Neuromancer

Do you think there are situations that are similar to this concept of outlaw zones present in today's world?

Theoretically as we advance as a civilization, the areas of outlaw zones get smaller and smaller over time. Not only with advances in surveillance, but due to stabilization of lifestyles. However quite the opposite seems true for today's day and age. While crime in general has decreased, there are still sections of cities where criminals inhabit. There are still safe zones across countries to conduct illegal activity. I think a smart aspect of Neuromancer and the like is that it recognizes that as city populations increase, no advances in technology can truly eliminate crime and the black market. In fact, a lot of technology advances the "black market."

Enter the anarchy that is the internet. Policing the internet for illegal downloads and illegal threats is nearly impossible, and the mass disillusionment with government laws is a real subject of investigation. Even the best law abiding citizens commit crime on the internet, sometimes without realizing it. The big question is what will become of essentially the ultimate "outlaw zone." As we move forward with upgrading internet infrastructure and creating better software, it is inevitable that P2P will result in free distribution of all media.

Downloading movies will be as fast as downloading music, and piracy will extend for all forms of software. The flip side is the backlash from the corporations that need to make money. The only ways it could stop the internet revolution would be to
1) remove net neutrality
2) enforce some Orwellian level legislation against piracy (DMC codec tried and failed with that)
3) block of and starve the free internet with huge online companies (facebook, amazon, etc...)

Anyways I digress, the truth is technology is neutral. We have found in recent times it has created massive Outlaw Zones, and it may continue to do just that. The best defense against creating a population of criminals is to ensure a fairness in lifestyle. It is impossible to answer the question without getting political in this sense. As the gap between the rich and poor get wider, the unrest will be stronger. As many revolutions across Egypt, Iran, and other countries have shown, unfairness and political corruption will not be tolerated. Technology can serve strongly to fuel revolution. I'm not saying that in a more fair world, piracy and crime won't exist. However these "Outlaw Zones" are often the center of creativity and innovation. We must learn to see them as areas of opportunity.