Cyberpunk is a whole subculture in the modern world. It reflects the decline of society and its culture against the backdrop of the ever-evolving progress of computer technology. The components of this subculture are the most diverse: specific worldviews, cinema, music, literature and even games.
Works that can be attributed to the cyberpunk genre show an anti-utopian future world, where high technologies are combined with the global social crisis and radical changes in the structure of society.
How is the cyberpunk genre different?
Cyberpunk is an artistic blend of genres such as science fiction, retro-futurism, fantasy and dystopia. Comprehensive computerization and the development of artificial intelligence are the most characteristic technical elements of cyberpunk.
The social aspect of the genre has anti-utopian and post-apocalyptic features. In the midst of enormous class inequality, a decline in human culture can be traced against the backdrop of the prosperity of elite corporations that manage world capital.
In addition, the lives of hackers and major crime syndicates are often described. In the cyberpunk genre, the black market and the activities of mafia clans flourish.
Ecology is in a state of crisis, climate change and disaster are constantly happening. Cyberpunk is a world in which global military conflicts and rampant crime are intertwined.
Origin
Unlike existing subcultures, which began with the release of certain musical works, cyberpunk as a genre arose in literature. The term was first mentioned by Bruce Betke in 1983. The writer chose the word “cyberpunk” for the title of the story.
The morphology of the term speaks of its meaning. The first part is “cyber”. She says that the plot contains high technology. The second root is punk. He points to a certain worldview, where freedom and social protest are priorities for a person.
Cyberpunk became an unusually popular genre in the 1980s. After all, then for the average layman, the world of artificial intelligence looked like something incredible and inaccessible.
Genre development
In the early 1990s, cyberpunk finally moved to the mainstream. This push in progress was quite natural. Mass culture has been enriched by the cyberpunk genre. Films in which the futuristic world was shown began to appear on the screens more and more often. After all, it is cinema that has the most powerful influence on the consciousness of the public.
Some films were able to leave a very tangible mark in the minds of the audience. The Matrix trilogy, which is a cultural world phenomenon, has become a highlight in the cinematic genre of cyberpunk. For a decade, strong ideas were filmed that were remembered by the audience.
Among foreign cyberpunk films it is worth highlighting the following:
- "12 monkeys";
- "Existence";
- Hackers
- "Remember all";
- "Equilibrium";
- "Gamer" and others.
In Russian popular culture, Sergei Lukyanenko’s novel “The Labyrinth of Reflections” is widely known.
Computer games
The cyberpunk genre is considered the main direction of the development of computer games. The gloomy and harsh world of the future, the constant local and global conflicts, the environmental crisis - all this attracts an ordinary person mired in everyday life.
What could be better and more interesting than plunging into a fantasy world where the transnational elite rules, and hackers try to survive at all costs?
Futuristic weapons and the original plot - chips of the cyberpunk genre. Games Shadowrun, Omikron, Deus Ex have deservedly won the interest of the public. Control of consciousness, immortality, cloning, mass riots and all kinds of conflicts - all this can be seen and felt in games of the cyberpunk genre.
These include the legendary Syndicate Wars, as well as the Blade Runner. Here you can fully experience the eccentricity of the cyberpunk space.
Cyberpunk and casual wear
Cyberpunk is not only a genre of cinema and literature. He penetrated into all spheres of society, including fashion. Cyberpunk clothes are characterized by an incredible combination of traditional elements with additional stylized jewelry from all kinds of gadgets and technological innovations.
Of course, real fans of this genre are far from always well-disposed towards this kind of fashion. But for those who want to become a fan of this style, it’s pretty easy to follow certain cyberpunk canons.
Many imitate heroes from films, thereby refuting the essence of cyberpunk. After all, this is primarily a protest against ideas imposed by society. In any case, cyberpunk is a clothing style that combines love for traditions and for a futuristic future.
Sometimes lovers of dressing in a similar style complement their image with purely punk attributes - for example, hairstyles. It can be Iroquois or dreadlocks of a wide variety of colors. In the outfits themselves, dark tones predominate.