What IS Steampunk?

Steampunk- one of the growing 'fads' of anime nerds, gamers, and literary fans world wide. What some know is that Steampunk technically isn't as NEW as they think it is.

Granted some are aware that by all logic- steampunk was the first form of science fiction.

We'll look at the Wikipedia Definition for simplicity's sake:

Steampunk is a genre which came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s and incorporates elements of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror, and speculative fiction. It involves a setting where steam power is widely used—whether in an alternate history such as Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United States, or in a post-apocalyptic time —that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology, or futuristic innovations as Victorians might have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, and art. This technology includes such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or the contemporary authors Philip Pullman, Scott Westerfeld and China Mieville.


Now that definition can be vague for some, others it is the most rigid definition out there. So I direct you to another list of things that make up Steampunk that way we'll have a more "vernacular" list.

1- 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)
2- 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).


I am only using these two things for now because honestly if I go anymore it'll be allowing for some people to actually get all upity with me over "technicalities."

Now a days how ever there is sadly a CLEAR division between Real Steampunk fans vs their counterparts who quite cleary look at it as "goths who discovered brown" or "throwing gears and monocles" on to everything they wear. Now I say that this causes a division because honestly there is one. Like most things sub culture wise- trying to be part of it- locks you out entirely. If you really wish to be part of the steampunk realm, you just have to be part of it. Don't go about pushing yourself in and making a spectacle of it.

I like to give some examples of modern Steampunk works of fiction/movies to give a better idea of what IS vs what ISN'T

IS-
Treasure Planet- Disney= A steampunk adventure version of treasure Island. Before you go freaking that it is Cyberpunk- don't. The movie was clearly a steampunk. The Solar Surfboard- steampunk. The giant ship that was steampowered AND wind powered- STEAMPUNK
Atlantis the Lost Empire- Disney= Technically steampunk in the sense we are looking back at the time they are in and giving them a bit more tech then they really had. (The diggers...the subs...etc) But overall- still steampunk...and amazing as fuck :D
The Golden Compass- If you have seen this movie or READ the book- you don't need me to explain...but if you are in the dark I'll sum it up- steampunk meets daniel craig and a leopard with a polar bear v polar bear fight mixed in with some amazing Sam Eliot Action.
Hugo- Oh my god I thought when I saw the previews it was making FUN of steampunk...but thank god it stayed true- it went back to the day where movies/steam/gear powered machines were barely understood and showed us a coming of age story about a boy who didn't have a love interest but he found a loving family anyway. GOOD story

Anything by Jules Vern is Steampunk. (Especially 20,000 leagues under the sea.)


What is not steampunk-

any Nerf guns coated in "bronze" paint and gears. -that is just...no.
blimps in modern times. We still use Blimps...they are not that well ANCIENT or sci fi ish...
Covering a tripp coat in gears or wearing it with a top hat and a monocle.
Victorian clothing with fancy photo shop effects.
Music boxes
Or anything else powered by non 19th Century Steam powered engineering.

yeah...done kinda lost my train of thought...DAMN YOU BLADE RUNNER FOR DISTRACTING ME!!! *shakes fist*

So yeah if you guys can follow me here and on Twitter to leave comments on what you think, suggestions for random entries, suggestions for reviews or top lists. OR just leave a comment that I can respond to at the end of each month :D

@JMMulqueeney