Neil:
In fanfic it's pretty rare. My 'A Casting of Swords' (Stadler Link) is probably the nearest thing I can think of to B7 cyberpunk, mainly because it's a deliberate pastiche of Gibson's style. ... Other elements of the genre creep in with eg Nickey Barnard's 'Dreamshadow' (also in Stadler Link), or Helen Parkinson's 'Virtual Reality' (Gambit #14).
Hmm. Well perfectly qualified for this discussion having read 67% of the B7 pieces you mention (which is a *lot* more than I can say regarding the h/c discussion).
I think what really distinguishes cyberpunk is the style in which it's written - sharp, smart, sassy, or at least aspiring to be (or simply pretending to be).
So hoiking out all my psychology credentials (um, none), I'd guess that Mr Faulkner really writes this stuff because he wishes to appear sharp, smart and sassy.
There are proto-cyberpunk elements in the series itself - the cynicism and amorality, the dystopian tone, Travis, mutoids, virtual reality/cyberspace in Terminal and I would argue also Deathwatch.
By your definition, Deathwatch would certainly qualify. I've always loved the potential of the sensornet, also the dark shots in the derelict warehouse (while oh-so-reminiscent of The Professionals) and Deeta's magnificent death scene. Quite the closest the series ever got to arty filming that I can recall (not to mention some of SP's best acting).
I'm surprised that more writers haven't exploited the possibilities opened up by cyberspace, since it lets you put the characters virtually anywhere you could imagine.
Well, loads of people (me for one) must have fanficced in the Teal--Vandor combat space ?
Slightly more seriously, I suspect the reason there's so little in this genre out there is that a lot of fanficcers look to the series rather directly for their inspiration for backgrounds (not unnaturally). We therefore get treated to the _Liberator_, xyz quarry, abc primitive society &c&c. When they do film on planets we almost never see details of cities (unless I'm missing something obvious?) apart from the sketchy bits in TWB. Even when they go back to Earth (RoD, Pressure Point) we don't get to see anything useful...
I'd love to see more of this kind of fiction, but can't see myself writing it. [Imagined view from office window: black-and-white cows, oak trees, hedgerows, sparrows... well except the cows have all been shut up because of the foot & mouth disease scare... mebbe you've got a point...]
Tavia
Responding to Neil's:
I'm surprised that more writers haven't exploited the possibilities opened up by cyberspace, since it lets you put the characters virtually anywhere you could imagine.
Tavia wrote:
Slightly more seriously, I suspect the reason there's so little in this genre out there is that a lot of fanficcers look to the series rather directly for their inspiration for backgrounds (not unnaturally). We therefore get treated to the _Liberator_, xyz quarry, abc primitive society &c&c.
That's probably true, but I'd suggest another possible reason, also. My immediate reaction when Neil suggested B7 fic in cyberspace was to instantly flash onto two cliches: the out-of-control holodeck simulation seen so often on Trek, and the dreaded "and then he woke up and it was all a computer simulation." I have the horrible, sinking feeling that if I ever tried to write a B7 cyberspace story, it'd somehow end up turning into one of those, whether I wanted it to or not...
From: Tavia Chalcraft tavia@btinternet.com
I think what really distinguishes cyberpunk is the style in which it's written - sharp, smart, sassy, or at least aspiring to be (or simply pretending to be).
So hoiking out all my psychology credentials (um, none), I'd guess that Mr Faulkner really writes this stuff because he wishes to appear sharp, smart and sassy.
Since cyberpunk is all about bullshitting like crazy to make out you're more than you'll ever be, I'm probably eminently qualified.
Slightly more seriously, I suspect the reason there's so little in this genre out there is that a lot of fanficcers look to the series rather directly for their inspiration for backgrounds (not unnaturally).
Yeah, there does seem to be a reluctance with some writers to add to the fabric of the series. All part of the reprographic mode, I suppose.
When they do film on planets we almost never see details of cities (unless I'm missing something obvious?) apart from the sketchy bits in
TWB.
Voice From the Past, and we see buildings in the background in Traitor. The escalator scene in Warlord. Space City and Freedom City. But not a lot else. Obvious budget constraints, of course.
Fanfic, on the other hand, can spend 200 squillion dollars on the sets and special effects, so long as you realise no one will actually see any of it.
Neil
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Betty Ragan -
Neil Faulkner -
Tavia Chalcraft