English Conversation Course for Part-Time Students
Monday 17 December 2018
Week 6 [17.12-23.12] Cyberpunk
I think most of you have heard about a new project of CDProjekt RED (developers of Witcher III Wildhunt): Cyberpunk 2077.
If you haven’t, you might see its trailer which was published for E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) below:
Ok, so now you have some idea what I'm going to write about. Do you know much about Cyberpunk itself? The whole idea, the culture that backs it up? Well I'm going to present it briefly.
William Gibson
It all started in 1984 with the release of William Gibson's debut novel Neuromancer, which solidified Cyberpunk as a genre and is considered one of the most important books within it. You can say that the term combines two very influential culture names of that time punks and hackers. Watching this video I think you have no doubt how much punk influences it. When it comes to hackers it might be a bit harder as they usually operate in shadows.
So what image of a cyberpunk comes out of this combination? We've got colorful mohawks, leather jackets and heavy boots. But there is a lot more. What makes Cyberpunk much more than just punk is technology and it developed so much different that one we know. People are literally connected to their computers via direct neural interfaces, they replace their eyeballs with cybernetic implants enhancing their vision (infrared, night vision, etc.) and line between human and machine blurred long ago.
Let’s now focus on style.
Neuromancer cover
Well, cyberpunks have one major rule, which is: style over substance. Flashy, trashy, trendy, no matter what style it is, it is what matters the most and every action is a way to express it. So Cyberpunk is about pose, what goes after it is not so important as what impression you make. Another thing is they always live on the edge. No matter where one is placed on the social ladder he is always on the edge, one step away from winning the game and one step from falling down into the abyss. Always ready to take a risk and go for a broke. All or nothing.
And that is a brief introduction to the cyberpunk style. If you want to get deeper into it, you should for sure read some works of mentioned William Gibson (Neuromancer, Mona Liza Override, Graf Zero, Johnny Mnemonick) and watch some anime classics like Akira, Ghost in the Shell or find some decent RPG players and get into Cyberpunk2020 with them.
Were you familiar with Cyberpunk culture before? Do you know any other novels that might be considered cyberpunk?
I have never heard about Cyberpunk, or maybe I heard the term, but did’n know what is behind. Probably I am not well versed in contemporary culture. Maybe the author of this book tried to tell us something about the world or society in it, but from the text I can’t read it. I am to practical. Alternative reality is not for me, so I have never been interested in it.
I think it's not so much of contemporary as Neuromancer was released in 1984. And as for the message witihn a book, you'll have to search for it on your own. It wasn't my purpose to clarify what the book is about. However if someone likes literature and will read one of Gibson's books inspired by my brief presentation I'll be more than happy.
I understood that You didn’t want to write us about the book and its message. I just wanted to say that in the book there is probably something more interesting for me than alternative reality, which is not in my circle of interests. Maybe I met it somewhere but didn’t read it, because I don’t like that kind of literature, but your post catch my attention and I started to think what William Gibson wanted to tell us.
Well I think there is only one way to figure it out. Beside the main Sprawl trilogy (Neuromancer, Count Zero and Mona Lisa Overdrive) he wrote some short stories as Johnny Mnemonic (there is also a film based on it) or Burning Chrome. So you can just pick one and start your own personal dialogue with author.
Don't be a stranger. There are many ways to get familiar with this culture. If you like reading books try some of Gibson's work. If you like anime try Akira, Ghost in the Shell or Cowboy Beepop. If you like movies, well you've probably seen Matrix but there is Ghost in the Shell adaptation as well, BladeRunner 2049. And for series you've got Altered Carbon or Expanse. Just pick what best suits you.
Yes, I know a little bit about cyberpunk. Most of it is that REDs are making a game in that style. First trailer of CyberPunk 2077 from REDs thrilled me and I am really curious how final game will look like. I know that there are some RPG systems like CyberPunk 2020 that you mentioned but I never played using that system maybe because I can see in this convention some parts of our reality and I don't think that's a good sign or maybe I'm just too big fan of Tolkien and genres simillar to middle-earth.
You could check "Shadowrun" if you really into fantasy sets. It's like mix of both genres: fantasy and cyberpunk. It's mostly an RPG tabletop system, however you can find computer games based on it as well as some movies like Bright, which i recommend to you.
I've never read any books related with the topic but I've heard of cyberpunk. The first time I've heard of it was a few years ago when Deus Ex: Human Revolution was released. The game doesn't strictly follows aesthetics and ideals of classical cyberpunk, though it is often considered as a one belonging to the genre. I am very exited for the Cyberpunk 2077 as the dystopian, futuristic yet possible vision of world depicted in both mentioned games is very immersive and it appeals to me very much.
Sorry, I have never heard about this. I rather like futuristic books/movies/games so you encouraged me to get to know more about this. I think the fiction presented in different books about our future becomes more and more reality (considering the rapid development of AI and related technologies) - I would even tell that the problem potential influence of intelligent technology on our life in not very remote future is nowadays one of the hottest topic (next to e.g. global warming)
The culture itself might be a new thing to me, but it's not something totally strange or brand new. I find it pretty interesting though. I believe that in a future we are going to modify people, connect them to the network, computers, eventually making them a better type, something above homo sapiens. The nation that won't follow such practice will end up in the backyard. I've read a pretty interesting book of Y. N. Harari called 'Homo deus: a brief history of tomorrow' covering this topic and i encourage you to have a look at this position. Such modifications will be a huge part of our lives and it will happen even faster than we think. As for a Cyberpunk 2077, I've heard, read about it a little, it looks very promising and I can't wait to see it available!
We probably will do that - connect people with computers directly - but as we know today it won't be so much advanced as people thought about back in 1980's when they dreamed about year 2020.
I have heard of cyberpunk many times. I love that style, especially clothes and body modifications. It's something different and mysterious. I can't wait for the game cyberpunk 2077 to come out. I have watched ghost in the shell and will definitely read the books you recommend. That dark future world with more than ever technology is very tempting to just sit and play.
You definetly should! Start with the Sprawl trilogy (Nuromancer, Count Zero and Mona Lisa Overdrive) but that's just the begining of the road. You can try Dan Simmons's Hyperion as well or other works of William Gibson, maybe Philip K. Dick, Kurt Vonnegut and many others. But still the Sprawl trilogy is what truly defines cyberpunk.
I've heard about this science fiction subgenre, but I have never read a book of this. I saw a movie in similar topic - Blade Runner from 1982 directed by Ridley Scott. I really like it. Last time I heard about this topic during the premiere of the red studio game trailer. I watched it on social media. Trailer made an amazing impression on me.
I've never took an opportunity to watch or read that kind of genre. but I will try to get used to it just before release of CD Projekt Red game to be more prepared for what's coming in the game itself. I hope that it will be a really great game. Trailer looks fantastic and gameplay reveal looked great also. Russian version of trailer was really funny too. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvgb5a7vuLs
I've already mentioned it in another comment but I think you should start with the Sprawl trilogy (Nuromancer, Count Zero and Mona Lisa Overdrive) and after that you might try other works of William Gibson or writers such as Philip K. Dick, Kurt Vonnegut or Dan Simmons (Hyperion).
The only time I've heard about Cyberpunk is according to CD PROJECT RED coming game and the fluctuations of stock prices because of it. To be honest I've never think about it as a subculture itself so it might be hard to write something meaningful. As hard as I will try I can't even compare or recommend any other novel because it's totally not my taste of reading. Anyway I'm looking forward for the game and I keep my fingers crossed for the polish team of developers who already bring one worldwide bestseller. C'one guys!
So maybe you saw some movies set in similar sets? Have you seen Johnny Mnemonic? Blade Runner? Blade Runner 2049? Ghost in the Shell? Altered Carbon? Expanse? Matrix? For all of them if they are not straight cyberpunk they are for sure very close to it's core.
The only think I know about cyberpunk is that CD Projekt is creating a game based on this theme. Therefore I also have no idea about other films, movies or games that can be considered as cyberpunk
I’ve heard about Cyberpunk only in discussions about Stock Exchange :) Also I know that CD Project is on the last stage in production, but they still didn’t announce the date of premiere. What’s funny, currently share price are so high because everyone expect that Cyberpunk will be a great success. In my opinion, it could be a great disaster :D
Expecations are high and it's quite a challenge for CD Projekt. However they've real top class specialist working on CP2077 and I don't mean programmist as much as people responsible for storyline.
I can not recommend you cyberpunk books or movies, because I am not into true cyberpunk, but I can't wait for the Red's game. They have been developing it for so long! I feel that it'll be good!
Thought everyone right now is aware of this genre by last-year sequel of "Blade Runner" (by the way one of first Cyberpunk movies). I remeber always wanted to gather a team and play a real session of a diced role playing game. One time on a holiday camp i met one guy who had a whole set to play such a game in Cyberpunk universum. I was really astounded that in this scenerio there is some much more to choose from than only Human vs Ork race, i've spend almost whole camp time "building" my character from endless possibilites of body enhancement, and i didn't even have time to play it once. Still hoping to try it someday.
I also cannot recommend anything of this genre. But what i see is the picture of society that highlights desires and people love stories like that. Vampires were a way to write stories about desire, without them being openly sexual. Cyberpunk seems to be about some twisted kind of freedom from rules, current culture, and limitations of a human body. And this can be a base for tons of interesting stories.
As for the upcoming game. I'm looking forward to watching other people play it, when I turn on livestreams after coming home from work. But I'm not sure if I'll play it because I've limited energy and when playing I'm always doing my best, so this hobby makes me even more tired.
Were you familiar with Cyberpunk culture before? Do you know any other novels that might be considered cyberpunk? Yes, a little. I once was playing great computer game - "Arcanum: Magic & Obscura", although it was rather "Steampunk" instead of "Cyberpunk", but it had to be steampunk before cyberpunk could emerge ;P I notice some traces of cyberpunk in "Dune" novel of Frank Herbert. The future which there is described is about an alternative future, where non-hitech technology meets hitech in space. There are also some cyberpunk motives in "Cloud Atlas" movie and in "The Matrix" trylogy. If someone didn't see, I definitely recommend them :)
Were you familiar with Cyberpunk culture before? I was familiar to steampunk because of Neuroshima, when I was actively playing RPG text-based games, but not to Cyberpunk. But I can't wait the game! Do you know any other novels that might be considered cyberpunk? Hmm... no actually. I don't like fantasy books, maybe that's why.
I have never heard about Cyberpunk, or maybe I heard the term, but did’n know what is behind. Probably I am not well versed in contemporary culture. Maybe the author of this book tried to tell us something about the world or society in it, but from the text I can’t read it. I am to practical. Alternative reality is not for me, so I have never been interested in it.
ReplyDeleteI think it's not so much of contemporary as Neuromancer was released in 1984. And as for the message witihn a book, you'll have to search for it on your own. It wasn't my purpose to clarify what the book is about. However if someone likes literature and will read one of Gibson's books inspired by my brief presentation I'll be more than happy.
DeleteI understood that You didn’t want to write us about the book and its message. I just wanted to say that in the book there is probably something more interesting for me than alternative reality, which is not in my circle of interests. Maybe I met it somewhere but didn’t read it, because I don’t like that kind of literature, but your post catch my attention and I started to think what William Gibson wanted to tell us.
DeleteWell I think there is only one way to figure it out.
DeleteBeside the main Sprawl trilogy (Neuromancer, Count Zero and Mona Lisa Overdrive) he wrote some short stories as Johnny Mnemonic (there is also a film based on it) or Burning Chrome. So you can just pick one and start your own personal dialogue with author.
I have heard a little about this but I have never gone deeper. Honestly, this topic is completely strange to me.
ReplyDeleteDon't be a stranger. There are many ways to get familiar with this culture. If you like reading books try some of Gibson's work. If you like anime try Akira, Ghost in the Shell or Cowboy Beepop. If you like movies, well you've probably seen Matrix but there is Ghost in the Shell adaptation as well, BladeRunner 2049. And for series you've got Altered Carbon or Expanse. Just pick what best suits you.
DeleteYes, I know a little bit about cyberpunk. Most of it is that REDs are making a game in that style.
ReplyDeleteFirst trailer of CyberPunk 2077 from REDs thrilled me and I am really curious how final game will look like.
I know that there are some RPG systems like CyberPunk 2020 that you mentioned but I never played using that system maybe because I can see in this convention
some parts of our reality and I don't think that's a good sign or maybe I'm just too big fan of Tolkien and genres simillar to middle-earth.
You could check "Shadowrun" if you really into fantasy sets. It's like mix of both genres: fantasy and cyberpunk. It's mostly an RPG tabletop system, however you can find computer games based on it as well as some movies like Bright, which i recommend to you.
DeleteI've never read any books related with the topic but I've heard of cyberpunk. The first time I've heard of it was a few years ago when Deus Ex: Human Revolution was released. The game doesn't strictly follows aesthetics and ideals of classical cyberpunk, though it is often considered as a one belonging to the genre. I am very exited for the Cyberpunk 2077 as the dystopian, futuristic yet possible vision of world depicted in both mentioned games is very immersive and it appeals to me very much.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I have never heard about this. I rather like futuristic books/movies/games so you encouraged me to get to know more about this. I think the fiction presented in different books about our future becomes more and more reality (considering the rapid development of AI and related technologies) - I would even tell that the problem potential influence of intelligent technology on our life in not very remote future is nowadays one of the hottest topic (next to e.g. global warming)
ReplyDeleteThe culture itself might be a new thing to me, but it's not something totally strange or brand new. I find it pretty interesting though. I believe that in a future we are going to modify people, connect them to the network, computers, eventually making them a better type, something above homo sapiens. The nation that won't follow such practice will end up in the backyard. I've read a pretty interesting book of Y. N. Harari called 'Homo deus: a brief history of tomorrow' covering this topic and i encourage you to have a look at this position. Such modifications will be a huge part of our lives and it will happen even faster than we think. As for a Cyberpunk 2077, I've heard, read about it a little, it looks very promising and I can't wait to see it available!
ReplyDeleteWe probably will do that - connect people with computers directly - but as we know today it won't be so much advanced as people thought about back in 1980's when they dreamed about year 2020.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of cyberpunk many times. I love that style, especially clothes and body modifications. It's something different and mysterious. I can't wait for the game cyberpunk 2077 to come out. I have watched ghost in the shell and will definitely read the books you recommend. That dark future world with more than ever technology is very tempting to just sit and play.
ReplyDeleteYou definetly should! Start with the Sprawl trilogy (Nuromancer, Count Zero and Mona Lisa Overdrive) but that's just the begining of the road. You can try Dan Simmons's Hyperion as well or other works of William Gibson, maybe Philip K. Dick, Kurt Vonnegut and many others. But still the Sprawl trilogy is what truly defines cyberpunk.
DeleteI've heard about this science fiction subgenre, but I have never read a book of this. I saw a movie in similar topic - Blade Runner from 1982 directed by Ridley Scott. I really like it. Last time I heard about this topic during the premiere of the red studio game trailer. I watched it on social media. Trailer made an amazing impression on me.
ReplyDeleteI've never took an opportunity to watch or read that kind of genre. but I will try to get used to it just before release of CD Projekt Red game to be more prepared for what's coming in the game itself. I hope that it will be a really great game. Trailer looks fantastic and gameplay reveal looked great also. Russian version of trailer was really funny too. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvgb5a7vuLs
ReplyDeleteI've already mentioned it in another comment but I think you should start with the Sprawl trilogy (Nuromancer, Count Zero and Mona Lisa Overdrive) and after that you might try other works of William Gibson or writers such as Philip K. Dick, Kurt Vonnegut or Dan Simmons (Hyperion).
DeleteThe only time I've heard about Cyberpunk is according to CD PROJECT RED coming game and the fluctuations of stock prices because of it. To be honest I've never think about it as a subculture itself so it might be hard to write something meaningful.
ReplyDeleteAs hard as I will try I can't even compare or recommend any other novel because it's totally not my taste of reading.
Anyway I'm looking forward for the game and I keep my fingers crossed for the polish team of developers who already bring one worldwide bestseller. C'one guys!
So maybe you saw some movies set in similar sets? Have you seen Johnny Mnemonic? Blade Runner? Blade Runner 2049? Ghost in the Shell? Altered Carbon? Expanse? Matrix? For all of them if they are not straight cyberpunk they are for sure very close to it's core.
DeleteThe only think I know about cyberpunk is that CD Projekt is creating a game based on this theme. Therefore I also have no idea about other films, movies or games that can be considered as cyberpunk
ReplyDeleteI’ve heard about Cyberpunk only in discussions about Stock Exchange :) Also I know that CD Project is on the last stage in production, but they still didn’t announce the date of premiere. What’s funny, currently share price are so high because everyone expect that Cyberpunk will be a great success. In my opinion, it could be a great disaster :D
ReplyDeleteExpecations are high and it's quite a challenge for CD Projekt. However they've real top class specialist working on CP2077 and I don't mean programmist as much as people responsible for storyline.
DeleteI can not recommend you cyberpunk books or movies, because I am not into true cyberpunk, but I can't wait for the Red's game. They have been developing it for so long! I feel that it'll be good!
ReplyDeleteThought everyone right now is aware of this genre by last-year sequel of "Blade Runner" (by the way one of first Cyberpunk movies). I remeber always wanted to gather a team and play a real session of a diced role playing game. One time on a holiday camp i met one guy who had a whole set to play such a game in Cyberpunk universum. I was really astounded that in this scenerio there is some much more to choose from than only Human vs Ork race, i've spend almost whole camp time "building" my character from endless possibilites of body enhancement, and i didn't even have time to play it once.
ReplyDeleteStill hoping to try it someday.
I also cannot recommend anything of this genre. But what i see is the picture of society that highlights desires and people love stories like that. Vampires were a way to write stories about desire, without them being openly sexual. Cyberpunk seems to be about some twisted kind of freedom from rules, current culture, and limitations of a human body. And this can be a base for tons of interesting stories.
ReplyDeleteAs for the upcoming game. I'm looking forward to watching other people play it, when I turn on livestreams after coming home from work. But I'm not sure if I'll play it because I've limited energy and when playing I'm always doing my best, so this hobby makes me even more tired.
Were you familiar with Cyberpunk culture before?
ReplyDeleteDo you know any other novels that might be considered cyberpunk?
Yes, a little. I once was playing great computer game - "Arcanum: Magic & Obscura", although it was rather "Steampunk" instead of "Cyberpunk", but it had to be steampunk before cyberpunk could emerge ;P
I notice some traces of cyberpunk in "Dune" novel of Frank Herbert. The future which there is described is about an alternative future, where non-hitech technology meets hitech in space.
There are also some cyberpunk motives in "Cloud Atlas" movie and in "The Matrix" trylogy. If someone didn't see, I definitely recommend them :)
Were you familiar with Cyberpunk culture before?
ReplyDeleteI was familiar to steampunk because of Neuroshima, when I was actively playing RPG text-based games, but not to Cyberpunk. But I can't wait the game!
Do you know any other novels that might be considered cyberpunk?
Hmm... no actually. I don't like fantasy books, maybe that's why.