Aniruddha Joshi
English 1102
Dr Reynolds
January 27, 2009
The introduction to steampunk truly gave me a new perspective on this style of writing. Previously, I grouped everything into simply science fiction. While reading what steampunk really was I did feel that I had encountered many steampunk books, shows and movies and had not recognized them as part of any specific genre. The introduction described steampunk as giving more power to the invention than the inventor and I did find this true in the examples the book gave on Japanese steam punk. The introduction illustrates the difference between edisonades and steampunk. One question which came to mind was if second generation steam punk was truly different than the edisonades. Second generation steam punk did not have the urban setting, the melancholy style or the “punk” feel to it. This to me was quite similar to the edisonades. I did however get the feel that the edisonades were still more optimistic than second generation steam punk.
Regarding “Further Considerations of Afrofuturism,” I was posed with a series of questions. I still cannot fully agree with the idea that science fiction is indeed playing a major role in the prediction of the economic and social future of Africa. Investors or corporations are hardly the audience for media generating an image of utopia or dystopia regarding Africa. Afrofuturism does not play as major or widespread a role as is described.