wrote:
> .mpa ([email protected]) wrote:
> > Omar Haneef '96 ([email protected]) wrote:
> > > If punk is an anti-estabilishment attitude, and cyber- is a prefix that
> > > denotes the embracing of technology then cyberpunk should be an
> > > anti-estabilishment embracing of technology. However, I am not sure where
> > > the technology fits in with preventing punks from "rotting in their juices."
> > > i.e. if cyberpunk is like a technopunk with the fat trimmed then what part
> > > of the cyberpunk attitude helps the cyberpunk be more than "just" a punk?
>
> > There are definitely "anti-establishment" elements to traditional punks
> > but don't be fooled by what the "establishment" has told you about them.
>
> > Punks build community the same way anyone else does and most of the punk
> > groups I've had the pleasure to hang out with (usually centered around a
> > local band and not some national or international toy punk band) have had
> > very useful and productive relationship with the community at large.
>
> Do you know any punks Omar? I mean *punks*.
> Not Greed Day or Jerk-Offspring garbage gen-X
> fools, but punks.
>
> They hate things. They want to bring it all down.
> They want to build things up the way they see fit.
> They have great ideas, wonderful plans, strong ideology.
> They don't give a shit about anything.
> Many of them drink too damn much.
> A lot of them dont think beyond buying the next vinyl.
>
Omar
I thank you for your insights into the thinking of upper-middle class
Pakistanis studying in the US with a social conscience..
I think CP is elusive to pin down because that is the nature of the
individuals involved.
Whatever roots you accept, CP is anti-system and strongly
pro-individual. As such it tends to reject any theoretical straightjacket.
Most have a realism bordering on extreme cynicism. Its fine to talk
about redistribution of wealth and feeding the poor but when you look
around greed tends to drive most people's thinking...
CPs tend to respect life as depicted by writers like Gibson and in movies
like Blade Runner because it shows it how it is...
The nation state is breaking down, transnational corporations are
growing stronger, old systems of thought which dominated - capitalism,
marxism are fading fast...
Technology and the net is both an escape route and a trap...the powers of
the state and corps to watch and keep people in line is growing
stronger...but CPs have a strong desire and, perhaps, the ability
to slip the noose and stay outside..
"But they'll find you," Major Danby argued despartely, "and bring
you back and punish you even more severely."
"They'll have to try like hell to catch me this time."
"They will try like hell. And even if they don't find you, what kind
of way is that to live? You'll always be alone. No one will ever
be on your side, and you'll always live in danger of betrayal."
"I live that way now."
Catch 22
--
Ross Burrell
[email protected]
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