Are you familiar with two subgenres of science fiction known as steampunk and cyberpunk? If you didn't, it's ok, you'll definitely relate to a lot of this discussion and it will be fascinating! How did we move from steampunk's imaginative world of steam-powered airships and Victorian fashion to the gritty, high-tech futures filled with cybernetic enhancements and rogue hackers (cyberpunk)? What do these two genres—steampunk, with its focus on an alternate history shaped by steam power, and cyberpunk, with its futuristic vision of technology-driven dystopias—say about the eras they emerged from? What was happening in the world, economically, politically and even sociologically when each genre came out and how are they connected?
Let's have a fascinating conversation guided by Leon, a psychologist, where we’ll explore the progression from steampunk to cyberpunk. Steampunk, with its Victorian-inspired aesthetics and focus on steam-powered technology, arose during a time when industrialization and colonial expansion were shaping the world. Cyberpunk, on the other hand, reflects the digital age’s anxieties, emerging as society faces the rapid rise of computers, corporate power, and globalization. How do these genres mirror society's fears, hopes, and transformations? And what do they reveal about our collective imagination? Whether you’re a fan of speculative fiction, interested in cultural trends, or just have a curious mind, this discussion will be unforgettable and world-opening!