Mirrorshades

Mirrorshades is a 1986 science fiction anthology edited by Bruce Sterling. It is widely regarded as a defining text of the cyberpunk movement, presenting a blend of fiction and critical writing that helped crystallize the aesthetics and themes associated with cyberpunk. The collection surveys topics such as computer networks, artificial intelligence, surveillance, corporate power, urban decay, and the interplay between humans and machines, reflecting the techno-noir sensibility of the era.

The volume gathers contributions from leading voices in cyberpunk and related criticism, illustrating the movement’s concerns with the fusion of high technology and low life, the permeability of borders between real and virtual spaces, and a skeptical view of institutions. Although the exact lineup varies in recollection, the book is commonly cited for bringing together prominent writers and commentators of the time to articulate the genre’s vision in both fiction and non-fiction form.

Mirrorshades also gave rise to the popular shorthand term mirrorshades, referring to the reflective sunglasses often worn by noir-inspired protagonists. The name has since stood as a symbol of the cyberpunk look and outlook: a cool, detached stance toward corporate power and a focus on hackers, networks, and the edge-of-society urban experience. The anthology’s influence extends beyond literature, contributing to the broader cultural branding of cyberpunk and influencing later media, design, and speculative fiction that emphasize technology’s pervasive reach and societal impact.