Neuromancer: Humans and Technology

Thesis:Technology-designed and used by humans? or Humans-cultured and manipulated by technology.

"'Shit. I don't need that. I need a gun. Like I maybe want to shoot somebody, understand?'"(14)

Case's desperation for a gun, demonstrates people's need of technology used for protection.

"Seven days and he'd jack in. If he closed his eyes now, he'd see the matrix"(37)

Case is anxious, and is already thinking about re-entering the matrix after not being able to for some time. Thus, illustrates people's addiction to technology.

"Program a map to display...outlines of hundred-year-old industrial parks ringing the old core of Atlanta..."(43)

Case even sees the outside world in a technological way.

"'Cyberspace. A consensual hallucination... like city lights, receding...'"(51)

The matrix described as a "consensual hallucination", again demonstrates machines controlling the minds of humans as humans seek escape from reality.

"It was disturbing to think of the Flatline as a construct, a hardwired ROM cassette
replicating a dead man's skills,obsessions, knee jerk responses"(76-77)

Technology can imitate human behavior?

" 'Wintermute, Case. It's time we talk.'...Each ran in turn, but only once, as he passed"(98)


"'Soon come, the Final Days ...'Call 'em Winter Mute..."

Show that communication between humans and technology can be reversed, where the AI can contact humans.

" 'I am the one who arranges things for Armitage...'"(120)

Wintermute controls Armitage?

"Nothing in the room looked as though it had been machine-made...handwoven fabric"(127)

Case feels awkward without technology.

"He extracted a rectangular object and passed it to Case...'but it's a weapon. It's a virus'"(130)

Humans are still in charge because they can implement viruses?