Technology Alienation In William Gibson’s Cyberpunk Novels

Known as the “father of cyberpunk”,William Gibson is a notable science fiction author of the 20 th century.He has won the Hugo Award,the Nebula Award and the Philip K.Dick Award.Gibson’s cyberpunk science fiction is based on the rapid development of computer technology.It explores the impact of the development of electronic computer technology and network technology on human society.This thesis selects Gibson’s classic cyberpunk novels--the Sprawl trilogy and a collection of short stories named Burning Chrome as study subjects.Based on Herbert Marcuse’s theory of technology alienation,this thesis conducts an in-depth study of the phenomena of technology alienation in Gibson’s cyberpunk novels above from the three perspectives of the one-dimensional society under the influence of technology alienation,the one-dimensional man under the influence of technology alienation,and human beings’ attempts to escape the control of technology.Chapter Two introduces the one-dimensional society under the influence of technology alienation.Firstly,the distribution of power in society is determined by technology,or rather technology confers greater power on those who possess it.Secondly,capital and technology are intertwined: on the one hand,technology helps capital to expand further;on the other hand,capital also contributes to the development of technology.Finally,humans conquer nature through technology while the natural environment in which humans inhabit is greatly destroyed.Chapter Three discusses the one-dimensional man under the influence of technology alienation.Firstly,the endless reproduction of technology leads to a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity about the identity of humans;in addition,humans rely on religion to understand high technology,because humans’ understanding of technology is regressing,although technology is being improved.Secondly,wearing the disguise of technology,capitalists continually captivate humans with false needs,and consequently make the latter unquestioning and uncritical one-dimensional men.Finally,human interactions are characterized by exchanges of profits and violent conflicts,with the development of technology not bringing humans closer but leading to their estrangement from each other.Chapter Four presents the humans’ attempts to escape the control of technology by analyzing how humans heal their traumas caused by rapid technological development and capitalism through love and art.The understanding of love and the acceptance of flesh help humans change from “wired” machines to human beings of flesh and blood.Furthermore,with the help of art,humans can become aware of the control society imposes on them and come to use art to resist such control.This thesis analyzes the society and humans under the influence of technology alienation in Gibson’s cyberpunk novels and explores his reflections on technological development and the relationship between technology and human beings.It intends to help humans better rethink the relationship between technological development and human society.