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An examination of postmodernism, Cyberpunk, and technology's role in future societies
By Tom Cronin
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Introduction
Change. It is one of very few concepts that has remained constant since the beginning of Western culture. During the twenty-first century, as with any century, it is likely that certain eras that have dominated the twentieth century will eventually draw to a close, only to be replaced by new eras. The twenty-first century will not be alone in hosting several different eras, however, for the twentieth century saw several different eras begin and end, as well. One important shift from one age to another that occurred during the twentieth century was the change from the industrial age to the information age. Although concepts of industrialism and manufacturing, such as mass production, still play an important role in Western culture, the pursuit of information (but not necessarily knowledge) has become paramount. Related to the shift from the industrial age to the information age is the shift from modernism to postmodernism. Although it would take several paragraphs to fully describe the concepts associated with postmodernism, postmodernism can be simply defined as "an extremely rapid and freewheeling exchange to which most responses are faltering, impulsive and contradictory." (Olalquiaga, xi) Postmodernism differs from its predecessor, modernism, in several respects. Whereas technology's role in postmodernism encompasses people of different backgrounds, races, genders, socio-economic statuses, and lifestyles, technology was regarded as a privilege of the status quo during the age of modernism. Unlike modernism, where there is a central authority, power is largely in the hands of individuals in postmodernism. Because of the absence of a central power, Western culture has been moving from a state of exclusion to one of inclusion. Although Western culture has entered the postmodern era, Western culture obviously hasn't reached a state that is all-inclusive and without any central authority. Postmodernism has not replaced modernism in Western culture, but postmodernism can be used to describe a growing trend toward repetition, decentralization of power, virtual reality and a blurring between formerly distinct cultural aspects. As scholars have pointed out, the conditions and issues of society at any given time are often represented in literature of the time, particularly the genre of science fiction. Recently, there has been a movement in science fiction that focuses on both the prosthetic merging of computers and humanity (cybernetics) and the counterculture of drugs, media, and violence (punk culture). Cyberpunk, as the movement is called, is referred to by scholars as the apotheosis of postmodernism, for Cyberpunk represents the far-reaching effects of life in a postmodern society. Cyberpunk is part of a trend in science fiction that began in the 1960s that focused on the implosion of humanity and is fueled by the desire for dissolution. Perhaps the most apparent example of postmodernism in today's society is the Internet. Unlike other media, the Internet allows users to "jack in" from anywhere and play an equal role in a growing culture often referred to as Cyberculture. The Internet contains no central authority and includes a wide variety of images, movie files and recycling of texts from print culture. Put simply, the Internet is a postmodernist delight. But what lies beyond the Internet? Certainly, the influence of postmodernism on Western culture does not seem to be slowing down, so the question remains as to where postmodernism will take us next. Judging from the rapid growth of the Internet in the past five years, it is quite possible to say that the Internet in five, or perhaps ten years from now, may not be recognizable. Although science fiction writers rarely write novels or movies for the purpose of predicting the future, science fiction often gives people a picture of what the future may hold. The term Cyberspace, for example, which is commonly used to refer to the "place" between two or more computers linked by the Internet, originated from William Gibson's novel Neuromancer (1984). Since Cyberpunk represents the apotheosis of postmodernism, it is quite possible that the future of both the Internet (or what the Internet shall become) and postmodernism could be found within Cyberpunk texts and films.
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