Military Industrial Complex
The story takes place in a dystopic alternative version of America following a devastating war fought using drone technology. The technology which was developed to engage in military conflict without putting the lives of actual human soldiers at risk would later be adapted for commercial use. Neuronic warfare begets the neurographic network which ultimately leads to the Sentre Stimulus Mode 6 neurocaster. This virtual reality device becomes addictive and devastating to human society. This theme is a commentary on the longstanding tradition of technology being developed initially for military weaponry which is then repurposed for the production of mass commercial use.
Dehumanization
A major character is presented as the robot companion of the human protagonist. Eventually, the truth is more complex as this character is divulged to be far more human than he seems. The Sentre Stimulus Mode 6 is an intentionally addictive virtual reality device that leaves many users little more than drooling intellectual zombies. Throughout the book are images of people who lie either literally dead or figuratively worthless while still hooked up to the disturbing animal-like design of the VR headset. The American landscape has become a nightmarish vision of giant eyeballs staring with dead eyes from massive billboards advertising the Sentre Stimulus. Actual human beings are in short supply in these ominous illustrations and those show up are notably lacking in humanity. Almost needless to add is that sex robots have become mainstream and yet still do not seem to provide any actual emotional or physical satisfaction.
Addiction
It is not really the war fought with drones that turn the world into a dystopian wasteland. It is the consequence of adapting that technology for commercial use with the neurocaster device. The use of this virtual technology headset becomes so addictive that people stop interacting with each other unless it is through a shared use of the technology. The narrator offers insight made by another character who suggests that one of the most negative consequences of addiction is that it stimulates a lack of capacity for self-respect and the acceptance of responsibility. The illustrations which accompany the text offer multiple examples of VR addicts situated in isolation from the rest of the world even when the two addicts are co-enablers of each other.
