What is the difference between cyberpunk and steampunk?

What is the difference between cyberpunk and steampunk?

Cyberpunk and steampunk are distinct subgenres of science fiction, differing in their settings, themes, and aesthetics.

Cyberpunk

1) Setting:

Time Period: Near-future dystopia.

Technology: Advanced tech like cybernetics, AI, and virtual reality.

Environment: Urban, gritty, neon-lit landscapes.

2) Themes:

Society: Focuses on issues like corporate control, surveillance, and social inequality.

Characters: Often Features anti-heroes, Hackers, and rebels.

Tone: Dark, cynical, and gritty.

3) Aesthetics:

Visual Style: Dark, neon, high-tech, and low-life. Examples: "Blade Runner," "The Matrix."

Steampunk

1) Setting:

Time Period: Alternative history, usually Victorian or Edwardian era.

Technology: Steam power and clockwork mechanisms.

Environment: Victorian cities, airships, and a mix of urban and rural settings.

2) Themes:

Society: Explores industrialization, class disparity, and sometimes colonialism.

Characters: Inventors, explorers, and aristocrats.

Tone: Adventurous, whimsical, and often more optimistic than cyberpunk.

3) Aesthetics:

Visual Style: Victorian fashion, steam-powered machinery, brass and copper elements. Examples: "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," "Sherlock Holmes" (2009).

Summary

Cyberpunk: Dystopian future, advanced technology, dark and cynical tone.

Steampunk: Alternate historical period, steam-powered technology, adventurous and whimsical feel.