Research Hypertext Proposal

For my research hypertext I am going to address the question of how internet and technology have changed and affected people's lives, more specifically the lives of teenagers. The entire plot of the book is based on things that are brought about by technology, and all of Marcus' efforts against the DHS involve his extreme knowledge and skill in technology. His entire plan of undermining the DHS revolves around the internet, and he is a hero because of what he is able to do on the internet. Without it he would not have been able to have the same amount of impact. I think Doctorow addresses this question throughout the book because he shows that technology can enable the teens to undermine authority. He also emphasizes the effects that technology has upon the relationships among people. It allows the teenagers to come together and relate to each other through their common interest in it, yet at the same time it takes over their lives and leaves little room for real social interaction. Kids get so caught up in the excitement of technology that they often times forget about doing anything else, and they have relationships that are solely over the internet. Overall, I want to focus on the message that Doctorow emits of how technology can put too much power in the hands of the youth and limit their social interactions and communication to the internet.