Exolymph was a cyberpunk newsletter, sunsetted in January, 2018. While it was still active, Exolymph offered a cynical take on how technology is changing the world.
Exolymph’s Grand Theory of Cyberpunk is laid out in an essay on Ribbonfarm.
The archives are here on the website and syndicated through Medium. The Facebook page is occasionally updated and Exolymph’s creator is active on Twitter.
“Exo” as in “exoskeleton” and “lymph” as in “lymph nodes” — feel free to puzzle out the symbolism for yourself.
“Cyberpunk examines the way computing changes power relationships. Asymmetric information warfare has become the norm, as foretold by our pulpy sci-fi prophets. The technological changes that have been snowballing over the past fifty years now mean that anyone can talk to anyone, anywhere, with their identity hidden or not.” — “The Cyberpunk Sensibility”
“A human is a complex and finicky device. You can’t just buy one and let it be. They need daily care and maintenance. A responsible owner also has to keep an eye out for patches — security updates and plugins for boosted functionality are available frequently. It’s important to stay current! Listen, I’m not trying to discourage you. Just consider your level of commitment before making a purchase. These are very special gadgets.” — “Anti-Nausea Luxury Engineering”
The QR code to subscribe, mainly included because it’s neat to look at.
“We talk about our IPO like it’s the deus ex machina coming down from on high to save us — like it’s an inevitability, like our stock options will lift us out of our existential dread, away from the collective anxiety that ebbs and flows. Realistically, we know it could be years before an IPO, if there’s an IPO at all; we know in our hearts that money is a salve, not a solution.” — “Uncanny Valley” by Anna Wiener
“Surveillance has become so normal — you’re being watched constantly, all the time. Watched and recorded. It’s mundane. No one pays attention to most of the footage, but your presence and your actions are preserved.” — “We’re All Watching, But Why?”
Design by Way Spurr-Chen.
“Granting that we’ve kind of dropped the ball on the ‘most righteous’ possibility, I think the wickedness option really plays to our strengths.” — Unsong by Scott Alexander
“Coercion is a basic component of societal structures that accomplish things and manage to self-perpetuate. Are fear-based incentives good? Are they virtuous? No, of course not. But they get the job done.” — “I Swear I’m Not A Statist”
