Hey chummers, i'd like to share some thoughts on cyberpunk, and you might find it useful(probably not, though.
I think cyberpunk needs to be defined in at least some consensual form, so here's that.
I dont't think that cyberpunk is about aesthetic, as there are certain styles that already represent it, even though some syberpunk fiction might be extremely different from another, atleast visually, yet still remain cuberpunk.Therefore, cuberpunk must be some kind of view of life, world and this other stuff, which is usually called philosophy.So, what then forms cyberpunk views? Well, the word "cyberpunk" consists of words "cyber" and "punk"(who'd have thought).
I'll try to explain these 2 views that form cyberpunk, starting with "punk" part. Punks represent the movement of independence, nonconformism, and other stuff i may not fully understand, as the only punk things i've seen were some drunk guys sleeping after drinking alcohol, in a very extensive amount. I therefore would disagree with the punkish point of demonstrating nonconformism, challenging "society", and all this actions, as dependent on other people and as a consequence of the movement becoming subculture the same way, as, for example, the "programming" or "IT" sphere of interest created h@xx0rs. Instead, i'd define "punk" part as nonacceptance of authority, submission and forceful coercion, there is another reason destructive provocation is not very suitable, and i'll explain later.
So, now here is the "cyber" part. I think cyber-ish idea does not stop on some certain technological level, and is extensive to any technology and knowledge, and i then define cyber as using extensive knowledge of the world to your advantage, and, therefore, while being able to mill yourself a fullmetal butt plug on a lathe may not sound very cyberpunk, to the extent of our technological developement of today, it counts. Cyber also does not end on the tech only, as being able to cure yourself, blend in the crowd, survive in the woods, or get a better job still comes under the "knowledge of the world". So, after all this wall of text, what is cyberpunk? It is an idea of independence, self sufficience, unwillingness to conform, of strong self, and action towards your goals and principles. As it is, you can even be a head of a megacorporation(imagine a coder working for google), dress in the high end clothes, do your job, and yet be cyberpunk, if you hold no respect of belief in such an entity, and not embrace it(or any other) in your mind.*
Thanks for reading all this, hope i got it at least partially right, and if not, feel free to btfo me at any moment.
*In case of clothes, it can be at least a professional requirement, though it can also be personal preference, as some "technoninja" clothes may not be very fitted in terms of utility, but be enjoyable for a person, and still be available. What i'm saying is, even though some actions, decisions or appearance may not be fitted for certain lifestyle, they still are fine, unless they serve some purpose, other than visually representing some fiction, in which case it would rather be against this philosophy, which, ultimately, would sound like "form follows function" in case of choice of tools or clothes. Basically, the same way that people who do cosplay do not use their costumes on a regular basis.