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Steampunk vs Cyberpunk - What's the difference?

steampunk | cyberpunk |

In countable terms the difference between steampunk and cyberpunk

is that steampunk is a writer of steampunk fiction while cyberpunk is a writer of cyberpunk fiction.

As nouns the difference between steampunk and cyberpunk

is that steampunk is a subgenre of speculative science fiction set in an anachronistic 19th century society while cyberpunk is a subgenre of science fiction which focuses on computer or information technology and virtual reality.

As a verb steampunk

is to depict in a steampunk manner.

steampunk

English

(wikipedia steampunk)

Noun

  • (uncountable, neologism) A subgenre of speculative science fiction set in an anachronistic 19th century society.
  • * {{quote-magazine
    • , year = 1987 , month = April , magazine = Locus , section = Locus Letters , first = Kevin Wayne , last = Jeter , authorlink = K. W. Jeter , volume = 20 , issue = 4 (
  • 315 overall)
    • , page = 57 , passage = as long as we can come up with a fitting collective term for Powers, Blaylock and myself. Something based on the appropriate technology of the era; like 'steam-punks', perhaps... }}
  • * {{quote-magazine
    • , year = 1987 , month = May , magazine = Locus , section = , first = James , last = Blaylock , authorlink= James Blaylock , volume = 20 , issue = 5 (
  • 316 overall)
    • , page = 57 , passage = There's railroad trains, a lot of steam-driven stuff, but that's about it. More ‘steam punk’, I suppose. }}
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year = 2008 , date = May 8 , author = Ruth La Ferla , title = Steampunk Moves Between 2 Worlds , work = New York Times , url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/fashion/08PUNK.html , passage = It is also the vision of steampunk , a subculture that is the aesthetic expression of a time-traveling fantasy world, one that embraces music, film, design and now fashion, all inspired by the extravagantly inventive age of dirigibles and steam locomotives, brass diving bells and jar-shaped protosubmarines. }}
  • (countable) A writer of steampunk fiction.
  • * {{quote-magazine
    • , year = 1987 , month = April , magazine = Locus , section = Locus Letters , author = Kevin Wayne Jeter , volume = , number = , page = 57 , passage = Personally, I think Victorian fantasies are going to be the next big thing, as long as we can come up with a fitting collective term for Powers, Blaylock and myself. Something based on the appropriate technology of the era; like 'steam-punks', perhaps. }}
  • (countable, cosplay) A person cosplaying as a steampunk character.
  • * {{quote-magazine
    • , year = 2009 , month = September , magazine = Exhibition Hall , url = http://efanzines.com/ExhibHall/ExhibHall-01.pdf , title = An Interview with Emmett and Klaude Davenport of the Clockwork Cabaret , author = Klaude Davenport , volume = , issue = 1 , page = 6 , passage = It wound up being an overwhelmingly positive experience that made me appreciate the steampunks around me even more. }}
  • * {{quote-usenet
    • , year = 2010 , monthday = September 24 , author = John Naylor , email = , title = Re: [Steam-Scholars] Hello again and a query , id = 45b85.6b512dc6.39cddc00@aol.com , group = steam-scholars , url = https://groups.google.com/d/msg/steam-scholars/bdMTIoChWyQ/pz5TAUpNxcYJ }}
    It is extremely rare that you speak to someone who says "I want to be an ...." This would suggest that for the vast majority of steampunks their choice of outfit (at least intitially) is less a conscious attempt at portrayal and more of a spontaneous and potentially subconscious growth of an idea.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To depict in a steampunk manner.
  • *
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year = 2012 , title = Llewellyn's 2013 Magical Almanac , section = Mechomancy: Steampunk Sensibilities in Pagan Traditions , author = Sybil Fogg , isbn = 9780738715155 , page = 90 , passage = There is also a strong draw on literature and film for ideas. Some steampunks will take a favorite character, such as Boba Fett, Alice, Dorothy, Professor Snape, or Sherlock Holmes, and "steampunk " him or her out by adding elements of leather (or faux leather), gears, clock parts, electricity, motors, and so on. }}

    References

    * * (genre) * (writer)

    cyberpunk

    English

    (wikipedia cyberpunk)

    Noun

  • (science fiction, uncountable) A subgenre of science fiction which focuses on computer or information technology and virtual reality.
  • (countable) A cyberpunk character, a hacker punk, a high-tech low life.
    • The film ''The Matrix'' redefined what a cyberpunk looked like.
  • (countable) A writer of cyberpunk fiction.
  • * 1989 , SPIN magazine (volume 4, number 10, January 1989, page 50)

    • Derived terms

    * -punk ----