Doctorow uses a “near future” – a vision of tomorrow that is just around the corner. In this chapter, we are introduced to a number of things that could be a reality in a few years. Identify a few of them and write a short response as to what you make of them.
Most of the tech. is already happening. In chapters 1 and 2, the techy teen Marcus Yallow is introduced. Marcus is a high school senior who is more concerned with learning how to get around the surveillance measures and devices set up in his school that he is about impressing his teachers. He has set up his school owned SchoolBook laptop to allow him to send instant messages to friends and do all sorts of things he shouldn't be doing, but aren't exactly illegal on the larger scheme of things. The instant messaging, for instance, is like the high tech version of passing notes in class.
