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Abstract

This paper reconceptualizes human/machine binaries by examining Neil Stephenson’s Snow Crash in light of Donna Haraway's cyborg theory. The study analyzes how the text of the novel anticipates and challenges the symbiosis of machines and mankind and exposes the volatile nature of identity as digital convergences are becoming more common. The novel presents a revolutionary space represented by the Metaverse—a digital landscape populated with avatars as extensions of people, where human characters are cyborgs themselves as they use technology to extend their capabilities and push against the boundaries of social constructions. The modern world offers a deeply complex interplay of physical and virtual realities where cyborg identities transcend boundaries of individuality and agency. The exploratory element of the research is fulfilled by using the qualitative method for the study. According to Haraway, the world constitutes an intersection of humanity and technology as it is a monstrous fusion of animals and machines. The paper contends that Stephenson’s narrative not only reflects an amalgamation of human life and technology but also poses critical questions regarding the nature of human identity in a posthuman age. An analysis of Snow Crash through the framework of cyborg theory reveals that human agency and control in a posthuman and post-identity world become tenuous as the traditional notions regarding the existence of the human race in a society permeated by technology are being challenged. Essentially, this research addresses concerns surrounding posthumanism and digital identity and provides a structure for future studies on virtual environments.
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