Comments on: Steam in The New York Times http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/200805/steam-in-the-new-york-times The lighter side of Steampunk Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:03:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bastian Kane Finito « drew’s blomblog http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/200805/steam-in-the-new-york-times/comment-page-1#comment-170732 Bastian Kane Finito « drew’s blomblog Fri, 23 May 2008 18:12:59 +0000 http://www.brassgoggles.co.uk/brassgoggles/?p=791#comment-170732 [...] pseudo-steampunk, although I’m not sure how I feel about the subculture becoming so mainstream.  It is a bit of a two-edged sword.  There’s the danger of over-saturation, but references [...] [...] pseudo-steampunk, although I’m not sure how I feel about the subculture becoming so mainstream.  It is a bit of a two-edged sword.  There’s the danger of over-saturation, but references [...]

]]> By: Georgia Forward http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/200805/steam-in-the-new-york-times/comment-page-1#comment-168732 Georgia Forward Thu, 22 May 2008 02:01:05 +0000 http://www.brassgoggles.co.uk/brassgoggles/?p=791#comment-168732 Sorry it took so long to respond, Lt. J. Butcher, I'm so used to receiving alerts when people reply to my aethernet writings. I am truly spoiled. You make a very good point sir. I was trying to get at the fact that steampunk has a reputation of changing, inventing and rebuilding, where as the general public seems to view punk, emo and goth as rather destructive (I'm not saying they are or that everyone thinks that. Perhaps it is just the others I am with that believe this is so). Steampunks may cackle like a mad scientist as they take it all apart, but they put it back together and add a little old world finesse. Hence we are seen as odd, but not as threatening as a "general" punk may seem. It certainly is the loveliest and politest form of rebellion I've ever seen. One of the many reasons I like it so much. The publicity is good and bad as with any subculture getting its day in the sun...let's hope people think it's too geeky and don't catch on for very long. Sorry it took so long to respond, Lt. J. Butcher, I’m so used to receiving alerts when people reply to my aethernet writings. I am truly spoiled.

You make a very good point sir. I was trying to get at the fact that steampunk has a reputation of changing, inventing and rebuilding, where as the general public seems to view punk, emo and goth as rather destructive (I’m not saying they are or that everyone thinks that. Perhaps it is just the others I am with that believe this is so). Steampunks may cackle like a mad scientist as they take it all apart, but they put it back together and add a little old world finesse. Hence we are seen as odd, but not as threatening as a “general” punk may seem.

It certainly is the loveliest and politest form of rebellion I’ve ever seen. One of the many reasons I like it so much. The publicity is good and bad as with any subculture getting its day in the sun…let’s hope people think it’s too geeky and don’t catch on for very long.

]]> By: Lt. J. Butcher http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/200805/steam-in-the-new-york-times/comment-page-1#comment-165786 Lt. J. Butcher Sun, 18 May 2008 05:42:12 +0000 http://www.brassgoggles.co.uk/brassgoggles/?p=791#comment-165786 Georgia, isn't what you're describing a form of rebellion in itself? After all, now that Goth, punk, and emo are so well-known and commercialized... I'm not entirely sure I enjoy all of the press Steampunk has been getting lately. All I can say is there are some fantastic clothes in this article. Georgia, isn’t what you’re describing a form of rebellion in itself? After all, now that Goth, punk, and emo are so well-known and commercialized…

I’m not entirely sure I enjoy all of the press Steampunk has been getting lately. All I can say is there are some fantastic clothes in this article.

]]> By: Jake of All Trades http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/200805/steam-in-the-new-york-times/comment-page-1#comment-164528 Jake of All Trades Fri, 16 May 2008 22:30:21 +0000 http://www.brassgoggles.co.uk/brassgoggles/?p=791#comment-164528 And, if I may self-promote for a brief moment here, don't forget to read the *original* New York Times Steampunk article that got mysteriously cut at the last minute! http://www.charmandrigor.com/clips/self-steampunk.html And, if I may self-promote for a brief moment here, don’t forget to read the *original* New York Times Steampunk article that got mysteriously cut at the last minute!

http://www.charmandrigor.com/clips/self-steampunk.html

]]> By: Georgia Forward http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/200805/steam-in-the-new-york-times/comment-page-1#comment-164496 Georgia Forward Fri, 16 May 2008 21:53:01 +0000 http://www.brassgoggles.co.uk/brassgoggles/?p=791#comment-164496 I agree with Steve, steampunk is quite a different subculture from what most are used to. They associate subcultures with a rebellion against the norm. I'm generalizing, but people usually view goths, punks, and emo kids (some of the pre-identified subcultures) as against what society says is normal and *seem* to be rather hostile or bitter against the mainstream. For steampunks, at least in my personal definition, it's not so much a fight against "normal" it's more of a "normal is rather dull, I shall tailor it to my liking." A lot of other subcultures appear to come at you as angry and hostile, steampunk smiles and hands you a cup of tea. We may be viewed as odd, but I don't get that there will be extreme backlash. What are they going to say? "How dare you have good manners, dress like you are Sherlock Holmes with a steampowered cellphone and be creative!" If someone actually says that I think I'd start laughing, I wouldn't know what to say. I hope this doesn't come off as attacking you, I just thought I'd share my opinion. That said, I did enjoy the article. I actually really like The James Gang, I can't wait until they open up their store in Nolita. Riveted saddle bags and wood and brass iPod covers? I'm there! I agree with Steve, steampunk is quite a different subculture from what most are used to. They associate subcultures with a rebellion against the norm. I’m generalizing, but people usually view goths, punks, and emo kids (some of the pre-identified subcultures) as against what society says is normal and *seem* to be rather hostile or bitter against the mainstream. For steampunks, at least in my personal definition, it’s not so much a fight against “normal” it’s more of a “normal is rather dull, I shall tailor it to my liking.” A lot of other subcultures appear to come at you as angry and hostile, steampunk smiles and hands you a cup of tea.

We may be viewed as odd, but I don’t get that there will be extreme backlash. What are they going to say? “How dare you have good manners, dress like you are Sherlock Holmes with a steampowered cellphone and be creative!” If someone actually says that I think I’d start laughing, I wouldn’t know what to say.

I hope this doesn’t come off as attacking you, I just thought I’d share my opinion.

That said, I did enjoy the article. I actually really like The James Gang, I can’t wait until they open up their store in Nolita. Riveted saddle bags and wood and brass iPod covers? I’m there!

]]> By: Steve Skubinna http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/200805/steam-in-the-new-york-times/comment-page-1#comment-163589 Steve Skubinna Fri, 16 May 2008 05:02:50 +0000 http://www.brassgoggles.co.uk/brassgoggles/?p=791#comment-163589 I really can't imagine steampunk encountering significant hostility. Bemusement, sure, but consider that it is by nature, far more positive and stylish and elegant than goth or middle class anarcho-wannabe or any other "subculture" at present. People are going to appreciate a movement that stresses stylish dress and well mannered behavior. And steampunk, for all its looking backwards, embodies an optimistic ethos. Celebrate the best aspects of the Victorian age, stripped of its less appealing negative attitudes (by modern standards anyway), and you have a forward looking subculture that believes problems can be solved with enough ingenuity and curiosity. And brass and steam. What's not to like? I really can’t imagine steampunk encountering significant hostility. Bemusement, sure, but consider that it is by nature, far more positive and stylish and elegant than goth or middle class anarcho-wannabe or any other “subculture” at present.

People are going to appreciate a movement that stresses stylish dress and well mannered behavior. And steampunk, for all its looking backwards, embodies an optimistic ethos. Celebrate the best aspects of the Victorian age, stripped of its less appealing negative attitudes (by modern standards anyway), and you have a forward looking subculture that believes problems can be solved with enough ingenuity and curiosity. And brass and steam.

What’s not to like?

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