Re: The inhumanity of humanity in aggregate - a major SF theme?

"Eric Tolle" <ericthetolle@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Damien Neil wrote:
>
> > My impression is that Gibson has been significantly influenced by the
> > culture shock of first encountering Japan, but hasn't ever moved past
> > that initial surface impression.
>
> My impression was that the idea of Japan as an alien culture and
> mindset taking over Western civilization was a common trope of
> Cyberpunk. It was another symbol for the alienation aspect of the
> genre, and the fact that cyberpunk Japan had little to do with actual
> Japan was besides the point.

I believe that trope started with Gibson's _Neuromancer_, although I may
be misinformed. (In fact, I have the strong impression that "cyberpunk"
means "_Neuromancer_, a couple of other decent books that are kind of
like it, and some quantity of RPG sourcebooks that ripped _Neuromancer_
off.")

Anyway, I think that you're probably right with regards to
_Neuromancer_--the Japanese trappings aren't really about Japan at all,
any more than _Lost in Translation_ was about Japan. However, Gibson
has continued to return to Japan with books like _Idoru_, and I haven't
had the feeling that his depiction of the country has matured over time.

- Damien
.

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