Cyberpunk as MORE than the aesthetic.
- DIY Ethos: The idea of customizing and controlling your own tech and environment is central.
- Minimalism Meets Maximalism: A balance of utilitarian minimalism with aesthetically intense maximalism (think neon lights and complex gadgetry).
- Question Everything: Skepticism towards authority and a willingness to question societal norms.
- Adaptability: Being flexible and ready to adapt to rapid changes in tech or society.
- Skill Stacking: Cyberpunks often learn a range of skills from hacking to physical training to art creation.
- Alternative Fashion: A mix of futuristic and retro styles, often borrowing from punk, goth, and other subcultures.
- Information Security: A focus on protecting your data and digital footprint.
- Sustainability and Resourcefulness: Repurposing, recycling, and being efficient with resources is often a focus.
Remind the world it’s more than surface deep.
I generally agree with this list as an ideal, but the term ‘Cyberpunk’ is hsrd to pin down. If you held a Cyberpunk convention, you’d have no idea what to expect.
You’d have a mix of 'real’ people, doing real things, like hacking and making, but also writers and musicians, treating it like sci-fi, but also just cosplayers, gamers, comic and ttrpg fans.
It never gained traction as a movement before it became a marketing term for anything dark and futuristic.