Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies : James Tiptree , Jr. & Science Fiction

Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

What is Steampunk? • by JRRL on Oct 13, 2010 • 3:00 pm 270 Comments • This is a good question that is difficult to answer. • To me, Steampunk has always been first and foremost a literary genre, or least a subgenre of science fiction and fantasy that includes social or technological aspects of the 19th century (the steam) usually with some deconstruction of, reimagining of, or rebellion against parts of it (the punk). Unfortunately, it is a poorly defined subgenre, with plenty of disagreement about what is and is not included. For example, steampunk stories may: • Take place in the Victorian era but include advanced machines based on 19th century technology (e.g. The Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling); • Include the supernatural as well (e.g. The Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger); • Include the supernatural and forego the technology (e.g. The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers, one of the works that inspired the term ‘steampunk’); Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

Include the advanced machines, but take place later than the Victorian period, thereby assuming that the predomination by electricity and petroleum never happens (e.g. The Peshawar Lancers by S. M. Stirling); or • Take place in an another world altogether, but featuring Victorian-like technology (e.g. Mainspring by Jay Lake). • “It’s sort of Victorian-industrial, but with more whimsy and fewer orphans.” • - Caitlin Kittredge • There are probably plenty of other combinations I’ve forgotten, but that’s steampunk as a genre in a nutshell. Steampunk has also cross-pollinated its way into other genres, so there is steampunk romance, steampunk erotica, and steampunk young adult fiction. I haven’t spotten any steampunk picture books yet, but I won’t be surprise when I do. Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

And it isn’t just written fiction anymore. There are steampunk games (e.g. Bioshock II), steampunk graphic novels (e.g. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), and even steampunk movies (e.g. Sherlock Holmes) and TV shows (e.g. Warehouse 13). There is even steampunk music and steampunk performance art. “To me, it’s essentially the intersection of technology and romance.” – Jake von Slatt But steampunk has become a lot more. What with all the cool contraptions in the stories, it was only natural that some people would decide to make some of them (or at least things like them). Thus, steampunk gadgets came into the real world. People has “steampunk’d” everything from computers, desks, telephone, watches and guitars to cars, motorcycles, and whole houses. These objects can vary from a grungy look of a forgotten antique to the shiny overwrought newness of a Victorian gentleman’s club. Think brass and copper, glass and polished wood, engraving and etching, and details for the sake of details. So, steampunk is also a design aesthetic. “Steampunk is what happens when goths discover brown.” – Jess Nevins Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

This aesthetic carries over into personal style with both clothing and jewelry being made in a “steampunk” style. The clothes are not exactly Victorian, adding in technological bits or hints of a more adventurous life than a typical Victorian citizen likely enjoyed. So, steampunk is a genre and a design aesthetic. But wait, there’s more! Steampunk has a philosophical angle as well, which is somewhat of a combination between the maker ideals of creativity and self-reliance and the Victorian optimistic view of the future. This last bit has led to accusations that steampunk includes a fair amount of empire worship, which is a reasonable concern. Another criticism has been that steampunk focuses on the best of the past and quietly sweeps the bad (i.e. slavery, child labor, widespread disease, etc.). Again, this may be a valid criticism and it is something that steampunk will have to address. Paul Jessup’s piece “The Future of Steampunk” offers a good discussion of these issues. Final answer: steampunk is a genre AND a design aesthetic AND a philosophy Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

Steampunk Rock Group Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

Terry Gilliam, 1988— Steampunk Movie Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

Ken Levine, 2007, 2010, 2013— Steampunk Videogame Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

William Gibson and Bruce Sterling, 1991— Steampunk Novel Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

Steampunk Rock Group Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

Mike Mignola, 1993- — Steampunk comic books Guillermo del Toro, 2004, 2008— Steampunk movies Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials Trilogy ,” Philip Pullman, 1995, 1997, 2000— Steampunk novels Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

Alan Moore, 1997- —Steampunk Graphic Novel Steven Norrington, 2003—Steampunk Movie Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

HayaoMiyazaki, 1986— Steampunk Movie Laputa: Castle in the Sky Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

Si-Fi, 2008-2011— Steampunk Television Series Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

Kerry Conron, 2004—Steampunk Movie Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

Paul Di Filippo, 1995—Steampunk Fiction Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

Harry Harrison, 1972—Steampunk Novel Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

SyFy, 2009-2014— Steampunk Television Series Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

Barry Sonnenfeld, 1999 Steampunk Movie Steampunk Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies: James Tiptree, Jr. & Science Fiction

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Special Topics in Popular Culture Studies : James Tiptree , Jr. & Science Fiction