Cyberpunk, the Postglobal and the Posthuman

The subgenre of Cyberpunk fiction has reimagined a possible future for our society. We see human life redefined by rapid technological advancements that join many other systemic issues, even amplifying them. Specifically, the exploitation of workers by corporations has become a central topic of discussion, as profit is often prioritized over human well-being. In these cyberpunk works, we see corporations controlling the labor of their workers and the conditions of everyday life in the name of technology. Real-world corporations such as Amazon resemble cyberpunk corporations through surveillance, labor control, and data-based exploitation, suggesting that while we are not fully in a cyberpunk dystopia, we are moving toward a system where corporate power increasingly resembles it, especially within digital capitalism.

Drawing on the works of Karl Marx, we identify the concept of alienated labor, in which workers become separated from the product of labor and from the act of labor itself. In Amazon’s case, workers have limited autonomy over their tasks, while being monitored by cameras and supervisors who will score them on their productivity (Ghaffary & Chandra, Vox, 2020). Digital capitalism has led to the ability to quantify productivity and allow workers to be penalized or fired for not obtaining quotas outlined by data analytics. As a result, the quantification of human labor by digital metrics now includes a psychological demand, as constant monitoring reduces autonomy and increases pressures to meet needs that are not human.

Using examples from cyberpunk narratives, Blade Runner’s Tyrell Corporation forces control over replicant life forms while prioritizing profit over ethical obligations, and in Neuromancer, Tessier-Ashpool S.A. represents corporations that operate beyond traditional economic and governmental powers. All of these examples mirror Amazon, where workers have raised concerns about physically demanding conditions, including standing for long hours without breaks and experiencing repetitive motion injuries. Paired with the ongoing debate for fairer wages, these factors contribute to an environment in which workers are being exploited, while their compensation is arguably not sufficient (New York Times, 2021). Reflecting on the boundaries between humans and technology, the integration of surveillance systems, data analytics, and performance metrics illustrates how technological advancement can intensify existing power structures rather than eliminate them. The similarities between the fictional businesses of cyberpunk literature and the modern workplace fortify that corporate dominance is not unusual in Western powers, especially the United States of America.

To continue, large corporations shape the democratic process through lobbying and participating in political matters. Amazon has invested heavily in lobbying efforts in the United States, spending millions of dollars annually to influence legislation related to taxation, labor laws, and antitrust regulation (OpenSecrets, 2023). These corporations can not only actively shape the economic outcomes in the market by funneling their financial resources to influence policy and align with their agenda. Moreover, research on political economy shows that economic elites often have disproportionate influence on policymaking through networks, access, and lobbying, rather than formal governmental roles (Gilens & Page, 2014). By concentrating democratic influence on a select few, policymaking can be influenced towards the benefit of the advantaged, which means someone is being more disadvantaged. The conversation gets more interesting as we evaluate figures such as Elon Musk, who has been recognized in public policy forums and as the former Senior Advisor to the President of the United States under the Trump Administration. Research on wealth and political influence has shown that economic elites and organized interest groups often have a substantial impact on public policy in the United States (Gilens & Page, 2014). Though not an official, Musk’s ability to surpass qualified individuals to assume the government title, thus influence, strengthens the argument that democratic power has a preference for high-income individuals and corporations.

These developments raise the question of whether such patterns are uniquely American. While corporate political influence exists globally, the United States is a supergiant in the corporate world and is known for its campaign finance system, deep lobbying industry, and the magnitude of its free-enterprise economic involvement in policymaking. Studies of comparative political systems suggest that regulatory frameworks in other countries can place stronger limits on corporate participation in politics, though globalization and digital markets increasingly allow corporations to operate across national boundaries and influence multiple regions simultaneously (Gilens & Page, 2014). So, as a country, we are not fully a dystopian cyberpunk-like system but rather are gradually shifting towards that as our reality. Ultimately, cyberpunk offers a lens on the struggle between the power of corporations and democratic oversight, and human exploitation. Though it has not reached the level of Neuromancer or Blade Runner, we can see workers are experiencing similar exploitative levels as seen by the Amazon company, and corporate elitism has an influence in political policy.

References Gilens, M., & Page, B. I. (2014). Testing theories of American politics: Elites, interest groups, and average citizens. Perspectives on Politics, 12(3), 564–581. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1537592714001595

Ghaffary, S., & Chandra, S. (2020). Amazon workers describe difficult conditions and strict productivity monitoring. Vox. https://www.vox.com

NBC News. (2021, August 1). Amazon now employs almost 1 million people in the U.S. https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/amazon-now-employs-almost-1-million-people-u-s-or-n1275539

OpenSecrets. (2023). Amazon lobbying spending. https://www.opensecrets.org

The New York Times. (2021). [Article on Amazon workers and working conditions] https://www.nytimes.com

AI was used only to format references.

First, please verify you are human.

Read these letters:

CYdte

How many cars are present?

Guessed the right answer?

You are human.

You may continue.

We are heading towards a cyberpunk corporate dominance…

it serves off the current integrations happening all around us. Not in the dramatic, neon, fully dystopian way we see in Blade Runner or Neuromancer. Not yet, anyway. But in something quieter. Something that blends into daily life so easily we barely question it.

Cyberpunk is defined as high-tech, low-life. And honestly, that definition feels less like fiction and more like a direction. Technology fills silence. It replaces interaction. It predicts behavior. It shapes what we believe is real. From helping with small daily tasks to becoming the “silent filler” in rooms full of people, it’s everywhere. And that everywhere-ness is where the shift begins.

And even that opening, being asked to verify that you are human, says something. We are constantly interacting with systems that need to distinguish between human and machine. That line is no longer obvious. It’s being tested, checked, and blurred in real time.

The Corporate Hand Behind the Screen

If we look at tech companies’ influence on democracy, especially through AI, things start to feel a little too familiar. Generative AI has introduced a new layer of complexity into the information environment. It allows faster creation of high-quality content—by anyone. That sounds empowering, but it also means misinformation can spread faster, look more convincing, and become harder to detect.

According to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, AI has the potential to challenge the integrity of elections and further enable digital authoritarianism (Carnegie Endowment). That’s not some far-off prediction; that’s something already unfolding.

The more polluted the digital ecosystem becomes with synthetic content, the harder it is to trust what we see. And when trust fades, democratic systems start to weaken. Not all at once, but slowly, through doubt.

This connects directly to companies like XAI and others leading AI development. They aren’t just creating tools; they’re shaping communication, perception, and even truth. That level of influence starts to mirror corporations in cyberpunk narratives, like the Tyrell Corporation, where innovation moves faster than accountability.

Surveillance, Control, and the Right to Exist Publicly

It goes deeper than information. Surveillance technology, especially facial recognition, adds another layer.

Facial recognition has already been shown to undermine the right to peaceful assembly. Public spaces, which should allow expression and protest, are becoming monitored environments. Watched. Recorded. Stored.

There’s growing concern about how tech companies assist governments in expanding surveillance capabilities, sometimes enabling suppression of dissent. When corporations build the tools and governments use them for control, the line between corporate power and state power starts to blur.

In Australia, the High Court has emphasized how essential protest is to democracy, highlighting that beyond voting, it’s one of the only ways people can express political views. If surveillance discourages that, then democracy itself begins to shift.

This is where cyberpunk stops feeling fictional.

Is This Hyperbole… or Just Early Stages?

So, are we actually heading toward cyberpunk-level corporate dominance?

This isn’t just exaggeration. But it’s also not fully realized. What we’re in right now feels like a transition phase. The systems are being built. Tested. Normalized. AI, surveillance, and digital platforms are becoming so embedded in everyday life that questioning them almost feels unnecessary.

That’s the difference. In cyberpunk, the world is already broken. Here, we’re watching it bend in real time.

Is This an American Problem?

What do you think?

From my perspective, not entirely.

While there are many tech companies based in the United States, the effects are global. Different countries respond differently:

• Some embrace surveillance technologies as part of governance

• Others push back with stricter privacy laws and regulations

• Some lack the infrastructure or protections, allowing these systems to expand unchecked

So while the influence may originate in specific places, the impact spreads, and adapts, to different political and cultural systems.

What Enables Corporate Power?

Corporate dominance doesn’t just happen, it’s built through:

• Rapid technological advancement that outpaces regulation

• Control over massive amounts of data

• Global reach beyond national boundaries

• Everyday reliance on users

We depend on these systems, which makes them harder to question and even harder to limit.

What Keeps It in Check?

There are still safeguards:

• Government regulation (even if it lags behind)

• Legal systems and court rulings

• Public awareness and critique

• Activism and advocacy

But when corporations and governments begin to intertwine, those safeguards weaken. Regulation becomes slower.

Oversight becomes complicated. Power becomes shared in ways that aren’t always transparent.

The Role of Critique

This is why conversations like this matter.

Cyberpunk wasn’t just created for entertainment; it was created as critique. A warning. A projection of what happens when power concentrates and accountability fades.

Preventing dystopia isn’t about stopping technology; it’s about questioning how it’s used, who controls it, and who it affects. Strong voices in these spaces matter. Awareness matters. Dystopia doesn’t arrive loudly. It builds quietly, through normalization.

Final Thought

When corporations influence democracy, shape truth, and enable surveillance, it becomes a planned structure.

Cyberpunk didn’t invent these ideas; it amplified them. And today, those patterns are becoming harder to ignore.

So the real question isn’t whether we’re heading toward that future.

It’s whether we recognize it while it’s still forming.

Sources

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Can Democracy Survive the Disruptive Power of AI? 2024, https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2024/12/can-democracy-survive-the-disruptive-power-of-ai.

Artsy. EPMD Image. https://d7hftxdivxxvm.cloudfront.net/?quality=80&resize_to=width&src=https%3A%2F%2Fartsy-mediauploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2FbkXzKHJkSvI6mftJ6mzMVg%252Fepmd--1127x1000.jpg&width=450.

Alamy. Crowded Street in a Commercial District of a Small Town in India in the 90s. https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2MN2116/crowded-street-in-a-commercial-district-of-a-small-town-in-india-in-the-90s-2MN2116.jpg.

AI Attestation: Ideas are my own, AI sued to edit and enhance

A company that does not seem like a cyberpunk example would be Uber. The premise of it is allowing people to have freedom to work when and wherever they want and also be their own boss. A lot of drivers use Uber as their main source of income, but they do not keep standard protection nor benefits. Different articles show that Uber has built in loopholes so they do not have to pay their drivers fairly and even lock them out of the app. This directly affects their income and them being able to support themselves.This also creates a situation where workers feel stuck, because leaving the platform could mean losing their main source of income without having another option ready. Because of this, Uber looks like more of a system that controls its workers because they depend on it. ## Flexibility Without Protection This is sort of like Sleep Dealer where the job is an opportunity, instead it kind of traps its workers. Memo chooses to work with the nodes, in the same way Uber drivers chose, but this is based on their situation. Memo needs this job to survive and to send money to his family. In the same way Uber drivers depend on the app for money, but the algorithm controls everything. This type of work does not have stability, protection, or benefits which leaves workers in vulnerable and tough situations (Apouey, et al., 2023). There are also reports that show Uber has loopholes used so they do not have to pay their drivers and workers fairly. These loopholes even go to extremes of locking people off of the app which affects their ability to make and earn money (Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, 2024). In Memo’s situation and the Uber drivers, they are both in a situation where they have limited choices so that “choice” is not really a choice. ## Dependency on Work
This brings up the question of whether or not we are moving toward the kind of corporate power seen in cyberpunk. In some ways, yes, especially with companies like Uber. Uber has a large number of workers who depend on the platform for income, which gives the company a significant amount of control over them. Technology makes it easier for corporations to manage workers in ways that are not always obvious, which can feel almost like manipulation. However, this is not exactly the same as a full cyberpunk world. There are still laws and regulations in place that are meant to protect workers and limit corporate power. At the same time, these laws are not always strong enough or consistently enforced, which allows companies to continue certain practices. Additionally, workers do not always have the power or resources to fight for themselves against these big companies. This raises concerns about how effective these protections really are in the long term. It also shows that cyberpunk is not a perfect prediction of the future, but it is not completely exaggerated either. Instead, it highlights real problems that already exist and pushes them further to show what could happen if these issues continue without stronger regulation or accountability.

References

Costa, T. G., et al. (2023). The burden of prolonged sedentary behavior imposed on mobility application drivers. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10323908/

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. (n.d.). USA: Uber & Lyft allegedly exploit loopholes to deny drivers fair wages, impacting mental health. https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/usa-uber-lyft-allegedly-exploit-loopholes-to-deny-drivers-fair-wages-impacting-mental-health/

AI Attestation AI was used to simplify the prompt and help come up with headings and titles. I also used AI to help me with citing my sources and coming up with my references. https://chatgpt.com/share/69c88804-175c-8327-ada4-24f4450e5970

One of the most defining features of cyberpunk is the idea that corporations become more powerful than governments, shaping everyday life while operating with minimal accountability. While this once felt like a distant, dystopian future, today’s world suggests that this vision may not be as fictional as we once believed. Companies like Amazon provide a strong real-world example of how corporate power can begin to mirror cyberpunk narratives.

Amazon has transformed global commerce, but its labor practices have raised serious concerns. Investigations by outlets like The New York Times and Reuters have documented intense working conditions in warehouses, where employees are monitored through productivity-tracking systems and face pressure to meet strict quotas. This level of surveillance reflects what scholars describe as “algorithmic management,” where human labor is directed and evaluated by automated systems. In many ways, workers become extensions of a larger technological system rather than independent individuals.

This dynamic strongly resembles corporations in cyberpunk texts like Blade Runner, where the Tyrell Corporation treats replicants as disposable tools, or Neuromancer, where megacorporations operate beyond traditional legal boundaries. In both cases, human value is tied directly to productivity and usefulness—an idea that becomes increasingly visible in modern gig economies and warehouse labor systems.

However, the comparison goes beyond labor. Amazon’s influence on markets, logistics, and even cloud computing infrastructure highlights how deeply embedded corporations have become in everyday life. According to reports from MIT Technology Review, large tech companies now control significant portions of digital infrastructure, giving them power not only over economic systems but also over information flow. This raises concerns about whether corporations are beginning to shape society in ways traditionally reserved for governments.

That said, it would be an oversimplification to say we are fully living in a cyberpunk dystopia. Unlike fictional worlds, modern corporations are still subject to some regulation, public scrutiny, and legal accountability. Governments can impose fines, enforce labor laws, and regulate monopolistic behavior—at least in theory. Additionally, public awareness and activism play a role in challenging corporate practices. This suggests that while cyberpunk provides a useful framework for critique, it may exaggerate certain aspects for dramatic effect.

At the same time, the global dimension complicates this issue. Corporate power is not experienced equally across the world. In some regions, weaker regulatory systems allow corporations to operate with fewer restrictions, while in others, stricter policies limit their reach. This uneven distribution of power reflects broader patterns of globalization, where economic influence often crosses national boundaries more easily than political authority.

Ultimately, cyberpunk serves less as a prediction and more as a warning. It highlights what can happen when technological advancement and corporate power outpace ethical and political oversight. The similarities between fictional corporations and real-world companies like Amazon suggest that these concerns are not purely hypothetical. Instead, they challenge us to think critically about the systems we participate in and the kind of future we are helping to create.

The question is no longer whether cyberpunk’s vision is possible; it is how close we are willing to let it become reality.

AI Statement I used AI to help brainstorm ideas and improve clarity.

SOURCES: 1. The New York Times. (2021). Amazon’s warehouse working conditions. 2. Reuters. (2022). Amazon labor practices and productivity tracking. 3. MIT Technology Review. (2023). Big Tech and infrastructure control.

Cyberpunk stories often show corporations acting like governments, except with less accountability. You see this with Tyrell in Blade Runner, Tessier-Ashpool in Neuromancer, and the pill funders in Machinehood. They control technology, shape everyday life, and treat people as tools. That idea sounds extreme, but parts of it already exist. I think cyberpunk exaggerates reality, yet it is grounded in trends we can see right now. One clear example is surveillance capitalism. Big tech companies collect massive amounts of personal data and turn it into profit. Scholars describe this system as treating human experience like raw material that can be extracted and sold. This data is then used to predict behavior, especially for advertising and content recommendations. That means companies can influence what people see and how they think about issues. Research on digital platforms notes that algorithmic ranking shapes public discourse, which gives corporations indirect political power. A 2024 Pew Research survey found that about 83% of U.S. adults believe social media companies intentionally censor certain political viewpoints, showing widespread concern about this influence. These companies are not governments, but they shape information in ways that resemble political authority. This mirrors cyberpunk corporations. The Tyrell Corporation in Blade Runner designs replicants to serve economic needs, and their individuality becomes secondary. In a similar way, data-driven companies treat user behavior as something to harvest. Tessier-Ashpool SA controls networks in Neuromancer, and whoever controls networks controls society. Today, large platforms dominate communication spaces. The pill funders in Machinehood push productivity-enhancing technology even when it harms workers. That feels close to gig economy systems where flexibility is advertised, but financial pressure keeps people working. In each case, efficiency matters more than individual well-being. Looking at these patterns raises a broader question about whether society is actually moving toward the kind of corporate dominance cyberpunk imagines. The trend is partly realistic. Technology companies now operate globally and sometimes influence policy discussions. Some researchers even compare them to “quasi-nation-states” because of their economic scale and infrastructure control. Still, governments remain powerful. Regulations on privacy, antitrust enforcement, and labor laws act as checks. The European Union, for example, has passed strict data protection rules that limit how companies use personal information. That shows democratic systems can push back. This also is not just an American problem. Different regions handle corporate power differently. Europe tends to regulate more aggressively, while other countries place tighter controls on digital platforms. At the same time, global platforms cross borders, so their influence spreads internationally. What enables corporate power is scale, network effects, and reliance on private infrastructure. Once everyone uses the same platform, leaving becomes difficult, which increases corporate leverage. Cyberpunk works best as a warning rather than a literal prediction. These stories exaggerate certain trends to make risks easier to see. Works like Blade Runner, Neuromancer, and Machinehood highlight how technological power can concentrate in private hands. Public debate, regulation, and criticism act as counterweights. Because of that, the future is not fixed. Corporate influence is growing, but democratic institutions and public awareness still shape how far that power goes.

Cyberpunk stories often show big companies with more power than governments. In the movie like Blade Runner, corporations control technology and even human life. In books like Neuromancer, companies act without limits. These stories may look like fiction, but in the real world, some companies already have a lot of power. One example from Brazil is Vale, one of the largest mining companies in the world.

Vale is a company that works with mining, especially iron ore. It is very important for the Brazilian economy, and it operates in many countries. Because of its size and influence, Vale has a strong impact on both the environment and people’s lives. However, this power has also created serious problems.

In 2019, a dam owned by Vale collapsed in Brumadinho, Brazil. This disaster killed more than 200 people and destroyed the environment around the area. Before that, in 2015, another dam disaster (in Mariana) also caused great damage. These events show how a corporation’s actions can affect human life in a very direct and dangerous way.

These two cities, Mariana and Brumadinho, are in my state Minas Gerais, in Brazil, and they are not far from my city. Until today, I still remember these disasters and how scary they were for society. Many people lost family members who lived in the city or worked in the company, it showed how one company’s actions can affect so many lives. This is why it is important to think about these problems and not ignore them.

This situation connects to cyberpunk ideas. In many cyberpunk stories, companies focus on profit and ignore human consequences. In the same way, Vale was criticized for not taking enough safety measures before the disasters. Like the corporations in Machinehood, the company had economic power, but the people suffered the consequences.

Another important point is how corporations can be stronger than government control. After the disasters, Vale had to pay fines and compensation. But many people believe that the punishments were not enough compared to the damage caused. This raises an important question: if a company can cause so much harm and still continue operating, does it have too much power?

Are we moving toward a cyberpunk future? In some ways, yes. Vale shows how a company can have a big influence on society, environment, and even politics. However, there are still laws and public pressure that try to control these companies. In Brazil, people protested and demanded justice after the disasters. This shows that society still has a voice.

This is not only a problem in Brazil. Around the world, large corporations influence governments and economies. But different countries respond in different ways. Some places have stronger environmental laws, while others depend more on companies for economic growth. This creates a global situation similar to cyberpunk worlds, where power is not equal. we are not fully in a cyberpunk world yet. Governments, laws, and public opinion still play an important role. Cyberpunk stories help us understand these risks and remind us to be careful about how much power we give to corporations.

Sources https://vale.com/esg/brumadinho https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/02/09/world/americas/brazil-dam-collapse.html https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/brazil_dam_disaster https://g1.globo.com/mg/minas-gerais/desastre-ambiental-em-mariana/noticia/2019/03/09/tragedia-de-mariana-nao-tem-punidos-apos-mais-de-3-anos-e-processo-esta-parado.ghtml I did not use AI, it was all based on my own understanding and research.

In Blade Runner (Scott 1982), the Tyrell Corporation slogan is "More Human Than HUmans". What this quote means to me is that the Tyrell Corporation manufactures "life" , can control how long a person lives, and charges whatever it wants because there is no alternative. The corporations power is not dictatorship, it is biological. You want to live longer, they make you pay. The NUmbers are Hard to Sit With U.S drug prices are not high, they are extremely inaccessible for most people, especially compared to other countries. Brand-name drugs in the U.S cost 3x (Mulcahy et al., 2024) more than any where else, ever after adjusting for rebates. Some asthma medications are 1,300% higher than the average price across even neighboring countries ( Office of Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, 2024). Insulin cost nearly t10 times more in the U.S than other OCED countries ( Mulcahy et al., 2024) When Insulin was discovered the scientist sold the patent for one dollar because they thought it should be accessible for the public. One vial the cost $21 in 1999 is now over $300 (Hales et al., 2020) Why is this Allowed to Happen? In Blade Runner, the Tyrell company can charge any price because they do not see it as corruption in a dramatic sense, they see it as "just how they system was built". An example is cancer treatment, when someone is diagnosed with cancer, they are forced to have to pay whatever they are charged because they need the drug regardless of the cost so there is no real competition ( Office of Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, 2024). In most countries the government negotiates prices based pn what drug is actually worth therapeutically. The result is that Americans pay more for the same medication with no additional health benefit. We are not getting better drugs, we are just consumers that let companies charge sick people whatever they feel like. Is there any Hope?
There might be hope because Pfizer became the first pharmaceutical company to lower they're prices for Medicaid recipients to align with international rates ( Euronews, 2025), which usually only happens because of political pressure and tariffs. But it is definitely not a solution, because many peopole who cannot acces medicaid are still paying high prices. Plus this does not prove that these corporations are not completely immovable. They only respond when they feel threatened. We Are Already Here Being in this class has showed me that cyberpunk is not a warning, but when people are importing drugs from other countries or traveling just be able to afford adequate healthcare at an affordable price ( Pew Research center, 2017), rationing Insuin, and life saving treatments are treated as luxury rather than a right- that is a regular Friday in America. Tyrell Corporation monetized the dependency between humans and the thing keeping them alive. Pfizer is not exactly the same but the same premise still stand, biological necessity as a leverage as a revenue stream. Cyberpunk is already here.

Euronews. (2025, October 1). Pfizer agrees to lower prescription drug costs for Medicaid. https://www.euronews.com/business/2025/10/01/pfizer-agrees-to-lower-prescription-drug-costs-for-medicaid Fortune. (2025, January 6). Pfizer has increased prices on over 60 drugs in the U.S. as of Jan. 1. https://fortune.com/well/2025/01/03/pfizer-drug-price-increase-2025/ Hales, C. M., Carroll, M. D., Fryar, C. D., & Ogden, C. L. (2020). The high cost of insulin in the United States: An urgent call to action. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 95(1), 22–28. https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(19)31008-0/fulltext Mulcahy, A. W., Schwam, D., & Lovejoy, S. L. (2024). International prescription drug price comparisons: Estimates using 2022 data. RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA788-3.html Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. (2024, January 31). Comparing prescription drugs in the U.S. and other countries: Prices and availability. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/comparing-prescription-drugs Pew Research Center / PMC. (2017). Importation of drugs into the United States from Canada. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5478407/ Scott, R. (Director). (1982). Blade Runner [Film]. Warner Bros.

A clear similarity of corporate dominance in cyberpunk and that which is seen in our world is the pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical industry’s pricing practices show how corporate power can monetize human lives. These practices directly shape who’s live can be saved and who can get access to things that are means of survival. This is specifically seen in medications like insulin, which are a common topic of discussion because of how expensive this life-changing medication is for those people who are diagnosed with diabetes. Based on data from a research report by Andrew W. Mulcahy and Daniel Schwam, which compares insulin prices in the United States with those in other wealthy countries, it shows that insulin prices in the United States are nearly 10 times higher than in other wealthy countries. Researchers publishing in JAMA Network Open further explain that insulin list prices have steadily increased for decades, even as negotiations made the system more complex and less transparent. This system mirrors cyberpunk corporations like the Tyrell Corporation in Blade Runner. In that world, access to life through replicants is controlled by a corporation that decides who is valuable enough to exist. In reality, pharmaceutical pricing isn’t creating life; it is sustaining it by playing the role of caregiver and allowing for a better quality of life. This issue derives from the fact that big companies, which are components of the capitalistic society, act as intermediaries between drug companies and insurers. Regulators have accused these firms of steering patients toward higher-priced drugs to maximize profits. Just like in fictional texts we have read, like Neuromancer, big corporations dominate entire networks; real-world pharmaceutical and insurance systems create so much control that it is made difficult for individuals to navigate or challenge. I think we are heading toward a cyberpunk future because of the massive influence on public health. When a company can effectively determine whether a patient can afford insulin, it holds a form of biopolitical power that cyberpunk stories exaggerate but do not invent. I think the cyberpunk corporate dominance is a hyperbolic critique. This is because it imagines worlds where corporations have so much power that they basically control who lives and who dies. This is very dramatic, but the insulin situation is a real version of that. Pharmaceutical pricing reveals a major difference between the U.S. and other countries. In many European nations, governments negotiate drug prices directly or impose strict pricing regulations. As a result, insulin costs are far lower abroad. This suggests that the issue is not just corporate greed, but also policy structure. The U.S. healthcare system allows more pricing freedom, while other countries prioritize universal access over market flexibility. Pharmaceutical pricing shows that we are not living in a full cyberpunk dystopia, but we are close enough to see its outlines. When corporations can influence who gets access to life-saving medication, they begin to resemble the powerful entities in Blade Runner and Neuromancer. The difference is that, for now, we still have tools to resist: regulation, public pressure, and critical awareness. Cyberpunk reminds us that the future is not predetermined; it is shaped by how we respond to the systems we build today.

When Corporations Write the Rules: Are We Living in a Cyberpunk Prologue?

In cyberpunk worlds, governments fade into the background while corporations become the real centers of power. From the Tyrell Corporation in Blade Runner to Tessier-Ashpool in Neuromancer, these entities control labor, technology, and even human identity. What once felt like speculative fiction now feels eerily familiar. Across industries, from Big Tech to pharmaceuticals, real-world corporations increasingly shape public policy, economic opportunity, and even the boundaries of human autonomy.

Surveillance Capitalism: Owning Not Just Data, but Behavior

One of the clearest parallels to cyberpunk fiction lies in what scholars call surveillance capitalism. Companies like Google and Meta Platforms collect massive amounts of user data( not just to understand behavior), but to predict and influence it. According to Shoshana Zuboff, this model turns human experience into raw material for profit, often without meaningful consent. This echoes Neuromancer, where corporations don’t just sell products, they shape reality itself. In both cases, individuals become resources. The difference? Today’s version operates quietly, embedded in everyday apps and platforms.

Pharmaceutical Power: Pricing Life Itself

The pharmaceutical industry provides another stark example. Companies like Eli Lilly and Pfizer have faced scrutiny over drug pricing practices, particularly in the United States. For instance, insulin prices rose dramatically over decades, despite the drug being discovered over a century ago. This dynamic resembles Machinehood, where corporate interests dictate access to life-sustaining resources. When essential medicine becomes a profit-maximizing product, human life risks becoming secondary to shareholder value. Insulin

Gig Economy Labor: Disposable Workers in a Digital Machine

Companies like Uber and DoorDash have revolutionized work, but at a cost. Gig workers are often classified as independent contractors, meaning they lack benefits like healthcare, job security, or minimum wage protections. This mirrors the precarious labor conditions in cyberpunk fiction, where workers are easily replaceable and stripped of rights. The algorithm becomes the boss, opaque, unaccountable, and indifferent. In many ways, the gig economy turns people into extensions of a platform, much like the commodified humans in Blade Runner.

Are We Headed Toward Cyberpunk Reality?

The short answer: partially but not inevitably. Cyberpunk exaggerates for effect, but it is grounded in real trends. Corporate power today is enabled by several factors: Globalization: Corporations operate across borders, often outpacing national regulations. Technological complexity: Governments struggle to regulate rapidly evolving industries like AI. Economic influence: Lobbying and campaign financing allow corporations to shape policy decisions. However, there are still meaningful checks on corporate power. Governments can and do regulate industries; consider antitrust actions against Amazon and Apple. The European Union, in particular, has taken a more aggressive stance on privacy and competition through regulations like the GDPR. Public awareness also plays a critical role. Unlike in cyberpunk worlds, where resistance is often fragmented, today’s citizens, journalists, and researchers actively critique corporate behavior. This critique matters; it shapes public discourse, influences regulation, and holds power accountable.

Is This Uniquely American?

Not entirely, but it is more pronounced in the United States. The U.S. tends to favor market-driven solutions and has historically been more permissive of corporate consolidation. In contrast, European countries often prioritize consumer protection and data privacy. Meanwhile, countries like China exhibit a different model, where corporate power exists but is tightly integrated with state control, raising its own dystopian concerns.

Why Critique Still Matters

Cyberpunk is not just prediction, it’s warning. By exaggerating corporate dominance, it forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about power, inequality, and technology. We are not yet living in a Blade Runner world. Governments still exist. Rights still matter. But the growing influence of corporations over data, labor, and healthcare suggests that cyberpunk is less a fantasy and more a mirror, one that reflects what could happen if power goes unchecked. The future is not predetermined. Whether we move toward or away from a cyberpunk reality depends on regulation, public engagement, and our willingness to question who really holds power in society.

References

Zuboff, S. (2019). The Age of Surveillance Capitalism. U.S. Senate reports on insulin pricing (2021–2023). European Commission: GDPR and antitrust cases Academic and policy analyses on gig economy labor practices

Introduction Elon Musk’s xAI operation influences AI development control by constructing unprecedented computing infrastructure, bypassing regulatory oversight, and accelerating the pace of AI advancement beyond what public institutions can meaningfully regulate. Reporting shows that xAI is operating dozens of methane‑powered turbines, many without proper permits. While building Colossus, a supercomputer projected to be the largest in the world. This gives Musk enormous control over how quickly AI evolves and who can participate in the AI race.

Cyberpunk Comparison This dynamic mirrors the corporate dominance seen in Blade Runner. In the film, the Tyrell Corporation controls replicant production, a technology so advanced and essential that the government cannot regulate it effectively. Tyrell’s motto, “More human than human,” reflects a corporation whose technological ambition outpaces ethical oversight—much like what we see with Musk’s rapid expansion of compute capacity. xAI’s operation of unpermitted methane turbines, its overwhelming influence on local political structures, and its externalization of environmental harm all reinforce this comparison. Like Tyrell, xAI advances its technology at a pace that makes traditional regulation feel slow and outdated. Whoever controls the infrastructure controls the future; this is a form of de facto control.The parallels to Machinehood are equally striking. The pill funders in the novel drive technological acceleration at any cost, hiding the human and environmental consequences behind the promise of innovation. Their power comes not only from wealth but from their ability to dictate the terms of technological progress. The Memphis situation reflects this same logic: a predominantly Black neighborhood becomes a “sacrifice zone” so that xAI can power its AI models. Just as the pill funders obscure the true costs of their technology, xAI frames its project as cutting‑edge innovation while concealing the pollution, health risks, and regulatory violations that make that innovation possible.

Both fictional worlds show corporations gaining control over technological development by centralizing resources, evading oversight, and externalizing harm. xAI’s actions reflect the same logic. By consuming enough electricity to power 100,000 homes, the company consolidates AI development into the hands of a single billionaire. By operating turbines without proper permits, it demonstrates that AI progress can be pursued outside traditional regulatory frameworks. By placing the environmental burden on marginalized communities, it reinforces a cyberpunk pattern in which technological advancement is purchased at the expense of those with the least power. xAI influences AI development control in ways that closely resemble the megacorporations of Blade Runner and Machinehood—through scale, secrecy, political influence, and a willingness to treat human lives as collateral in the pursuit of technological dominance.All the evidence from Memphis suggests that the United States is already experiencing early forms of the corporate dominance depicted in cyberpunk fiction. When private corporations can run industrial‑scale infrastructure in residential neighborhoods—producing more nitrogen oxides than the city’s chemical plants, refineries, airport, and power station combined—they demonstrate a level of autonomy that resembles the megacorporations in these works. Cyberpunk’s warnings are not exaggerated fantasies but emerging realities. What is happening in Memphis shows how quickly technological ambition can outpace democratic oversight and how easily vulnerable communities can be sidelined in the process.

Sources Brabenec, R., et al. (2025, July 7). A billionaire, an AI supercomputer, toxic emissions and a Memphis community that did nothing wrong. Tennessee Lookout. https://tennesseelookout.com/2025/07/07/a-billionaire-an-ai-supercomputer-toxic-emissions-and-a-memphis-community-that-did-nothing-wrong/

AI Attestment AI was used to review the grammar and structure of this essay as well as provide an APA style citation for the source.