This mythology of cyberspace is interesting for two reasons. Firstly, it provides an alternative to the boredom of suburbia without having to deal with the danger of inner-city living. Every subculture needs a fantasy place to run away from suburban life to, be it the rural fantasy of the hippies or the urban fantasy of punk. Cyberspace is a fantasy destination for white, middle class suburbanites who realise that rural life is even more boring than the suburbs and the cities are becoming far too dangerous. The other interesting thing about cyberspace is the way it recreates the idea of community.
Every subculture needs an image of an outsider's community to cling to, to run to.
For the cyberpunk, this community doesn't actually have a place. Its not a nightclub in New York. It is not a street in London. It can be accessed everywhere Q by modem. Cyberpunk subculture is the first subculture which doesn't have a particular place of congregation Q its a suburban phenomenon made possible by the networks.