I am wondering if there are others who are as offended as I am by the
ubiquitous use of the term "Steampunk" [190514 MMD].  That word has
a derogatory ring to it, at least in my ears, and reeks of disrespect
for the technology of an earlier time that brought us to where we are
today.   It is often applied to many things that have nothing to do
with steam, and nothing to do with the punk subculture that is largely
subscribed to by societal misfits.

When I see the word "steampunk" applied to an event -- or just about
anything else -- my response is usually to avoid it like the plague.

My personal opinion.

Dave Saul
El Cajon, California

 [ Punk is the sputtering, smoldering wick that ignites a flare or
 [ rocket.  It's also the inflammatory portion of "steampunk".  ;-)
 [ -- Robbie

 [ "Punk" appears to have its roots in "rotting" (i.e. rotting wood)
 [ and, more recently, rotting humans -- describing a rotton person as
 [ a "punk".   With that said, Steampunk is a science fiction sub-genre
 [ from the 1970s (and earlier). I have no idea why "punk" is used in it's
 [ name but there is a STRONG admiration and respect of steam power: 
 [ https://sites.google.com/a/depauw.edu/airships-and-corsets/history-origins
 [ While the term conjures up "rot", the folks interested in this genre
 [ enjoy and give preference to steam power over more modern technology.
 [ Some aficionados of Steampunk greatly admire our "retro" self-playing
 [ musical instruments which are mechanical rather than electronic.  I would
 [ like to think that this is a good thing (though I'd rather not see a boiler
 [ added to anything besides calliope).   --Jody