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