A starting point for the books, films, TV, comics, and games that inhabit the techno-noir dystopias we feared (and welcomed) in the 80s ... and probably live in today.
I realize The Matrix seems like a large omission from this list. Partially I left if off just because it doesn't particularly need more attention, and partially I've always been slightly put off by how much it's a direct pastiche of elements from previous cyberpunk, even if it gets some points for bringing it all to a mainstream audience.
I mention this just as context for a fun fact that puts a point on my opinion of The Matrix. If you watch episode 2 of Max Headroom (the American TV show version), you'll run into a character that is every inch Morpheus. Not in an "oh I guess he could have been an inspiration" way; it's just Morpheus.
A quick addendum.
I realize The Matrix seems like a large omission from this list. Partially I left if off just because it doesn't particularly need more attention, and partially I've always been slightly put off by how much it's a direct pastiche of elements from previous cyberpunk, even if it gets some points for bringing it all to a mainstream audience.
I mention this just as context for a fun fact that puts a point on my opinion of The Matrix. If you watch episode 2 of Max Headroom (the American TV show version), you'll run into a character that is every inch Morpheus. Not in an "oh I guess he could have been an inspiration" way; it's just Morpheus.