Cyberpunk Culture and Psychology: Seeing through the Mirrorshades

This book explores the evolution of cyberpunk culture by closely examining the works of William Gibson, highlighting the significance of visual style and aesthetics in the genre. It connects Gibson's relational model of 'gestalt psychology and imagery' to posthuman networked identities and cultural moments such as postmodernism, posthumanism, 9/11, and the Anthropocene. The author argues that a posthuman understanding of humans as networked with their environments is essential to cyberpunk and proposes an innovative model of reading through gestalt psychology. This book will be of interest to scholars and students in medical humanities, posthumanism, literary and cultural studies, dystopian and utopian studies, and psychology.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate tapestry of cyberpunk culture, offering a profound exploration through a close examination of the visionary works of the esteemed 'godfather of cyberpunk,' William Gibson. By seamlessly intertwining Gibson's relational model of 'gestalt psychology and imagery' with the posthuman networked identities prevalent in cyberpunk, the author uncovers profound connections with significant cultural milestones of the past four decades, including postmodernism, posthumanism, 9/11, and the Anthropocene. Through a meticulous analysis, the author reveals how cyberpunk's distinctive visual style serves as a vital philosophical and aesthetic component, profoundly shaping the genre. By tracing a trajectory across Gibson's oeuvre, the book showcases how he evolves from an emphasis on visual aesthetics that elevates humans above posthuman entities to a perspective rooted in touch, fostering a truly posthuman understanding of humans as interconnected with their environments. This groundbreaking work advocates for unexplored connections between the visual and the posthuman, holding significant implications for future endeavors in posthumanism and the arts. Moreover, the book presents an innovative model of reading through gestalt psychology, making it an invaluable resource for scholars and students in the fields of medical humanities, posthumanism, literary and cultural studies, dystopian and utopian studies, and psychology.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367535698