 Thematic discussions of Shadowrun, A deeper, more sensitive thread |
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 May 25 2006, 09:02 PM
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#1
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Dragon  Group: Members Posts: 4,589 Joined: 28-November 05 Member No.: 8,019  |
I'll start with a few questions.
First, the question of artificiality. Has anyone ever allowed the artificiality inherent in pretty much everything in cyberpunk to get to their characters? I don't just mean snack foods, cyberware, and meat puppets; I mean everything being a money-making scheme and the result of extensive market research, whether it's a stupid action simsense or nature friendly clothes or the Evo retreat in Hawaii. |
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May 26 2006, 01:55 AM
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#2
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,156 Joined: 15-March 03 From: Fresno, CalFree Member No.: 4,252 |
Everything already is that. |
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May 26 2006, 02:00 AM
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#3
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,589 Joined: 28-November 05 Member No.: 8,019 |
Including love and personal conviction?
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May 26 2006, 02:06 AM
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#4
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Beetle Eater Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 4,797 Joined: 3-June 02 From: Oblivion City Member No.: 2,826 |
Are you really asking that question in a world of Hallmark cards and Mail-Order Brides, Televangelists and War On X?
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May 26 2006, 02:06 AM
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#5
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,589 Joined: 28-November 05 Member No.: 8,019 |
How do your characters handle this artificiality?
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May 26 2006, 02:07 AM
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#6
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 684 Joined: 8-April 06 From: My dorm room Member No.: 8,438 |
Ever seen a romantic comedy or heard a presidential speech? If so, I don't see why you're asking this question.
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May 26 2006, 02:09 AM
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#7
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Beetle Eater Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 4,797 Joined: 3-June 02 From: Oblivion City Member No.: 2,826 |
They join in, playing the Jolly Reaper for Sale. |
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May 26 2006, 02:13 AM
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#8
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,589 Joined: 28-November 05 Member No.: 8,019 |
I know all this; I'm just wondering how an SR character would respond to this artificiality. And I don't mean the obvious; how do they deal with falsehoods that creep up on them? Cyberpunk isn't just "Let's escape from corporate-sponsored sexual encounters into true, fulfilling romance!" In Count Zero, it's shown that the latter can be duplicated. How do your characters deal with the fact that anything natural and true can be duplicated? Do they shrug it off, or do they hide from the world?
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May 26 2006, 03:14 AM
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#9
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 903 Joined: 7-February 03 Member No.: 4,025 |
The world I run is a Holden Caufield (sp) kind of place. Where almost everyone is phoney and in it for themselves, usually just to turn a few quick nuyen. The few exceptions, however, are what my stories tend to revolve around. Somebody with real principles trying to survive in such a world. Or a truly exceptional entity who has the means to fight for what (to them) is right. But like I said, those are the noteworthy exceptions.
I'm loathe to compare SR to Gibson in the literary perspective. (Not to disrespect either...but that's for another thread, I suppose.) But as for the theme you're describing, check out the novel "Noir," by an English author whose name I can't recall. |
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May 26 2006, 03:39 AM
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#10
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,589 Joined: 28-November 05 Member No.: 8,019 |
Like my guy. :D
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May 26 2006, 03:55 AM
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#11
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 204 Joined: 27-October 05 From: Waterloo, ON Member No.: 7,900 |
K.W. Jeter, who also wrote the two sequels of the Blade Runner story.
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