Real Steampunk is..?

 *This article has a part 2. Read it here.*

 

 
This weekend I have to face the challenge of: 'Having to explain Steampunk(!) to a lay audience!' How do you represent something, nobody can agree on? Well, a objective definition would be nice. Good luck with that one. But I tried. Is it satisfactory? You decide.

 

For me Steampunk means three separate things, that should not be confused with one another.

1. A genre of Alternate History stories derived of, the Science-Fiction, genre Cyberpunk (aka Cyberpunk in the past).

2. A visual design style that is both inspired by history and futuristic idea's and inventions. (aka Retro-Futurism)

3. The subculture, and it's collection of idea's, inspired by both Steampunk designs and/or Stories.* (Edited on 30-12-2015)

So, you can have a story or movie that has the Retro-Futuristic visuals Steampunk is known for, but is not a Steampunk Story. Or have a Steampunk were a Retro-Futuristic aesthetic is barely or not present. Steamboy is probably on of the few real Steampunk movies I know, but uses it real sparingly. I know more movies were the exact opposite is true.

All the definitions that I have seen (till now) try to conflate these three point into one neat sentence. But no one seems to agree on what this sentence should be. There are many reasons for this.

One of the reasons is, Steampunk is really inclusive. It fans of Steampunk will often include anything that is RetroFuturistic and say. 'Look at this! Steampunk is meanstream now!' But is it?
Another trend is to include terms like 'Victorian' or 'Steampowered' into the description.
Now, these are term that have their own subjective definitions that don't really mean anything. Steam-engines are not unique to the nineteenth century and Queen Victoria, has even less to do the the industrialization that is such a big inspiration for Steampunk.
To defend to use of the term Victorian, it actually refers to the nineteenth idea of progress, what series like Star Trek are known for. However, I would argue it's not wise to have an description that needs an disclaimer. Than there is the 'emotional baggage' and other stigma's that comes with the term 'Victorian'; I am talking about racism, imperialism, religious oppression, eugenics and all that other stuff most Steampunks don't like to think about.
Also it has a very limited scope, both in timeframe and geographically.I also find it very meaningless because when looking at costumes, real Victorian inspired costumes are more of an exception then the rule.  

Off course, my description isn't foolproof and includes about everything Retro-Futuristic in nature. But I do think it is important to realize that Steampunk has not invented Retro-Futurism or has a monopoly on 19th century inspired designs. When Prada or another 'mainstream' designer has a fashion line inspired by English Gentlemen or Victorian era chaps, it doesn't mean it's Steampunk or has been inspired by it. That it looks the same doesn't mean it is the same. Also, there are many works of fiction that include Retro-Futuristic elements that are not Steampunk, like Warhammer 40.000 and a lot of Japanese animation. To know the difference you have to look at the context and intention I suppose. But I won't get into that right now.   

The opposite is also true. When fans of Steampunk don't like something they are quick to say. 'That ain't real Steampunk!' On that all I can say is, Steampunk, apparently, is a feeling.

Read Part 2 of this artcle here.