11: Cyberpunk and Steampunk

Exploration of Cyber Punk and Steam Punk & Blade Runner

So now coming of Multi-verse fiction we naturally progress into alternate realities influenced by technology of course. These two sub genres of fiction, these growths of the multiverse genre mainly led by aesthetics are Cyber Punk and Steam Punk. Noted for its focus on "high tech and low life," Cyberpunk features advanced science, such as information technology and cybernetics, coupled with a degree of breakdown or radical change in some sort of social order. Cyberpunk plots often center on a conflict among hackers, artificial intelligences, and megacorporation’s, and tend to be set in a near-future Earth, rather than space. It’s cool; it draws a lot from film noir. Steam Punk on the other hand is Cyber Punk’s weird steam powered brother. It usually takes place during the 19^th century in some sort of western civilization a retro future. It makes for some cool looking stuff Bioshock is a good mention for any gamers out there. I love Blade Runner it’s truly one of the greatest science fiction films ever made in my opinion. A true science fiction story or film should be more about ideas it explores not spaceship battles, futuristic gadgets, or weird creatures. This is what separates it from a Space Opera or Epic and fully qualifies it as an examination of technology and the impact it has on human society, existence, and humanity itself. The whole thing is done in this very dry noir detective story but is littered with the most futurist and forward thinking of sensibilities. It’s very self aware and real which only makes me respect Ridley Scott with even more praise than he had already received with Alien, he’s a master. Also Paprika is a great mention I love this movie as well and it raises a lot of the same questions Blade Runner tends to raise. So often do these movies when done right bring up themes of human integrity, dependance on technology and singularity, a future that is much scarier and real than lets say... a martian attack or a demon possession.