differences between cyberpunk and science fiction
September 15th, 2009 at 2:58In comparing and contrasting science fiction versus cyberpunk, I think it is important to look at the labels themselves. As much as both genres have had great success in defying definitions, some broad generalizations can be made simply by analyzing words used to tag them.
From the two words science and fiction, which one is more representative of the field? Fiction comes in many forms, but adding the word science instantly identifies a particular type of fiction. Merriam-Webster Online defines science as a department of systematized knowledge as an object of study[1]. Science is a large topic covering many fields of study, and science fiction tends to portray ideas on a grand scale. Worlds, galaxies, universes; these are all fair game for the science fiction writer. Obviously, there are plenty of individual characters populating these worlds and telling their stories, but they are usually part of a much larger picture.
Taking that same approach and breaking cyberpunk down to its roots we again have two choices. Cyber relates to technology, computers and networks, but adding punk on the end changes everything and once more identifies a certain genre. One of the definitions for punk in that same Merriam-Webster Online is a usually petty gangster, hoodlum, or ruffian[2]. In other words, this is someone who breaks the rules, someone who doesn’t follow “the system”. The focus here is on the individual and more introspective by nature.
In the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, the protagonist Rick Deckard is immersed in a world of technology. But it is the fallout from science that paints such a haze over that technology and brings the reader in to a closer examination of Deckard and what it means to be human.
Ironically, one of the first analogies that occurred to me when thinking about these two types of literature was that of the mainframe computer versus the PC. Science fiction is like a mainframe shared by many users, and cyberpunk is like a PC that is by definition more personal. Is it a coincidence that science fiction gave birth to cyberpunk not long before mainframes spawned PCs?
[1] science. (2009). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.
Retrieved September 15, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/science
[2] punk. (2009). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.
Retrieved September 15, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punk
Tags: Coursework, Week1
September 15th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
I love your analogy of scifi and cyberpunk as mainframe and PC. I think it sums up the relationship between the the 2 genres really beautifully.
I also like your exploration of the meanings of the genres. I think there are certain kinds of narratives and types of stories that can be told within the cyberpunk and scifi genres, but cyberpunk is a lot more focused, and definitive.
September 15th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I really liked your analogy as well. If we were to take that analogy further, Science Fiction is more likely to deal with large bulky pieces of technology that only a few people have direct access to. Such as Starships and the like. Sorta like how only a few big organizations could afford mainframes. Whereas Cyberpunk is more likely to deal with technologies that either all people have access to or all people are effected by. Such as networks and surveillance systems and Virtual Reality systems. Sorta like how the PC revolution changed the landscape of computing by putting computer technology in the hands of an enormous percentage of the population.
September 16th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Also really loved the analogy of scifi and cyberpunk as Mainframe and PC. Well done, I think its sums it wonderfully, well done!
September 16th, 2009 at 10:31 am
great essay — the tradtitional science fiction archtype “hal 9000″ [I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.] devoid of humanity, chained to it’s pre-ordained mission, contrasted with the ultimately personal Nexus-6 fighting to be free, loving android …
September 16th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Wow, your analogy is great; illustrates the technology pushed to the periphery (geographical, social, etc.) and also reminds of the free market of personal computer (as opposed of mainframe monopoly), hmmm, your analogy reminds me of “The Cathedral and the Bazaar” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cathedral_and_the_Bazaar
September 16th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Pushing your analogy further, is it important to note that not only is the PC personal, but because it is smaller and less expensive it’s adoption rate has been significantly higher than mainframes? Is the point in time at which the combined number of PCs out on the edge of the network could out-compute the mainframes in the “center” an important point? Is it a kind of singularity?
September 25th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Thats very good to know… thanks