Category: Media Critique

These blog posts analyze books, movies, and other media in the cyberpunk genre.

What does it mean to be Human?

Katie H.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Replicants from the film Blade Runner (Blade Runner – Film Review, 2016)

What does it mean to be human? Both the film Blade Runner and the novel Neuromancer question what it means to be human. In the film Blade Runner, this question is explored through replicants. Replicants are bioengineered individuals, not human but almost indistinguishable from humans. The replicants in the film blended in with humans well, only a select few were able to distinguish them from humans due to the emotions test or being part of the creation team of the replicants. An emotions test was necessary to distinguish replicants from humans. Do emotions define what it means to be human? Most replicants are unable to pass this test but Rachel, an experimental replicant, lasts a lot longer than the rest of the replicants when taking this test. Rachel is a replicant with false memories programed into her. At the beginning of the film, Rachel did not know that she is a replicant. She had trouble coming to terms with the fact that she is a replicant after not being able to pass the emotions test in the end. Do memories define what it means to be human? Rachel thought she was human because of her false memories, and she lasted longer during the emotions test because of them. The replicants had the ability to create their own memories after creation like humans create memories after birth. In the film, Deckard was assigned to get rid of replicants because they were considered dangerous. Does a drive for survival define what it means to be human? The humans wanted replicants gone because the humans wanted to live, but replicants also had a drive for survival. At the end of the film, Rachel is the only replicant introduced that survived. The question of what it means to be human still remains.

The novel Neuromancer by William Gibson also questions what it means to be human but in a different way from the film. In the novel, humans and technology are so interconnected that it raises the question of what it means to be human. Let’s take Molly and Dixie Flatline for example. Molly is human with technological modifications. Is Molly still human with her technological modifications that not all humans have? Another character, Dixie Flatline, also raises questions of what it means to be human. Dixie Flatline is an artificial intelligence construct of McCoy Pauley. McCoy Pauley’s human body has died, but his mind, memories, and personality still exists within the cyberspace. Dixie helps another character, Case, throughout his mission within cyberspace, but continuously asks to be erased once the mission is complete. Although McCoy Pauley is dead, Dixie Flatline lived on for the majority of the novel. Is Dixie Flatline really McCoy Pauley? Is McCoy Pauley still living on through Dixie Flatline? Since Dixie Flatline was McCoy Pauley, is Dixie Flatline considered human even though he only has a digital form left? Dixie and Case formed a close relationship while working together. Does friendship define what it means to be human? Neuromancer leaves readers with something to think about. What does it mean to be human?

References:

Blade Runner – Film Review. (2016, June 4). Yggdrasille.com; WordPress.com. https://yggdrasille.com/2016/06/04/blade-runner/

Gibson, W. (1984). Neuromancer. Ace.

Scott, R. (Director). (1982). Blade Runner [Film]. Warner Bros.

Technological Tyranny

Sydney V.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Tyrell Corporation Logo from Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/752285415/blade-runner-tyrell-corporation-logo

Both the film Blade Runner and the novel Neuromancer examine the rise of amoral, powerful corporations and the development of artificial intelligence (AI), often at the expense of individual freedom and identity.

In the film Blade Runner, the rise of powerful corporations and the development of artificial intelligence (AI) at the sacrifice of individuality and freedom is depicted through the Tyrell Corporation. The Tyrell Corporation dominates the society in the film with its technological innovation, the replicants. The replicants were created with a limited life span and were not considered human even though they were practically indistinguishable from humans. The corporation’s control over the replicants’ identities sparked their struggle for freedom and individuality. Beyond its business influence, it controls the lives of replicants and humans and operates with no regard for morals. The unchecked power of corporations leads to exploitation and dehumanization which can be seen in the movie.

Similarly, the novel Neuromancer demonstrates the same sentiments as Blade Runner through the use of the corporation Tessier-Ashpool S.A. and AI technology. Tessier-Ashpool S.A. has significant control over society’s resources which allows them to have influence on society in general. However, the corporation uses some ethically questionable and immoral business tactics to achieve its goals of power and profit. In this society, the corporation rules without regard for human rights and freedom. The use of AI in the novel showcases the idea that AI could surpass human control which poses a threat to what humanity is known as. When Wintermute attempts to merge with Neuromancer to form a superintelligence, this suggests that the limits to AI are unknown. The manipulation of Case, the book’s protagonist, by AI and the corporation shows how humans can compromise their individuality and freedom by interacting with these powerful entities.

Tessier-Ashpool S.A. Logo from Behance: https://www.behance.net/gallery/114927743/TESSIER-ASHPOOL-SA/modules/705575455

Both Blade Runner and Neuromancer are excellent examples of works that explore the rise of amoral, powerful corporations and AI with no regard for human freedom and identity. These works encourage thinking and conversation about the future of our society with the growth of technology and corporations. It leads to many questions about what the limits of technology in society should be and what it means to be human.

Lost in the Pursuit: Technology VS Humanity

Kaitlyn M.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Author Kaitlyn Murray

William Gibson’s Neuromancer and Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner explore posthumanism, questioning what it means to be human as technology increasingly integrates with human life. Posthumanism challenges rethinking what it means to be human in a world where technology and flesh are merging, past the traditional image of human. In both works, the loss of humanity through technological enhancements is a central theme.

In Neuromancer, Molly Millions is the epitome of the blurred line between human and cyborg. Her cybernetic implants, including augmented eyes and retractable razor claws, enhance her abilities beyond human limits. Molly’s augmented eyes allowed her to see with more precision and a broader range of frequencies than a natural human. These enhancements allowed her reflexes to be sharper.  Additionally, Molly’s mirrored lenses made it impossible for others to see where she was looking or read her emotions. Lastly, Molly’s retractable claws made her lethal in close combat.

Molly’s fusion of flesh with machines reinforces Molly’s hybrid not so human-like nature because although her implants make her more powerful, they also alienate her from humanity. Additionally, the mirrored lenses obscuring her emotions, the ignoring of pain, and the act of Molly desensitizing herself and becoming a “meat puppet” to help pay for her technological advancements further underscores her loss of humanity in the pursuit of technological advancement.

In Blade Runner, the replicants look like and act like humans, however, are treated inferior to humans, highlighting the loss of humanity when beings capable of genuine feeling are denied their rights and personhood. For instance, Rachael, a replicant, poses an interesting question to Rick Deckard, a blade runner: “Would you put a human into ‘retirement’ (death)? Blade Runners dehumanize replicants as they with ease eliminate technological beings perceived as less than human. Rachael asking questions about life and death illustrates the moral complexities of replicants being human in their emotions and in their experiences.

Additionally, the replicant’s possession of implanted human memories emphasizes the theme of the loss of humanity through technology. Human Personhood and Identity are lost in Blade Runner as one’s deepest memories are not their own anymore.  Also, these artificial memories distort the replicant’s sense of individuality and personal identity.

Both Neuromancer and Blade Runner warn us of all of the implications of technology on our understanding of what it means to be human. We are already walking into a world similar to science fiction as humanoids are already among us as Elon Musk introduced Optimus performing simple tasks. As well as Morgan Stanley estimating that by 2040, the US may have 8 million working humanoid robots. As we integrate more with technology, we face similar challenges about identity and what it means to be human. As we continue the pursuit of technological innovation, will we move further and further from our traditional concept of humanity or learn from the books before us?

Works Cited:

Humanoid Helpers of the Future | Morgan Stanley. (2024). Morgan Stanley. https://www.morganstanley.com/ideas/humanoid-robot-market-outlook-2024

‌McCallum, S. (2022, October 1). Tesla boss Elon Musk presents humanoid robot Optimus. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63100636

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Kayla G.
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Humanity, Identity, and Artificial Intelligence

In both Blade Runner and Neuromancer the authors depict a futuristic society that is in societal decay. One of the key concepts in both is that fact that big powerful companies such as Tessier-Ashpool control and manipulate society. In the Blade Runner, the company that manufactured the replicants had a major impact on the society because of their power. They sold the replicants for labor and used them until they deemed them unuseful. In the movie, the replicants are made to be identical to humans however they have additional physical capabilities. The film questions what it means to be human and have humanity, it was depicted that have empathy and other emotions separated man from machine

film blurs the lines between human and machine by showing that replicants, especially Roy Batty, possess emotions, desires, and self-awareness. Batty’s final monologue, where he reflects on the fleeting nature of his experiences—“All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain”—underscores the film’s central concern with memory, mortality, and what defines a human being.

In Neuromancer, the exploration of human identity is tied to cyberspace, a digital realm where human consciousness can exist independently of the body. The novel’s protagonist, Case, is a washed-up console cowboy who interacts with cyberspace and artificial intelligence in ways that blur the line between reality and virtual existence. As Case delves deeper into cyberspace, his sense of self becomes increasingly fragmented, raising questions about the relationship between consciousness and the body. The characters’ interaction with AI—most notably Wintermute and Neuromancer—also challenges the notion of a distinct human identity. These AIs, while not human, possess intelligence and autonomy, pushing the boundaries of what constitutes life and personhood in a technological age.

High-Tech, Low-Life: The Cyberpunk Cities of Blade Runner and Neuromancer

Kennedi G.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Both Blade Runner (1982) and Neuromancer (1984) show dystopian cities filled with neon lights, massive skyscrapers, and a mix of advanced technology with gritty, low-life realities. These settings capture the essence of cyberpunk, where futuristic tech exists alongside urban decay.

In Blade Runner, the version of Los Angeles in 2019 is dark, rainy, and dominated by towering buildings and flashing neon signs. The opening scene gives us this huge, polluted cityscape, setting the mood for a world that’s clearly futuristic but deeply flawed. There’s advanced tech everywhere—flying cars, replicants—but it’s only accessible to the privileged. The lower levels of the city are crowded and grimy, showing the harsh divide between the rich and poor. Tyrell Corporation’s massive pyramid towers over the dingy streets below, symbolizing how the elites live in luxury while most people struggle. This “high-tech, low-life” vibe is classic cyberpunk: technology is everywhere, but it’s not making life better for everyone.

Neuromancer paints a similar picture with places like Chiba City and Freeside. Chiba City is a hub for underground tech, illegal cybernetics, and cutting-edge research, but it’s chaotic and gritty. Case, the protagonist, navigates a world filled with body modifications, hackers, and digital crime, all of which reflect the same divide between a high-tech world and the reality of life on the streets. The sprawling cities feel just as oppressive as the ones in Blade Runner, with technology helping some while leaving others in a state of constant survival.

Both works use neon lights to highlight the consumer-driven, artificial nature of these worlds. In Blade Runner, the constant glow of neon ads, often in different languages, emphasizes how the world has become commercialized and globalized. In Neuromancer, neon signs and flashing lights evoke the chaotic, overwhelming nature of urban life, where corporate influence is everywhere, and even people’s bodies are commodified.

At their core, Blade Runner and Neuromancer depict sprawling, dystopian cities where skyscrapers and neon lights are everywhere, but most people are still stuck in grim realities. Both settings show the dark side of technological progress, where power and wealth are concentrated at the top, leaving everyone else to navigate a harsh and dehumanizing world.

Beyond the Flesh

Tamia P.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
The battle between human and technology.

Humans have battled with the boundary of what being a human truly is since technology became a part of everyday life. While some believe that humanity is surface level based on consciousness, others beg to differ due to how intersecting technology has become with human life. People are beginning to lose touch with how technology has begun to reshape human consciousness. 

In the film Blade Runner, the Replicants are perfect evidence for the blurred line between what is considered human and artificial intelligence. They have every quality that a normal human would have, but they are treated as if they are easily disposable. Every deep emotion that is associated with being human is seen in the replicants. For example, Roy Batty, a replicant, gives a heartfelt monologue at the end of the film that gives rise to the question of his “humanness”.  He says, “I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe…All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.”. Memories and important moments are cherished to humans to have a sense of identity. Every memory that a human has is valued and can shape the identity and personality of a person. He developed a fear of death and oblivion like any human does. Despite being artificially created as a replicant, his emotional depth challenges the audience to distinguish between what being a human is. 

The human and digital realm is blurred as the book, Neuromancer, shifts the focus to the themes of artificial intelligence and cyberspace. The main character, Case, enters the cyberspace and leaves his physical body behind. The role of the body in defining humanity is brought to question through the book. Witnessing technology in a world where human identity can be disembodied and exist within a digital realm raises profound questions about the nature of consciousness. For example, as Case continues to navigate through cyberspace, his identity becomes disconnected from his physical self. This theme of disembodiment shows humanity potentially creating a reality where existence can be possible while the body is irrelevant. Machine-driven environments create that divide for where humanity lies.

The film and the book give a scary and soon to be possible reality where consciousness can exist without a physical embodiment of self. Through the depictions of the replicants and artificial intelligence, these bodies of work show that being human is not simply defined biologically or physically, but rather by self-awareness, memory, and identity. 

https://www.litcharts.com/lit/neuromancer/summary

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

Liyah G.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Lights on me, cameras on three and we’re rolling. As we step into the film Blade Runner by Ridley Scott and the novel “Neuromancer” by William Gibson we see that both forms of media represent Cyberpunk qualities through bright neon lights, tall skyscrapers, and hyper dependence on technology. 

 (Chiba City in Neuromancer (1))

(Los Angeles in Blade Runner (2))

As the qualities of Cyberpunk vary, the three qualities mentioned above played crucial roles in the development of the plot and the message portrayed throughout both medias. Neon lights are used to represent the blurred lines between technology and reality in that neon lights are a way to distract consumers from relying more and more on technology (3). The following article, has more discussion about the role of neon lights in the Cyberpunk genre https://neonhub.com/blogs/news/neon-cyberpunk-neons-Role-in-cyberpunk-culture. As for tall skyscrapers, they serve as physical representations of how technology has surpassed human understanding. As technology gradually advances, robots and AI machines have become more human-like causing humans to question their identity as humans. In using these qualities to represent the genre Cyberpunk, Scott and Gibson draw parallels to the reality of humans growing more and more dependent on technology.  

Throughout the film, Blade Runner, there are many instances where a scene cuts to the city which is covered in neon lights and tall skyscrapers. To be more specific, the opening scene of the film exhibits this and brings attention to the dark, crowded and gloomy city. Having billboards and old buildings covered in flashing bright neon lights contradicts how wrecked the city actually is. This depiction was made to show that although technology is advancing, the city and people who consume it are regressing and decaying away.

In the novel, Neuromancer, these qualities are seen in the description of Chiba City which is also very dark and grimy but has bright neon lights throughout it. Gibson’s approach was similar to Scott’s as he portrayed a society that is filled with cutting edge technology but the reality of where the technology is being innovated is a harsh and gritty society. 

Both medias display a dystopian environment that is foreseeing what our world will look like if we continue advancing and depending on technology. In today’s time, our society doesn’t appear on the outside as such, but I believe on the inside it does. 

Sources

  1. https://medium.com/@ryansaffiliatehustle/exploring-the-cyberpunk-world-of-neuromancer-afe0c8a4d8c9
  2. https://variety.com/2017/film/columns/how-blade-runner-became-a-geek-metaphor-for-art-1202583468/
  3. https://neonhub.com/blogs/news/neon-cyberpunk-neons-role-in-cyberpunk-culture

The Digital Divide: What It Means to Be Human in Blade Runner and Neuromancer

Maliyah A.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Blade Runner what it means to be human through its depiction of replicants, while Neuromancer explores similar themes through its characters’ interactions with artificial intelligences and cyberspace.

This statement is what we are going to explore throughout this blog. Although Blade Runner and Neuromancer take different narrative approaches, both challenge conventional notions of consciousness, identity, and humanity. In Blade Runner, the replicants were designed to serve humanity. The main replicants in the movie were Roy Batty and Rachel. The replicants had physical human appearance, but they were denied basic human rights and emotions because they were just machines. The replicants had development traits that were similar to humans. Roy was able to feel fear, desires, and longing. The replicants were programmed not to have these traits, but Roy had them. Roy expresses these emotions during the ending of the movie. He talks about his past moments and past memories. Which shows a bit concerning because it shows how the replicants and humans are very similar. The question arises: how different are the replicants and humans? The line between human and replicant blurs. Which leads to another important question: what constitutes being human: our biological makeup or the ability to feel and connect with others? 


In Neuromancer, artificial intelligences and cyberspace are used to explore human identity and consciousness. The lead case is a hacker, and he interacts and navigates cyberspace. In that world, there were no boundaries between humans and replicants. Because Case is dependent on cyberspace, his consciousness appears to be his most essential characteristic, as his physical body is secondary to his digital presence. To become human, AI Wintermute wants to merge with its counterpart. Wintermute shows throughout the novel that he wants to become more human than artificial intelligence. Wintermute’s desire for freedom, happiness, and emotion is very similar to the replicas in Blade Runner. But in Neuromancer, this desire plays out in a realm where human and machine identities are increasingly intertwined. Although Blade Runner and Neuromancer take different narrative approaches, both challenge conventional notions of consciousness, identity, and humanity. 

Identity and Freedom in the Age of Corporate Control

Chloe' T.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Blade Runner and Neuromancer display big corporations that are powerful enough to control advanced technology that result in individuals losing their identity and freedom. Blade Runner and Neuromancer highlight between technological progress and its effects on individuals. In addition, they both show how much control people have over the face of powerful corporations and technological dominance. In Blade Runner, corporations created advanced techs known as replicants that are identical to humans but denied basic rights. It narrates the issues of identity, ethical boundaries, and the nature of humanity. The key themes presented throughout Blade Runner are the impacts of advanced artificial intelligence on society and the loss of identity. Neuromancer is similar to Blade Runner in that it has advanced technology that modifies characters while trapped in a highly corrupted world by corporate power. The key theme for Neuromancer is corporate control dominating society by taking away their freedom and personal identity. The Relation Between High Technology, Human Identity, the Body, and the Dystopian Future Society of Neuromancers emphasizes how Case was already stripped of his identity when jacking into cyberspace. He started having withdraws when he couldn’t jack into cyberspace which shows the effects of the relationship between technology and his identity. In Technodystopia: Are we heading towards a real-world Blade Runner? It expresses ethical implications on what it means to be human. For example, Rick connects with Rachel and Roy, who question his morals as if replicants can hae feelings and basic rights just like humans. The distinction I learned between the two is in Neuromancer, Case depends on technology that presents a loss of individuality, while on the other hand, Rick deals with the wonder if replicants can have humanity. Both articles demonstrate corporate power control over advanced technology affects personal identity and freedom. Blade Runner and Neuromancer bring attention to the lines between humans and machines and question what it means to be human in a society where technology can modify our traits as a human. 

References

Kashani, B., & Kashani, N. (n.d.). English Studies -School of Arts and Communication Bachelor’s Degree 15 hp Spring 2022 Supervisor: Berndt Clavier. https://mau.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1727457/FULLTEXT02.pdf

Paterson, A., & Bush, G. (2022, February 21). Technodystopia: Are we heading towards a real-world Blade Runner?Unimelb.edu.au; The University of Melbourne. https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/technodystopia-are-we-heading-towards-a-real-world-blade-runner#:~:text=First%20and%20foremost%2C%20this%20sci

Sprawling City of Lights and the Hell they Harbor Underneath Them

Josiah A.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Within The Decay of the Postmodern World

Within the first few minutes of BladeRunner 1982 We are met with an interesting and phenomenal sight. A dreary nighttime atmosphere a towering skyscraper building and many surrounding it, the air is filled with steam, the light pollution so dense that the stars in the sky are no longer visible. The way the buildings are laid out is congested and constrained, cramped and suffocating and we see a flying car passing an image of a woman projected onto the side of a building. Then a few minutes later we are met with its underbelly, a man walking through an overly crowded street steam billowing from the shops crammed together on the ground level. The space is minimal and yet people are able to get where they need to go. At night a few hours later, we see how empty and decrepit the cities underbelly is, Empty, dirty, unkempt and unwanted.

The city presented to us brings out the aesthetically dystopian majesty of Cyberpunk well. many Visually when we are above the cities ground level and on other colonies, we see how advanced technology is in Bladerunner, but the amazing contrast is that no matter the time of day you can clearly tell how suffocating the city and atmosphere is how much the world itself may be in slow decay due to the rise of technology and a sole focus on corporate interest. As an artist I absolutely adore the colors used here and without the movie. To focus specifically on the image that precedes this text while the shot is at night the light that we see while “bright” is actually quite dim, grey, and muddy. We usually use “ugly” and muddy colors in conjunction with brighter and “pretty” colors to bring out the beauty of the world, when both ugly and pretty colors work in tandem, they bring out the beauty in each other and make things pop with vivacity and life through their working together. but here in Bladerunner the colors while visually stunning and work together are purposefully muted, they are invoking a sense of dread and decay that compound with the clustered nature of the buildings which are seeming placed tightly compacted with each other due to lack of space and ecological restrictions. Bladerunner city is full of visual scenery like this due to dystopian theme and the neon aesthetic that comes along with it, the innate hubris that comes along with unfiltered technological advancement with no moral or ethical leash.

Cybernetic underground amidst a Regional Travesty

Chiba City is the first city we are introduced too, its alias is adequately called “Night Town” by the locals and any visitors. Chiba City is a hub for both legal and illegal cybernetic augmentations within Neuromancer, it is favored by the sprawl’s techno criminal’s, case included. Case is there in hopes to cure his neurological damage but back to the point, Chiba City is described as a “complex” or a group of similar buildings or facilities within the same area or site, the darker areas are even visible from the sea which is littered with white styrofoam, and waste.

The interesting thing about Chiba city is the nickname “Night City”, since it houses illegal augmentations as well it has become a go to place for the sprawls criminal underground and what better time of day to commit crime then in the cover of Night. The many Complexes are everywhere which add onto the dystopian aspect technology cramped in a sea of similarity where all of their problems can be solved or exacerbated by corporations. the contrast to such a high-tech area is the port near it which is Tokyo Bay and how filthy it has become; nothing screams environmental decay that waste farther than the eye can see.