Summary: Unspun - Chapter 2 (Cyberspace)

Chapter 6 – Cyberspace

Cyberspace is difficult to define, as it is neither a physical space nor a “void”. The author defines cyberspace as “a metaphor that conjures up an image or an idea of the potential of information and telecommunication networks which are formed by computers linked by telecommunications.” files stored in cyberspace, while not literally, seem to be on an “invisible plane of reality”. These are not the only definitions, as it is also defined as a “bioelectric environment that is literally universal”, as well as a place where one is “transported” and “transformed” by cyberspace. The nature of the definitions seem contradictory, but what was agreed upon was that cyberspace is international, equally accessible from many countries all over the planet.

Like the Internet itself, it too was viewed as a limitless, unmoderated zone, free from anything from daily life. Though it is intangible, many view cyberspace as a “real place with real potentials”. It is viewed as a “new world”.

Cyberspace, etymologically, is taken from William Gibson’s book Neuromancer. In this 1984 book, cyberspace is defined as “something like flying over a vast city lit up at night,” with buildings replaced by geometric figures, which represent computer databases. These databases only referred to the corporate kind, as personal computers were not yet widely discovered. In fact, personal users were viewed as “poachers”, who could enter the database through the “tactile relationship” of the human body to the database. There is a different feel to the internet in Gibson’s book than is usually thought of in modern times. The personal versus corporate is viewed as a “David and Goliath struggle”. This thought process led to avatars and virtual reality—an “immersion” into cyberspace.

The authors settle on what they feel is a perfect explanation, by calling cyberspace a “collective hallucination.” They go on to explain that within everyone’s brain is where cyberspace lies. Together, the public perceives cyberspace and makes it a world as real as the actual world. Paul Virillo argues his point that cyberspace distorts reality, calling it a “new perspective”, rather than a “New World” that requires a new form of “tactile perspective”. Gibson, however, sticks to his thoughts that it is like a “city”, akin to a boundless city unlike the twentieth century and unlike the medieval walled city.

However, cyberspace seems politically neutral. It also seems to be more of a place where people meet than a group of people. It is unlike a city in that there is only one kind of meeting. The authors point out that if it is a city, only the most advanced and wealthy can go inside it, thus not making it truly a city. Further study on how cyberspace is governed will make this all clearer.