Gibson's Premonition

Neuromancer
10/30/08

In the novel Neuromancer, Gibson portrays a society that appears entirely dependent on technology. Initially I thought there was no way possible our own society could reach such a level of technological dependence. As I continued to read this novel; however, I realized that Gibson appears to indeed be correct. In Neuromancer computer hackers are referred to as cyberspace cowboys, giving hackers an identity associated with being tough, hard-working, and iconic to our culture. Initially I did not make much of this connection, but when one of my friends complained about having to shut off a videogame because he was going to lose all of his work it hit me. Our own culture considers beating virtual levels on a computer the same as work. In all seriousness you really cannot consider playing a videogame work, its enjoyment. If you win a round of Halo 3, what do you have to show for it? Although hacking is considered "work" in many circles it does not appear to me that we should put hackers on the same iconic pedestal as our rough and tumble cowboy. Alas I fear that I am a minority with this opinion and that Gibson is correct in calling hackers cyberspace cowboys because it appears my own generation will replace the iconic cowboy with the Halo 3 champion.