Cyberpunk Information Database
Science Fiction
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Cyberpunk as a Science Fiction Genre
 


 

Cyberpunk is a literary movement, born in the 1980's, that seeks to completely integrate the realms of high tech and of pop culture, both mainstream and underground, and break down the separation between the organic and the artificial.

Cyberpunk is a member of the genre of fiction known as Hard (or Hard Core) Science Fiction. It is called Hard Science Fiction because of its heavy reliance on technology or biology to tell a story. The works of cyberpunk science fiction writers are the birthplace of the concept of "cyberspace". This concept was first introduced to the world by writer William Gibson in his novel "Neuromancer", probably the most famous cyberpunk book ever.

"Cyberpunk literature, in general, deals with marginalized people in technologically-enhanced cultural 'systems'. In cyberpunk stories' settings, there is usually a 'system' which dominates the lives of most 'ordinary' people, be it an oppressive government, a group of large, paternalistic corporations, or a fundamentalist religion. These systems are enhanced by certain technologies (today advancing at a rate that is bewildering to most people), particularly 'information technology' (computers, the mass media), making the system better at keeping those within it inside it. Often this technological system extends into its human 'components' as well, via brain implants, prosthetic limbs, cloned or genetically engineered organs, etc. Humans themselves become part of 'the Machine'. This is the 'cyber' aspect of cyberpunk. However, in any cultural system, there are always those who live on its margins, on 'the Edge': criminals, outcasts, visionaries, or those who simply want freedom for its own sake. Cyberpunk literature focuses on these people, and often on how they turn the system's technological tools to their own ends. This is the 'punk' aspect of cyberpunk."

-- Erich Schneider <erich@bush.cs.tamu.edu>


Cyberpunk was in many ways the turning point in science fiction. Past science fiction usually extrapolated from a single idea, while cyberpunk took the larger view that things don't develop in isolation. By considering the many factors that could affect our future, cyberpunk led the way towards a more credible speculation, and more sophisticated writing styles.


History of Cyberpunk Science Fiction

These papers tell about cyberpunk history, from pre-cyberpunk science fiction to '80s cyberpunk, and to cyberpunk nowadays.


Cyberpunk Literary/Science Fiction Style

These papers try to define cyberpunk as a literary/science fiction style. What makes science fiction cyberpunk?


Cyberpunk Literature

Lists of cyberpunk and related books and authors. Cyberpunk literature links.


Cyberpunk Movies

Lists of cyberpunk and related movies. Cyberpunk movie links.


Cyberpunk on Television

Cyberpunk television series and episodes.


Cyberpunk in Games

The games sphere just couldn't pass-out this new genre, so they coded the first cyberpunk game - "BloodNet". And the game producers gave their share for the popularity of Cyberpunk. Now gamers are able to participate in the action. They become the heros - cyberpunks, kicking some butt. But coding is hard, so the RPG games started conquering the cyberpunk games scene. That's how "Cyberpunk 2020" was born.


Cyberpunk in Arts

Cyberpunk has also inspired many artists. The Cyberpunk art is considered free minded and there was no place for scruples, when talking about cyberpunks behind the computer or the drawing board. The erotic mixture up of technology and art tickled the deep-inside-cyberpunk artists to creativity.


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The Cyberpunk genre will always keep inspiring the creative individuals, no matter if they are directly connected with the cyberpunk culture, or not...

It will keep feeding the industry's hunger for money, as well...


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"Are there any rules?"
"There were, but we killed them last night.
They're in the dumper out back, Ratz sells them
for scrap."


 















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by
The Cyberpunk Project