cyberpunk

3 definitions found

cyberpunk - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  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, cyberpunk]
      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 computerized societies

cyberpunk - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  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]
  

cyberpunk - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  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 naive 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.