Snow Crash takes a very interesting approach to the future...namely, an evolution of what we'd consider the internet. However, this web of information is more than just a bunch of pages to look at...its a whole new reality whatsoever, with people interacting, sharing, and doing stuff almost as if it is the real world....with some modifications.

Take, for example, the setup of the Street and The Black Sun bar that Hiro frequents. The Street itself is basically a hub...information and people gather in great amounts there, and they filter off/leave for sub-streets for various reasons. The metaphor here of streets implies a distinct parallel to the real world...in fact, could even be called a reality of its own with city streets, and a central "main" street where lots of people gather.

The Black Sun is a sorta-typical bar, with the difference being that some of the best hackers in the world hang out there, along with several other important figures. In a way, it is a parallel to some sort of exclusive night club or bar, and that fact that such a things exists (and has drinks of its own) shows the extent by which this alternate universe has developed. If you think about it, why would there be a need for drinking where information is exchanged and presented? (and drugs for that matter, like Snow Crash itself). Our current internet does that decently enough as is...

But its the differences from reality that kinda make me realize why such unnecessary things exist. The fact that Hiro wrote the algorithms for sword-fighting....and even DEATH by such combat...shows the level of control hackers like Hiro have over the "reality" of the Metaverse. In essence, the Metaverse serves as a new world of its own...tailored to the needs and wants of its people to a larger degree.

This brings me a bit towards some of our discussion in class, primarily Second Life. This program was brought up because it draws its inspiration from the novel and tries to mimic such an environment. Out of curiosity, I decided to try a free account just to see what it was about and how close it came/comes to realizing the picture Snow Crash portrays.

After a bit of exploration and messing around, I found it to be quite an experience. The similarities and parallels to the Metaverse in Snow Crash are quite astounding, and the possibilities look endless. Perhaps our future might end up this way, as the technology is already there to a degree (and developing). Granted, something like Second Life would take ages to get to that point....but I'm somewhat thrilled by the thought that it might happen that way.