On Jun 30, 6:02 am, Morax <thor...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> I'm writing my thesis (diploma) on cyberpunk and it's connection to
> Film Noir. I would be happy about your help.
> Does anyone know scientists who do research on Cyberpunk? Or do you
> know any books about cyberpunk I can use for my diploma?
>
> Thank you.
I think you have a cart-before-the-horse sort of problem here. Most of
the time, a CP author will write around current trends in the
scientific community, not the other way around. While we do see
authors (Isaac Asimov, H.G. Wells, etc.) that have innovative ideas
that appear in literature before making their way into modern
technology, that is certainly a rare occurrence. My recommendation is
to interview professors doing work in artificial intelligence,
electronic engineering, physics, and robotics. Some of the ideas often
explored in CP literature are artificial intelligence (hard AI),
nanotechnology, quantum/string physics, hyperspacial technology,
neuroscience and biotechnology.
Also, you mentioned Film Noir and its relation to CP. That happens to
be a great subject, because many CP authors adapt a Film Noir
narrative style in their work. For starters, there's William Gibson's
Neuromancer (and to a lesser extent the other two novels in that
trilogy), which explores a plethora of AI-related and biotech-related
issues. Also by William Gibson, there's the Virtual Light trilogy,
especially Idoru, which makes mention of nanotechnology and a marriage
of statistics and AI data mining in a creative way.
By Neal Stevenson, there's Snow Crash, with a number of just plain
creative technological ideas and a semi-film-noir narrative, which
should provide a great perspective on the CP genre as a whole.
Furthermore, the relative newcomer Richard K. Morgan's Altered Chrome
employs a perfect Film Noir narrative and plot, while exploring mainly
ideas in neuroscience (and somewhat hyperspacial physics).
Finally, there's Phillip K. Dick. His most popular novels (such as Do
Androids Dream of Electric Sheep or The Penultimate Truth) use a film-
noir-esque narrative, but that's something of a stretch. Also, his CP
ideas are more concerned with social adaptation to the future, rather
than technological advances.
Hope this helps!
-Ryan
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