sherlock could never have predicted such technology.

[jukeboxhound_backup]

I may have to write a story as the final project for my scifi course.  I was considering religion vs. science issues in a steampunk setting (NOT THAT I'M PREDICTABLE OR ANYTHING), since most of the scifi I've come across personally tends more towards a cyberpunk-ish 'can robots be human' kind of thing.  (And because I need to do something with that NaNoWriMo bit I never finished.) 

Made me wonder, what would you like to see more of in science fiction?  Steam or cyber or something else entirely?  Gender/sexuality?  More ethics?

If anyone's interested, Abney Park is a band that claims to be steampunk but really sounds like a darkwave-style Depeche Mode.  I'm of a mixed opinion, but hey.

Comments

[jukeboxhound.livejournal.com]

*dies* There was an animated series of 'Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century,' no joke. It's...special. o.O

The first story that comes to mind about sexuality is one of Neil Gaiman's short stories in his 'Fragile Things' collection concerning recreational drugs that change your sex back and forth.

And no, I haven't read Diamond Age. Tell me about it?

[jukeboxhound.livejournal.com]

Also, what do you mean by post-human?

[jukeboxhound.livejournal.com]

Transhumanism so completely goes against everything in my head that I can't even begin to logically explain myself at the moment. Posthumanism, on the other hand, sounds more interesting, particularly because it can be turned in so many potential directions. Though I don't know if I'd call it 'fluffy'...

Ahahaha The Diamond Age sounds a little like a satire mocking the bildungsroman genre. Since that type of book aggravates me, I might have to read the TDA just for the potential satirical value. :3

[jukeboxhound.livejournal.com]

*flails* Sorry, I just misunderstood the synopsis, I didn't intend to insult you or demean the book.

[dracontia.livejournal.com]

Steampunk please?

I saw Abney Park once at a steampunk concert once. Overall, I'll have to agree with your assessment of their style. Of course, that really begs the question of what bands qualify as steampunk?

[jukeboxhound.livejournal.com]

I honestly have no clue, since I'm still getting used to steam being more than a literary/art/fashion style. If I had to guess I'd assume bands heavy on the violin/cello with a bit of electronica to reflect the technological aspect - maybe if Blue Man Group went classical, ahaha - but...I dunno. Have any music recs? 8D

[pyrotechnik.livejournal.com]

The London Symphony Orchestra did a wonderful rendition of "Paint it Black". Would that count as steampunk?

[meowwl.livejournal.com]

Only if they did it in Victorian/Edwardian dress, with brass goggles.

[meowwl.livejournal.com]

Steampunk is an image of an alternate timeline, history or future...In the alternate history version, it's what might have been if the internal combustion engine had never been invented, with steam and primitive electrical power taken to the furthest degree, all with the elegance and ornamentation of the Victorian era. In the future vision, it is part of the cautious climb back to civilisation from a cataclysm that has knocked us technologically back to a pre-industrial revolution tech base. Post apocalypse steampunk.

[jukeboxhound.livejournal.com]

*slow blink* Yes, I know that, but that doesn't answer the question of whether or not steampunk can also be a musical style and, if so, what its defining characteristics would be.

If it's something as superficial as the clothing, then that doesn't mean anything; the band could as easily wear black and call itself gothic without actually changing the sound, and that strikes me as a therefore useless way to determine any type of musical genre. If we define it as music produced in ways possible before the combustion engine but not after - staying true to Victorian tech if not taste - then bands like Abney Park fail. Otherwise I'm...not sure what you're getting at.

[dracontia.livejournal.com]

What you're describing (cello/electronica) sounds a lot like Unwoman, she has a few songs that are considered steampunk. But then again I'm mostly just biased. But because I still have a hard time seeing music as steampunk I'm afraid I'm not very good at recs.  Therefore I'll just send you over to Sepiachord, they specialize in Steampunk recommendations. They have a hell of a lot of them. *grins*

[jukeboxhound.livejournal.com]

...You're so awesome.

*promptly and happily loses herself*

[dracontia.livejournal.com]

I think you're the first one to say that. *grins* I must just have eaten awesome sauce.

[jukeboxhound.livejournal.com]

Awww. *hugs*

I'm rather ambivalent about some of the bands Sepiachord is promoting, but hey, the night is young! And I'm amused to see that Unwoman went to the uni I'm currently attending. <3