Neuromancer

Neuromancer Glossary

ROM

read-only memory, a term used to describe memory and data storage in computers; it cannot be altered

RAM

random-access memory, a form of data storage and computer memory that can be altered

cybernetics

the science of automatic control functions, such as those in a computer or even the human brain

fence

an individual who moves stolen goods

superintelligence

an artificial intelligence or entity that is more intelligent than a human being

icebreaker program

a term popularized by Gibson and used widely in the "cyberpunk" genre, referring to a computer program that protects data from hackers

Chiba City

A Japanese city about twenty five miles east of Tokyo, located on the Tokyo Bay

artificial intelligence

often shortened to "AI"; a computer or machine that demonstrates a level of intelligence that mimics the way humans think, act, or reason

hustler

someone who must hustle or aggressively work to make ends meet in an entrepreneurial way

mycotoxin

a poison created out of fungi

psychotherapy

treatment that can help an individual make sense of their identity or recover from psychological trauma

Rastafari, Rastafarianism

a religion developed in the first half of the twentieth century in Jamaica

matrix

a synonym for virtual, computer-generated worlds pioneered by Gibson in Neuromancer

post-capitalism

a hypothetical society emerging after the fall or demise of capitalism

corporation

an organization that conducts or controls business

postmodernism

late-20th century literary style that rejected traditional forms of narrative

simulation

a false display or projection

hologram

a three-dimensional projection of light that creates an image

urban

relating to a city

jack

in Neuromancer, "jacking" into cyberspace means entering cyberspace through electric pads that connect to neurons known as dermatrodes