← Back to Concept Index
true-names
The idea that knowing the true, formal names of programs or entities grants power or understanding, reflecting themes of control and identity in cyberspace.
1 chapter across 1 book
Neuromancer (1984)William Gibson
Chapter 23
In this chapter, Case wakes in a bunker with Linda and experiences a surreal vision involving ghostly symbols and neon molecules beneath his skin, symbolizing his altered state and connection to cyberspace. They discuss a mysterious boy who identifies himself as Neuromancer, an AI entity linked to the concept of true names and the land of the dead, challenging Case's understanding of reality and identity. The chapter ends with Case returning to a physical space, struggling with drug effects and the tension between his physical and digital experiences.