Science fiction as a lens into the internet economy

Shockwave Rider, Brunner, John, Ballantine Books

Long before William Gibson launched the genre of "cyber-punk", Brunner was writing about the impact of information technology and accelerating change on society. This is Brunner's effort to understand what Toffler's Future Shock might feel like in human terms. To me, it's one of the more effective examples of why someone once described science-fiction writers as the "advance planning department for the human race." And it's a hell of a good story, besides.

Neuromancer, Gibson, William, Ace Books

Gibson coined the term "cyberspace" in this first novel and was one of the creators of the sub-genre of cyberpunk. I've always found it amusing that Gibson wrote this book on a manual Olympia typewriter.

The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, Heinlein, Robert A., St. Martin's Press

I recommend this story on three levels. First, like all Heinlein's books it's simply a great story. Second, it takes a look at the risks and opportunities that smart computers (or computer networks) pose for society. Finally, it offers a good glimpse of hero as competent engineer; of man in a battle of wits with nature and natural law. That's relevant because it's a worldview that closely parallels that of most technically inclined individuals.

Snow Crash, Stephenson, Neal, Bantam Doubleday Dell Pub (Trd Pap)

Stephenson came to the cyberpunk genre a bit later than most. On the other hand, he combines actual knowledge of information technology with a wild sense of humor. He doesn't let the former get in the way of the latter.

The Diamond Age/Or, Young Lady's Illustrated Primer, Stephenson, Neal, Spectra

Another of Stephenson's novels, Diamond Age takes a look at how learning and education might change courtesy of technology intelligently applied. Whether we manage to apply it intelligently in the real world reamins to be seen.

True Names: And the Opening of the Cyberspace Frontier, Vinge, Vernor, Tor Books

Vinge is a mathematician turned comptuter scientist. True names is another of those good stories that gains additional relevance for me because of its influence over many of those who went on to develop the technology for real that Vinge made up in his fiction.