For our subcultures paper, I found myself heavily leaning towards the "punk" or darker aspects of the subcultures in America today. For example, on my list I have an interesting subculture of people called Steampunk. I find this subculture interesting because it has some unique aspects and backstory that is not common in other subcultures that are similar to it (such as gothic or punk).
Steampunk first caught my eye after a trip this summer to Portland, Oregon. I went to the Saturday Market there (which was teeming with all sorts of people and subcultures), and noticed that there were people dressed in the Victorian style. I thought that was interesting, and looked up that style on the internet, finding it to be Steampunk.
I love reading about fashion and different styles, and Steampunk is interesting to me because they have their own way of wearing clothes and remodeling them to fit their style. Also, they have an interesting style of music that appeals to me, because it is post-industrial in it's bass beats and melody. In addition to being unique and not as mainstream as punk or goth, Steampunk is actually based on old victorian novels and ideas, such as a steam-powered world, which appeals to those with big imaginations.
I think this will be an interesting subculture to research, because of the creative and different ways they view the world. However, I do know that it may be slightly difficult, because it is not as mainstream as other subcultures in the United States, and there is not as much information as others.
Steampunk actually refers to a style/genre of sci/fi fantasy, often related to tabletop games and videogames. It DOES often feature victorian/elizabethian stylle clothing and speech, but the main focus is futuristic devices and machines that are made through obsolete technologies. For example, steam-powered robots, or coal/wood burning aircrafts. A couple examples of steampunk in culture are the videogames Damnation and Bioshock.
ReplyDeletei believe that using Disney is a good example. Disney is a major leader. They produce all kinds of movies, toys, etc. but also they attract so many visitors to Walt Disney World. People come from all over the world to go and explore it and they continue to come back again and again. People pay the insane amount for tickets and love the way Disney presents itself. Disney doesn't force anyone to come or pay for tickets. Disney has there own culture. Its a whole different place there and everyone wants to experience it.
ReplyDelete@DBinkleyGouf--good points but Bioshock is hardly Steampunk. Maybe a dystopian vision of capitalism-gone-horribly-wrong, but Steampunk really does incorporate 19th century tech into 20-21st century iconography. Since Bioshock takes place roughly during Ayn Rand's tenure, it's a bit too contemporary to be considered steampunk.
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