Technology’s control over human beings is exemplified in the relationship between technology and power. Michel Foucault remarks that “‘Discipline’ may be identified neither with an institution nor with an apparatus; it is a type of power, a modality for its exercise, comprising a whole set of instruments, techniques, procedures, levels of application, targets; it is a ‘physics’ or an ‘anatomy’ of power, a technology” (215). In other words, knowledge has become the new source of power. Knowledge is power, especially technological knowledge. There is a typical “field of power” depicted in Gibson’s cyberpunk novels where everyone is watched and controlled by technological controllers in a super Panopticon. Super Panopticon theory is put forward by Mark Poster who combines the Panopticon theory of Foucault with the emergence of databases in developed capitalist society. The Panopticon is an enclosed, segmented space where people are monitored at all times. There, everyone is embedded in a fixed position, even the smallest movements are monitored, and everything is recorded. With the advancement of electronic computers, the Panopticon has evolved along with them, and the ability to monitor human behavior has also improved over time. Power can reach the whole society through the “capillary” extension of the network as long as people are using it. Cyberspace is just like the super Panopticon and it has the highest level of surveillance.
2.2 Economic Aspect: Technology Conspires with Capital
Marcuse states that “the equation: technical progress = growing social wealth (the rising GNP!) = extended servitude is the law of capitalist progress” (CRR 3). This equation still holds true in modern society. With the rapid development of technology, productivity has increased dramatically, resulting in increased wealth in society. In other words, the advancement of technology makes it possible to create more wealth. It should be noted, however, that the continuous integration of capital and technology has increased capital’s exploitation of ordinary people. The rich people enjoy leisurely afternoon tea and seek ways to live forever while the majority of the world’s population lives in poverty, sexuality, violence and struggles to survive. Technology is monopolized by a few individuals and groups, further deepening the control and subjugation of human beings. It confirms the characteristics of cyberpunk novels - the coexistence of “high technology” and “low life”.
Firstly, technology helps capital expand further. In Neuromancer, Molly shares a piece of her work experience, renting her body to make money. The brothel has become more advanced with high-tech enhancements: the nerves of women are cut off by high-tech chips, so the owner of the body is unconscious while the flesh is being used. This kind of brothels are very popular in Sprawl city. Lots of women who are short of money choose to rent their bodies temporarily as “meat puppets”. As Molly reveals this kind of business is also profitable. “‘The boss had a whole little clientele going for me. Nothing’s too good for Molly, the boss says, and gives me this shit raise.’ She shook her head. ‘That prick was charging eight times what he was paying me’” (Gibson, N 158). The boss makes a lot of money as a result. However, as capital and technology have expanded, exploitation has increased too. Then the boss of the brothel closes the software and rents Molly’s body in specialty markets in order to make more money. Molly wakes up when her body is “into this routine with a customer” (Ibid.) because the customer disturbs her cut-
