——
The information superhighway is regarded as a romantic scenario because it is orderly and straightforward enough to draw a blueprint for the future. (Streeter, 2010)
Dystopianism ——
Cyberspace is more likely to be described as dystopian because less regulation is the opposite of an ideal society, and audiences get a strong sense of themselves in cyberspace. What's more, Neuromancer is a dystopian creation. It is full of violence and control in its depiction of the future world.
Ideal and Reality ——
The critical understanding of utopia and anti-utopia reflects people's thinking about ideals and reality. In the utopian vision and quest for an increasingly perfect society, the human nature for good is reflected. Anti-utopia, however, rejects the fantasy that a future full of unknowns and violence is impossible and is an expression of embarking on reality. (Gu, 2009)
Anti-hegemonism —— In terms of Information Highway, the upper classes have more access than the lower and middle classes, and it is spreading faster in developed countries than in developing countries. The phenomenon of unequal development among different groups can therefore lead to a division in access to information between types and the development of hegemony in the developed world in terms of internet development and technology. However, Thomas (2020) states that cyberspace is also concerned with extending the benefits of computer use to the lower rungs of the class ladder. It will provide an effective check on hegemony.
Reference List: Thornhill, J. (2020). William Gibson — the prophet of cyberspace talks AI and climate collapse. Ft.com. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/48b6d0f6-499f-11ea-aeb3-955839e06441.
Gu, S. (2021). Ideal and Reality -- The revelation of humanity in Utopian and dystopian works. Wap.cnki.net. Retrieved 3 September 2021, from https://wap.cnki.net/lunwen-2009184600.html.
Streeter, T. (2020). The Moment of Wired. The Net Effect : Romanticism, Capitalism, and the Internet.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Neuromancer.jpgwikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Neuromancer.jpg
Wondershare EdrawMind
