THEMES / CONCEPTS
- A.I.: This is Rucker's big theme
throughout much of his work. The system Anderson puts
together--of competition for scarce resources and
"sexual" reproduction of programs--is similar
to the software ideas of artificial life and genetic
algorithms. [ESSAY]
- THE CORPORATION: The Corporation isn't
as big a factor in Rucker's works as some by other
cyberpunk authors, but Rucker draws a very
interesting parallel between the one traditional
"Corp" that exists and the Big Boppers. Why
not? Both are decentralized entities (the corporation is
legally an individual) with numerous employees. Both are
served by a wide range of skills. Both acquire members
that they believe will help their survival. It's neat
(and disturbing) insight on Rucker's part.
- DRUGS: Lots and lots. After reading White
Light, I picture Rucker as a graying hippie
professor who did way too much acid in his youth and has
levelled out to doing just the right amount in his
dotage. These books do nothing to disavail me of that
notion. Come on, a character is named "Stay
High"!
- ORBITAL SOCIETY: It's not a space
station, but the Moon certainly orbits the Earth. There's
an uneasy balance between the humans and boppers on the
Moon, unlike many cyberpunk books, where the orbitals
have completely taken over.
- POSTHUMANISM: Cobb Anderson, one of the
principal characters, is a silicon human. Rucker also
comes up with the (possibly unique) "meat
robot," a robot-designed simulated human. [ESSAY]