Extension students: Post-Modern Murmurs from the Matrix (0101010101001)

Step 1: modernism vs. postmodernism: what's the difference anyway?
Following on from Stoppard's absurdist play, we will examine postmodernism in a bit more detail.
First go to http://vc.ws.edu/engl2265/unit4/Modernism/all.htm and http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/irvinem/theory/pomo.html

List the main characteristics of modernism.
How was post-modernism a reaction to modernist concerns?

Step 2: The Neuromantics: Introducing Cyberpunk!
Cyberpunk is a sub-genre of sci-fi that sprang up in the 80's as a response to the growing tide of technology that was moving away from the science labs and into homes.

"...Begun as a literary movement in the 80's, an off-shoot of normal science fiction. Unique in that it generally occurs in the present or not so distant future, the characters are often considered "punks" (social deviants) and technology, (the cyber aspect), is prominent. "Neuromancer" by William Gibson, published in 1984, is considered by most to be the "bible" of cyberpunk. Another prominent author is Bruce Sterling, editor of another worthy cyberpunk collection, "Mirrorshades". Other examples of cyberpunk include Max Headroom (TV show) and BladeRunner (movie). Cyberpunk is special in that it has evolved from a purely literary movement to a realistic subculture. Many "techno-punks" (i.e., hackers) are considered cyberpunks. Other contributing factors to the cyberpunk subculture include: virtual reality, hallucinogenic and nootropic drugs, and industrial and punk music." ( Cyberpunk Dictionary, http://project.cyberpunk.ru/idb/dictionary.html)

For a quick overview of Cyberpunk go to: http://mason.gmu.edu/~rutledge/neur_cyberpdefn.htm http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/what-is-cyberpunk/ 
http://mason.gmu.edu/~rutledge/neur_tropes.htm

Activity: Now list the main features of cyberpunk literature.

Cyberpunk as Postmodernism? go to: http://mason.gmu.edu/~rutledge/neur_pomo.htm
then explain how.

But why is it called Cyber PUNK? See:
http://www.ctraces.com/Circuit_Traces/CT2_5/cyberpunk.html


For seminal works read: Cyberpunk and Neuromancer (chapter 1) @ http://project.cyberpunk.ru/works.html.

How do they represent cyberpunk in style and themes?

Find out about more William Gibson at http://www.williamgibsonbooks.com/source/source.asp

What/who were his influences? Why did he start writing sci-fi?

Does all this sound familiar? That's because you've seen it all in that classic cyberpunk film The Matrix, remember? http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1032782617/ 

Well it's very postmodern actually, read: http://project.cyberpunk.ru/idb/cyberpunk_films_postmodern_motifs_and_ambience.html

How does the film and cyberpunk movement relate to the work of major postmodern theorists Jean-François Lyotard and Jean Baudrillard ideas about the postmodern condition and reality? 


http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4219471385/ 

Perhaps we should go see it?

So that's cyberpunk. Phew, that wasn't so bad was it? Or was it?

Now about cybersteam...

mr p.lo