Startup Guides > Is Steampunk Bad?

Steampunk is a growing subculture that has many passionate followers. Those who indulge in the steampunk genre are often quick to condemn it as a passing fad, but this is far from being the case. Steampunk draws on old archetypes and makes them modern again by reworking them into works of art. This retrofuturistic aesthetic is unique and attracts many people who would otherwise not be interested in an offbeat genre like this.
However, there are plenty of detractors within the steampunk community. Some people object to the gaudy visual styling of steampunk fashion or the sometimes absurd plots that are a staple of many works in this niche. Others dislike the logical errors and lack of scientific knowledge that infuse so much work in this niche with bad science and/ or blatant fantasy elements.

What is Steampunk?
Steampunk is a genre in which science fiction and fantasy themes are combined with anachronistic technology that exists in the 19th century. It was coined by writer K. W. Jeter in his novel, The Difference Engine, and it has since grown into a popular phenomenon that spans many different media types. Steampunk utilizes retrofuturistic visuals, alternate histories, and Victorian-era aesthetics to tell stories about what could have been had certain events not gone differently.
Steampunk is often criticized for its lack of creativity as any story can be told with steampunk elements if the author so chooses; this criticism tends to stem from the fact that many works within the genre share similar themes and plot devices. There are also critics who dislike how steampunk is often used for comic relief or to serve as a means to provide action or drama by way of strange inventions and nonsensical plots that don't make sense without careful thought given to them.

A Detailed Look at Steampunk Elements
Most steampunk works are set in a fictional world called Victoriana, which tends to be similar to the Victorian age. The aesthetic of steampunk is often based on retrofuturistic technology and features steam-powered automatons and clockwork devices that were made popular in the 1800s. Steampunk also incorporates elements like cyberpunk, fantasy, horror, and other popular subgenres.
The logical errors and lack of scientific knowledge are more prevalent with science fiction-style stories than with historical ones. Steampunk has a problem with illogical premises or poor science because it borrows heavily from speculative fiction literature that was common in the early 20th century. This can make some steampunk works feel dated or uninspired as they fail to progress beyond the limitations of their literary roots.

Pros of Steampunk
There are many pros to steampunk. For one thing, it is so unique and subversive that it makes for an intriguing read. There is also a close community that is interested in sharing with each other, which is not always the case with other genres.
Additionally, steampunk has a lot of science-y elements that make for some deeply thought-provoking works of fiction. Some pieces even have an environmentalist message or are about political revolutions.
If you're looking for something different from the norm, steampunk can be an excellent choice.



Cons of Steampunk
As steampunk is a subculture, it has its own set of pros and cons. On the plus side, steampunk has a unique aesthetic that captures people's imaginations. Steampunk can also provide an exciting new twist on old archetypes like the Victorian era and the pirate world. One of the main draws of steampunk is how different it is from mainstream literature and film.
On the downside, steampunk can be very complicated to read or watch as there are so many genres that are covered in this niche; so reading or watching something in this genre doesn't guarantee you'll enjoy it. The lack of scientific knowledge in some works within this niche, as well as bad science in general, can make some readers or viewers roll their eyes or shake their heads with disgust.

Bottom Line
Steampunk is a growing subculture that has many passionate followers. Those who indulge in the steampunk genre are often quick to condemn it as a passing fad, but this is far from being the case. Steampunk draws on old archetypes and makes them modern again by reworking them into works of art. This retrofuturistic aesthetic is unique and attracts many people who would otherwise not be interested in an offbeat genre like this. However, there are plenty of detractors within the steampunk community. Some people object to the gaudy visual styling of steampunk fashion or the sometimes absurd plots that are a staple of many works in this niche. Others dislike the logical errors and lack of scientific knowledge that infuse so much work in this niche with bad science and/ or blatant fantasy elements. Bottom line: Steampunk is not all bad!