General Question About Christian Cyberpunk Plot Ideas

[Den]

I know of the following technologies: Cyborgs, Synthetic Presence, Robots, Virtual Reality, Cloning, Genetic Engineering, Nanites. Not to mention mind altering drugs, abortion, Eugenics, or assisted suicide, and all manners of ideas such as evolution. What else is out there that I am missing?

This is a good place to talk about each of them run amok and a way for Christian authors to build their worlds around them.

[Stan]

I think in the US we are beginning to get a good glimpse of post-Christian morality, especially in the area of sexual misconduct. While I don't think we should focus heavily on that one specific issue, the question of morality could be a good one to explore. I like this theme, especially where AI is concerned. What would give an AI any moral code or sense of morality? Would an AI be able to learn and override illogical morality, when morality is viewed from a purely rational point of view. There are still plenty of post-moderns in the US who claim no absolutes, but who live under the lingering protection of the Judeo-Christian worldview they have thrown aside. An AI would really give no heed to such thinking, would it?

Ultimately, writing conveys worldview. So, why not take a look at a cyberpunk worldview through the eyes of an AI? I'm thinking "Lord of the Flies" with technology. Then, how would Christians relate to that reality? Would there be any impetus from non-Christians to stop such an AI? What would be there motivations? Would those motivations be the same or different than those of Christians? Could the two work together or would they be so radically different that they could not do so.

A similar vein could be explored where the effects of cybernetic implants are concerned. The general idea in Cyberpunk is the more machine a person becomes, the less person remains.

If you haven't watched The Expanse, I'd recommend it. There are some mature elements to the show, so know that going into it. The first season left me wondering whether it was a Mormon apologetic due to the way it portrays the world(s) alongside the Mormons. You see how bad things are and then you see the Mormons. In reality, they don't show how bad things really can be, but that world is clearly not the world I would want to live in.

I wonder if our Christian fiction, in general, is too sterile? Though, I'm not a fan of making it profane either. But, we've got to ask who is our desired audience? If we're writing to reach lost people, are we writing something they would read?

Anyway, there is a little bit to get the conversation moving.

[Den]

A lot of good, well written food for thought there, Stan. I'll probably come back later when I am in a pondering mood and start to break it down. I do agree with what you said about sterile and profane. I agree with you. I don't like either one.

[Stan]

I'll be happy to process through it with you as I have time. Hopefully others will join in as well.

[Den]

Stan wrote: "I'll be happy to process through it with you as I have time. Hopefully others will join in as well."

Love that idea, Stan. First, I'll have to confirm there is interest in a sequel. The book is getting lots of support from people. I want to see if the trickle of downloads slows down or not.