Writing Free

William Gibson is the father of cyberpunk in my personal opinion.  He’s written cyberpunk since before he even bought or used a computer.  His seminal novel ‘Neuromancer’ which detailed a near future dystopia connected by the ‘Matrix’, his interpretation of what would popularly become the ‘net’.

Each of his novels bought the future closer, and even kept the dials turned up to eleven.  ‘Idoru’ questioned the values of real and virtual experience, which was then exceeded by the sequel ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties.  Then came ‘Pattern Recognition’.  Cayce Pollard is a woman who is unique in that she is allergic to brands, more so the fake or bad.  After an experience with a powerful and rich client where she simply says ‘No’, we learn of her obsession with the ‘footage’, seemingly random exerpts of film released on the internet, causing much debate.  All this will lead to her realisation of the disappearance of her father.

The book is deep, powerful and riveting - just put simply, Gibson at his best.  The almost near-future musings are complemented by the plot developments of a spy thriller.  The characters are well thought out, fit their own plots perfectly.

Having read 6 of Gibson’s novels (I’m currenty starting Spook Country) I find this one of the best so far.  The older novels, although still ‘out there’ seem a little dated.  No doubt in the future this book will be dated too.  But as a piece of postmodern fiction, this book is well recommended.

I’ve known this film.  For a long time.  Since before I even saw it.  Why?  Becuase this is probably one of the more sampled films in terms of dance music than any other.  It still amazes me, that the messianic overtones of the film work on many levels.  The theme of the film is ultimately redemption for the planet of Arrakis, by means of prophecy (the sleeper will awaken) and by action.  The film came to my knowledge of samples in techno, from the aforementioned ‘the sleeper will awaken’, to ‘know then, that this is the year 10,191…’  and ’soon we will begin to fold space’.

I grew up on films like this and Blade Runner.  Just by listening to electronic music.  Who says that dance/electronic music would destroy culture?  To my mind, it just enhances the culture we live in.  I would never have known these films in any other way, except by complete accident*

*I read Dune many years ago.  I must read it again, because I forget the many plot nuances.  Oh, and why hasn’t ‘Voyage of the Space Beagle’ been made into a film yet??