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Steampunk

junctionalfunkie

junctionalfunkie

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Has anyone heard of this? Apparently originally a niche of Science Fiction/Fantasy literature, the Steampunk culture extends into fashion, architecture, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk

I've never been much of a sci-fi person, but I find this intriguing. I ran into it after reading the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman.

From Wiki:
The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century, and often set in Victorian era England—but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or real technological developments like the computer occurring at an earlier date. Other examples of steampunk contain alternate history-style presentations of "the path not taken" of such technology as dirigibles or analog computers; these frequently are presented in an idealized light, or a presumption of functionality.
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Here's a Steampunk laptop:
steampunkLaptop2.jpg


and a Steampunk blog:

http://steampunkworkshop.com/

I started writing a short story over the weekend that has edged into anachronistic "revisionist history," and made me remember this 'steampunk' phenomenon. I've never much gone for "movements," but this seemed kind of cool.

Anyone familiar with Steampunk culture?

:)
 
ahh, nerds. god bless us.

I've heard of steampunk a lot but i never knew what it actually was. i think this is a valid (i.e. useful) categorization. i would think of it as 40s/50s retro science fiction, i.e. the word "steam" is inspired by steam engines, steam power, whatever. A good example of the aesthetic I think would be the game Bioshock. I mean I haven't even looked at the wiki page you provided, but this makes sense.

It is a pretty cool aesthetic for science fiction.
carry on.
 
A great literary example of steampunk is William Gibson's "Difference Engine."
The setting takes place in an world where the Babage computer had actually been built and running when it was designed during the victorian era. I'm temtped to try some projects in the steampunkworkshop. Taking a metal working class this summer where I'll have access to the tools to build that stuff.
 
socko said:
A great literary example of steampunk is William Gibson's "Difference Engine."
The setting takes place in an world where the Babage computer had actually been built and running when it was designed during the victorian era. I'm temtped to try some projects in the steampunkworkshop. Taking a metal working class this summer where I'll have access to the tools to build that stuff.
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T'is a good book.
 
socko said:
A great literary example of steampunk is William Gibson's "Difference Engine."
The setting takes place in an world where the Babage computer had actually been built and running when it was designed during the victorian era. I'm temtped to try some projects in the steampunkworkshop. Taking a metal working class this summer where I'll have access to the tools to build that stuff.
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I'm reading Neuromancer now. I'll have to get Difference Engine next. Thanks! :)
 
there;s actually a book called Steampunk that I saw in an SF-fantasy bookstore in Berlin, which is a collection of steampunk short stories and novellas. it looked excellent.
 
there's a pretty big steampunk scene in austin, texas actually. i think people get together and get materials to try and create what they can. finished products are really interesting
 
a "steampunk scene" ? what the fuck is that? a bunch of people with platform shoes, propellers on their heads, riding on horseback with muskets , smoking crack?!?!?! all over austin?
 
alicat72 said:
also of the city of the lost children......
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I love that film, definitely steampunk! Same directors who did Delicatessen and Amelie, two other films definitely worth watching.

I love the steampunk aesthetic (have a few friends who're into that "scene") but haven't read any of the books. I guess I haven't really found any contemporary SciFi authors whose style I really enjoy. A lot of them seem to have great ideas but inferior writing skills. Any suggestions that might change my mind?
 
i never realized that they had the same director! amelie is just so different aesthectically....i actually named my daughter amelie because i love that movie so much :D
 
yeh that movie is great. ron perlman is hilarious. what an amazing set for a sci-fi film, and it really does have meaning apart from the cool dark aesthetics

I've heard Austin has some interesting art scenes in general, but seriously, wtf is a "steampunk scene"??
 
ron perlman is fantastic in that film! i also very much enjoyed the twins....

i had to look him up when i initially watched it because i thought he was tom waits! ha! he looks like tom, but is much taller an larger....
 
I've seen this image before, along with some other projects the chap has done.
In particular, I liked the iPod in a wooden case. It was simple but elegant.
 
ControlDenied said:
wtf is a "steampunk scene"??
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It seems to be some sort of sub-section of the goth / industrial scene. There's a band called Abney Park
 who dress up in "steampunk fashion" and are pretty popular, I think they sound a bit generic, but that's just my opinion. They look pretty mental though :)

Most people I know who're into the whole steampunk thing are into the books / comics / movies and mainly listen to goth / industrial music. They spend most of their time making bizarre clothes and bits of machinery and have get togethers poncing about in said things (all in good fun). And take far too much speed!
 
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