Welcome to 'Cyberculture'

Contemporary urban lifestyle necessitates the merger of traditional culture and technology; yielding what is commonly referred to as ‘cyberculture’.

This is evidenced in our increasing dependency on machines in carrying out our daily activities, such as waking up in the morning (alarm clock), brushing your teeth (electric toothbrush), making breakfast (stove, microwave, kettle, and toaster), etc.

In the greater scheme of things ‘cyberculture’ is primarily understood in terms of communication networks, software and programming. However, ‘cyberculture’ also constitutes “artificial intelligence, virtual reality, artificial life, and the human-computer interface” (Lister et al. 2003: 287).

In addition to the above, ‘cyberculture’ explores the:
- “construction and politics of artificial life
- “complexity and technological resources of organic bodies
- and “the indissociability of biological and technological systems”
(Lister et al. 2003: 287).

To help you contextualise the above, simply consider movies such as Blade Runner (1982, 1992),Gattica (1997),The Matrix (1999), ),Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001), and i, Robot (2004).



Although some of the prospects envisioned in these ‘cyberpunk’ science fictional movies appear farfetched, some of theme actually point to current developments in science technology. As a result, ‘cyberpunk’ science fiction has been “accorded the status of a sociology of new media cultures” (Lister et al. 2003: 288).

The sciences pertaining to these facets of ‘cyberculture’ are “biotechnology, robotics and AI research, genetics and genomics” (Lister et al. 2003: 287).

Research surrounding ‘cyberculture’ often explores the relationship between culture, technology, and nature. As a result, these studies fall under what is now understood as ‘cybercultural studies’.

‘Cybercultural studies’ also explores the blurred “distinctions between science fiction, sociology and philosophy” (Lister et al. 2003: 288). This post is a first of a series of explorations into these blurred distinctions.