“The punk-ness of steampunk”
By N. Ottens (6 June 2008)

Discussion within the steampunk community about the meaning of its relationship with punk1 typically seek to attribute a specific political philosophy to the movement. In that discussion, two different consensus views have surfaced: the first, centred around Brass Goggles2, favors the “lighter side of steampunk” and sees in it no place for politics whatsoever; the second finds its mouthpiece in Steampunk Magazine3 which represents rather anarchist perceptions and considers steampunk an active crusade against the presumed shallowness of contemporary consumerism and lack of social engagement.

Such sentiments are obviously not restricted to steampunk and not even to punk, though the latter might be one of the more defining subcultures in this regard. Although steampunk does clearly provide an alternative to the anonymity of materialism—that is, the contemporary lack of appreciation for technology—and perhaps through its online dynamic, to the anonymity of individualism, it is remarkably enough the community which shreds affiliation with punk that succeeds herein particularly.

Steampunk is not merely a movement, and definitely not one with a unified political agenda; therefore it is able to attract people from varying background and opinion. To attempt to draft an exact definition of steampunk subculture is thus extremely difficult; to attempt to ascribe a single political philosophy to it, is utterly impossible.

While some steampunk enthusiasts might have found in it a way to manifest their perceptions about our modern world and society, as well as their ideals and dreams about a past that never was and future that probably never will be, the movement as such is not restricted to those sensibilities. Steampunk is different to every person who identifies as such. Any attempt to disregard those differences and gather the entire movement behind a single ideology, to which but a minority of it seems to adhere, should thus be strongly discouraged.

1. That is, punk subculture, inspired by punk rock and first surfaced in 1970s Britain.
2. Brass Goggles is the premier steampunk blog and hosts the apolitical Steampunk Forum.
3. Steampunk Magazine is one of the foremost steampunk publications and hosts the community, The Gaslamp Bazaar.

Please select one of the titles listed below to proceed to your article of choice.

• “The origins of steampunk, Part I,” by N. Ottens (2008)
In which we trace of the origins of steampunk as a literary genre. This first part discusses the principal works of proto-steampunk. (1962-72)

• “The punk-ness of steampunk,” by N. Ottens (2008)
In which we consider the meaning of punk to steampunk and the relevance of its rebellious spirit to the political philosophy of the movement.