Prompt 9

In Neuromancer, a lot of different bodies are presented, bodies which are using the futuristic technology to enhance the abilities of their body, obscure the nature of the body, and even leave the body entirely. Out of these, I find the most fascinating to be the character Molly. I find her intriguing because of her use of body as a means to accomplish her goals. The way that she accomplishes this is very fascinating, because it is embracing the human body and using it as a foundation to be improved upon in interesting and innovative ways, as compared to simply being forgone entirely, as in Case’s case. Molly’s modifications make her able to interact with her natural world in new ways, like being able to see in the dark, and use her claws as tools and weapons. As well, Molly used her body (not her mind) as a means of making money, by being a meat puppet. This contrasts with Case further, who uses his mind alone, not his body , as he works as a cowboy. Case and Molly make two vastly different arguments with their bodies. Case rejects the body, while Molly embraces it. Molly enhances her body, while Case works endlessly to escape it. Through the experience of the matrix, Case can leave his body behind. But with Molly’s modifications, she can lift many restrictions the body has through her modifications. She can become more formidable of a fighter with her claws, which are always with her, as well as be able to survive more easily in her environment with her clock read-out and night vision. Her lenses probably also protect her from UV rays, so she gets protection from the elements better than a normal human. In this way, Molly goes beyond the limits of a natural human, but still uses it as an important foundation.

Prompt 8 - Extra Credit

One can express oneself in a variety of ways, including forms like formal writing, as well as different media like body modification. All of these forms of expression serve different purposes, and therein lies why we do them differently. In formal writing, one is expressing oneself in a clear, proper, and respectful manner, so one can be understood and give the impression of being intelligent and informed. This is where the composition comes in; standard composition allows for maximum clarity in formal writing. To allow oneself’ to be understood in this medium is a powerful tool, as writing is such a high-impact medium in today’s society. Things like art could also be translated to writing. Technical drawings like architects do, or drawings for design, are also important in conveying information, and I’d correlate that form of art to formal writing. Another closely related one is film, especially documentary film. When one chooses a medium for expression, the deciding factor of what it is is what is intended to be expressed. More individualistic things lend themselves to more informal methods of expression, while conveying of information palatable to all is best conveyed in a more formal way. Not only the subject is important, but the audience, as well. Who is to perceive this which one wants to express, and how do they relate to author? One could also consider the audience’s relationship to the subject; how it would be best interpreted and understood by them. All parts of the rhetorical triangle are used in determining what media one chooses, and to what degree of formality, if it is a general medium like writing or visual media. It’s important to learn how to do these things, for maximum benefit in society as we know it today.