Opening scenes in Neuromancer

“The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.” (1) With this incredible opening line, Neuromancer author William Gibson sets up his commentary on the nature/technology dualism. This cyberpunk novel is set in the future where computer technology has become advanced enough to blur the distinction between natural and artificial. In fact, technology appears to replace nature and recreate nature in some instances. In the first line, the sky is compared to a static channel which clearly suggests an overlay of technology (television) on nature (the sky). Such is one of many examples of nature mixing with technology.

The description of Ninsei provides more frightening evidence of how technology can also redefine natural. The line “Quartz halogen lights..lit the docks all night like vast stages” (6) show how something artificial can reverse the natural order of nature. Night is meant as a time of rest and darkness for a natural human yet technology has created a period of light as well as activity. The word “stages” suggest that the night has become an arena for activeness. On the other hand, day has become a time of inactivity with “the bars…shuttered and featureless, the neon dead, the holograms inert, waiting.” (7)Such descriptions suggest a time of sleep for technology due to the inactivity and the temporariness of such a state (as indicated by the word “waiting”). Clearly, technology has assumed the opposite role that nature had originally assigned with likely repercussions on the actions of the Ninsei dwellers.

Another line describes Tokyo Bay with “drifting shoals of white Styrofoam.” (7) Much like in the opening line of the novel, the author is describing nature using terminology that suggests the artificial. These descriptions not only suggest an overlay of technology on nature but also hint that natural experiences can be created through technology. This fact is illustrated because the author has depicted something natural (the tide on the beach) as something artificial (Styrofoam) that still resembles the natural object in appearance. The scenes describing Case’s longing and crying out for “the console” (5) show his emotional dependence on technology. Such technology created artificial stimulation and experiences for Case. Yet, these experiences were real enough to give Case his pride as a cyberspace cowboy and his detesting of the flesh. Thus, Case is a strong example of technology redefining and recreating enjoyable natural experiences.