Graduation Semester and Year

2015

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in English

Department

English

First Advisor

Stacy Alaimo

Abstract

While the term “cyberspace” first appears in William Gibson’s 1980’s Sprawl series, it arises from a culmination of information and communication technology and cybernetic theory development spanning the majority of the twentieth century. Further, the notion of cyberspace has existed and functioned since the advent of language and tool use and has always reached a global population of users. The recent recognition of cyberspace and its coinage occur as a result of how contemporary technology allows for much more instantaneous and extensive interaction across rapidly increasing distances and user bases. All media and technology, meaning all cyberspace operations, serve as extensions of the body, meaning cyberspace studies must focus on embodiment, not attempt to leave it. This study analyzes Gibson’s Sprawl series, pertinent science and technology studies, and media theory to present the body as the primary determinant for how cyberspace is constructed through its enactment with its users.

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | English Language and Literature

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

Download

Share

COinS