Thank You, Neal Stephenson: A Look at the Future Through the Lens of 'Snow Crash' and 'The Diamond Age'

In a world increasingly defined by disruptive technologies and the corporatization of societal structures, the speculative fiction of Neal Stephenson provides not just escapism, but a profound exploration of our potential futures. 'Snow Crash' and 'The Diamond Age,' two of Stephenson's most significant works, present visions of the future that have not only enthralled readers but also shaped discourses in technology, culture, and philosophy.

In the early '90s, 'Snow Crash' introduced us to the concept of the Metaverse - a collective virtual shared space - long before the dawn of today's virtual and augmented reality technologies. 'The Diamond Age' followed suit, portraying a world transformed by nanotechnology and advanced AI education systems. But these books did more than just envision futuristic technologies; they delved deep into the societal implications of these advancements, presenting a future where corporate entities wield immense power, and where the utopian promise of techno…