Essay on Soulless Technology in William Gibson’s Burning...

Soulless Technology in William Gibson’s Burning Chrome An old adage states that the eyes are the windows to the soul. What if, however, those eyes have a trademark name stamped onto them? William Gibson’s short story Burning Chrome depicts an advanced but soulless society where most of the technological advances are portrayed as being perverted by commercialization and human mechanization, rather than dedicated to improving the quality of life. This paper will touch upon the frivolous consumerism of as well as the dehumanizing uses of technology in the world of Automatic Jack, the reader’s companion throughout the story. Perhaps the most visible example of this perversion is the high degree of commercialized technology in their†¦show more content†¦One of the more popular forms of entertainment is the simstim, a portable simulated stimuli device that allows one to experience the lives of famous people. These people are only famous because they have their lives on display; they are stars that are manufactured by and for the makers of the simstims. Through this device, the user is allowed to experience the world as the star does, complete with parties with the rich and famous and with thrilling hobbies. The eyes, the plastic surgery, the simstims — this technology is not improving the quality of life for humanity; rather it is just another trend, another way to be amused, another way to keep up with fashion’s fickleness. Even medical technology has been misused to keep up appearances. Chrome, a steel-hearted entrepreneur, uses hormones and serums that keep her looking fourteen fo rever. In fact, she had run a drug trade in hormones for years before owning a bar and brothel that also sells hormones that allow the user to relive past memories. Hormones in our society are precious, and are used to treat diabetes, hyperthyroidism and infertility. However, in Jack’s world, they are little more than drugs, used either for escapism or for the maintenance of youthful looks. This trivial treatment of products that could be used for societal improvement further accents the soulless commercialization that is the