Month: November 2024

Do they truly care?

Elaina R.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Personally, I do believe that corporations are heading this way, especially with the ruling of the Election night on Tuesday. Many corporations during our current time and even in the past have taken advantage of the people that they should be helping and serving, such as companies like Monsanto. While corporations in the Cyberpunk world are way more advanced and futuristic, the things that they want to accomplish are not too far off. I think a lot of what happens in the Cyberpunk world is somewhat dramatized, but it shows how far these companies will go regardless of the people that are harmed in the process or on purpose.

In Blade Runner, we see that the founder and CEO Tyrell was definitely okay with creating life and giving it to the Replicants even when they were basically told that their life was not theirs. Along with that, his assistant was a new version of Replicant who thought she was human and had human memories. Watching her lose confidence in herself when realizing she wasn’t real yet Tyrell had no compassion showed how ruthless companies and corporations can be. While watching the movie, I also saw that the Tyrell Corporation thought that putting a timer on their life knowing that they may become sentient and their own beings who just want to live was very disturbing.

In our real world, I believe that Monsanto, which I mentioned earlier, was a company that had no true care for people and changed the way of life. When learning about Monsanto, the one big thing that always stood out to me was the fact that Monsanto had a hand in Agent Orange. Agent Orange was a tactical herbicide used in the war by the U.S against other countries that caused people many health affects such as cancer like Leukemia. Monsanto had a hand in manufacturing it which once again shows how companies do not care for people. 

Sources: https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/agent-orange-background-on-monsantos-involvement/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK236351

    Corporate Dystopia or Dire Reality? Exploring Cyberpunk’s Prediction of Our Future

    Amanda F.
    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    In cyberpunk stories, corporations aren’t just powerful—they dominate. These companies shape societies, control technology, and often blur the lines of ethics and legality. From Blade Runner‘s Tyrell Corporation to the Tessier-Ashpool family in Neuromancer, cyberpunk demonstrates the dystopian outcomes of unchecked corporate influence. But is this dystopian future merely an exaggeration, or are today’s corporations already on this path? As we witness tech giants influencing nearly every aspect of our lives, this question feels increasingly urgent. The Tyrell Corporation in Blade Runner epitomizes corporate dominance taken to the extreme. Known for its slogan, “More Human than Human,” Tyrell produces advanced human-like androids called replicants, controlling who gets to be “human” and who doesn’t. This absolute control over technology and life itself embodies cyberpunk’s darkest warnings about corporate ethics.Tyrell’s actions represent a world where profit outweighs morality and innovation becomes synonymous with exploitation. The corporation’s unchecked power even makes it a de facto government, influencing policies and essentially privatizing humanity itself. This cautionary portrayal raises an eerie question: How far are today’s corporations from this? While the world hasn’t reached the extremes of Blade Runner, many argue that corporations are edging closer to these dystopian portrayals. Today’s tech giants, like Google, Facebook, and Amazon, dominate markets, control immense amounts of data, and have a growing influence over political and social systems. Their hold on society extends beyond business—affecting privacy, political systems, and even mental health. For example, Facebook’s use of data-driven algorithms to influence user engagement and Google’s massive control over online information bring to mind the kind of omnipotent corporate control cyberpunk envisions. And it’s not just big tech. Pharmaceutical companies with significant political influence and fossil fuel corporations resisting environmental regulations also demonstrate how profit can overshadow public good.So, is cyberpunk a hyperbolic critique or an accurate prediction? In some ways, it’s both. Cyberpunk highlights the dangers of privatizing power and gives us a worst-case scenario of unregulated capitalism. The extreme dystopian elements may feel exaggerated, but they also serve as warnings, illustrating what could happen if no limits are placed on corporate power. Yet, recent events—from data privacy scandals to environmental controversies—show that corporations already wield power in ways that shape our daily lives, even if they don’t yet own the skies or create replicants. This overlap between fiction and reality suggests that while cyberpunk may exaggerate for effect, it also serves as a necessary caution. Ultimately, cyberpunk doesn’t just predict the future—it warns us about the direction we could be headed. As society increasingly depends on corporations to develop, distribute, and monitor the technology we rely on, it’s worth asking if we’re willing to confront these issues or if we’ll end up in a Tyrell-dominated world. Cyberpunk’s exaggeration of corporate influence isn’t just hyperbole; it’s a call for caution, urging us to reconsider the power we’re ceding to corporations and the potential consequences for our future.

    Corporate Control and the Rise of a Cyberpunk Reality

    Kennedi G.
    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    In exploring cyberpunk narratives, it’s hard to miss the recurring theme of corporate power and greed. Corporations in these stories, like the Tyrell Corporation in Blade Runner and the Tessier-Ashpools in Neuromancer, represent a chilling vision of a world where companies have almost unlimited influence, often putting profits above humanity. These corporations aren’t just economic entities—they wield political and even military power, shaping society to suit their interests without accountability. The question is: are we really heading in this direction, or is this just a dramatic critique?

    One example from Blade Runner shows the Tyrell Corporation’s god-like role in society, with the power to create life through replicants. This absolute control over human-like beings highlights the corporation’s lack of ethical boundaries when it comes to profits and power. In Neuromancer, the Tessier-Ashpools similarly embody the dangers of unchecked corporate influence, operating more like a dynasty that prioritizes wealth and control over individual rights and well-being. Both examples present a world where corporations have gone beyond serving society; they’ve redefined it to benefit themselves.

    While these stories might seem extreme, they aren’t too far off from some trends we see today. Companies like Amazon, Google, and Facebook have vast amounts of data and resources, enabling them to shape how we shop, communicate, and even think. For example, Facebook’s role in the 2016 U.S. election highlighted how corporations can influence public opinion and politics, leveraging their power to sway outcomes without the public’s full understanding or consent. Similarly, pharmaceutical companies prioritize profits over affordable healthcare, which raises questions about ethics and responsibility.

    So, are cyberpunk predictions becoming reality? In some ways, yes. While we haven’t reached the full dystopian corporate control seen in Blade Runner or Neuromancer, the influence of corporations is growing, often without the oversight needed to protect public interests. These narratives may be exaggerated, but they serve as cautionary tales, urging us to think about the ethical boundaries we’re willing to set as corporations gain more power in society.

    Are We Living in a Sci-Fi Nightmare? Lessons From Neuromancer and Blade Runner

    Jayla R.
    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    The portrayal of corporations in sci-fi media compels us to rethink the ways in which we imagine corporate power. Novels like Neuromancer and movies like Blade Runner examine futures in which these sinister corporations have an almost dystopian level of control over both the citizens and technology. With this media analysis, it seems only appropriate to ask if this is something we should be worried about. Are we heading in this direction? Is this representation realistic, or simply an exaggerated criticism?

    Corporate Dominance in Neuromancer & Blade Runner

    “Neuromancer” by William Gibson describes a dystopian vision of corporate control. Set in a dystopian world run by these amoral corporations and technology used to serve them. Our protagonist, Case, is forced to serve as a chess piece in these corporate schemes. Gibson employs this character to explore the consequences of giving corporations total control over technology and morals. This strategy is reflective of the trepidation we have in modern day about big business, specifically regarding technology. In largely unregulated arenas like artificial intelligence and genetic modification, decisions made by corporations may well have disastrous societal consequences.

    Similarly, in “Blade Runner” the Tyrell Corporation is the very embodiment of corporate dominance. In this society, they are not only building impressive AI and replicants, they have also infiltrated every aspect of society. This dystopian world emphasizes the dangers of unchecked corporate power, which puts the autonomy of citizens in jeopardy. Dr. Eldon Tyrell is the archetype of corporate ambition at any cost, ethics be damned, living in a world where artificial beings have constant questions about their existence. The dominance of Tyrell suggests a vaguely dystopian future in which technological progress trumps ethical imperatives. And this theme reverberates in our world, where companies like Meta and Google decide how we interact with ourselves, receive information, and move through life.

    Hyperbole or Cautionary Tale?

    Sounding in many ways absurd, both Blade Runner and Neuromancer show us their own corporate worlds as a kind of warning. These two stories underscore the dangers of unrestrained corporate power and need for ethical guidelines and government oversight. Elite corporate power — the kind of human baggage carried by mega-companies such as Tyrell or those in Gibson’s world — is slightly outrageous, sure, but it encourages us to get up a bit on our high horses and contemplate how Big Corporate had us scurrying about today and why we may need systems that preserve individual freedom and contribute to the public good.

    In conclusion, even if Blade Runner and Neuromancer give hyperbolic, nightmarish visions of corporate dominance, they are playing to real fears about the contemporary business world. These are not merely critiques; they represent calls to action, exposing some of the more important ethical limits that should be imposed on technology and corporate power, along with by implication warning us about the need for government protective measures defending the public interest.

    In the Name of Progress

    Jennifer V.
    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    SInce the timing of this post coincides with the release of Arcane Season 2, I thought it would be appropriate to show the dichotomy of Zaun and Piltover. Although set in a steampunk era, the themes and ideas of Arcane can resonate with every audience and it can especially be tied with Cyberpunk. As a brief summary, the picture on top in the underground city of Zaun. Zaun has a funky green haze to its atmosphere due to all the toxic chemicals the above Piltover wastes. The people of Zaun are dying if chemical poisoning, shimmer (a drug) addiction, starvation, poverty, and gang violence. Piltover on the other hand it a white and gold empire that prides itself on its innovation as the nation of progress. Piltover has the best innovations in science, health, and weaponry while also lookinf down on Zaun for its “animal-like” behaviors. The two cities have never seen eye to eye and the innocent are always the ones who bear the cost of war.

    The reason why I brought up Arcane is the first place is that its technology and ground-breaking ideas come from hard working and innocent scientists at the start of the story. The science studies are kept under strict rules to keep the people safe, but during times of high stress the counsel of authority can overturn these rules. Arcane proves that progress itself is not evil. There will always be powerful figures and leaders who want to abuse such powers and progress, but can only do so when the is public distress.

    If we take a look at Neuromancer, we see that edgerunners and civilians all live in the slums of the city similar to the conditions in Zaun. The elite and the rich, on the other hand, are able to live in comfort and with good health/ safety in both Piltover and the Towers. I think that corporate greed and political greed in both Arcane and Neuromancer are very similar as they both choose to exploit the working minds of genius scientists for the sake of progress. I do not think that corporations have the best interest at heart since many large businesses only care about money and not their consumers. It seems very cynical to say, but I think that many corporations willingly put out low quality goods into the market because they know that they can get away with it. It’s a world where everyone wants the newest model of any item they can get their hands on, so companies no they can skimp on quality.

    The example I choose to focus on is the Tesla Cybertruck, which just a few weeks ago had its first recorded accident with another vehicle. The driver in the regular vehicle had no fatal injuries, but his car was severely squishes from the head on collision. The cyber truck, on the other hand, was not deformed in the slightest; but the driver had severe internal damages. I wanted to talk about this case because cars were made to be compressed on collision in order to decrease the energy that the driver will receive. In other words, cars are meant to die to save our lives. I find it interesting how the Cybertruck is built in order to withstand damages at the cost of its owner’s safety. But maybe I am reading too much into things. I also wanted to pick this topic since it would be much quicker than if I made my discussion about Big Pharma.

    Interfering Humans and Machine: What Direction is AI?

    Jazmine F.
    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    The genre of cyberpunk is a genre that explores the influences and advances of technology. This is done through the lens of a dystopian view and narrative of human vs AI (machine). The works such as Blade Runner, Neuromancer, and Machinehood illustrate how technological advancements contribute to corporate power, the barrier between ethical boundaries, and the exploitation of humanity for control and profit. How does the power of cyberpunk resonate with contemporary issues?


    In Blade Runner, the corporation is responsible for manufacturing replicants, so important to be able to decipher between humans and replicants. This leaves a debate on technology and artificial intelligence. This relates to today because tech industries such as Google and Meta use artificial intelligence to reshape society’s potential. The ethical implications of technology are often put behind the scenes due to economic growth and the influences of AI on the personal things of humans. 


    In Neuromancer, there’s like an exemplification of corporate greed and the dehumanization of individuals. The families with the power and wealthiness in which they are given the power to construct their lives and live the substantial life they perceive it to be; which makes splits in society because of what people have. Technology corporations that are as big as Amazon and Apple influence global economic and political decisions in everyday life. The wealth of these big advances creates a hierarchy. 


    In Machinehood, the commodification of human labor and experience is expressed. The pill funders control the economy of human enhancement which ultimately creates a model where humans have to adapt to demands to be able to survive. 

    The million-dollar question: Are Corporations Moving Toward a Cyberpunk Reality? The corporate-driven dystopias presented in the cyberpunk narratives do appear to be chilling as it is viewed through the lens of today. corporate landscape. A company like Amazon impacts aspects of daily life because it provides shopping and entertainment, etc. While this is a fact it is important to recognize the intensity of this movement. For example, in the Blade Runner, there seems to be a more ruthless control and it stands on a level of a controversial real-world application of AI. 


    While the cyberpunk view is hyperbolic; it’s not completely divergent from reality. Cyberpunk incorporates real issues in reality within the corporation to serve as a warning in a sense. There is much emphasis on corporate that diverges into the ethical technology and economic views of the real world. Even though cyberpunk may seem extreme in its characteristics in the dystopian view; it has real-world issues that are grounded as a reminder to consider the possible impacts on society. 

    In conclusion, I feel as if cyberpunk narratives provide a speculative but cautionary portrayal of corporate power and greed, which can be beneficial to the real world. These cautionary narratives reflect many concerns present in contemporary society. The stories urge us to consider how far we are willing to allow technology and corporations to influence our lives and at what cost will we allow them. By embracing both the warnings and the exaggerations of cyberpunk, society has the potential to prevent these fictional dystopias from becoming reality; in which we would need to act on now to prevent this from happening. 

    It’s Part of the Business

    Kendall B.
    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    I think that corporations may be heading in that direction but not to the extent that was shown in Blade Runner. I think companies will start invading consumer’s privacy even more than they do now. With the way technology is advancing, companies are already tracking more about us than we realize. They collect our data from every click, search, and purchase we make, using it to build profiles on us to figure out how to sell us more things. As technology continues to evolve, I believe they will push these boundaries even further, finding new ways to monitor what we do and use that information to their advantage. I also believe that they will start taking advantage of people and their finances because they know they can monopolize their efforts. Some companies are already making it harder for consumers to shop around or break free from their services. They create ecosystems that make it difficult for people to stop using their products once they’ve bought into them. By owning the devices we use, the apps we rely on, and even the ways we pay for things, these companies gain more control over our choices. They know that once we become dependent on their products, we’re less likely to look for alternatives, even if they raise prices or make things harder for us. The corporation in the movie Blade Runner uses human identity as a way to commodify people’s inner insecurities. They create replicants, beings designed to serve humans, but with short lifespans, making them more easily controlled. This idea isn’t too far off from how companies today use our fears and insecurities to sell us things. Whether it’s ads telling us we need to look or feel a certain way, or products that promise to solve all our problems, companies are already tapping into these emotional triggers to make money. It’s a dangerous path, and if profit continues to be the only focus, companies will keep pushing the limits of how much they can control.

    The Cyberpunk World We Live In

    Rudy W.
    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    The Blade Runner, Neuromancer, and Machinehood demonstrated the power of corporate entities and their pervasive nature. The Neuromancer in particular, highlighted the influence of powerful families such as the Tessier-Ashpool family corporation, which controlled individuals and resources. The family lived on a space station in which they created an alternate reality for themselves by isolating from the rest of society, embodying the roles of corporate aristocrats. The Tessier-Ashpool family used their wealth, power, and influence to create a ruling class for themselves in which they were able to live under a neo-feudal order. This order represented the relationship between God and the people on Earth, in this instance, the Tessier-Ashpool took on the role of a god-like figure, who of which had access to everyone’s personal data and surveillance. 

    One of the main themes in the Neuromancer was the unregulated use of artificial intelligence. The Tessier-Ashpool family created Wintermute and Nueromancer, two highly advanced AI beings to act as servants. They exploited AI for personal gain and experimented with the idea of immortality by using cryogenic preservation to withstand the passage of time and extend their lives beyond natural limitations. Because of this, the family used time and death as luxury and a resource that could be managed. 

    I believe that corporations are headed are headed in this direction however, they are not as extreme. Major technological corporations such as Amazon, Google, and Meta, have been questioned for their privacy and surveillance policies and data leaks for users which violate individual autonomies for all who use these platforms. Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla Motors and SpaceX recently purchased Twitter, now known as X. He has been able to utilize this platform to spread the far right agenda by incorporating it into the algorithm which makes it almost inescapable for users. While this isn’t to the same degree of the Tessier-Ashpool family, allowing corporations to have this great of an influence on society has proven to be detrimental if there aren’t any external forces to intervene.

    Is the end Near?

    Ranaya B.
    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Are Corporations Becoming the Next Tyrell Corporation? Blade Runner’s Dystopian Vision in Today’s World

    What if the chilling, dystopian world of Blade Runner wasn’t just science fiction but a glimpse into our future? In Ridley Scott’s 1982 classic, the Tyrell Corporation controls the creation of “replicants”—artificial beings that look and think like humans but lack human rights or autonomy. As Tyrell blurs the lines between humans and machines, it brings up questions that feel incredibly relevant today. Are we hurtling towards a future where corporations hold this kind of power? Given the explosive growth in AI, gene editing, and data control by big companies, are we on a path toward becoming the next Tyrell Corporation, or is this simply an exaggerated, cautionary tale?

    The Tyrell Effect: Modern Parallels in Today’s Corporations

    In Blade Runner, the Tyrell Corporation embodies extreme corporate power and technology, not just by leading innovation but by creating and controlling life itself. This dark vision of a corporation wielding massive influence over human lives and identities isn’t far from today’s reality, especially in industries like AI, biotech, and pharmaceuticals, where giants like Google, Amazon, and Meta are transforming our daily lives and, in some ways, our very nature.

    Google, for example, started as a search engine but has since moved into AI, bioengineering, and even autonomous driving. Its subsidiary, DeepMind, recently made breakthroughs in predicting protein structures, which could revolutionize drug discovery and genetic engineering. But while this development is groundbreaking, it also raises big ethical questions. Who should control such powerful tech? How will it be used? These questions eerily echo Tyrell’s role in creating and dominating replicants.

    And let’s not forget gene-editing pioneers like CRISPR Therapeutics and Editas Medicine, which are working on technology to alter DNA itself—potentially eradicating genetic diseases or even enhancing human traits. Though these companies aren’t yet creating “replicants,” their advancements could make such capabilities a future possibility. What if corporations start holding the keys to genetic modification, setting us on a path where corporate decisions dictate who gets to live healthier or even superior lives?

    Are Corporations Already Shaping Humanity?

    Corporations’ impact today might not be as extreme as creating replicants, but their influence over human lives and decisions is undeniable. Take social media companies like Meta (formerly Facebook), which shape public opinion, affect mental health, and influence politics. Blade Runner portrays Tyrell’s replicants as tools created to serve corporate interests, discarded when they’re no longer useful. Some critics argue that tech giants treat user data in a similar way—valuing it primarily as a product to maximize profits, often without considering the social and psychological impacts on users.

    This focus on profit can push corporations to prioritize revenue over ethics, leading to outcomes that feel dystopian. Amazon, for instance, has been criticized for its warehouse practices, where workers are tracked and managed by AI to push them to maximum productivity. This approach, which some say reduces workers to little more than cogs in a machine, feels uncomfortably similar to the lack of autonomy that Tyrell’s replicants experience.

    Are We Really Heading Toward a “Tyrell” Future?

    While modern corporations do share certain qualities with Tyrell, it might be an exaggeration to say we’re inevitably headed toward a Blade Runner-like dystopia. Regulatory bodies, ethical boards, and a growing public awareness often help keep corporate power in check. Today’s technological advancements are frequently scrutinized by society and governments, who actively debate the ethics of AI, data privacy, and genetic modification.

    Unlike Tyrell, modern corporations face accountability measures thanks to privacy rights movements, data protection laws like GDPR, and new AI ethics initiatives. Public pressure has even led some tech giants to adopt “AI for good” frameworks and to establish ethics boards. This evolving awareness and demand for corporate responsibility mean that, while we’re moving quickly with technology, we’re not entirely unprotected from the risks it brings.

    Tyrell’s Lesson for Today

    The Tyrell Corporation in Blade Runner serves as a powerful warning about the dangers of unchecked technological power and corporate greed. While parts of today’s corporate landscape do mirror aspects of this dystopia, Blade Runner should remind us of the stakes, not predict our fate. Whether technology uplifts humanity or drives us toward dystopia ultimately depends on the choices we make corporations, regulators, and consumers alike.

    In the end, becoming a modern-day Tyrell isn’t inevitable, but vigilance is crucial. With responsible innovation, strong regulation, and a commitment to ethical standards, we can leverage the benefits of technology while avoiding a dystopian spiral. Blade Runner may be fiction, but it offers a clear, cautionary insight into what our future could look like if we fail to take these responsibilities seriously.

    Are We Facing a Corporate-Dominated Future?

    Anthony J.
    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    In the world of cyberpunk narratives, corporations often appear as unstoppable forces, prioritizing profit at humanity’s expense. From the omnipotent Tyrell Corporation in Blade Runner to the shadowy Tessier-Ashpools in Neuromancer, and the exploitative “pill funders” in Machinehood, these stories caution us about the unchecked power of corporate greed. But is this dystopian future plausible, or are these tales hyperbolic warnings meant to provoke deeper thought?

    Take the Tyrell Corporation—more than just a business, it embodies the power to create life, manufacturing replicants that blur the line between human and machine. This depiction warns of the dangers when profit-driven ambitions override ethical boundaries for technological advancement. Similarly, the Tessier-Ashpools in Neuromancer are an insulated, ultra-wealthy family that controls advanced AI, highlighting the dangerous disconnect between powerful elites and societal needs.

    In Machinehood, the “pill funders” epitomize corporate exploitation by controlling the very substances people need to survive and adapt in a hyper-tech world. These narratives share a common theme: when corporations prioritize profit over people, societal stability crumbles, with technology benefiting a select few while the majority struggle.

    While these stories may seem exaggerated, they resonate with real-world trends. Consider tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta. These companies wield unprecedented influence—not just in the marketplace but also in shaping public policy, public behavior, and global communication. Amazon’s near-monopoly in e-commerce and logistics underscores how one corporation’s reach can impact millions of jobs and consumer choices. Google’s dominance over information dissemination raises significant questions about data privacy and the concentration of knowledge.

    The pharmaceutical industry’s actions during global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, also mirror the “pill funders” in Machinehood. High prices, patent protections, and profit-centric strategies restricted access to life-saving treatments, echoing the cyberpunk fear that corporate greed can outstrip human welfare.

    Is this path toward corporate dominance an inevitability? While it’s easy to dismiss cyberpunk stories as extreme, reality is not far removed. The concentration of corporate power and the speed of technological advancement suggest that these narratives might be more prophetic than we’d like to believe.

    However, this outcome isn’t set in stone. Regulatory oversight, public advocacy, and responsible innovation can act as checks to ensure that technological progress benefits society as a whole. Without proactive measures to prioritize human well-being over profit, we risk inching closer to the futures depicted in these cautionary tales.

    Overall, Cyberpunk fiction serves as a timely reminder of the potential pitfalls of corporate overreach. While stories like Blade Runner, Neuromancer, and Machinehood may exaggerate aspects for dramatic effect, they contain grains of truth that reflect our present-day challenges. The direction we choose now—whether to accept the current trajectory or push for a fairer balance between profit and public interest—will shape our future.

    For those interested in exploring these parallels further, analyses of tech monopolies, AI ethics, and automation’s impact on labor are essential starting points. Documentaries and discussions on corporate influence and AI ethics can also enrich our understanding.

    Let’s continue this conversation: Are we headed toward a world where corporate control goes unchecked, or will society push back and redefine what progress means?