Steampunk Philosophy 

 

“ Sexual harassment and bullying are firmly rejected, which is not

always the case in many areas of fandom. These differences add

weight to the suggestion that Steampunk may have the makings

of a full-blown social movement beyond fandom.”

 

“In the growing Steampunk community, as in much of fandom,

there is no commonly recognized authority figure or structure.

Every group, whether online or local, determines their own

standards and criteria, and all Steampunk communities espouse

a common value of tolerance and inclusion, tending to be very

supportive of the creative efforts of all, both for the novice and veteran.” “ there are no guidelines or requirements that must be followed, rather, exploration and experimentation is the general rule.”

 

“Since Steampunk is not based on an actual time period or any single work of literature or media..., and has no formal structure, there are no criteria for these kinds of judgments.” “It represents taking the best from both past and present, to create a better future. Underneath the surface of Steampunk, there lurks a depth of meaning and longing, with the potential to impact the larger culture in many beneficial ways.” “It is the marriage of Victorian-era focus on manners, beauty and form with technology, given a fantastical twist of functionality and craftsmanship, with a firm grounding in community and environmental consciousness.”

 

“SteamPunk: Colonizing the Past so we can dream the future” – Professor Calamity

“Artists, engineers and designers (both professional and amateur) are accorded a respect in the Steampunk community they often find lacking in the mainstream.”

“This Victorian movement was a backlash to the Industrial Revolution of the early 19th century. From this, Steampunk adopts its preference of skilled craftsmanship over commercial factory-made products, and the rampant consumerism it fuels.”

“Steampunk is unrepentantly optimistic, intentionally calling upon the past for the inspiration to build a better future, free ourselves of limiting inequities, and to make a place where each individual is empowered to explore their own creativity.”

“No one is in charge or even leading the Steampunk movement.

It is entirely self-perpetuating and self-generating.”

“The interest in the environment and a sustainable lifestyle infuses

Steampunk with practical grounding mostly lacking from other

historical re-creation and cosplay movements.”

“The desire to marry function with beautiful design illustrates

Steampunk’s embrace of technology, again, something lacking

in the main historical recreation subculture.”

“Individualism and self-reliance are highly appealing Steampunk

values, empowering many who find their work-a-day world to

be unfulfilling to seek out greener pastures of self-expression through art.”

“rejection of a consumerist culture”

“Steampunk represents a longing to return to the openness of the era, in which such thoughts were newly minted, and not confined by academic over-specialization and the dictates of mass production."

 

 

 

Citations: Steampunk Philosophy Citation:"Steampunk Philosophy - Steampunk as an Indicator of Paradigmatic Shift."Province of the Mind. Province-of-the-Mind.com, n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <http://www.province-of-the-mind.com/steampunkphilosophy.html>.

 

"The Philosophy and Spirituality of Steampunk." Enlighten Up with The Aquarian. The Aquarian, 4 Feb. 2014. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <http://www.aquarianonline.com/the-philosophy-and-spirituality-of-steampunk-part-2/>.