The roots of contemporary, so-called Islamic terrorism are not uniquely religious; other historical influences are also at play: the crisis of modernity. The promise of modernity has resulted in a crisis of confidence. Globally, the hopedfor results of modernization have not been achieved, and in some instances this has led to extreme reactions. Today's terrorism should not be seen as a war between civilizations so much as a psychosocial reaction to the perceived untruths of modernity. This reaction takes on a sense of subcultural self-determination. Individuals who lack professional tools adopt a “bricolage” (do-it-yourself) approach in developing ideological “castles” and an Internet presence, relying on the promotional strategies of viral marketing. Resistance to “the” establishment is strengthened through recycling cultural artifacts which stemmed from the establishment itself. This recycling of what may be termed ideological waste parallels the social environment described by the cyberpunk literary movement of the late twentieth century. Thus, in terms of communications design, an answer to terrorism would require the development of alternative myths, which should also be given an Internet presence. Such myths need to be shaped by a new global consciousness, and animated by a new vision of the human journey.