What Kind of Paradise

The internet is this novel’s most overt symbol of The Potential Benefits and Harms of Technology. It firmly situates the narrative within the tech-boom era of the 1990s. On the one hand, the internet represents the promise of a changing world. Lionel points out that “nerdy” social misfits, once seen as outcasts, are now using their intelligence to re-shape society. He, Tess, and even Jane/Esme at times see the internet as a powerful equalizing tool: It puts information into the hands of ordinary people and allows for research, ideas, and technological advancements to be readily shared. Jane/Esme is able to travel to San Francisco and change her life because she meets Lionel online. She finds a new career path because she has taught herself rudimentary coding. Initially, the internet represents a whole new, much more open and accessible future for her.

However, the novel also wrestles with the danger that technology and unchecked growth can pose for society. Largely through the character of Saul/Adam, the author explores the impact of computers and artificial intelligence on individuals. He argues that time spent online warps people and that it draws them away from the skills, abilities, beliefs, and values that have molded people, families, and societies.