The Philosophy of Cyberpunk -- What We Can Learn From The Sci-Fi Subgenre (By Mr. Igal Shenderey)
Updated: 2 days ago
(Disclaimer: The guest posts do not necessarily align with Philosocom's manager, Mr. Tomasio Rubinshtein's beliefs, thoughts, or feelings. The point of guest posts is to allow a wide range of narratives from a wide range of people. To apply for a guest post of your own, please send your request to mrtomasio@philosocom.com)
(Cyberpunk definition: a science-fiction subgenre characterized by countercultural antiheroes trapped in a dehumanized, high-tech future. Derived the term from the words cybernetics, the science of replacing human functions with computerized ones, and punk, the cacophonous music and nihilistic sensibility that developed in the youth culture during the 1970s and ’80s.).
Article Synopsis by Mr. John Igwe and Co.
The article "The Philosophy of Cyberpunk: What We Can Learn From The Sci-Fi Subgenre" by Mr. Igal Shenderey explores the philosophy of cyberpunk through a philosophical lens. It connects theoretical concepts to practical examples, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the genre and its implications for contemporary society.
The author uses the "The Last of Us" and "Cyberpunk 2077" franchises to illustrate how simulation, pastiche, and remediation are employed in media production. The differentiation between interactivity loss in "The Last of Us" and the complementary nature of the transition in "Cyberpunk 2077" is insightful, emphasizing how different media adaptations can affect consumer experience differently.
The article also discusses the Cyberpunk 2077 animated series (Edgerunners), which delves into themes of power, identity, and the ethical implications of technology. The detailed analysis of these themes reflects a deep understanding of the cyberpunk genre and its relevance. The article highlights broader themes such as the clash between technology and humanity, the pursuit of a perfect future, and the power dynamics surrounding information control.
The writing style and accessibility of the article make complex philosophical ideas accessible to a broad audience, with examples from popular franchises grounding theoretical discussions in familiar contexts.
The conclusion ties the discussion back to the importance of critical engagement with technology, emphasizing the need for skepticism and critical thinking when it comes to technological adoption.
In conclusion, the article is a well-rounded exploration of the cyberpunk genre through a philosophical lens, connecting theoretical concepts to practical examples and offering readers both entertainment and intellectual stimulation.
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Introduction: How Modern Media Culture Works
Modern media culture is a complex mechanism that delivers messages through the production and subsequent consumption of media products by humans. Following Jean Baudrillard, Douglas Kellner positions media culture as a spectacle for pleasure. In the digital space, media culture includes various mediums such as video games, movies, music, and others. Since postmodernism is an integral part of contemporary capitalism, media culture production for profit involves (re)inventing various media texts.
Using philosophical vocabulary, through the examples of the franchises "The Last of Us" and "Cyberpunk 2077", one can see how the production of such media products occurs. Simulation, pastiche, and remediation become tools for the production of modern media texts, referring back to what has already been produced. The article provides an analysis of video games as a simulative space within the framework of the philosophical categories of Jean Baudrillard, Fredric Jameson, and Gilles Deleuze.
The author also analyzes the genres of the franchises using the pastiche terminology proposed by Fredric Jameson and the concept of remediation developed by David Bolter and Richard Grusin. In the "The Last of Us" franchise, the transition from the video game medium to the cinema medium is an actively used method of copying the media text.
With such copying, there is a loss of interactivity with the media text, which may negatively affect the consumer's impression.
Case example: Cyberpunk 2077 Animated Series (Edgerunners)
In the "Cyberpunk 2077" franchise, such a transition not only does not worsen the consumer's interaction with the media text but complements it, connecting the stories of the two mediums together. It is concluded that the analyzed franchises, having a similar production base, differ in terms of creativity, demonstrating possible ways of reinventing media culture products.
The Cyberpunk 2077 animated series is a visually stunning journey into the neon-lit streets of Night City, where characters grapple with the ethics of technology and the consequences of their actions. Through gripping storytelling and stunning animation, it explores themes of power, identity, and the impact of technology on society. The series serves as a reflection of our own world, prompting viewers to question the role of technology in shaping our future.
In the world of speculative fiction, cyberpunk takes us into a future where technology and humanity collide. It's not just about cool gadgets; it's about big ideas. Cyberpunk stories often warn us about what happens when technology runs wild and big companies rule everything.
However, they also show us how people can fight back against injustice and oppression. A big theme in cyberpunk is how technology changes who we are. Characters might get implants or other enhancements, blurring the line between human and machine. This makes us wonder: What does it mean to be human in a world where we can change ourselves so easily?
Cyberpunk also warns us about the dangers of chasing a perfect future without thinking about the consequences. Even in digital worlds that seem perfect, there's often corruption and problems hiding underneath.
In cyberpunk, information is power. Characters fight to control information, showing us how important knowledge is in shaping our world and our freedom.
Now, with the Cyberpunk 2077 animated series, we get to dive even deeper into these themes. Through stunning animation and gripping storytelling, we're transported into the neon-lit streets of Night City, where the struggle for power and identity takes center stage.
The series gives us a chance to see these philosophical questions come to life in a whole new way. We get to witness characters grappling with the ethics of technology and the consequences of their actions in a visually stunning world.
The relevance of Cyberpunk 2077 goes beyond entertainment. It serves as a mirror reflecting the complexities of our own society and the challenges we face in an increasingly digital age. As we immerse ourselves in the world of Cyberpunk 2077, we're reminded of the importance of questioning the impact of technology on our lives and the responsibility we have to shape our future with wisdom and foresight.
As we explore the world of Cyberpunk 2077 and (cyberpunk fiction in general), let's use it as a chance to grow and understand the world better. In the darkness of these stories, there's a chance for us to find light and wisdom, if we're brave enough to look.
(Mr. Tomasio Rubinshtein's note: It should always be important to inspect the pros and cons of any technology before we choose to embrace it, due to the novelty fallacy, which is also present in the falsehood of trends. When we are enticed by technology, we either actively or unconsciously bias ourselves in its favor, while ignoring its darker parts.
It is crucial that we teach ourselves to understand the consequences of each technological feature before and not after we implement it in our lives. It would be a grave mistake to embrace a technology just to please our friends and family or just to be accepted by others.
We must learn to be brave enough to criticize anything new at the price of being regarded as controversial or anything else involving the ad-hominem fallacy. That is the only way to contribute to the reduction of bias without the unnecessary addition of force and violence, otherwise presented in methods such as eco-terrorism. It is better to be a critic than to be pleaded guilty as a terrorist.)
