Cyberpunk and Steampunk

Snow Crash features an alternate reality fueled by anarcho capitalism in which corporations run the world and shape culture. Technology plays a significant role in this futuristic setting, and brings along with it a virtual reality world used both as a tool and an escape from a grim reality, treated as two individual universes. Technology is so ingrained with the real world, viruses can be introduced as drugs, although unheard of before the events of the story. With the advancements we've had since the writing of Snow Crash, we are inching closer to a similar reality. VR is becoming more advanced and commonplace, and with the sophistication of new technology comes the adaptation of coders and hackers.