Long before it was a defined sub-genre, I was a steampunk fan. I didn't know that when I was reading The Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling in 1990, I was reading a book that would spark my interest in combining old and new that would help develop my own personal style and tastes for the rest of my life!  It was a beautiful book about defying authority and man's mastery over his technology.

However, aside from the amazing steam-powered technology that defined the world of The Difference Engine, it was about people fighting against the powers that be.  It was, first and formost, a punk story, it encourages us to not conform and to rise up against Authority.Babbage's Difference Engine

Currently, the steampunk genre is gaining in popularity. However, the only bestselling steampunk book I can think of is Cherie Priest's wonderful novel Boneshaker.  (I am not steeped in the steampunk community, nor am I obsessed with reading every scrap, so please, I would appreciate a list of essential reading in the genre, I am totally open to becoming obsessed.) 

Keep in mind, most steampunky folks that I know are into costuming, so I see most of the steampunk obsessed through their dress-up association at cons and on websites.  What I observe are people in love with the fashion, the Neo-Victorian style mixed with fanciful retro technological weapons and accessories made of bronze, copper, and wood with an mechanical scifi aesthetic.  However, I am not seeing alot of PUNK.

I think the strength of the genre is that subversive anti-establishment message.  Even the clockwork technology is a metaphor for taking control.  The archaic technology and clockwork mechanics are accessible to anyone.  They remind us of a time when anyone that wanted to sit down and understand a mechanical device could sit down and examine it's inner workings.  It reminds us that H.G. Wells' Time Machine was designed and built by a gentleman in a room in his house out of parts that were custom cast.  Every piece of that time machine would be instantly recognizable, the technology was indistinguishable from magic. 

These clockwork constructs are totally under man's control, they are mechanical, and therefore self-contained. Unlike our current technology which is becoming more decentralized and invisible all the time, the clockwork technology implies that if we could just sit down and take it apart, then we could understand it, we could MASTER it.  It's a rebellion against the loss of control we experience every day as technology becomes more pervasive in our lives. 

The Antikythera Mechanism c.200 BC was the first calculator in history!In steampunk, the mad scientist may be able to sit in his bunker and taunt the hero through a loudspeaker, but the contraption that will place that hero in danger, thanks to the rules of the mechanical technology will have to be directly controlled by the mad scientist. His arm must pull a lever and begin the physical process of destroying the hero, it's not pressing a button and then invisible tech detaches the villan from the process.  There is a continuity between cause and effect that we can see and easily understand.

In the real world, I think we need to rebel. It's who we are, we all want to carve out our individuality from the hive mind.  Steampunk is a clear opportunity to snap that message of fighting the good fight against the oppressors home for everyone.  Maybe I'm still an anarchist at heart, but I love to see the MAN brought down a few pegs, even when he's in the right.  Steampunk, when it's done right is every bit the punky message as cyberpunk ever was, in fact, ideally, they are two sides of the same idea. (It's no coincidence that the Difference Engine was written by two cyberpunk writers!

Remember cosplayers and second life steampunks, you should be true to PUNK first and the cool look of the STEAM last.  If you just don't feel it, or are part of the Establishment and proud of it, perhaps you should consider yourselves Neo Victorian and reserve Steampunk for the more rebellious.