Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom - My Favorite Scene (Not Really a Spoiler)

[Sandi]

I could hardly wait for discussion to start on "Down and Out..." because I just have to point out my favorite scene...

The Snowcrash parade!!!!

Could you get any further from Disney than "Snowcrash"?

[Matt]

Sandi, I had forgotten about this scene until you mentioned it. As I thought more about it, I began to see other parallels in this book to 'Snowcrash'. Two come to mind:

First - the embedded network interfaces in humans. I believe that Hiro encounters a freelance journalist type fellow towards the beginning of 'Snowcrash' that has similar modifications.

Second - the idea of the "post-geographic" nation. This is somewhat common in Cyberpunk, where it is implied that geographical countries such as the United States "went away" at some point in the near past. A person's citizenship is then defined as almost a tribal affiliation or club membership type thing. This seems to be what Doctorow has turned Disneyland into.

[Jen]

Interesting... and I thought it was just a nod to the book/author. I honestly didn't give it much thought beyond that.

[Sandi]

I didn't give it much thought beyond that either, Jen.

I do think though that the Bitchun society seems to be even more of a social breakdown than the world of "Snowcrash". In "Snowcrash", America is run by corporations. In the Bitchun society, even the corporations seem to have disappeared. Disney World is not run by Disney corporation. It's not even run by a single entity. It's kept running by fans.