Both “Pretty Boy Crossover” and “Flowers of Edo” share a similar, resonant theme. People are afraid of change, of death, of being excluded and of not knowing things. People prefer to choose to evade these realities, or even decide to escape them by committing suicide. They do whatever it takes to fit in, be worshiped, and be immortal. They do all this to maintain their sanity, because they cannot accept being marginalized or they cannot accept death. People prefer to do what is popular rather than what is right because they can't stand the fact that someone might talk behind their back if they don't; they would much rather adapt to society. However, Pat Cadigan's "Pretty Boy Crossover" and Bruce Sterling's "Flowers of Edo" both portray protagonists who beat the odds and decide to live in a real reality where they choose to maintain their values ​​and decide to do what is moral , despite the strong influence of the company. and pressure. “Pretty Boy Crossover” is about confused and rebellious future teenagers, like Bobby, who literally go digital instead of getting things like piercings or tattoos. Bobby is one of those people who can't accept reality, so he chooses to go digital. His society has adopted the fact that once you turn 18 there is no reason to live anymore. From that age onwards, everything about you, both physical and mental, begins to disintegrate. As a result, digitizing oneself has become extremely popular in the “Pretty Boy Crossover” society and everyone has to do it; if you don't, you will be seen as a pariah in society. Not only that, but you will lose all the supposed "benefits" that the company selling this product has to offer. By going digital, all your fears of death, illness and pressure will disappear. In digital, you control everything, including what you look like, who makes decisions, and who can join your club. In the digital world, you are experiencing eternal youth where your dreams come true. "You don't have to die anymore, Bobby says silkily. The music bounces beneath his words. It's beautiful here. Dreams can be as real as you want them to be" (548). You can also be the center of attention where everyone loves you and praises you. In "Pretty Boy Crossover," going digital means not having to do anything and living the life you've always dreamed of.