Seven Steampunk Fallacies by artvixn

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Are you interested in getting into steampunk, but feeling a bit overwhelmed?

You may have heard of steampunk recently or you may just want to know a bit more. It can be intimidating trying to find information, but it really shouldn't be. There are an awful lot of conflicting bits of information out there. Let's clear up a few fallacies that you may have heard.

1. "Steampunk is anything you want it to be." 

You are going to hear that sometimes, but does it really make sense? If steampunk is anything at all, then it is meaningless. As a popular trend, it has become a label people want to exploit. You will find items for sale on etsy labeled steampunk that make everyone scratch their heads. "How the heck do they think that a macramé dolphin is steampunk?" Well, it's not unless "steampunk is anything you want it to be." So anyone can call anything steampunk?

Some people feel it should not be defined, but words and terms have definitions. I can't help you understand steampunk without defining it. So let's do that.

Steampunk is a genre of science fiction/fantasy based in the Victorian era or an equivalent technological age in an alternate world. It began with the work of Jules Verne, arguably the father of science fiction. You can have steampunk in a different time in history as long as history has altered from what actually happened to keep steam power as the main power source. It is important that diesel power does not become prevalent, because that would then be dieselpunk, which is a separate genre. Steampunk can extend into the Edwardian era, but generally stops at the beginning of World War I, because the war accelerates the rise of diesel power. Steampunk doesn't have to have steam either. It can have clockwork or a made up power source, but the technology is of an equivalent level.

People are always pointing to something historical and calling it steampunk, like an antique car. Steampunk doesn't mean old. The object in question isn't science fiction or fantasy. It actually existed and was used. It isn't steam powered. To them it looks "steampunk", but that's where a real definition comes in handy.

So simply put steampunk is Victorian science fiction/fantasy. Just because it has a definition doesn't mean there isn't room for creativity. You and I can envision steampunk a lot differently but still agree that it's steampunk.

2. "Steampunk must have "punk" in it." 

When most people hear the word "punk", they think of punk rock music and the punk scene; raucous music, Sid and Nancy, leather jackets and mohawks. Steampunk was coined as a play on words based on "cyberpunk" which was a popular genre of science fiction at the time. Cyberpunk does have some connection to punk, but steampunk does not. There is absolutely no need for safety pins, plaid, or mohawks in steampunk. Well, you can certainly incorporate plaid and mohawks into your steampunk look if you want to, but what I'm saying is that they aren't an essential element.

Some people try to retroactively justify the punk suffix by saying that steampunk needs to be counter culture and rebellious, and to a point it is, but it was not the intention. All science fiction/fantasy is on the fringes. Its characters are explorers, rebels and quite often societal outsiders. The stories don't have to hinge on those values however.

3. "Victorian re-creation is all you need." 

Dressing in strictly Victorian re-creation is like dressing as a muggle from a Harry Potter book. While it is a good base, it doesn't really qualify as steampunk. Someone looking at you wouldn't see it as a steampunk outfit. You really need at least a small amount of gear, gadgetry or anachronism to make the look steampunk. You need an addition to the outfit that brings it away from simply historical re-enactment.

For more on this take a look at one of my other lenses: http://www.squidoo.com/dressingsteampunk

4. "You must make it all yourself." 

There are those who will sneer if you don't make your own props, but not everyone has the skills, time or desire to make everything from scratch. If you can make your own things, that is fantastic. While we applaud the efforts of those in the community who do make things, these individuals generally need people to purchase their wares. If not, they will very likely not be able to continue being creative.

Most of us will simply ask you where you got that particular widget or jacket so that we can go and buy one as well.

5. "Well, MY gear all works!" 

Oh really? Your science fiction based apparatus actually disrupts matter?! You have a working time machine?! I call shenanigans. People who feel that if the gears don't turn or the lights don't blink, your gadget isn't good enough, need to get over themselves. There are many different levels of bodgery (a bodger is a person who makes things in steampunk speak.) Sure, a more sophisticated gadget is cool, but creativity comes in many different shapes and styles just like people who create. Don't feel that you shouldn't try to be creative just because someone else is doing it better. Everyone has to start somewhere. Not everyone will be able to make the thingamajig go whir, but that doesn't make that thingamajig any less worthy.

6. "If it isn't metal, it's crap!" 

This is another variation on the argument above, but there are people who will tell you that your prop is inferior because it's made of plastic and not brass or copper. Let me tell you, the brass is very nice, but I really can't afford their gadgets. I can make my own plastic props, so I do. I get satisfaction from it. From a short distance or in a photograph, the difference is hardly noticeable. And best of all, at the end of the day, my arm doesn't ache from hoisting forty pounds of metal around.

7. "Don't wear goggles!" 

Sure, goggles are everywhere. They have become a symbol for steampunk, although there are others who wear goggles so it isn't a definitive sign. Wearing goggles on your hat has become a trademark of steampunk, like our not so secret handshake. We love our goggles.

Can you have steampunk without goggles? Absolutely. Should you avoid goggles? Well, take some time to think if you would be wearing goggles with this particular look. Even if you are fairly well dressed, perhaps you just flew in on an ornithopter and needed the eye protection for instance.

The goggles should be era appropriate. Cup type welding goggles work best. Single lenses look much too modern. Swim goggles are right out. Be warned, just adding goggles to ren fair garb or a pirate outfit doesn't make it steampunk; it's still the wrong era unless you are a lost time traveler. Also, just because post apocalypse looks often have goggles doesn't make them steampunk either.

And a bonus one: "Steampunks take themselves very seriously." 

The other day I read a response to some criticism of steampunk and the commenter said "...if steampunks want to be taken seriously..." Ha! I don't know any steampunks that take it all that seriously. It's a fairly fun and light hearted endeavor in truth. Octopus bustles? Balloon airship races? Do these sound serious to you? It's escapism. Fantasy. We don't expect anyone to take us seriously, because we certainly don't.

The point is to have fun. I think that is why so many people are attracted to steampunk. Sure, you can do tons of historical research and have all the details completely correct, but it's "alternate history"! I coined the term "Steampunk needs historical accuracy like a dirigible needs a goldfish" to point out that it isn't necessary. It's "what if" and make believe. Have fun with it.

So, we've called shenanigans on some misconceptions. 

These are just some observations that I have made over the past few years of being in the steampunk community. I am not saying that I have all the answers, but I hope that I helped provoke some thought. I hope that they help you understand steampunk a little bit. Mostly, I hope that you will join us for a cuppa tea and a balloon airship race.

If you do decide steampunk is your cup of tea, consider attending Steamcon in October.

www.steamcon.org

About the Author 

I have been involved in steampunk for quite a few years now. I do costuming, prop modding, art, fiction and non-fiction writing all revolving around steampunk. I give talks and demonstrations all over the country. My goal is to help people get a basic understanding of steampunk so that they can go out and be creative. I also am co-founder of Steamcon, one of the largest steampunk conventions in the world, which is held in the Seattle WA area in the fall. www.steamcon.org