Steampunk Hands Around the World 2017 – Informing the Future

By Wolfgang Edwards

Innovation, unprecedented improvements and discoveries that expand and fill our world. This is what Steampunk means to me. Living in turbulent times of many changes great and small, I feel like Steampunk is a community and a spirit of inspiration and a beacon of hope for a better tomorrow. In this way, and many others, this sub-genre of sci-fi informs our future.

 
On the surface it may seem as if Steampunk is looking backward to the past Victorian era, or away into alternate, imaginary worlds. But in reality Steampunk is very much looking forward and its community members are a brilliant example of the collaborative and creative spark that keeps humanity moving forward.

 
Whether it is the inventor who is exploring new and improved technologies, or the artist expanding our imaginations, Steampunk strives toward progress and self-improvement, for a better, brighter tomorrow. I am thrilled and humbled to be a part of such a forward-thinking, open-minded group of minds.

Steampunk Hands Around the World 2017 – Changing ‘X’

Image Courtesy of Mr. XPK

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

– Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

 

These words of wisdom by American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr serve as reminder and check as to how we might best spend our time and efforts. Do we dwell on the unchangeable past, do we plan for different outcomes in the future, do we make changes right now which show that we have learned from our experiences and ensure a better path forward?

Previous posts for this year’s Steampunk Hands Around the World have discussed the value in exploring alternate pasts, understanding the roles and forces in play, and how those ideas help us decide what kind of future we want to have.

Steampunk makes our lives better by giving us the tools and the community to make real changes in our own lives, at least, if not in the larger world, as well.

Steampunks have the opportunity to be role models every day by the example we present to others. It may be our attention and effort in looking well groomed and well dressed or our politeness and courtesy.

Maybe it will be the idea of equality and inclusion, through altruistic actions and egalitarian intent. We can show how there are no true boundaries or limitations on who can do what, aside from a person’s skills and abilities. There is only one biological role for women, and one for men, but all other tasks and jobs in the world can be done by anyone.

Society and culture may want to enforce artificial rules and support peer pressure which limit what a person aspires to do, and it may try to shame those who go against them. Each and every one of us can break that cycle of influence and show others that there are other equally valid paths and perceptions of what is possible.

What an individual can do is not determined by their gender, or sexual orientation, or the color  of their skin, nor by any other factor or description other than “Can you do “X”?”

Steampunks can be part of all social changes. We can speak out against discrimination, and exemplify inclusion. We can take action in marches and call our government representatives. Perhaps most importantly, we can have one on one discussions with others, and share our own personal stories.

We may not change the world overnight, but we can work to expand perspectives and understanding, one person at a time. If we don’t at least try, then surely we will always fail.

 

Follow along each day as new entries are added to the Official Link List and join the discussions on the Facebook event page.