The Soul of the New Machine
Over the last two decades, a technological revolution has occurred as computers have become essential to our society. The rapid development of computer technologies has brought people infinite convenience and a higher standard of living. However, increasing numbers of people have lost their souls and identities because of excessively immersing their lives in the cyberspace. In high-tech corporations, many employees lack social skills, forming their own unique computer culture. This cultural phenomenon is interesting in that it challenges the meaning of modern technology in the terms of seeking a better life. In Microserfs, Douglas Coupland explores the nature of life through the eyes of a code tester at Microsoft, Daniel Underwood. Through Daniel's diary, we come to see the aimlessness of the computer geeks' life, one that is dependent upon computers and modern technology. Coupland describes his character's attempt to find the meaning of life in an environment devoid of social or personal lives, addressing the significance of human contact and interaction in today's society. Coupland uses the diary style, appeals to the emotions, compares humans and machines, and explores changes in characters'
Coupland, Douglas. Microserfs. New York: HarperCollins, 1995. At the end of the novel, Michael, who is a pioneer life miner and the founder of the new company !Oops, finds love and intimacy. Coupland illustrates Michael's character development in the effort he makes to develop his love with Amy, a woman he keeps in contact with for more than a year without ever knowing she is a woman. This supports Coupland's points that true love, which is far beyond the anonymity of e-mail, can raise the hope in people's lives and fill the vacancy in one's heart. In the beginning, Michael is Bill's (imply Bill Gates) loyal warrior, willing to lock himself in the office for almost 24 hours to meet the shipping deadline. He, like other computer geeks, invests his entire body and mind in the computer world, ignoring the existence of love and human closeness. This is why many computer geeks feel their life so empty, and have problems gauging their meaning in society. However, Coupland shows us that when love from Amy shines upon the deserted and uncultivated portion of Michael's heart, he feels its power and realizes that life is not all about computer coding. Therefore, he decides to transform his life into one that is more balanced, fulfilled, and delightful. He tells Daniel, "Sometimes when I'm loneliest, life looks the most dreadful and I don't want to be here. On earth, I mean. I want to be...out there. He pointed to the sun coming in a window, a beam coming down, and the sky over the Bay. The thought of BarCode is the only being that keeps me tethered to earth" (322). Michael does not say computer or coding "keeps [him] tethered to earth" but a human being. This is a turning point in his character development. He changes his life's focus from coding from 24 hours in front of computer, to someone who makes him feel love. Thus, readers gain a greater understanding of the power of love in a person's life. Illustrating Michael's character change through love, Coupland points out the significance and influence of love in all people's lives. Coupland also uses the character development of Daniel, Abe, and Michael to reinforce his argument about the importance of intimacy and love, depicting those characters regaining their lives through love. Daniel is the first to expose his eagerness for love with his girlfriend Karla. He cannot escape the bitterness of his life until he builds this close relationship with Karla. Coupland writes, "Karla and I felt like the last couple on earth, walking through the emptiness. We felt like Adam and Eve" (211). What a touching scene! What a delightful relationship our souls desire! It is, in fact, difficult for readers to believe the changes Daniel makes and see the same character at the beginning of the book. One who is unsatisfied with living in a home-Microsoft-Costco three-point line life and struggling to retain his soul and identity in an increasingly confusing environment. The audience sees the strong contrast through this character development, which ultimately vindicates Coupland's points about the importance of love in one's life. The amazing effects produced by changes in the character strike readers' hearts about the power of love. Love is a loyal fruit of intimacy, and life without love is a vacant. Indeed, all the audience shares Daniel's love and is happy for him. By making references to "walking through emptiness," readers understand that Daniel is able to completely forget his computer and work, immersing himself in the space produced by love and i
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Approximate Word count = 2386
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)
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