Steampunk vs. Cyberpunk: Why I Chose the "Brass and Steam" Route

By JC Dorset

In the world of speculative fiction, there’s a recurring debate about the "Punks." Do you prefer the neon-soaked, high-tech grit of Cyberpunk, or the polished brass and hissing valves of Steampunk?

For me, there was never really a contest. While Cyberpunk explores a future that often feels cold and digital, Steampunk looks backward to a past that could have been—a world of tactile machinery, roaring furnaces, and the raw power of steam.

The Lure of the Iron Horse

If I’m being honest, my entry into this genre wasn't through a book or a film. It was through a lifelong obsession with trains.

There is something visceral about a steam locomotive. It’s a living, breathing machine. You can smell the coal smoke, feel the heat of the firebox, and hear the rhythmic chuff of the pistons. As a technician, I’ve always been fascinated by how things work—the visible "logic" of gears and levers. In Steampunk, the technology isn't hidden behind a microchip; it’s right there in front of you, held together by rivets and sheer Victorian ambition.

Why Not Cyberpunk?

Cyberpunk is fascinating, but it often feels like an extension of the "clean" computer world I spent over twenty years navigating as a consultant. I’ve spent enough time around servers and software. When I sit down to write a story like Nimosinee, I want to get my hands dirty. I want to explore a world where the "internet" might be a series of pneumatic tubes and the "AI" is a complex arrangement of brass clockwork.

The "Brass and Steam" Way

Choosing Steampunk allowed me to merge my two great loves: History and Engineering. Writing in this genre lets me play with the aesthetics of the industrial age while pushing the boundaries of what is possible. It’s about the elegance of a mahogany-lined airship cabin versus the soot of the factory floor. It’s about a time when innovation felt like magic, but you could still fix it with a wrench.

I don't know if my path into the genre was unique, but for me, the "Iron Horse" led the way. I was mad on trains as a lad in Poole, and I suppose I never quite outgrew the thrill of seeing a massive machine come to life.

What about you? Are you a fan of the brass and gears, or do you prefer the neon lights of the future? Let’s talk about it in the comments!