I read a lot of Frank Wallace's NeoTech work and his
hero character's name was Zon.
He made many references to Ayn Rand's works.

He first introduced me to the Matrix and it didn't really
form a picture in my mind until I saw the movie(s).
I'm pretty sure a lot of the Movie was based on his stuff.
He talked a lot about the Laws of the Universe and
the anti-civilization here on Earth, quantum computing,
cloning and memory transfers to extend lives and learning.

I just downloaded the Wingmakers stuff and read a little.
Good stuff, thanks OP.