What science fiction can do

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17 points·thedday··5 comments

The subgenre of cyberpunk has always drawn me into the myriad of plausible, social issues (if done right), and paints a vivid, sometimes disturbing vision of the future. I don't know exactly why it is I'm drawn to this subgenre specifically, but even in the more grandiose space operas, I tend to get drawn towards the detailed descriptions of planetary mega cities, social division, and other themes, more so than space technology and intergalactic travel.

Maybe because these 'ground-level' ideas are closer to home, which tend to have a bigger influence on the imagination.

Got any good book/story/fiction blog suggestions? I like the way your description made me immediately want to experience these influences.

Neuromancer is probably the typical example but I personally didn't love it.

I'd recommend Altered Carbon and it's sequels. There's also a Netflix adaption with a solid first season (although s2 went a bit off the rails)

A personal favorite of mine is Snow Crash. It's a very self aware cyberpunk novel (could maybe even be considered a parody, at least in part). If you're not familiar with Stephenson's writing style, be aware that you won't miss too much if you skip the 10 page infodump on Sumerian grammar that pops up in the muddle of the book.

Neuromancer is cool. Some would say it's the seminal book on cyberpunk, though I don't know how dated it feels now.

There's an excellent HN thread on this very topic that I'm sure you'll find value in: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24304799

When it comes to Sci-Fi, I can't help but think about cyberpunk. The high-end technologies of the future dominate the oppressive society. It gives me something to consider. "High-tech, low life," they said.

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