Synners

**Synners** by Pat Cadigan, published in 1991, is a cyberpunk novel exploring the fusion of human consciousness with technology in a world where virtual reality and corporate control dominate society. ### **Synopsis:** In a near-future world where media conglomerates shape reality, people called *Synners*—short for "synthesizers"—hack directly into the minds of others to create immersive entertainment. The story follows a group of underground hackers and media artists who push the boundaries of technology, particularly through direct neural interfaces that allow the human brain to connect seamlessly to the internet. One such innovation, developed by corporate giant Diversifications, threatens to erase the line between human thought and digital space. When a dangerous new form of neural networking goes out of control, spreading like a virus and causing people to lose their minds or even die, the protagonists must fight to reclaim their autonomy from a world increasingly controlled by machines and corporations. With themes of AI, human augmentation, the dangers of unchecked capitalism, and the evolving relationship between humans and technology, *Synners* is a defining cyberpunk novel that questions the nature of identity, consciousness, and free will.