Nas entrelinhas da computação: Neuromancer como um conto cautelar

Abstract

This thesis performs a critical analysis of the elements present in the book Neuromancer, written by north-american author William Gibson and published in 1984, with its characters, locations, sceneries, types of portrayed technologies, etc, in light of studies of the Third Wave of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and of Science, Technology and Society (STS). Using content analysis as a tool to promote a qualitative research, it aims to identify the elements that can potentially serve as metaphores for artifacts and concepts of the real world linked to Computer Science. It is concluded that, despite Neuromancer not being admittedly a cautionary tale, many of the portrayed events are plausible. It is important to people, mostly the ones thar are inserted in the context of study, application and production of Computer Science, to reflect about the course that technological development takes and the relation of digital technologies with individuals and with society, from the design of a new artefact till the upkeep after its deployment.