Notes‎ > ‎

Halting State

  • Plot
    • A crime in virtual reality
      • committed by a Chinese government hackers

    • cops are brought in, but maybe aren't wanted
      • other law enforcement people are investigating missing persons
    • the corporate victim may be some kind of shell organization
      • of the government
  • Themes
    • economics
      • virtual goods with real costs
      • the question of security in online worlds
      • monetizing repetition
      • greed
      • What causes value? Scarcity? Desire?
    • technology
      • its uses and detriments
      • a bit more plausible (close to modern day)
        • Copspace
          • big police database
          • recording capabilities
      • omnipresent surveillance 
  • Formal issues
    • Scottish dialect
    • technological jargon
    • 2nd person narration
      • connects you with character
      • triangulates events through different perspectives
    • chapter titles include character
      • this helps orient the reader to whom is being inhabited
  • Characters
    • Jack (works with Elaine and they develop a personal relationship)
      • computer game specialist 
      • brought in for forensics
      • he's being harassed by shadowy people
      • has a sex offence charge for statutory interaction
      • he may be a bit impulsive
        • he goes after a criminal and gets stabbed
        • he also gets shot
    • Elaine (works with Jack and they develop a personal relationship)
      • she's being targeted through Jack
      • she's like an insurance agent  
    • Sue 
      • she's the investigating officer 
      • she's not in charge, she takes orders
  • Connection to other texts
    • LWB
      • synthesis of online and offline/play and work