Cyberpunk: Internet Use

William Gibson’s novel, Pattern Recognition, is a classification of cyberpunk, the type of science fiction depicting the dependency on high technology that is engraved in the norms of society. With the drastic development and spread of Internet use, online social networks have been capable of enlarging its role to encompass multifarious purposes. One example is demonstrated through the use of F:F:F, an online discussion forum where Cayce connects with other users such as “Parkaboy”, and gets exposed to the circulating images concocted and examined by avid footageheads. In this sense, online social networking allows interactions between individuals or groups to be done through a more passive sense. Therefore, the seemingly lack of expression given the plain words of text may present a more forward and reassuring connotation, seen through the conversation and emails between Cayce and Parkaboy.

In addition, due to the ease of access and flow of information on the Internet, Parkaboy emailed Cayce footage #135, a.k.a “The Kiss”. The popularity of this clip is due to the mystery behind its existence, but is also furthered by the discovery of an encrypted watermark in the form of steganography, “concealing information by spreading it through other information” (76). Thus, this leads to an online investigation where Parkaboy “gets together netwise with Darryl” (74) and came upon a previous watermarked image #78, cracked by Taki from the otaku-coven in Tokyo. Parkaboy and Darryl utilizes and manipulates the function of the Internet to their advantage by concealing their identity through the fake character of Keiko to connect with Taki, whom they believe will aid them in furthering their research and decoding.

Hubertus Bigend, the founder of the Blue Ant agency, proposes a partnership with Cayce to locate the maker of the image. Bigend comments that “the footage has already been the single most effective piece of guerilla marketing ever” (64) as he’s been “tracking hits on enthusiast sites and searching for mentions elsewhere” (64). This presents the marketing aspect and capability through Internet use. As images are transferred through files and attachments online, the viewing audience increases, enabling trackers to monitor them on a normal basis. The public record of footages such as #135 therefore subconsciously gives birth to a new trend, as determined by online hits.