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Contents 1 Notes, links and resources 2 Outline 2.1 Sociological imagination in Rainbows End 2.2 Unanticipated consequences of technological development 2.3 Major and minor themes 2.3.1 Medicine 2.3.2 Growth of internet community 2.3.3 Growth of ubiquitous computing 2.3.4 Growth of data-mining capability 2.3.5 Others? 2.4 References

[edit] Notes, links and resources

[edit] Outline

Vernor Vinge's novel, Rainbows End, is set in the relatively near future. In doing this, Vinge is able to expand upon many trends in today's society using his sociological imagination. The aim of this article is to systematically detail those expansions in a manner that the sociologist or sociology student can use to further their understanding of the novel and the sociological trends.

[edit] Sociological imagination in Rainbows End

Vinge's sociological imagination allowed him to expand upon many current trends in Rainbows End, projecting them a few steps into the future. Examples of this include the medical advances that restore Robert Gu's health, the advance of technology as evidenced in wearables and other hardware, and the changes in education as witnessed by the assigned projects in the high school Gu attends.

Some of these changes, such as wearable technology, are already being seen in the production of items such as the hug shirt, which projects and physically manifests through clothing the feel of a friend hugging you, matching even things such as pressure, heat, and heartbeat. Stem cell research, a current hot topic of debate, could result in medical advances such as cures for Alzheimer's and certain genetic diseases. Both of these ideas are expanded upon in the novel, as a result of Vinge's inherent sociological imagination.

[edit] Unanticipated consequences of technological development

This article also relates to the Sociological Imagination.

Starks' book tells us "we can understand ourselves and our intimates much better if we can place ourselves within a larger framework" [7]. Sociological imagination refers to the growth of society as a whole and how it can ultimately effect us as individuals technologically, economically, politically, etc. As we evolve so must the very framework we live upon. Within the story virus's manipulate and change to remain effective, medicine effects some, not all and the future of many ideas are born within vocational school as it is built for success.

With that said, taking a closer look at each of these advancements reveals both positive and negative effects on society. The constant access to the internet through contact lenses and clothing is a prime example of advantages/disadvantages. As this technology allows the users to private message and disguise themselves in social situations for, in Rainbows End, government work, it allows for a safer and more efficient way to deal with threats to national security, yet at the same time is compromising to the privacy of the public. This is only the icing on the cake, not the root of what exemplifies SI.

The vocational track within Rainbows End has geared away from assignments based upon one correct answer and focuses more on projects that help students learn how they can effect society and the future as a whole. One of the students allow children from two different countries across the Earth play in harmony digitally. Another example is a water purifier that eventually goes into serious development. As society undergoes change so does very the structure. This can be compared to a more current idea such as computers. The integration of computer learning skills within schools results in children being more technologically savvy then many adults. With our generation, children as young as ten now carry cell phones. These advancements expand our connection with the rest of the world at a much younger age. As we change constantly so do risks. This expanded environment we can now connect with leaves us more open to harm, just as we can use it to our advantage, so can those who wish to do wrong.

Rainbows End shows how we can get out of hand and take technology much to far. A project is proposed to shred all of the books in the USCD library and digitally archive them, thus defeating the purpose of books. Though the internet can have an index, glossary and table of contents, picking up a book to read is far different. As you can take the book anywhere and engage yourself much more. This concept can be somewhat related to Farhenheit 911 which leads to the destruction of certain unapproved literature.

This novel shows us that society is a machine that cannot be stopped or slowed. We must constantly adapt to change and advancement or fall into a state where we will not be able to function with the rest of the world. Only through interaction will we continually grow, as will potential consequence and advantage. Individuals will always attempt to compromise what society does as a whole, but will only motivate us to strive for the better.

[edit] Major and minor themes

[edit] Medicine

The ideas Vinge uses in Rainbows End to describe modern medicine seem as if they are miracles, but in reality the rate of advancement in technology and medicine make Vinge's ideas possible in the future. In Rainbows End, modern medicine is described as a minefield made in heaven. The meaning is that medicine has treatments and cures for a lot of illness, but there are still many problems that cannot be fixed. Whether or not one's illness can be cured is left up to what the problem is, a type of hit or miss situation as in a minefield. In the story, Robert Gu is cured of his Alzheimer's and his body is able to regenerate and reverse, to an extent, his aging process. Gu was once a world famous poet that taught at Universities and had a large following for his work. In his time he was as successful in his field as one could dream of. When he is cured and regenerated, his struggle is to begin to find his place in this society filled with new technology where his skills and accomplishments do not amount to much.

Gu is one of many people that struggle fitting into society once they are healed. This opens many sociological questions that look to answer how medicine has an impact on society. Things such as what roles these people are to fill, if they can be successful again, if they have the resources to do something with their lives, if they will be classified separately, and how they will be seen can all be taken into account to understand medicine's impact. Though these older people have problems learning new technology and concepts, there are programs set up to try and help them. Gu is able to enroll at a local high school and take basic classes that allow for a sort of re-education into learning. In terms of stratification, are goods and services be distributed differently to these people compared to others? Though they struggle, these people are given the resources and opportunity to do something with themselves. This is needed because now that they will be alive longer, they will need an income to live off of. Without the ability to learn new skills or to be educated with new technology and ideas, they would not be able to get jobs. Historically, people have looked to their elders for information, advice, and wisdom. The problem with medicine keeping people alive for much longer then they naturally would is that other than family ties, there is not a great use for them. As seen in the story, children have a better understanding of the things around them and the older generations are forced to look to the younger ones for advice and guidance. This is a sort of role change for the two age groups. Sociologically, the accepted norms of the past that put these older people into their roles in society are not there anymore. As life goes on, ones role changes with time, but for these people they have a problem fitting into a role because it is not natural. This leads to a kind of prejudice towards them. They do not have a set place in society and people do not have much use for them. In a way, they are seen as a waste if they cannot understand the technology and world around them, and are looked down upon especially by they young people. In the prime of his life, Robert Gu could have been classified as an upper class citizen. He had a job, was good at what he did, and had a life to fall back on. After medicine cured him and gave him another chance at life, he was initially left without that life and the class he was once in. The problems that these people face could be similar in the realistic future. The ability to keep large numbers of people alive and well for longer than they naturally would can have sociological effects. It will give a whole new group of people to study and make sociological connections with.

However, keeping people alive longer is not the only advance in medicine. Since the discovery of DNA and stem cells, scientists have begun to seriously look into the possibility of curing genetic diseases evident at birth, such as cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, and sickle-cell disease. One must wonder, then, what would happen to the children whose deaths were prevented by these cures, based on their genetic makeup. There is the possibility that they could become doctors, lawyers, scientists, even the next world leader. There is also the possibility, however, that those lives saved could turn out to be the next criminal mastermind. Is the risk worth the benefit? How can society as a whole benefit from these medical advances? Where do these children who are saved, and these adults whose aging is reversed, fit into a world that has advanced beyond them? These are the questions Vinge asks his readers through this novel.

Another point to be made concerns overpopulation. Already, in places such as China, there is such a population overgrowth that the countries are instituting population control laws. This idea is explored in other science fiction novels, such as Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. Vinge carefully avoids this scenario in his description of Heaven's Minefield- some people just cannot be cured, and will die. But the novel does not extend far enough to address the complications arising from extended lifespans. In exploring medical advances now, however, we must keep this in mind.

The idea of a miracle cure isn't new. Throughout history, multiple times have accidental discoveries led to incredible, even miraculous advances in technology. The discovery of the smallpox vaccine and penicillin are just two of many examples. Rainbows End leads the reader to project this idea into the future, and asks the reader, "What will the next accident lead to? What will the next miracle cure be? And why not something else?"

[edit] Growth of internet community

Integral to the entire novel, the internet is represented as an omnipotent element that anyone wearing a "Wearable" and a specially designed contact lens can access nearly anywhere. Because of this, communication is an ubiquitous presence and possible everywhere. Consequently, these computers also allow one to "silent message" someone, which is a form of instant messaging and enables one to hold a silent conversation whenever one is unable to speak aloud. These technological advancements have allowed almost constant communication anytime one wished, thus connecting a large percentage of the population and allowing communication with anyone world-wide. Thus, with the ability to communicate nearly anywhere and at any time, one is only really limited by who they wish to contact, which encourages the growth of online communities.

The most obvious example of this in the novel is the "battle" between the fictional members of the "Scooch-a-mout" community, which is based around designing fictional monsters to fight other ones, and the fans of the novels of fictional author Jerry Hacek series, "Dangerous Knowledge." These two groups are combating over whether the library of the University of California, San Diego should adopt digitalized books or not. With the advanced technology allowing one to theoretically be anywhere there's internet service, the novel states that "hundreds of thousands" of players take part in this battle. Today, this is only possible with a Massively multiplayer online game, like World of Warcraft, and even then the player is restricted to just their home computer, not a virtual reality experience.

Another way this idea is presented is through Robert's and Juan's project for Ms. Chumlig's class. Their teacher Ms. Chumlig had assigned her students to do creative projects in which the students were asked to make something and present it to an audience. Robert and Juan project involved them bringing together two choirs: one from Boston and one from Chile and having them perform an adaptation of Beethoven's European anthem written by the two. The unique aspect of their project was that both choirs were in their respective city/country, thus they were being projected using the internet. By utilizing the internet community, the two were able to bring the two choirs together in one place and have them perform at almost the exact same time. The technology was far from perfect in it synchronization, however, as evidenced when Robert needs to control the flow of information to project the voices at once.

[edit] Growth of ubiquitous computing

One recurring and very essential element of the novel is role computers play on society. In the society of the novel, having a computer of some sort, whether it is a wearable or a touchscreen "view page", is nearly essential to get by. Thus, possessing and being able to use the modern computers is needed, which plays a large role in Robert's life, since he has to take a class at the nearby high school in order to learn how to use Wearables and the like. With the ability to use a computer, and thus the internet, at any, one is able to pull up information about most things immediately, which is demonstrated by several of the characters. This changes how these characters interact, because explanations only ever become necessary between two people "wearing" if they are in a place with no internet service. Also, another unique aspect of the Wearable is the ability to project oneself anywhere where there is internet access, and allows one to be where it would difficult to go by normal means. This is shown with Robert's granddaughter Miri, whom he often notices "talking to herself" when in fact she is meeting with friends who are projecting themselves. Robert isn't able to see them because he doesn't have a lens at the time, but Miri is because she has one. With this, people are able to meet and not have to worry about normal physical boundaries and constraints.

[edit] Growth of data-mining capability

[edit] Others?

The idea of the "The Strength of Weak Ties," can also be seen in the novel. Proposed by sociologist Mark Granovetter, the theory states that one is benefited from having a large number of weak ties, since they provide an network of information through one could hear of such things as job opportunities. This is represented in the novel through the character of Juan Orozco, who is asked by another character to set up "affiliances", a form of money making opportunity, with the Adult Education students at his school. For these Adult Education Students, which include the characters of Winston Blount, Xui Xiang and Robert Gu, this opportunity is brought about being classmates with Juan. Since neither of the three are friends with him, they only have a weak tie with him, and through this they are offered the "affiliance."

The novel also presents an example of the Rational Choice Theory of Deviance, which states that people are most likely to commit crimes and deviate from the social norms when they perceive the potential outcome to be greater than the potential risks/punishments from said outcome. This is shown in the novel when one of tasks given to Robert in exchange of getting his ability to write poetry back was to place a small black box in a place where his daughter-in-law Alice, who is of an important military position, frequents daily. The box is designed to collect data on her, but Robert doesn't know if it will hurt her or not. Irregardless of his discomfort of the idea and his desire to have harm not befall Alice, he places the box there anyway, still unsure if it was dangerous or not. This shows the idea of the Rational choice theory because Robert is deviating from the norms of society by potentially putting his daughter-in-law in danger in exchange for something he wants, his ability to write the way that had made him famous.

Another idea demonstrated in Rainbows End is the idea of Singularity, which was proposed by mathematical scientist Vernor Vinge. Vinge describes this idea of singularity as having a large amount of intelligence available to you but not absorbing it, just simply turning to it in time of need. This idea is shown in Rainbows End in many ways. As the book plays out it is easy to see that they do not use the typical version of a computer. They are all equipped with “wearable” computers that they can use almost unnoticeably and basically have the world at their fingertips. As wonderful an idea as this seems to some to others, teachers for example this is a very scary thought. With these “wearable” computers teachers are no longer able to simply pass out a test, midterm, or final exam with out having to worry about students simply turning to the internet for all the answers. They now must use the skills they have taught their students and create an atmosphere which challenges the students even with the use of unlimited intelligence. Making it so students are still learning and absorbing crucial information which will help them be successful in the increasing intelligent world they live in.

Not only is the idea of singularity demonstrated in Rainbows End but also the theory known as the differential association theory, which states simply that how we act socially depends on how others around us act and desire us to act. This is shown in Rainbows End by the attempt of the adult education students who try to conform to their new environment. It is best shown by the character Robert Gu as he interacts with his granddaughter Miri as she struggles to teach her grandfather how to wear and his desperate attempts to learn. Yet he continuously tries to stray away from the norms of society and tries to continue the old ways of expression through his writings and not so much through the growing technology. This, a brave move to some a foolish move to others results in Mr. Gu left farther and farther behind in a continuously changing society.

[edit] References

1. Vinge, Vernor
2. Merton, Robert
3. Others. . . .