5 ms·

Black Mirror is pretty much cyberpunk, if you missed it somehow

klez 8y ago
Not really. Sure, it's dystopian and futuristic, but that's not enough to make it cyberpunk. Usually cyberpunk is seen from the point of view of the lowest part of society (the "low life" in the "high tech - low life" motto). This is mostly missing from Black Mirror.
- prophesi 8y ago
  There's really no agreed upon definition of what constitutes cyberpunk; for me, the core of cyberpunk is simply the abuse of advanced technology. Everything else is just icing on the cake; the neon lights, the overcrowded failing city, and a track from Master Boot Record playing in the background.
  - auslander 8y ago
    Love this track. Efi cover just doesn't cut it :)
  - klez 8y ago
    Eh, Case is trash, Molly kills people, the Finn sells stolen goods, Bobby (the Count) lives in the slums, Chevette (Virtual Light) is a courier that lives in the bridge, Hiro (Snow Crash) lives in a container and delivers pizza. I'm not sure how much more low-life you can be in the future. Also, from Wikipedia[1]: > This emphasis on the misfits and the malcontents is the "punk" component of cyberpunk. Otherwise it's just "cyber". Then again, I've seen dystopic sci-fi movies defined as cyberpunk when I wouldn't agree with the definition. (NOTE: I'm being argumentative because I love cyberpunk, not to score internet points or to be told me I'm right, so keep firing, I'm not fighting, I'm enjoying this :) ) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberpunk#Protagonists https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberpunk#Protagonists
    - prophesi 8y ago
      Hmm, I'm almost sold. I think what ties together the 'punk' part is the gritty, visceral aspects of the futuristic dystopian city; the protagonist doesn't necessarily need to be a representative of these lower rings of society, but it definitely helps drive that point home. Not sure if I'm wording this right... Basically, cyberpunk needs to show those gritty aspects to be cyberpunk, but the main characters don't necessarily need to be those punks. For instance, a game where you play as an AI that defects from an evil corporation, or perhaps play as a bartender[0] who simply listens to her clients' crazy stories. [0] https://store.steampowered.com/app/447530/VA11_HallA_Cyberpunk_Bartender_Action/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/447530/VA11_HallA_Cyberpu... (I'm also a huge fan of cyberpunk, so no worries :P )
      - klez 8y ago
        I watched the trailer for that bartender game and I have to admit I didn't understand what it's about, but yes, aesthetically it has a cyberpunk vibe. And now that I think of it you're probably right. To be cyberpunk a piece of work needs those punk elements, but they don't need to be the protagonists.
        prophesi 8y ago
        It's a pretty awesome game. You basically choose the music that plays for the night (has a great soundtrack), and then just talk to whoever comes in and occasionally make them a drink. If you know your client's tastes and serve them just the right one, they're likely to stay longer and spill their secrets. You eventually start to figure out what exactly happened in a huge event that plays out, thanks to the secrets from your clientele.
- auslander 8y ago
  I do want to agree, low life in high tech gives distinct, essential cyberpunk flavour. But Black Mirror take is wider, more profound, escaping the known cyberpunk into new, unchartered dimentions. It is cyberpunk and more.
- 0x445442 8y ago
  I don't know... I'd say Metalhead fits your description.
  - klez 8y ago
    You just made me discover that there is a fourth season. I don't know how I could have missed that. Thanks for the heads-up!
- ataturk 8y ago
  Eh, maybe. Cyberpunk is just high-tech "street" in a lived in motif. There's also the aspect of shiny chrome and people with cybernetic augmentations, usually revolving around enhancements to memory, visual cortex, and strength.

klez 8y ago

Not really. Sure, it's dystopian and futuristic, but that's not enough to make it cyberpunk. Usually cyberpunk is seen from the point of view of the lowest part of society (the "low life" in the "high tech - low life" motto). This is mostly missing from Black Mirror.

prophesi 8y ago
There's really no agreed upon definition of what constitutes cyberpunk; for me, the core of cyberpunk is simply the abuse of advanced technology. Everything else is just icing on the cake; the neon lights, the overcrowded failing city, and a track from Master Boot Record playing in the background.
- auslander 8y ago
  Love this track. Efi cover just doesn't cut it :)
- klez 8y ago
  Eh, Case is trash, Molly kills people, the Finn sells stolen goods, Bobby (the Count) lives in the slums, Chevette (Virtual Light) is a courier that lives in the bridge, Hiro (Snow Crash) lives in a container and delivers pizza. I'm not sure how much more low-life you can be in the future. Also, from Wikipedia[1]: > This emphasis on the misfits and the malcontents is the "punk" component of cyberpunk. Otherwise it's just "cyber". Then again, I've seen dystopic sci-fi movies defined as cyberpunk when I wouldn't agree with the definition. (NOTE: I'm being argumentative because I love cyberpunk, not to score internet points or to be told me I'm right, so keep firing, I'm not fighting, I'm enjoying this :) ) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberpunk#Protagonists https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberpunk#Protagonists
  - prophesi 8y ago
    Hmm, I'm almost sold. I think what ties together the 'punk' part is the gritty, visceral aspects of the futuristic dystopian city; the protagonist doesn't necessarily need to be a representative of these lower rings of society, but it definitely helps drive that point home. Not sure if I'm wording this right... Basically, cyberpunk needs to show those gritty aspects to be cyberpunk, but the main characters don't necessarily need to be those punks. For instance, a game where you play as an AI that defects from an evil corporation, or perhaps play as a bartender[0] who simply listens to her clients' crazy stories. [0] https://store.steampowered.com/app/447530/VA11_HallA_Cyberpunk_Bartender_Action/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/447530/VA11_HallA_Cyberpu... (I'm also a huge fan of cyberpunk, so no worries :P )
    - klez 8y ago
      I watched the trailer for that bartender game and I have to admit I didn't understand what it's about, but yes, aesthetically it has a cyberpunk vibe. And now that I think of it you're probably right. To be cyberpunk a piece of work needs those punk elements, but they don't need to be the protagonists.
      - prophesi 8y ago
        It's a pretty awesome game. You basically choose the music that plays for the night (has a great soundtrack), and then just talk to whoever comes in and occasionally make them a drink. If you know your client's tastes and serve them just the right one, they're likely to stay longer and spill their secrets. You eventually start to figure out what exactly happened in a huge event that plays out, thanks to the secrets from your clientele.
auslander 8y ago
I do want to agree, low life in high tech gives distinct, essential cyberpunk flavour. But Black Mirror take is wider, more profound, escaping the known cyberpunk into new, unchartered dimentions. It is cyberpunk and more.
0x445442 8y ago
I don't know... I'd say Metalhead fits your description.
- klez 8y ago
  You just made me discover that there is a fourth season. I don't know how I could have missed that. Thanks for the heads-up!
ataturk 8y ago
Eh, maybe. Cyberpunk is just high-tech "street" in a lived in motif. There's also the aspect of shiny chrome and people with cybernetic augmentations, usually revolving around enhancements to memory, visual cortex, and strength.