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25 Years Later: Does Cyberpunk Classic 'Neuromancer' Hold Up?

by Leila Brillson on July 3, 2009 at 12:00 PM

'The Matrix', 'Strange Days', and even 'Hackers' have all cribbed from William Gibson's cyberpunk masterpiece 'Neuromancer', which celebrated its 25th birthday on Tuesday. Written in 1984, Gibson's hyper-futuristic novel follows a super hacker named Case as he executes amazing cyber-feats, hired by a shadowy organization that immediately raise his suspicions.

When a former employer rendered Case unable to "jack-in" (literally, using electrodes) by frying his neurons so they were unable to receive information, Case accepts a job from a mysterious man who claims to be able to repair his brain. Alongside his bodyguard Molly, who has augmented senses like extendable fingernails and night-vision eyes, Case explores cyberspace and his new job, finding much more than he intended.

PCWorld looks back on the book, credited for coining the term 'cyberspace,' and how it affected technology today. While some of Gibson's ideas seem fantastic, his notions of the Web and how we use it are eerily accurate -- PCWorld goes as far to suggest that his writing may have influenced its constructs. Where 'Neuromancer' succeeds is considering how the Internet works, with getting online via millions of entry points, accessing information globally.

Gibson's notion of cyberspace is still a long way off, but is reflected in sites like 'Second Life,' where the Net takes tangible, actual forms in buildings and simulations. He puts virtual reality online, much like this 'Futurama' moment. He also fuses plastic surgery and technology, allowing his character's 'microsofts' to enhance their knowledge. Molly, of course, has physical cosmetic advantages, like increased reflexes.

Some of Gibson's other ideas are still far in the future, like 'simstim', which allows two consciousnesses to be in one body, and surfing the Net by 'jacking in' through the brain. Also, the artificial intelligence Case faces exists only online and like a super advanced AIM bot, studying humanity and able to interface with it.

The bottom line is, 'Neuromancer' looked forward successfully, writing a novel about technology that we are still trying to catch up to. Twenty-five years later, it's still as relevant as ever.

Tags: anniversary, cyber space, CyberSpace, internet, neuromancer, novel, top, william gibson, WilliamGibson

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