Snow Crash

A novel by Neal Stephenson (1992). de: ISBN 344245302X Snow_Crash

"This Snow Crash - what is it? Drug, Virus, or Religion?" "What's the difference?"

Snow Crash is both, a computer virus, capable of infecting the brains of unwary hackers in the Metaverse, and a drug in reality being marketed through a nearly-untraceable chain of sources. The Metaverse can be accessed through public-access terminals in reality (low visual quality of the rendered avatar) or through a private terminal, making it possible to customize your avatar, is possible from almost any location using portable devices. In the Metaverse, status is a function of two things: access to restricted environments (such as the Black Sun, an exclusive Metaverse club) and technical acumen (often demonstrated by the sophistication of one's avatar).

Science Fiction Inventions From Snow Crash
 * Arachnofiber Uniforms - Spidey delivers pizza
 * Avatar - godlike poseurs
 * Burbclave - autonomous suburban enclave
 * CIC Virtual Earth - google earth
 * Data Goggles - immerse yourself in the matrix
 * Dentata - anti-rape device worn internally
 * Hypercard - it sure carries a lot of weight
 * Loglo - highway light signature
 * Loogie Gun - can't we have nonviolent AND sanitary?
 * MagnaPoon - as in harpoon
 * Smart Box - your pizza knows if it's late
 * Smart Wheels - variable length spokes
 * U-Stor-It - go store yourself

related: Cyberpunk