Little Brother's technology is very much of its time and there are tons of technological wonders explained in the course of the book. We get the feeling that Cory Doctorow is pretty pro-technology (okay, he's made that pretty clear himself in lots of his other writing).
But technology also has a dark side, and unlike Orwell's 1984, the technology in Little Brother all already existed in some form when it was published. Big Brother is watching. Both government and Xnetters use technology, but are they pursuing the same goals?
Questions About Technology and Modernization
- How would the technology in Little Brother change if it was set in 2100? In 1900?
- What value does technology have in this book? How does it affect characters' lives?
- Different kinds of tracking technology appear throughout the text. Have you experienced anything like them in your life?
- What's the relationship between security and technology? Can you have one without the other?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Technology can stop terrorist attacks.
Technology will always makes people's lives better.