The most interesting thing I found while reading the novel is the dependence on the cyberspace. The characters use the matrix often and rely on it to do almost everything. This is how the world is today. Almost everyone uses either a computer or smartphone to access the Internet. Our dependence on it has become startling. I truly began to realize this when I heard about the riots in Egypt. The Egyptian government decided to block all Internet traffic in response to protests. This has only created more protests. I read an article on msnbc.com where Wilson Rothman says that "Egypt's government must return Internet access to the country....or perhaps suffer massive economic damage, as banks and other economic institutions return to work without the ability to conduct commerce." Wow. That really opens your eyes and as I think about it I would be infuriated if the American government "turned off" my Internet. I use it every day and without it I would feel lost.
The phrase "you don't know a good thing until it's gone" cannot accurately describe the reaction to a world without the Internet. It is a great thing and it is something we need to survive. The Internet has shrunk the map and made it possible to talk with someone on the other side of the world. We do this without even thinking about how we had to stay in contact before. I would have to hope we don't start protesting and have our Internet blocked in America, but I do hope that it is reinstated in Egypt for the sake of its economic benefit.
Works Cited: http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/01/28/5942650-net-less-egypt-may-face-economic-doom-monday?ocid=twitter
I definitely agree with you that Gibson's prediction of society's increased reliance on the Internet and technology has come true. It is frightening to think that nearly thirty years ago, he was able to predict how the world would be today. I would be equally infuriated if the American government took away our ability to access the Internet whenever we wanted. I think that the situation in Egypt is a good example of how highly people regard the right of freedom of speech and that withdrawing that right can have extremely disastrous effects on all aspects of society.
ReplyDeleteAs I write this comment, President Mubarak has stepped down and the Army hopes to maintain stability during the run up to elections.
ReplyDeleteI will watch closely to see what occurs when Internet service returns to Egypt's highly-connected populace.
Smart phones and Internet cafes with Twitter and Facebook just changed the world. It's an optimistic spin on Gibson's vision.
It's not the "zaibatsus" who shape the course of human history; it may be the people using their tools: Microsoft Windows, Apple's iOS devices, and Facebook to report on a real-life uprising against a dictator. Next week, Iran? One can hope.