Cyberpunk

3 definitions found

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  cyberpunk
       n 1: a programmer who breaks into computer systems in order to
            steal or change or destroy information as a form of
            cyber-terrorism [syn: {hacker}, {cyber-terrorist}]
       2: a writer of science fiction set in a lawless subculture of
          an oppressive society dominated by computer technology


       3: a genre of fast-paced science fiction involving oppressive
          futuristic compterized societies

From Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001) [jargon]:

  cyberpunk /si:'ber-puhnk/ n.,adj. [orig. by SF writer Bruce Bethke
     and/or editor Gardner Dozois] A subgenre of SF launched in 1982 by
     William Gibson's epoch-making novel "Neuromancer" (though its roots go
     back through Vernor Vinge's "True Names" (see the {Bibliography} in
     Appendix C) to John Brunner's 1975 novel "The Shockwave Rider").
     Gibson's near-total ignorance of computers and the present-day hacker
     culture enabled him to speculate about the role of computers and hackers
     in the future in ways hackers have since found both irritatingly nai"ve
     and tremendously stimulating. Gibson's work was widely imitated, in
     particular by the short-lived but innovative "Max Headroom" TV series.
     See {cyberspace}, {ice}, {jack in}, {go flatline}.
  
     Since 1990 or so, popular culture has included a movement or fashion
     trend that calls itself `cyberpunk', associated especially with the
     rave/techno subculture. Hackers have mixed feelings about this. On the
     one hand, self-described cyberpunks too often seem to be shallow
     trendoids in black leather who have substituted enthusiastic blathering
     about technology for actually learning and _doing_ it. Attitude is no
     substitute for competence. On the other hand, at least cyberpunks are
     excited about the right things and properly respectful of hacking talent
     in those who have it. The general consensus is to tolerate them politely
     in hopes that they'll attract people who grow into being true hackers.
  
  

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  cyberpunk
       
          /si:'ber-puhnk/ (Originally coined by SF writer Bruce Bethke
          and/or editor Gardner Dozois) A subgenre of SF launched in
          1982 by William Gibson's epoch-making novel "Neuromancer"
          (though its roots go back through Vernor Vinge's "True Names"
          to John Brunner's 1975 novel "The Shockwave Rider").  Gibson's
          near-total ignorance of computers and the present-day hacker
          culture enabled him to speculate about the role of computers
          and hackers in the future in ways hackers have since found
          both irritatingly na"ive and tremendously stimulating.
          Gibson's work was widely imitated, in particular by the
          short-lived but innovative "Max Headroom" TV series.  See
          {cyberspace}, {ice}, {jack in}, {go flatline}.
       
          Since 1990 or so, popular culture has included a movement or
          fashion trend that calls itself "cyberpunk", associated
          especially with the rave/techno subculture.  Hackers have
          mixed feelings about this.  On the one hand, self-described
          cyberpunks too often seem to be shallow trendoids in black
          leather who have substituted enthusiastic blathering about
          technology for actually learning and *doing* it.  Attitude is
          no substitute for competence.  On the other hand, at least
          cyberpunks are excited about the right things and properly
          respectful of hacking talent in those who have it.  The
          general consensus is to tolerate them politely in hopes that
          they'll attract people who grow into being true hackers.
       
          [{Jargon File}]