“Steampunk is dead. Totally dead. Very very sad. Yes, just leave the body with me. I want to get it inside before this, um…frightening thunderstorm…”
-Dr. Victor “Two Hats” Frankenstein
Steampunk: a curious anachronism that refuses to rust away quietly. This panel dissects whether the genre—born of Victorian daydreams and brass-plated audacity—has sputtered out or merely recalibrated its gears. We’ll probe its persistence in literature, fashion, and the odd corners of maker culture, asking why enthusiasts still don corsets and monocles in a world of algorithms and anxiety. With a raised eyebrow and a touch of restraint, we’ll explore if steampunk is a relic, a rebellion, or simply too stubborn to die. Expect sharp insights, subtle jabs, and a nod to the absurd beauty of it all.
Questions and Subjects for Discussion:
- The State of the Genre
- Has steampunk’s output—novels, films, games—dwindled to a trickle, or are we just looking in the wrong places?
- Do sales of top hats on Etsy or steampunk subreddit activity suggest a pulse, or are these mere echoes?
- What separates a vibrant niche from a museum piece?
- Aesthetic Endurance
- Why does steampunk’s obsession with cogs and crinolines still charm in an era of sleek minimalism?
- Is its appeal a quiet protest against disposable tech, or just a fondness for things that clank?
- Can the classical world teach the modern world innovation?
- The Maker’s Paradox
- Why do steampunk enthusiasts insist on soldering their own pocket watches when Amazon exists?
- Does the genre’s DIY ethos—blending 19th-century fantasy with 21st-century tools—keep it relevant, or is it just cosplay with extra steps?
- Are makers innovating, or endlessly polishing the same brass?
- Media and Mutation
- Where does steampunk linger most convincingly: dog-eared novels, indie games, or that one Netflix series nobody finished?
- Has it bled into other genres, or is it too busy polishing its goggles to notice?
- Can steampunk’s retro charm survive in a media landscape chasing the next dystopian fad?
- The Persistent Devotees
- What compels someone to declare themselves a “steampunk” in 2025? Is it style, substance, or sheer contrariness?
- Do conventions and online forums thrive on community or just mutual indulgence?
- How do newcomers find steampunk, and are they rewriting its rules or reciting old lines?
- The “Dead” Question
- If steampunk is dead, was it the weight of its own clichés or a simple failure to compete with flashier genres?
- If it lives, what’s its strongest vital sign—fan fiction, fashion, or something less tangible?
- Could steampunk’s refusal to die be its most punk trait?
- Technology and Tension
- Does steampunk’s love for mechanical whimsy hold water in a world of quantum chips and neural implants?
- Can it critique modern tech without sounding like a cranky Luddite in a waistcoat?
- Are there whispers of a “new steampunk” that embraces today’s machines without losing its soul?
- The Human Element
- What personal stories do fans tell about stumbling into steampunk’s orbit? A book? A costume? A random convention panel?
- Is steampunk a refuge for misfits, a canvas for creatives, or just a very specific costume party?
- How does its community balance gatekeeping with growth?