True Names

Before Neuromancer and Snow Crash, there was Vinge's “True Names”, written in 1981. Hackers meet in cyberspace, a virtual representation of “data space” they call the “Other Plane”. Metaphors and symbols of magic are applied to this world - they are warlocks and wizards, they cast spells - modern-day sorcery in a completely networked world. There are battles in cyberspace, amassing computation power that goes to your head and makes you Gods, encryption schemes to trick those who control you because they know your true name, there's the NSA, conflicts over good and bad and governing authorities, a dormant yet evolving AI, even upload of consciousness. There's a lot in there (and it's a rather slim book) - ideas that Vinge doesn't nearly get enough credit for. I am glad I got here, finally.