[RESEARCH] Help a fellow Steampunk with her coursework?

[queenofgoblins]

Basically, as we all know, the definition of Steampunk is reasonably misty. As part of my coursework I am doing an essay on what members within and outside of the Steampunk community consider the main 2 things that make Steampunk, well, Steampunk.
Thus far the main two things are the Victorian era combined with post-Victorian/futuristic technology. You may agree or disagree. The point is to find out what Steampunk means to YOU my fellows.

So If you could perhaps provide your answer in as simple terms as possible, with a name (be it your real one or otherwise, "anon" is acceptable) and age. That wold be absolutely delightful!

Thank you for your time and karma will (hopefully) be nice to you in return for your loveliness

Toodle-pip lovelies!

Tannya

[Major Willoughby Chase]

Thank you for your interest and your kind offer to involve us in your research. 

At Brass Goggles we get a lot of such requests, in each case we (the community) make the same request of those asking for us to help.  We ask that they become involved in the community, that they constructively contribute something to the community, making us more inclined to contribute something to their project in return.  The vast majority of those who make such requests never even visit the forum again after posting their request.   As you can imagine only getting involved with those who actually make the effort saves a lot of our precious free time. 

We look forward to your contribution to the forum.

[queenofgoblins]

Thank you for your interest and your kind offer to involve us in your research. 

At Brass Goggles we get a lot of such requests, in each case we (the community) make the same request of those asking for us to help.  We ask that they become involved in the community, that they constructively contribute something to the community, making us more inclined to contribute something to their project in return.  The vast majority of those who make such requests never even visit the forum again after posting their request.   As you can imagine only getting involved with those who actually make the effort saves a lot of our precious free time. 

We look forward to your contribution to the forum.

I actually visit the forum often but as I only just got internet where I'm living (and college rules throw a hissy about forums), I haven't actually signed up. While I can't promise my future contributions will be any good, they will actually exist. I will most likely post my results on here as well as my designs and finished garments (textiles for fashion course you see), which tend to take on some aspect of Steampunk in one way or another.
Being that I actively enjoy pretty much every aspect of Steampunk I can assure you that when possible I'll be lurking this forum's methaphorical corridors, occasionally opening doors and leaving things if/when I can.
I can't disappoint my fellow Steampunk lovers can I?

[ElecTinker]

I don't think there's such a thing as a bad contribution to the community, since even an random comment/idea can have someone look at a problem or project differently and help it grow

[The Corsair]

I actually visit the forum often but as I only just got internet where I'm living (and college rules throw a hissy about forums), I haven't actually signed up. While I can't promise my future contributions will be any good, they will actually exist. I will most likely post my results on here as well as my designs and finished garments (textiles for fashion course you see), which tend to take on some aspect of Steampunk in one way or another.
Being that I actively enjoy pretty much every aspect of Steampunk I can assure you that when possible I'll be lurking this forum's methaphorical corridors, occasionally opening doors and leaving things if/when I can.
I can't disappoint my fellow Steampunk lovers can I?

If I'm honest, this all sounds reasonable. I too look forward to your contributions and see no reason why we should not offer some help. I hope you can understand our concerns with giving help to such things though given that we get many such requests as this and are not wanting to end up doing someone's work for them.

Otherwise, welcome!

[queenofgoblins]

I actually visit the forum often but as I only just got internet where I'm living (and college rules throw a hissy about forums), I haven't actually signed up. While I can't promise my future contributions will be any good, they will actually exist. I will most likely post my results on here as well as my designs and finished garments (textiles for fashion course you see), which tend to take on some aspect of Steampunk in one way or another.
Being that I actively enjoy pretty much every aspect of Steampunk I can assure you that when possible I'll be lurking this forum's methaphorical corridors, occasionally opening doors and leaving things if/when I can.
I can't disappoint my fellow Steampunk lovers can I?

If I'm honest, this all sounds reasonable. I too look forward to your contributions and see no reason why we should not offer some help. I hope you can understand our concerns with giving help to such things though given that we get many such requests as this and are not wanting to end up doing someone's work for them.

Otherwise, welcome!

I'm not asking for anyone to do my work for me. The whole point of my essay is to gain primary research on the subject of what defines Steampunk. I'm not asking for research or anything other than personal opinions as those within the Steampunk community are the most likely to have their own clear opinion on what they feel constitutes Steampunk. I understand that you get requests for help etc but all I'm asking for is two separate words or phrases that help define Steampunk for you plus your age (if you want to provide it) so I can comment on age ranges.
I'm not really sure how simpler I could have put my original request ]=

[Augustus Longeye]

The problem is that a lot of people have written their "two pence" on what Steampunk is, looks  like, sounds like and even smells like (I'm not kidding) somewhere on the forum. If you do a little searching, you'll find all the answers you need and a thousand more.
Also, welcome!
~Longeye~

[Argus Fairbrass]

The whole point of my essay is to gain primary research on the subject of what defines Steampunk. I'm not asking for research or anything other than personal opinions as those within the Steampunk community are the most likely to have their own clear opinion on what they feel constitutes Steampunk.=

Haha! yeah you'd think wouldn't you! My problem is not the sentiment or the manner of approach. It's simply the question, what main two things make Steampunk? I appreciate you are asking for personal opinions but two things? rly?

I assume as you have read at least some of the forum you realise we're not all terribly good at condensing our main enthusiasms down into easily digestible pithy sound bites. Something of a failing perhaps in these "Twitterish" times in which we live. But nevertheless, might have to get back to you on this one. Which may not be much help as I assume deadlines are fast approaching.

[Dr Fidelius]

The two things which make Steampunk?
I would have to go with the steam (being the pseudo-Victwardian aesthetic, in clothing and technology) and the punk (being the celebration of the denial of merely factual history, as well as the flaunting of modern societal norms by being deliberately mannerly and well-spoken).

I hope this helps.

[MWBailey]

My only objection is to the parameters of the study; two main defining points? Pardon my saying so, but that sounds like a professor trying to force a multi-legged cthuloid being literally into a single pair of pant legs.

Rather a monstrous (pun intended) task, if you ask me. I'd suggest expanding and elaborating a bit.

[Lady Chrystal]

I'm not asking for anyone to do my work for me. The whole point of my essay is to gain primary research on the subject of what defines Steampunk. I'm not asking for research or anything other than personal opinions as those within the Steampunk community are the most likely to have their own clear opinion on what they feel constitutes Steampunk. I understand that you get requests for help etc but all I'm asking for is two separate words or phrases that help define Steampunk for you plus your age (if you want to provide it) so I can comment on age ranges.
I'm not really sure how simpler I could have put my original request ]=

I don't believe that people are finding your request too complex, more that you are making your request before making a contribution to the forum. And that your question is not readily answered in the manner that you seem to require.

Likewise you are asking people to state their age on a public forum when you are hiding your own in your profile.

I was thinking of suggesting you attend a local meeting, to ask your questions of people in person. But your location is not on your profile, either, so I cannot readily suggest a suitable meeting.

As others have stated, I look forward to your contribution to the forum.

[Narsil]

Since you've asked a straightforward question rather than asking us to fill out a pointless survey I am happy to provide an answer.

For me Steampunk revolves around a general 'level' of science and technology which has some interesting features. The best way of describing this technology is that is is what was available to the industrialised world in the 19th century. For me the peripheral historical detail is not so directly relevant but the types of technology and scientific understanding available provide the basic prototype for Steampunk.

Now the interesting thing about this is that you are working with fundamental concepts which are really fairly basic and therefore accessible to individuals. No microprocessors or quantum electrodynamics, finite element analysis or exotic synthetic materials. What this means is that it's possible for a reasonably intelligent individual to have at least a general understanding of virtually the whole scope of scientific and engineering knowledge available at the time and even more importantly the cutting edge of technology is open to creative individuals without the need for vast research and development infrastructure.

In addition the technology and industrial infrastructure is sufficiently well developed that there are plenty of versatile materials and manufacturing technology available.

A good example of this are the famous 'inventors' like Stephenson, Watt,  Trevithick, Brunel, Wedgwood  etc  who developed hugely significant technologies outside of the complex corporate framework which would be required today. To put it another way engineers could develop world changing technology from a shed. Just as importantly  they lived in a world which was developed to a point where there was a demand for that technology and the resources to manufacture it economically.

What SP does is to start with this basic set of circumstances and apply a lot of lateral thinking and creativity to see how far you can push it.  What this tends to do is generate solutions which are creative and interesting because they have to be solved with fundamentally basic technology rather than just chucking money and microchips at the problem.

From a more political perspective it also means that the cutting edge of technology can stay at a grass roots level, inventors in sheds coming up with new things rather than handing over the reins of power to sprawling international companies with vast research and development departments.

As far as I'm concerned this is what makes SP special and the top hats and pocket watches etc are all very well but basically just window dressing.

The historical perspective is important because it provides a wealth of research material and a useful prototype to build on, but faithful historical accuracy is not really that important.

For me it's not about dressing up modern solutions to look 'victorian' it's about seeing how far you an push fundamentally simple technology (of which the victorian era provides a good example) to offer alternative solutions.

[SPBrewer]

I would say, Victorian Era Science Fiction.
Oops that's 4 words. 

[Mr Addams]

In fairness to Queenofgoblins, she has done us all the courtesy of responding to the criticisms made.
For which I, and probably most of the other posters in this topic, thank you.

The trouble is, Queenofgoblins, (Can I call you Queen for short?) we get regular requests for help with schoolwork, these almost invariably take the form of "Please fill in my questionere" posts.
To restate the reactions to this would be a waste of space, but I would suggest a quick read through the responses to THIS TOPIC HERE. Made by a poster who has spent the grand total of 11 minutes & 20 seconds on this forum, and has never returned.

to reduce Steampunk to two defining features is a huge undertaking. Assuming you are referring to steampunk as a Genre, as opposed to the steampunk scene, I would have to agree that Victorian Science-fiction are the two key points, but this is a massive oversimplification, as everybody has their own, individual perspective. Personally I would say that Steampunk is what would today be regarded as science fiction from point of view of the 19th century.
For example I would say that the novel, War of the Worlds qualifies as steampunk, whereas the recent film Cowboys Vs Aliens, does not. Whilst the basic idea between the stories is almost exactly the same, the novel, perhaps because it was written in the era, captures the Victorian sensabilities, the aliens are creatures conceived by a late 19th century mind. whereas the film is about aliens created by a 21st century film maker, the film could just as easily have been set in the 17th Century, or in the modern day. Nor is there any "futuristic" Victorian technology utilised against the aliens. And in the context of the film story, such devices were not needed.
By contrast, the low budget Cowboy/Aliens film, High Plains Invaders, All be it not a very good film, falls closer into the Steampunk Camp. The films Designers have given the aliens a Chitinous, insect like look that makes the aliens less Creatures from outer space, and more monsters, also, the plot revolves around the activities of a local uranium mine, and the radioactivity is exploited by the heroes as bait to defeat the aliens, putting some of the science fiction element into the control of the protagonists.
The distinction between the three is subtle but important.
But that is just my opinion, you will find many who disagree.

[Argus Fairbrass]

Ok this is an interesting conundrum, I'll do my best.

My personal opinion would be mainly history and imagination simple as that. The history in this case being the "Age Of Steam" officially roughly 1770 to 1914. Personally I take it up to 1920 so it sits neatly alongside the Dieselpunk era which is technically 1920 to 1950 I believe. And imagination being the "Punk" part, IE the creative anachronism, parachronism, prochronism etc, we often see demonstrated.

Personally I feel that comes over most effectively when there appears to be a working knowledge of the actual history from which to springboard ideas, whether they be applied to technology, art, design, literature, character development or whatever.

As to the question of my age, the answer I suspect, would be considerably older than you.  

[Fairley B. Strange]

I would sugest that the 2 defining characteristics are:

1 -a sense of pseudo-Victorian Scientific adventure

2 - a refined politeness, as any other interweb forum would have told you (and the myriad of similar visitors) to sodoff (or "mammaries or begone" or suchlike) long before now....  

Fairley B. Strange.
Old enough to know better, young enough to go ahead anyway...

[von Corax]

Tannya:

Welcome to Brass Goggles. I apologize for your slightly-chilly initial reception, but I believe the cause of this has adequately been explained. Please rest assured that it was nothing personal.

Your question (in my opinion) is not merely well-framed, but also quite interesting and thought-provoking. Others have suggested Victorian-era science-fiction, Victorian technology, Victorian science, Victorian fashion and æsthetic, historical perspective, anachronism, rejection of modern social standards, rejection of modern consumerism and so on and so forth. I disagree with all of these. Yes, these are all essential aspects of Steampunk, and they are all crucial in differentiating Steampunk from not-Steampunk, but they all merely provide context; they don't (in my opinion) really describe the heart of it, that is, what it takes to be Steampunk.

For me, the two most vital, fundamental aspects I see in all the interactions among the Steampunk community around me, and which I have come to regard as the core elements of the spirit of Steampunk, are these: first, there is the creativity, imagination and inventiveness blended with a healthy dollop of whimsy; and second, there is the clear and deeply seated sense of mutual respect. Without these, the whole thing becomes nothing more than historical re-enactment, and we would all merely be "going through the motions."

I hope these ruminations are of some use to you, and I remain

Your humble servant,
Prof. Darwin Prætorius von Corax (not my real name, obviously), Exec. Dir.
The Leverkusen Institute of Paleocybernetics,
a fortysomething-year-old Canadian

PS: If I may ask, what course is this for?

[SPBrewer]

Tannya,
   I'm assuming that this topic was not assigned to you.  If this is correct, what made you decide on this topic?

[Tower]

1. Imagination.

2. Industrial revolution.

[Lady Ava]

The two things which make Steampunk?
I would have to go with the steam (being the pseudo-Victwardian aesthetic, in clothing and technology) and the punk (being the celebration of the denial of merely factual history, as well as the flaunting of modern societal norms by being deliberately mannerly and well-spoken).

I hope this helps.

Alternatively:
STEAM: A love of the industrial era and the famous use of steam power
PUNK: I don't give a toss what you think about my top hat and goggles.

[Mécanicien de Vapeur]

The two standout aspects of Steampunk for me are:

Social
and
Fun

Neither of which are exclusive to steampunk, of course, but to me form a foundation to which the rest (the look/style, contraptioneering, literature/music, events, etc.) are added to make something greater than the sum of it's parts.

[GabrielCrimson]

i think it's the aesthetic of a time in which every item had a style that wasn't just black and shiny or white and shiny and all the adventure and strange possible city landscapes, scenery and tales that comes to mind when you think of the term steampunk

[Flightless Phoenix]

To me the most important things about steampunk are:

1. Respect. Not just for each other, as has already been stated, but also respect for the past. Respect for technology which isn't disposable, for clothing and buildings and contraptions which were built to last and do it beautifully.

2. Creativity and imagination. Taking those things/design concepts and running with them; fresh ideas and different perspectives to create something new, unique and a tiny bit magical.

[robotmastern]

to me steam punk means the adaptation of obsolete technology into our lives in a futuristic manner, as though they are still being developed to this day instead of being abandoned.
 and to make everything beautiful with a Victorian æsthetic with overly elaborate filigree and detail

[Prof Ainsworth Halfmain]

1.  An appreciation and adaptation of things that have gone before, during a particular and specific period of human civilization development, scientific discovery and industrial innovation that were precursors of the modern world in which we now live.

2.  An appreciation of others who share the same aesthetic sense, innovative spirit and interpretive adaptations of the foregoing.