- Image via Wikipedia
I’ve attended a few parties/concerts/events that were supposed to have a “Steampunk” theme over the last few years. If you aren’t sure what Steampunk is, this is a great article to help you get started.
I knew about the steam-powered, Neo-Victorian aspect of it, heck, I really just enjoy wearing a suit and a top hat (I don’t think the hat would fly at my day job). Points two and three of the aforementioned article intrigued me the most:
One of the tenets of Steampunk is unbridled optimism, so although it’s natural to feel frightened when you happen upon a fellow wielding a souped-up ray gun, stay calm: he is a real gentleman! Like so many lifestyle trends, Steampunk is anti-establishment, but don’t look for a can of spray paint in their hands. Steampunkers are intensely creative, talented people. Just take a look at the things they come up with!
Steampunk goes to great lengths to transform basic, utilitarian objects into magnificent, fantastical art pieces that actually work.
Unbridled Optimism
I keep seeing reports that Generation X and Y are incredibly optimistic about the future, but stressed as opposed to earlier generations who are supposedly more fearful. It then makes sense that the average age I see at the events I’ve attended is probably around 35. Sure, life is stressful. As I get older, I see more and more of my friends getting…well…older. But we have a great time. We are happy with our lives. We have great friendships and great family. So what is there not to be optimistic about?
Transformation
I’ve read stories of people during the Great Depression, saving stacks and stacks of newspapers of phone books because it was something, anything they could call their own, during a time when everything was being taken from them. Similarly, I have a very hard time throwing things out. But for myself and many I know, we aren’t holding onto it for the sake of holding onto it, but instead because we know it isn’t dead. Sure, the shirt doesn’t fit anymore, but it doesn’t have any holes in it either (or perhaps they’re really cool holes). Sometimes I try to modify it, make it better for myself, a friend or the next person I run into. Others, I realize I don’t have the imagination to make it better, so off it goes to the Salvation Army. Either way, I don’t throw it away.
Exploration
Another common theme of Jules Verne, a Steampunk role model, is exploration. Journey to the Center of the Earth, 10,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the idea of learning, achieving, exploring. Is it such a bad thing?
Sure, the costumes are cool, but there are some interesting ideologies that should be understood as well behind this counter-culture trend of Steampunk.
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