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 Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:58 pm
Meh, as a long-time costumer, I can tell you that there will always be phails whether or not something is popular. I saw a bunch of folks this weekend who dressed up as lousy pirates and put a pair of goggles on their heads and called themselves steampunk. That's not bad steampunk and not an effect of steampunk going mainstream. It's just plain bad costuming. Meanwhile, a steampunk group completely b***h-slapped the anime cosplayers who were in the masquerade, showed everyone up, and took best in show. Every sort of costuming as their good, their bad, and their ugly.
As for what the genre itself entails, I'm still not convinced that this, or any, genre is a static thing. Some people include mystical elements in steampunk, others do not. I doubt you'll find a whole lot of people really caring one way or another if a steampunk story includes a werewolf (and, in fact, I now have evidence to back this up based on personal experience). Genres evolve over time based on perception and taste. They always have and they always will.
Berz.
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 6:45 pm
Captain Amaranth I'm in two minds. Firstly, I absolutely love the notion of there being more steampunk in this world, and more people who like it (why not?). However, I do fear some people will do it 'for the sake of it', as it were - which is perhaps not so desirable. Not such people themselves, but more the idea of seeing steampunk as the next band-wagon to jump on to. In a nut-shell, be on the look-out for cheap imitations. Also, get ready to use the phrase 'I liked steampunk before it was cool'. ~ I hope the introduction of steampunk on MTV is a good thing (and encourage it for that). But whatever happens, I don't much mind really - I'd still like Steampunk, and go on my way heedless. Here's the thing though: those that get into steampunk ONLY thanks to MTV, will eventually move on if they don't fall in love with it. The rest who have loved it before it was cool, will most likely continue to love it. The only thing I am worried about, is MTV watering it down too much, and having that soak into the real, original stuff. Making things less unique, and making everyone have the exact same "STEAMPUNK" clothing or gadgets as everyone else, rather than being creative and making their own. There still stands the strong possibility of this floating off as MTV moves onto something else though.
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 9:07 pm
Perhaps it's just me, but I believe that the kind of people who would really get into Steampunk and become good Gaslamp citizens would not be watching MTV. They would be watching The History Channel or perhaps one of the Discovery channel's many branches. Or better yet, they wouldn't be watching TV at all.
I'll admit it - I'm elitist. MTV is the stinking, moldering gutter of society; poisoning the minds of Americas children with it's rap, poor morals, overt and blatant sexuality, and disrespect to authority.
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 10:53 pm
For me the idea that more people may come into contacts with Steampunk is nothing but greatness. I didn't even know about Steampunk as a genre until I came to Gaia. When I discovered this wonderful world of other people who were interested in not only the cool stuff the genre sports but also the time period it is modeled after I was really impressed. As far as the "elitist" word that has been floating around the discussion I find no problem in wanting people to be educated about all steampunk, but you have to understand that not everyone wants a history lesson. I know, I know, it should be blasphemy, but 'tis true. You have to realize that IF steampunk goes mainstream, and I'm still not convinced that a small segment on Mtv will do that, that there are going to be people who say, "Oh, look at that. Those clothes are cool and I want to dress like that." If those same people are also not interested in history then who are we to say "You're not steampunk" simply because they just like the clothes. The genre and community here has always been one of acceptance and is very inclusive. I'd hate to see good steampunk cosplayers or liveplayers who look down on others interested in the fashion. The biggest thing that mainstreaming will do for the genre will be to further diversify the already intensely large culture. I'm looking forward to seeing what other kind of fun alternatives or spin-offs we will see.
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 12:28 am
Imber Meh. Steampunk's a thing of the past anyway. I mean, its so late-1800s. Mr. Imber, may I please save this quote? XD Bah, I've been gone a while, probably shouldn't hop back in with an opinion answer... XD But, I agree with those that say "what can it hurt." Let the little punks watch it; those that will laugh and claim it's too geeky (or who will pretend to, to be little clones of their friends) would never be into it anyway, outfits or not. Those that are interested, though... well, they're welcomed with opened arms, or at least should be. Granted, I'm no fan of MTV in any way, shape, or form, and blame it for 9/10ths of the grime in this generation (if that makes any sense), but... there's no harm in this. And okay, I really just answered to ask if I could use the quote. XD But it seemed wrong not answering the topic, anyway, even if everyone else worded their views better. smile
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Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 6:13 am
Why am I getting the feeling that this is the first knell of the bell that Steampunk is dead?
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Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 12:46 pm
Sidnay Why am I getting the feeling that this is the first knell of the bell that Steampunk is dead? pessimist... punk and goth survived Hot Topic generation resulting in the off shoot "emo" there'll be some growing pains as the steampunk revolution culls the posers from it's ranks and then we'll also have a little sister genre.
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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:16 am
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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:02 am
oh know not MTV! know there will be kids with 80s hair and a gallon of eye makeup wearing waistcoats and pocket watches and airship engineers with over-sized shirts and sagging slacks.
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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:52 pm
Halo Fauna oh know not MTV! know there will be kids with 80s hair and a gallon of eye makeup wearing waistcoats and pocket watches and airship engineers with over-sized shirts and sagging slacks. Your first example makes me just think of a new generation of Adam Ants... I have to say this doesn't disturb me as much as it should.
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 1:35 pm
Sidhe Devil Halo Fauna oh know not MTV! know there will be kids with 80s hair and a gallon of eye makeup wearing waistcoats and pocket watches and airship engineers with over-sized shirts and sagging slacks. Your first example makes me just think of a new generation of Adam Ants... I have to say this doesn't disturb me as much as it should. I'm a little proud that I actually know who Adam Ant is. MTV...did I ever watch that channel? Either way I have the mixed feelings about them. For one it can give more exposure to future steampunkers who would really take a serious interest in it. I found out about this on my own through the things that I like, the sci-fi, the fashion, then the culture. But I think it will need a little bit more than that to become as mainstream as some of us are thinking. Some star the tweens and the like idolize may have to walk around sporting the steampunk fashion and talking about it. Even then it will only be a fad with them it will go mainstream and then quickly fade with them as they always do. The only thing that will be annoying is how the 'posers' and 'fad chasers' will claim to have been steampunk before others and once it's over tell the remaining how outdated it is (which is a compliment in hindsight).
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Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:26 am
I think any well-rooted and developed genre can survive the poseurs and whatnot. I think it's going to be more difficult if steampunk does become mainstream to have a quality conversation with someone who really knows what they're talking about... But I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. The worst part would be if Hot Topic got their grubby little hands in it - shitty quality faux-steampunk clothes selling for top dollar.
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 1:47 am
I'm all for authentic Steampunk, but I'm afraid that if it goes mainstream somehow it will get botched. I mean, it's almost inevitable that the original idea will be mangled, but I don't want the roots of true Steampunk culture to disappear and evolve into something that's really NOT Steampunk at all.
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Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 10:08 am
Elsebet Anja I'm all for authentic Steampunk, but I'm afraid that if it goes mainstream somehow it will get botched. I mean, it's almost inevitable that the original idea will be mangled, but I don't want the roots of true Steampunk culture to disappear and evolve into something that's really NOT Steampunk at all. *nods* I would love for Steampunk to be popular; I just fear the debasement that will surely follow.
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:51 pm
xxstephasaurusxxrexxx I think any well-rooted and developed genre can survive the poseurs and whatnot. I think it's going to be more difficult if steampunk does become mainstream to have a quality conversation with someone who really knows what they're talking about... But I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. The worst part would be if Hot Topic got their grubby little hands in it - shitty quality faux-steampunk clothes selling for top dollar. *Shudders* No, please don't let steampunk go Hot Topic. Not that it will kill it but to me that's like it will be molested...or something much worse.
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