Snow Crash

tephenson's novel snow crash is a modern day LSD trip. How he manages to incorporate elements of our modern world, with his predicted future world and the Metaverse is unfathomable to me. The two worlds that are represented in this futuristic depiction are disturbing and unconventional, but may not be a complete fabrication. The concept of "thrashers" eluding police by simply running two blocks across "White column" community lines is an exaggeration. Yet when compared to today’s world, I don’t believe it is completely false. Look at areas of Los Angeles that once upon a time were massive chunks of prime real estate have since been divided into smaller sub-communities that seek to shut certain social classes out of their world. An interesting correlation to Stephenson's reality is the Metaverse. The perception given from Hiro's testimony is that it is a place where you can be anything you want to be. Well this is partly true, but only because he has superior computing skills. This allowed him to get on the ground floor of the Metaverse and stake himself a claim in the software. This alternate reality is open to anyone (people who can afford it that is), but it still is defined by competing social classes. The Black Sun is a perfect example; Hiro's status allows him to walk into the club untouched, while thousands sit like minions awaiting their next order. In snow crash there are still social lines drawn in reality and as well as other competing definitions of reality. In this case Metaverse may have alternate impacts on people’s lives. These can different impacts can be seen in the relationship of YT and Hiro. Hiro has an escape to his magical world where as YT has to deal with the reality of spending the night in the Clink. In closing even I believe that no matter what reality you are in, whether it is a dream world, virtual reality, or present reality there will always be distinct classes that have a hierarchal order. Now what exactly that order will be based upon is unbeknownst to me, but I think Stephenson has a comfortable grip on it: Technology and the possession of the almighty dollar.