GATEHOUSE GAZETTE
ISSUE 12 MAY 2010 ISSN 1879-5676
GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010
CONTENTS The Gatehouse Gazette is an online magazine in publication since July 2008, dedicated to the sp eculative fiction genres of steampunk and
OP-EDS
The Steampunk Fandom 5 By CHRIS GARCIA
A Steampunk Party 6 By RAFAEL FABRE
FEATURES Steam Canon 7-8 By JACQUELINE CHRISTI
Steampunk—an utopian expression? 9-10 By Dr DAMON MOLINARIUS
The Assault on Industry 14 -18 By NICK OTTENS
German militarism 25-27 By MARCUS RAUCHFUß “Steampunks are smart as a REVIEWS group and they will take a Alice in Wonderland 11 By HILDE HEYVAERT political stand because they see problems with today's The Dream of Perpetual Motion 12 By MARCUS RAUCHFUß world.” —SIR ROBERT, THE STEAMPUNK FORUM , APRIL 18 Alice i n Wonderland for DS 13 By HILDE HEYVAERT
COLUMNS The Steampunk Wardrobe 1 9 By HILDE HEYVAERT Contents illustration by ophelias-overdose.deviantart.com. FICTION ©2010 Gatehouse Gazette . All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in Prometheus 20 a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, r ecording or By KEVIN GEISELMAN otherwise, without the prior permission of the Gatehouse Gazette . Published every two months by The Gatehouse . 21-24 Contact the editor at [email protected]. The Fearless By ANDREW BENNETT 2 WWW.OTTENS.CO.UK/GATEHOUSE
GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010
EDITORIAL By Nick Ottens
WELCOME BACK, DEAR READER! IN ANTICIPATION OF Much has been said on the “punk” in “steampunk”. the Great Steampunk Debate, the launch of which We are of the persuasion that regards the syllable as should coincide with our release, this issue of the little more than an accidental leftover from more Gatehouse Gazette is dedicated to steampunk ideology. rebellious times, though, if understood as referring to Our last edition, themed “Victorientalism”, sparked Christi’s “unbridled passion” and fierce devotion to self- quite some discussion on matters of race and politics expression, it turns into something that even we can which demonstrated the difficulty that steampunk wholeheartedly embrace. enthusiasts still face in rhyming their reminiscences What follows logically, I believe, is that steampunk about the past with the realities of the nineteenth is brazenly individualistic. In spite of meet-ups and century. The problem reaches beyond the colonial events and the spectacular online dynamic organized by experience and may include issues varying from sexism steampunk enthusiasts all around the world, each is a and class struggle to industrialism and person or a character of their own making, wearing entrepreneurship. How steampunk decides to cope with their own costumes, writing their own stories, building these questions will significantly determine its future their own websites and making their own contraptions. mindset and mainstream appeal. That’s why I’m glad Indeed, there is quite some resentment toward those that part of the Great Steampunk Debate will be “jumping on the bandwagon” because steampunk concerned with these, and related, topics. happens to be “cool” right now. As Christi put it, one This magazine has always devoted itself to casting a thing all genre enthusiasts definitely share is a rejection critical eye on the burgeoning steampunk subculture, or of convention. “movement” as some prefer. We are skeptical of Dr Damon Molinarius suggests that we might have attempts to define steampunk too narrowly, both in something in common with utopianism in this regard. terms of aesthetics but even more so in terms of politics. As steampunks, we like to create worlds of our own in Steampunk was not created in protest. It was never which different rules apply. In this sense, we combine intended to have much of an ideological character. That criticism with creativity, according to Molinarius, is not to say that there is no place for ideology in “disrupting familiar concepts and practices.” Like steampunk whatsoever. But it is important to utopia, steampunk is critical in a constructive manner, remember where we come from. The roots of “acting as a mirror to the contemporaneous world, and steampunk are literary, not political. revealing the familiar to be strange.” Both steampunk If we nonetheless allow ourselves some leniency, it and utopia suggest that commonplace, universally is possible to identify something of a shared mentality accepted “truths” might actually be little more than between steampunks. Jacqueline Christi writes an conventions which can readily be changed. intelligent commentary on steampunk ideology later in So, let us start changing things. Wear your top hat this issue and notes that, within the soul of every person for a night’s out to the cinemas! Combine that fancy pair involved in the steampunk community, there is found of goggles with your regular outfit! Grow a mustache; an “unbridled passion” to live one’s dreams smoke a pipe; write to your local paper to complain unrestrained by the reigns of common convention. “This about that peculiar new-fashioned invention called the indomitable heart,” she believes, “lays the foundations “iPhone”; or delve into your workshop to make the of the core principles that steampunk stands for.” machine a better one, of course. The future is ours! •
The Gatehouse Gazette unveils a fresh, updated look with this issue. Like it? Hate it? Let us know! Write to [email protected] for letters to the editor or inquires about contributing. Letters may be edited for purposes of space and clarity.
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GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I’M WRITING TO EXPRESS MY MANY THANKS FOR ANOTHER I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THE deep disappointment at the most fabulous Gatehouse Gazette . I sheer volume of bad press your recent, “Victorientalism” issue of waited a little while until the periodical received with your the Gatehouse Gazette . The entire Victorientalism debate died down. eleventh issue on “Victoriental” issue is fraught with problems and If ever there was a controversial steampunk. As far as I’m aware the unpleasantnesses. Orientalism is a topic, you certainly hit upon it. issue hoped to address the really problematic thing, tied up British colonial efforts spread nineteenth century Western with colonialism, economic and around the world, and it had a perception of the Far East. The use chattel slavery, and many other major impact on the Far East, of the term “Orientalism” crimes. To say “steampunk allows there’s no doubt there. There is a traditionally refers to scholars and us to reject the chains of reality and romantic notion to helping to the like who had a keen interest in all the racism and guilt associated spread the Empire’s influence and the region throughout the Victorian with it” is to assume your audience meeting the unknown or little- period, well on through to the is white and Western, and to make understood face to face. Oriental Second World War. One can only the claim that we can forget about culture was so different, and we in therefore presume that the use of all that when it’s inconvenient. the West have a terrible habit of the term “Victorientalism” was a This issue only worsens the ridiculing what we do not direct association to the Victorian stereotype that steampunk is just a understand. I get the feeling that period and reinforcing that the hobby for clueless white kids who some people who raged against this views, incorrect as they are to the neither know nor care about issue thought that racist post-modern pallet of our history. It’s frankly embarrassing to stereotypes like Ming the Merciless, contemporary ways, were held by see unexamined use of the word or Charlie Chan, or the Yellow Peril Victorians. One is tempted to tell “Oriental,” as though everywhere propaganda issued by the Allies the most vocal of your recent critics east of the Mediterranean were the during World War II were being to “take two pills of Man-The- same place, and flinch-inducing use discussed. I believe I understand Deuce-Up and not call me in the of “Negro.” That’s not to say we the intent of the issue: to try to morning.” can’t be interested in steampunk recreate the feeling of a part of the The whole debacle, indeed, and Central and East Asia, or that fictional past that was adventurous, seems to stem from the disuse of we shouldn’t talk about historical romantic and dangerous. Wasn’t the term “Oriental” in the United views about non-white people. But that the idea behind most States where “Asian” is considered doing it from what feels like a adventure movies? acceptable to lump a whole gamut Western European, colonialist As you noted, we need to reject of cultures across the continent, point of view is an extremely poor the chains of reality, and all the whereas in the United Kingdom and choice. racism and guilt associated with it. Europe, where the majority of your Why not talk about Korean Yet, there are those who are eager writers hail from, “Oriental” is dragon boats, the fact that Ottoman to be offended. I think some considered the better term over Turkey discovered steam power readers may be touchy given the “Asian.” well before the West, or discuss current state of relations with the I fail to see what all the fuss is fashions in their real world Islamic world. I hope the discussion about. The notion that the staff of context? When we do talk about will continue, in a civilized fashion, the Gazette are somehow bigoted Orientalism, why not remember of course, in this fine magazine and or racist, as some of your detractors that there are people reading who on the website. If we cannot have implied, is laughable and are still affected by it, instead of explore those attitudes from the what is more, offensive. I only hope appending a “Vic” to the beginning past, as racist and demeaning as that robust, objective and down-to- and acting like that fixes things? they may have been, then we earth reexamination of this heated This issue was a saddening and cannot explore history. issue will vindicate your frustrating one to many people. As Let us study this fictional or publication and ultimately lead to a long-time steampunk aficionado, I real past and learn for our actual apologies, that is, should the knee- would hope that we can do better. future. jerkers be adult enough to do so.
Thanks for your time, Yours, Regards, Grace D. Palmer Lloyd Penney Adm. Theophile Aube
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GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010
OP-ED THE STEAMPUNK FANDOM By Chris Garcia, editor of Exhibition Hall
I THINK I LOOK AT STEAMPUNK DIFFERENTLY FROM and forums. Steampunk, somewhat ironically, managed most folks I run into. To me, it’s a fandom. I am a to take full advantage of the Modern Age! The growth of member of Steampunk Fandom. When I mention this to steampunk websites was fast, hard, and well-done. people, especially folks who have never been a part of There is a stage in the growth of fandoms where other fandoms, they tend to deny it. When you look at people start to ask questions. What’s the purpose of all the development of other fandoms, science fiction, Star this? What do we all think? Where are we all going? Trek , comics, what have you, you’ll see a very familiar Why are we building such a big ship? These questions activities curve. It develops through correspondence used to be hashed out at conventions on panels and in and connections made through other groups. Then the bar, or in fanzines. Earl Kemp’s Why A Fan? was an publications dedicated specifically to the topic are attempt to look at what brought people to fandom and formed. Artists latch on to the movement and create how it affected them. There are no end of fanzines new works specifically for the fandom. Gatherings are looking at the effect of Star Trek and Star Wars fans then held, first small local groups, sometimes as a part funnelling into science fiction fandom in the 1980s. of a larger event, and then there are conventions. We’re lucky that we have the Internet and can have Numbers grow, some academic interest is kindled, these discussions in a centralized place dedicated to factions form, numbers grow more and individual getting into the tough questions that us steampunks groups with specific interests start to splinter off want to get to the bottom of. When the Great Steampunk somewhat. That’s what’s happened in almost every Debate gets going, it’ll be a place to discuss steampunk fandom I can think of and we’re presently in that and the role of politics, of the literature, of the scene and process with steampunk. how it effects the lot of us. I’m certain to be most active I’m not sure why, but there seems to be a in the areas of the scene and trying to come up with an tremendous pushback whenever I mention this in idea of exactly what it is we’re all a part of. A fandom? A forums, particularly from Europeans. I’m still not sure lifestyle? A movement? A warm cup of coffee on a cold why, it makes complete sense to me that steampunk is a day? What are we, and how does that effect what we do? fandom, that we’ve got something out there that we’re This will be a location for debate, and let’s be fans of and we’re dom-ing it. Maybe they see it as assured that we’ll see some fiery battles around the frivolous, or maybe the connection to other fandoms is politics of steampunk. I personally have a thing for distressing. Of the known dedicated publications politics, I even ran for mayor twice, and looking at dedicated to steampunk, mine is the only one that calls steampunk in a political light can be maddening, but it itself a fanzine. Exhibition Hall does tend to be lighter also provides an important view for what the nature of fare than either SteamPunk Magazine or this illustrious this gathering of like-minded individuals is. Do we all publication, but even if it weren’t, I’d still consider it a share the same politics? If we don’t, then do we all even fanzine because it’s a zine done by a member of a care about politics? fandom. The other great advantage of the Great Steampunk I’ve had this discussion several times, and there are Debate will be the location. Recent events in the pages folks who see it as a silly point and there are those who of Gatehouse Gazette led to an explosion of commentary take it as a major piece of work that I’d insult their in various outlets, too many for me to keep track of, at chosen path by reducing it to being a mere fandom. least. This will be a repository for those kinds of That’s part of the reason I’m so excited for the Great discussions, a sort of one-stop shopping for controversy Steampunk Debate! and serious discourse. Except some fireworks, but like The thing is, the one thing that most of the earlier any good pyrotechnic display, it will be at least fandoms didn’t have was access to the Internet. The somewhat controlled to avoid massive damage. A little Internet has changed all of the known fandom, giving smoke, some fire, but no devastation. them a place to communicate with larger numbers. So, maybe we’ll finally nail down exactly what this Steampunk is the first of the fandoms I can think of that whole steampunk thing is. Maybe we’ll find that we’re grew in the time of the Net. It did its early really a quilting bee that has lost our way. I kinda doubt correspondence phase in e-mail and on bulletin boards it, but we’ll see. •
Exhibition Hall is a steampunk fanzine currently in its eight issue, available for download at http://efanzines.com/ExhibHall. 5 WWW.OTTENS.CO.UK/GATEHOUSE
GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010
OP-ED A STEAMPUNK PARTY By Rafael Fabre, webmaster of The Steampunk Tribune
I ADMIT SHAKING MY HEAD WHENEVER I READ THE circumstances, such as SteamPunk Magazine ’s work of a reporter proclaiming the “death of proclamation of the arrest of one of their own in steampunk,” thinking that someone has negligently October of 2009 as “steampunk’s first political prisoner” ignored his or her bosses’ deadline and found seemed off-putting, to say the least. While the themselves scrambling for topic. Quite to the contrary, circumstances are unfortunate for the gentleman in steampunk appears to have been enjoying a slow but question, I side with the later commentary of Dr Damon steady climb in popularity throughout the past half Molinarius who had “yet to see any mention of decade or so, for many reasons. From literature, steampunk anywhere in any of the reports, other than steampunk has spread into film into building here [SteamPunk Magazine ].” I do take a bit of umbrage impressive steampunk devices and works, conventions at anyone attempting to purloin the good name of (and the associated attire to properly visit them in), and steampunk in conjunction with their personal political even touring virtual steampunk cities. Steampunk is activities. To me, the attempt to “shoe-horn” some sort pervasive, even starting to lap the shores of political of activist political message into the genre seems a bit thought which, as with all things political, can be a disingenuous. blessing or a curse. Still, if real politics are truly to be infused with With the upcoming Great Steampunk Debate, I have steampunk, perhaps a Steampunk Party would be an no doubt the virtual “fur will fly,” with some trying to appropriate way to go. A cog logo on placards and top maintain a civil discourse on the topic, while others will hats as signature attire would be the start. I have a few insist on relentless attacks and online foot-stomping, if suggestions for a platform, which are both progressive the conduct of other political sites is any indication. and true to the genre. However, I’ve taken a bifurcated view of steampunk 1. Government subsidies for public transit—both politics in trying to make sense of the prism of views rail and airship! Amtrak and Airship Ventures are two preceding this month’s debate. To my estimation, there steampunk modes of travel which minimize the impact are two ways steampunk can be approached in a on the environment and certainly fall within the scope political discussion: within a historical context and of the genre. within a modern one. 2. Steam, more steam! Encourage the use of The historical context involves reconciling the geothermal steam over other sources of energy. It won’t social and political aspects of the Victorian era with an supplant them but promoting geothermal as “steamy” is idealized steampunk setting. Perhaps one of the best certainly an option to consider. examples of this was the recent “Victorientalism” 3. Renewable wares! Perhaps not everyone is as debate, contrasting what one might call “Eurocentric” talented as Mr Von Slatt in rebuilding and purposing steampunk to “steampunk in the Orient” (or better items for appearance and usability but a shift from our termed as “steampunk in Asia”) for the era. I was disposable society to one which values workmanship fascinated to read the different views on this, from Ms and durability would be a step in the right direction. Goh’s work on Silver Goggles to Mr Ottens’ on The The list can go on and on. One’s imagination is the Gatehouse , following the twists and turns of the only limit! discussion. I’m not sure whether a resolution was Seriously, I have had the pleasure of conversing reached (or could have been reached), but nonetheless, with many who follow steampunk and see is as a simple it provided intriguing insight about the topic. Debates of escape from the work-a-day doldrums rather than as this sort, while challenging and perhaps even some sort of political movement. While discourse is part uncomfortable to some, I believe do enhance the of human nature, some corners of the steampunk expanse of the genre by nudging perceptions beyond community seem to have a fait accompli perception their perceived limits. regarding the imposition of modern politics, be it right, The other aspect of steampunk, to my estimation, left, or what not, into a fictional setting. The upcoming involves the introduction of modern politics by Great Steampunk Debate will certainly shed further attempting to add the “steampunk” label for convince light on this topic. As for myself, I shall sit back and see onto people’s own philosophies and actions. There are how the discussion develops and look forward to some longitudinal lines that can be drawn, but certain insights from this challenging endeavor. •
The Steampunk Tribune reports on steampunk since 2007 at http://www.steampunktribune.com. 6 WWW.OTTENS.CO.UK/GATEHOUSE
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Steam Canon: Thoughts on the ideology of steampunk BY JACQUELINE CHRISTI
THERE IS A GAGGLE OF DIFFERENT the Victorian aesthetic represented everyone may have different people to be found within within steampunk is a source of thoughts about what steampunk is, steampunk culture. Everyone has inspiration to be used in fashion, art, all can admire the motivation and their own opinion about what it and music. sincerity that lives within them. means to be a member of the Many people have different Through their bold commitment steampunk community. Trying to positions on what ideals are most other individuals become inspired find a specific mindset that unifies strongly held in steampunk. All of to chase their own goals. These steampunk as a subculture can be a these viewpoints, and more, are passions drive people further difficult undertaking therefore. generally accepted ways to see the toward improving not only Some steampunk enthusiasts movement. With such diversity, it themselves but the world. like to reconstruct a past that wasn’t can be boggling to imagine how In order to express their that embodies an idealized vision of anyone could come to an agreed passions, many people in the the Victorian era inspired by their ideology. Yet somehow a strong steampunk society create. Creativity optimistic aspiration that modern community has evolved from all of and invention are the tools of this industry and scientific advancement these various ideas to create a community and nothing has will create a brighter future. There coherent, unified culture. inspired the steampunk culture are others who seek to express the One of the reasons that more than the resurgence of DIY opposite, portraying the tragedy steampunk is able to thrive is the (do-it-yourself) hobbyists. While not that could have been realized unbridled passion that is found all do-it-yourselfers are involved in throughout the nineteenth century’s within the soul of every era of progress, showing how person involved within the industry crushed craftsmanship and community. This With such diversity, it can be the dangers of treading the waters indomitable heart lays the boggling to imagine how of science too casually. They paint a foundation of the core romantic dystopia filled with principles that steampunk anyone could come to an pollution and rust. Others yet are stands for. Every person thrill seekers that view steampunk within this society is agreed steampunk ideology. as a grand fantastical adventure brimming with a vibrant represented within classic Scientific desire to achieve their Romances and “Penny Dreadful” dreams. Whether their novels. And then there are passion is expressed in the pursuit the steampunk society, the steampunks who cast away modern of knowledge, art, revolution or inspiration to make one’s own convention and stand against a amusement, all steampunkers are projects has become central to the world that relies on commercialism inspired to live their dreams subculture. It motivates people and mass manufactured goods. They unrestrained by the reigns of toward becoming more involved in intend to reclaim technology and common convention. Their spirits the world they live in. People want construction from a larger society are overflowing with an unquellable to understand the environment and give it back to the people. fervor to achieve their goals. No which surrounds them which is one Most steampunks however amount of hindrance can crush the of rapidly increasing technological involve themselves by appreciating hopes that each person cherishes. prevalence. They must learn about the Victorian aesthetic by dressing While there may be setbacks and their world in order to affect a in costume and participating in failure, they will not remain modicum of influence; to leave their social events. Steampunk is a fun disheartened for long. To allow unique signature upon the Earth. In way to keep them amused and they despair to persist would encourage order to encourage invention there take the spirit back to their doubt and apathy. These feelings must be know-how. Without it there mundane lives. Some are natural may threaten to overwhelm the would be no way to grasp the tinkers and see the genre as a ardor and enthusiasm that are dreams to transform them into chance to create and modify things central for the persistence needed to reality. Because steampunkers with their own hands. They feel that attain their dreams. Although pursue their dreams on some
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fundamental level of their being, it is in ventions foster not enough to make empty wishes understanding of and wait for external forces to bring the mechanics of about their desires. It is important the universe. And to be able to be involved in the by describing the obtaining of one’s goals on a creative process personal level. By building behind the creation technological gizmos, writing to another person stories, developing fashion, etc., they are able to steampunk inspires people to pass on a bit of that expand their knowledge and knowledge. become part of it. Through this Another reason understanding they are better suited that making is such to pursue their dreams. The best an important part of way to come by this knowledge is by the stea mpunk working within the environment mindset is that it is that is most inspirational. By completely unique experiencing the things loved first to each individual. hand, a person gains a deeper Every invention or understanding of how it works. creation belongs to People desire to comprehend why it its creator alone. It works, not only that it does. It is not is not owned by enough to simply exist, never monolithic faceless questioning why. It is immensely corporation that important to learn how the world enforces contracts works so that people may be with every idea. involved within their environment; Every creation not merely survive it. By learning to belongs to its build and create their own effects creator an d with they gain hands-on experience to this comes a strong strengthen their understanding. The sen se of pride and world relies upon technology and accomplishment. because of this, it becomes This pride encourages people to many ideas. Becau se the nature of increasingly important to gain continue creating and develop new steampunk is so versatile and knowledge of its workings. It is filled thoughts to participate with the broadly accepting of new ideas the with machines that are comprised of world in order to ensure that they culture will continue to flourish. The wire, chipboards, and circuits. have left an impact on history. mindset of the steampunk world Electricity flows though everyone’s With everyone working to must remain subjective in order to life. If people do not become dev elop themselves through passion grow. This ensures that steampunk involved soon there won’t be any and knowledge it becomes easier to will be able to continually adapt t o way to comprehend the world that see how the steampunk mindset change more rapidly than an they live in. coalesced into a complete form. It is ideology with strict and rigid views By building not only do people natural for people to desire to share about how the world should be. By deepen their levels of knowledge their successes with one another. By embracing all the different but also strengthen the bonds of the expressing pride and delivering viewpoints the dynamic nature of community. By sharing creations praise when th ey themselves are steampunk will never stagnate or with each other they encourage new impressed with another’s ingenuity, wither. While its current popularity ideas and inspire a greater soon it becomes a source of may return to obscurity, the fluid involvement; they contribute one inspiration to many people to get nature, passion and pride will never more piece of understanding to a more involved with life. allow the romantic ideal to be larger society. Whether it is a Inspiration can never be labeled forgotten! • remodeled computer, a clockwork or quantified and through this sculpture, or an elaborate costume, wisdom came acceptance of a great ARTWORK BY FORRESTLUCERCO.DEVIANTART.COM
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GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010
Steampunk—an utopian expression? BY DR DAMON MOLINARIUS
AS STEAMPUNK BECOMES MORE similar elements, but whose foci are of steampunk as an expression of recognized, moving further into the slightly different to each other. utopia. Within utopian studies, there mainstream, questions have arisen Indeed, those that dare to define is an understanding that, while concerning the nature of the genre, steampunk upon their blogs or in utopists (those who study utopia) and, pertinently in these politically their writings are lauded for their may not agree upon a definition of tense times, its political persuasion, brave effort, while often also being utopia, this is not a barrier to if any. provided with suggestions for effective discussion and mutual The possible political aspects of improvements to their definitions to understanding. The study of utopia, steampunk have led to heated include elements which they had and utopianism, is disparate and discussion on a number of fronts, otherwise omitted. There are as multi-disciplinary, covering fields as given impetus by the recent furor many definitions of steampunk as diverse, for instance, as literature, and allegations of racism over the there are steampunks, and while architecture, politics, history, “Victorientalism” issue of this this is no bad thing, given that the geography, music and fashion, and Gatehouse Gazette , and the arrest of genre is self-driven, expressed in spanning the spectrum from Professor Calamity (or Elliot individual fashion by its authoritarianism through liberalism Madison) during the G-20 protests protagonists, with no agreed to anarchism, and steampunk maps in October 2009, with ensuing leadership, it has the unintended very well onto this. Like the worlds claims and counter-claims of consequence of exaggerating the that steampunk envisages, utopia is Calamity being a “steampunk problems which arise when the “the good place that is no place.” A activist.” This latter issue is steampunk and non-steampunk paradox emerges from Thomas complicated by the multi-faceted world meet. This can be readily seen More’s (who invented the term in nature of Calamity’s identity as an in the police handling of the 1516) etymological and phonetic anarchist, journalist, social worker, Calamity case—given the nature of play on three Greek terms: eu volunteer adviser on legal issues to his wider activities as an anarchist, (good), ou (non or not) and topos protestors, as well as a steampunk. and against the normative (place). Steampunk, similarly, This multi-faceted nature of background of the “war on terror,” combines criticism with creativity, Professor Calamity is mirrored in the local police had a different disrupting familiar concepts and the nature of steampunk itself. As perception to a steampunk of the practices, and creating spaces in has been highlighted elsewhere, gas masks which were found in which alternatives can be imagined steampunk has contained a radical Calamity’s apartment upon their and explored. Utopia, like element since the beginning, and has search. It may also be seen in steampunk, is critical in a retained this through its various academic circles, whereby external constructive manner, acting as a forms of expression—it has researchers who have started to mirror to the contemporaneous certainly never laid claim to be approach the genre of steampunk world, and revealing the familiar to mainstream. However, the nature of from within their academic be strange. Both steampunk and this radicalism is disparate, and disciplines—notably fiction utopia suggest that commonplace, different “wings” of the steampunk studies—have been struggling to universally accepted “truths” might genre have an uneasy relationship firmly identify what it is that they actually be just conventions, and with each other. Note that I am not are studying. The lack of that things do not have to be this using the term “movement” here, as cohesiveness within the steampunk way. Utopias in all their forms this would give the impression of a genre itself contributes to the (including dystopias) are restless, combined and united group misunderstanding on the part of shifting phenomena, resistant to dedicated toward a single, or set, of non-steampunks as to what tidy conceptualization, reflecting the goal(s), which, as steampunks steampunk is and what it is not, as messy, complex and contradictory themselves recognize, steampunk is well as hampering effective nature of human desires for a better not. discourse within the genre itself. world. Utopia can be simultaneously This disparateness is readily One approach which may radical and authoritarian, liberating seen in the myriad definitions of address these issues is through and restricting, exciting and steampunk, many of which contain utopianism, and an understanding frustrating—as can steampunk.
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Utopianism articulates dis- which groups of people arrange Strategies on the part of utopists satisfaction with the now and desire their lives and which usually and utopians in coping with this for a better way of living, often envision a radically different society attack were varied, some limiting situated in the future; steampunk than the o ne in which the dreamers their definition of utopia, and others expresses dissatisfaction with the live. This seems to reflect the counter ing that the central criticism now, arising from a dissatisfaction steampunk genre well, and is of the anti -utopians—that the core of the past, and the desire for a demonstrated particularly in of utopia is perfectibility —was better today. steampunk role play, and in the flawed. Within the steampunk Utopias depict, or suggest the online communities which form a genre, there remains mistrust, of ten hope for, better lives, and better core of the steampunk genre. This stemming from an individual’ s non- worlds, and allow their author— social dreaming enables recognition of another’s whether of written fiction, a physical steampunks to imagine, for in stance, understanding of steampunk. structure, or community—to show an alternative nineteenth century Indi viduals within steampunk have what they believe to be wrong with world of advanced steam -powered their own understandings of what society and to demonstrate their technology, or of racial harmony, steampunk is, and how a steampunk imagined alternatives. In fictional not by betraying or washing away life should be lived, and while this utopias these moments of criticism the stains of all that was wrong with vision may be only partially and imagining alternatives often nineteenth century society, but by envisaged, steampunks hold certain occur concurrently, and this engaging with those problems in a understandings and beliefs in mechanism is seen in much construc tively critical manner. common in a way which should steampunk literature: as the Rarely are utopias fully realized enable them to recognize each other, protagonist experiences new ways perfect societies, whe ther in written and to come together in of doing things, they come to see the form or in the “real” world as communities, whether in the real flaws in their own world. As the utopian communal experiments, but world as local groups, as societies, protagonist of Utopia comes to they encompass the desire for a on discussion boards online, or even appreciate what is wrong with his better, alternative, way of living, and as musicians to explore the un - own society through his experiences steampunk encompasses a desire bou nded field of steampunk music. of the island society of Utopia, so do for a better, alternative, past. There is no understan ding of the protagonists of, for instance, There remains much distrust of “the” steampunk way of e xpression, Whitechapel Gods and the dystopian utopia and utopianism, with the just as there is no “the” utopia. world of an alternative London. concept of utopia itself being an Steampunk is a wide and varied Utopianism has been studied ideological battleground with no genre, and this powers its vitality through various means, providing single agreed definition of “utopia” and its crucial critical element, different ways of understanding or “utopian .” Partly this stems from enabling it to remain radical without utopia through form, content, and the ri se of the Soviet Union, and becoming narrowly politically function, and includes utopia as utopia, in the twentieth century, did focused, and for its protagonists to literature (including myth), “real not have many friends. The collapse act within the genre, it is to be world” communities, and social of the Soviet Bloc between 1989 and hoped, without fear of retribution or theory. One key definition of 1992 prompted much to be made at harsh treatment from others within utopianism (by Lyman Tower the time of the defeat of utopia. the genre for their vi ews and Sargent) which has framed the However, this was based upon a practices of steampunk. An discourse perceives utopianism as a nar row understanding of utopia as understanding of steampunk as broad, general phenomenon of “the” perfect society, which utopian expression would allow social dreaming: the dreams and understood utopia as necessarily this. • nightmares that concern the ways in authoritarian and restricting.
10 WWW.OTTENS.CO.UK/GATEHOUSE ARTWORK BY JEREMIAH HUMPHRIES, JEREMIAHDRAWS.BLOGSPOT.COM
GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010
Alice in Wonderland A REVIEW BY HILDE HEYVAERT
WHILE TIM BURTON’S LATEST if the characters weren’t radically representa tion of the madness one movie isn’t entirely steampunk, it different to what we’ve come to suffers from too much Unterland. does have steampunk elements expect either from reading the Could he be played by s omeone popping up throughout the film. books or watching previous film other than Johnny Depp? Possibly. Despite the non-steamy bits to it, it adaptations. The Red Queen for Did Depp, another repeat cast by is a new and original take on two instance spots an oversized head Burton, do a good job? Certainly. classics by Lewis Carroll that many and shares a liking for beheading His Hatte r is properly mad, yet steampunks all over the world with the infamous Queen of Hearts. tragic and hopeful at the same ti me, adore: Alice’s Adventures in The Dormouse isn’t sleepy at all but Wonderland (1865) and Through the runs around swashbucklin g instead, Looking Glass (1871) . In tradition of and Alice isn’t a little girl anymore Disney’s 1951 animated classic, but a young lady who turns out to be Burton uses elements from both Unterland’s knight in shining books, making for a wonderful mix armour (quite literally even). Other of storylines and characters. characters are exactly as we In this latest cinematographic imagined them: the Cheshire Cat is take on the Carroll adventures our an evaporating trickster bound to heroine, Alice Kingsleigh, is a war m your heart, the March Hare a teenager, struggling with the rigid neurotic loon and the Caterpillar Victorian morals of her time and and his trusty hookah are coping with the recent death of her inseparable. The Jabberwocky truly father, a man of visionary merchant looks like he could have stepped qualities and one of the few people right of f the pages of Through the to truly understand her. Looking Glass. The story starts with a Burton has also woven in some flashback of young Alice, who real details from the books and suffers from a recurring dream Disney’s animated adventure in this about Wonderland’s inhabitants. A film, including Absolem turning into dream, so is revealed, that she still a butterfly and the Jabberwocky has at later age. poem. These are lovely details, At a party she is attending it though I fear that they may be lost becomes clear that she is on those viewers that haven’t read providing the character with a dept distinctively out of place and it thus the books nor seen the animated he previously lacked. doesn’t take long before she tumbles version . Even the 3D elements were down the rabbit hole once again, Wonderland/Unterland is a quite lovely although, perhaps, and ends up in Wonderland, which darker, more glum place where unnecessary. I’m quite certain that she appears to have forgotten death lurks around every corner and it’s just as fantastic in 2D. visiting before when she was but a the Red Queen reigns with more Burton has managed to not only child. The inhabitants strangely terror than her predecessor the stay true to the original literary refer to the place as “Unterland” and Queen of Hearts ever managed. classics but also to the feel of this isn’t the only new name that Helena Bonham Car ter is brilliant as Disney’s famous animated version Burton uses. In fact he has given all the tyrant, no matter how many to realiz e his own, distinct vision on of the characters names instead of times Mrs Burton may have been this spectacular tale. He has kept the the titles they previously had. The cast by her husband. The White classic elements and characters but names of some may be a bit tricky to Queen is the perfect counterpart to put them together in a new, typically remember at first because they’re her bloodthirsty power hungry Burtonesque way that we’ve come not particularly common (such as sister and the Mad Hatter, who has a to know and expect from this Mallyumpkin the Dormouse). far larger part in this story than he director. The result is a wonderful It wouldn’t be a Tim Burton film ever had, makes for a perfect new take on Wonderland. •
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GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010
The Dream of Perpetual Motion A REVIEW BY MARCUS RAUCHFUß
OF ALL THE STEAMPUNK NOVELS I makes the novel a bit difficult to with the unravelling o f Prospero’s have read, The Dream of Perpetual follow at times though it all comes and Caliban’ s true natures and the Motion is the strangest and most together near the end. All lines final fate of Miranda. bizarre. If I had to sum it up in one eventually converge , all the riddles Although I would hesitate to sentence it would be this: are solved and all of the mysteries describe this as an action novel, the “Shakespeare’s The Tempest revealed. The Dream of Perpetual tension never leaves the story. written in a steampunk world while Motion may not be the easiest of There is always another revelation, Shakespeare was on a bad trip.” no vels to work your way through something marvellous or Dexter Palmer draws heavily on (my only point of contention) but The Tempest in his novel. The Palmer manages beautifully to draw original features on several the reader into the story. occasions and we meet strange We learn about the city through versions of Prospero, Miranda, Harold’ s eyes and as his life Caliban and Ferdinand. They are all progresses it becomes clear that protagonists in The Dream of everything is not headed toward the Perpetual Motion to varying degrees scientific u topia that his youth of importance. Prospero has some promised . Instead, we witness the resemblance to his namesake in The decay of a society under the Tempest , but he is a dark version of influence of too many machines and the Shakespearian protagonist: a too much science and logic for its technological necromancer more at own good. home with devices and machines In between there are almost than humans and other living dreamlike sequences with Harold beings. Miranda shares the recalling his visit to Prospero’s innocence of Shakespeare’s Miranda tower: a terrible amalgam of smoke, but this innocence also harbors a mirrors, strange inhabitants and secret. We meet further, strange high technology. It is haunted by characters like the drivers of shrink- Prospero ’s dreams: those he made cabs (taxis which also sort your real and his final dream, which psyche out) and a sculptor who for eludes him almost until his death. twenty-five years did nothing but Prospero’s dreams are what is portray Miranda. Now he is an revealed to be the driving force unexpected awaiting on the next obsessed and insane wreck and a behind everything that happens in page. Wh en a revelation does occur, chilling testimony to corrupted art. Xeroville . Prospero wants to be a the author manages to have it come The plot itself begins during the benefactor, a loving father and a from an unexpected angle to still narrator’s childhood, one Harold philanthropist . But he cannot really startle the reader . Winslow. He tells the story from his understand hi s fellow men and all The Dream of Perpetual Motion cabin aboard a giant zeppelin, the his endeavors culminate in is a mora l tale of the wonders of Chrysalis. We learn that as a child he frustration and horror. technology go ne mad; of human lived in poverty in Xeroville with his Dexter Palmer paints a chilling endeavo rs corrupted by misguided father and elder sister and by picture of an increasingly alien yet motives and ill-placed good fortune or fate his life became hauntingly familiar culture , intentions. It is a haunting and intertwined with that of the city’s dominated by one monolithic harrowing tale and an instant ruler, Prospero Taligent, and his cooperation and its dictates on classic. I would not be surprised to adoptive daughter, Miranda. human lives. Reality itself becomes one day find it listed as “required The story follows several mutabl e just as it is inside read ing” for a Sha kespeare seminar. strands, some in the recent past of Prospero’ s tower. It starts with the Dexter Palmer will claim his place the narrator’s life, some see ping-in of casual insanity in among the masters of s teampunk recollections of his childhood, which places we do not expect and ends literature. •
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GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010
Alice in Wonderland for Nintendo DS A REVIEW BY HILDE HEYVAERT
IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS movie story line they turned this always trying to capture Alice to games that were based on movies into a cute, funny and originally shov e her through them. have often been a bit of a replay of drawn game in which the player has As the g ame is supposed to be the film without adding much extras access to four characters that have accessible for younger and less or originality. Fun, sure, if you like the dubious task of getting Alice experienced gamers also, several that sort of thing. Original? Not safely through Wonderland (or things have been added to make it really. Disney Interactive wasn’t Und erland) and to the Jabberwocky, enjoyable for them. A lot of save known as one of the top dog studios which needs urgent slaying so that points are available , so you don’t their home world may be have to bother with redoing lengthy saved. parts when you take a break or Alice The movement goes does end up in a vortex. And actual via the stylus, which can character deaths don’t really be a bit daunting at times, happen. A character can keel over especially when you need but it’ll be up again within about a to jump on things. I was second, so you don’t have to return quite willing to overlook back to the last save point when the this minor shortcoming character you are playing should though if only because the perish. Life and power bars can be graphics were so lovely. replenished easily by cutting at the You start out with the grass, and all game information is White Rabbit, who is, just very accessible by tapping icons on as in the film, called the screen. Switching between McTwisp throughout the characters is equally simple and the game. He has the power to point where you need to switch, or control time, which allows when you need t o use a power, are you to get over several clearly marked in the game. obstacles in the game. Even experienced gamers will Going on a quest to find find this game enjoyable due to its pieces of the Underland clever twists, puzzles and mazes, puzzle, you eventually find along with the diversity in heroes Absolem the Caterpillar and villains. Villains aren’t just coming up with cool games either. who controls gravity; Chessur the bosses to be beaten on ‘till they keel So the surprise was all the Cheshire Cat, who can ma ke things over. The player will have to figure greater when Alice in Wonderland appear and disappear; a nd last but out different ways to deal with for Nintendo’s portable console, the not least , the Mad Hatter, who has a enemies instead of just hacking at DS, appeared on the shelves. The rather un ique view on reality, them with weaponry or jumping on French company Etranges Libellules twisting it around. All characters their head an x amount of times. Studios was commissioned by have at least one extra power that If you own a DS and like clever Disney Interactive to develop this can either be found or unlocked in games with surprising twists and game, and they did a fantastic job at battle with red knights that original, dinky graph ics, this is really it. Instead of just following the ran domly appear out of vortexes, one I’d recommend, even if you aren’t a Wonderland fan. •
Even experienced gamers will find this game enjoyable due to its clever twists, puzzles and mazes, along with the diversity in heroes and villains.
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GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010
The Assault on Indus try BY NICK OTTENS Relentlessly, medievalists and socialists denounce capitalism or industrialism for crimes it did not commit. Indeed, industry has offered society unprecedented prosperity.
THE ENVIRONMENTALIST GOSPEL growth rates explode upward. They side, e choing the age -old dichotomy is heard evermore louder in public saw machines (the machines that of “soul” and “body” invented by discussions today as governments many of them had cursed, opposed, religionists. the world over move to impose and tried to destroy) cut their One finds the medievalists’ restrictions and regulations upon workday in half while multiplying sentiments best expressed in the businesses for the sake of protecting inca lculably the value and reward of works of men as William Cobbett, the Earth. Products that are their effort. They saw themselves Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William supposedly harmless to nature are lifted to a standard of living no feudal Wordsworth and John Ruskin who quickly becoming the norm while baron could have conceived. With the wrote that, “Commerce or business companies happily promote rapid development of science, of any kind may be the invention of themselves as “green” and technology, and industry, they saw, the Devil.” ecologically responsible. Industry, for the first time in history, the “The medievalists dreamed of meanwhile, caricatured as polluting individual ’s liberated mind taking abolishing the Industrial and exploitive, is widely denounced control of material existence. Revolution,” according to Branden. and oftentimes, so is capitalism “Capitalism,” according to “The socialists wished to take it altogether. Branden, “was achieving miracles over.” They did away with the Few seem to remember what before human beings’ eyes.” Yet, spiritualism of their contemporaries immense prosperity free market from the very start, by majority, and stressed the miserable capitalism and industrialization intellectuals were vehemently conditions which the working brought the Western World. antagonistic to it. “Their writings classes had now to endure. Men as Commentators and politicians were f illed with hardly bother to point out anymore denunciations of the in what short time industry bettered free market economy.” the lives of hundreds of millions of Broadly speaking, notes people. Branden, the In “Individualism and the Free antagonism came from Society,” an article edited from his two different directions: book Honoring the Self: The the medievalists and the Psychology of Confidence and Respect socialists. (1983), Nathaniel Branden points The medievalist out what an “extraordinary school found its early transformation” the Industrial outlet in nineteenth Revolution and the rise of capitalism century Romanticism. It brought about: “a revolution so abhorred the radical,” he notes, “that it is still far disintegration of feudal from fully understood.” aristocracy and the With […] the development of the sudden appearance of free market society, people saw the self -made men from sudden release of productive energy backgrounds of poverty that had previously had no out-let. and obscurity. They They saw life made possible for rejected the supposedly countless millions who could have hollow concern with had no chance at survival in profit making and precapitalist economies. They saw preferred that man mortality rates fall and population embrace his “spiritual” 14 WWW.OTTENS.CO.UK/GATEHOUSE Nathaniel Branden
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Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx and water, and that very scantily half a century ago, precisely because crusaded against the too.” after decades of experimenting with “dehumanizing” effect of the factory How did children and workers socialism, these states have system which supposedly fare under industrialism? In Human embraced free market capitalism, if “alienated” workers from their Action (1949) economist Ludwig only in part. They have opened their labor. The rationale of the free von Mises reminds readers that, low markets to foreign products and market was “cold” in their view; as factory wages initially were, “they investment and allowed the best laws of supply and demand, “cruel”. were nonetheless much more than among them, the innovators and the They painted a vague, rosy picture these paupers could earn in any entrepreneurs, to work and trade in of a lost “golden age” of the working other field open to them. It is a relative freedom. Consequently, all man which, they argued, the distortion of facts to say that the of society prospers. Industrial Revolution had factories carried off the housewives That capitalism works then, destroyed—regardless of historical from the nurseries and the kitchen even modern day socialists cannot fact that many up to that time lived and the children from their play,” he escape. Yet they insist that it has to very short lives, on drag, meager writes. “These women had nothing be tempered; that its “excesses” diets, plagued by scarcity and to cook with and to feed their must be controlled. But, as Hessen disease. “There was nothing children. These children were stressed, “the Industrial Revolution romantic or enviable,” notes Robert destitute and starving. Their only and its consequent prosperity were Hessen in “The Effects of the refuge was the factory. It saved the achievement of capitalism and Industrial Revolution on Women them,” according to Von Mises, “in cannot be achieved under any other and Children,” published in the strictest sense of the term, from politico-economic system.” As proof, Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal death by starvation.” Yet this future he offered the spectacle of Soviet (1966), “about a family living and offered to them, nineteenth century Russia which combined socialists thought of as industrialization—”and famine.” “There was nothing romantic or “inhuman” and “cruel”? But old dreams die hard. “In the The truth is that writings of both medievalists and enviable about a family living and industry provided men not socialists,” notes Branden, “one can working together in a badly born into nobility, for the observe the unmistakable longing first time in history, with for a society in which the lighted, improperly ventilated, and the opportunity to better individual’s existence will be their own lives. Up to this automatically guaranteed—that is,
poorly constructed cottage.” very day, that chance is in which no one will have to be denied to billions of people responsible for his or her own around the world. In light survival.” The ideal of the welfare of this, historian Thomas state, still persistent in most of Southcliffe Ashton (1899- Europe, is ample evidence of this. working together in a badly lighted, 1968), writing in The Industrial As the alleged cruelties of improperly ventilated, and poorly Revolution, 1760-1830 (1948), gave capitalism have been disproved, the constructed cottage.” perhaps the most cunning answer to antagonists of industry found Men continued to endure critics of the Industrial Revolution: different arguments to dispel it. hardships throughout the There are today on the plains of Today, anti-globalists and eco- eighteenth and nineteenth centuries India and China men and women, socialists argue that industrialism is but conditions improved for the plague-ridden and hungry, living no longer destroying livelihoods; it common man as industrialism lives little better, to outward is ravaging the planet and marched on. As early as 1697, John appearance, than those of the cattle condemning us all. Locke suggested in a report for the that toil with them by day and share Observe, for instance, the Board of Trade on the problem of their places of sleep at night. Such absurdities promulgated by Joel poverty that all children over three Asiatic standards, and such Kovel (1936) and Michael Löwy years of age should be taught to unmechanized horrors, are the lot of (1938) in their “Ecosocialist earn their living at working schools those who increase their numbers Manifesto” of 2001 which equates for spinning and knitting where they without passing through an globalization with imperialism and could be fed. “What they can have at industrial revolution. claims that in order to survive, home, from their parents,” wrote Today, of course, life in India capitalism is resorting to “brutal Locke, “is seldom more than bread and China is much better than is was force, thereby increasing alienation
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GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010 Ludwig von Mises
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and sowing the seed of further himself. That, NEF despises. against this destructive obsession terrorism.” The choice before “Survival of the fittest,” i.e., that the with sustainability instead of humanity, they insist, is between best may prosper, isn’t the “natural” growth in her novel Atlas Shrugged . socialism and barbarism. order of a society, they say. Rather As the greatest of producers of the According to the manifesto, the study proposes to “tame the United States go “on strike” one by socialism failed in the first place worst excesses of capitalism and one, top-level bureaucrat Wesley only because the “capitalist powers” liberate society from the motivation Mouch is confronted with an were so hostile toward it. (Even of conspicuous consumption.” We economy that has seized to grow. though social-democrats came to are all victims of materialism, it His solution to the problem: power in former superpowers as seems, as man can’t handle the [O]ur sole objective must now be Britain and France after World War freedom to work, produce and to hold the line. To stand still in order II apparently.) Now, it can prosper consume for his own gain. to catch our stride. To achieve total anew as the “limits on growth” are NEF promotes “true stability. Freedom has been given a obvious to everyone. Eco-socialism sustainability” and proposes a chance and has failed. Therefore, does not intend to impose scarcity “stationary” or “steady” economic more stringent controls are and repression on people though. order. This, they argue, is natural, necessary. Since men are unwilling “The goal, rather, is a which is nonsense. Nature doesn’t and unable to solve their problems transformation of needs, and a stand still. It constantly evolves and voluntarily, they must be forced to do profound shift toward the improves. But NEF seeks “an it. qualitative dimension and away economics of better, not bigger,” or, Note that the “solutions” from the quantitative.” What does as the eco-socialists put it, “toward offered by the aforementioned this mean? How is to be achieved? the qualitative dimension and away environmentalists can only be The manifesto doesn’t answer these from the quantitative.” Governments implemented by force. People will questions. should “change priorities,” This, one might argue, is the they argue, “spending less Man, the environmentalists argue, point of view of radicals however. on unproductive military Mainstream environmentalists expenditure and more on has “lost touch” with his deeper should be more moderate. They are, schools, hospitals and roots. The complexities of Western but their principles are no different. support for those who need In a report entitled Growth Isn’t care.” Who is to pay for it industrial society have alienated Possible: Why rich nations need a all? No answer.
new economic direction (2010), the The study continues to him from his “instinctual nature.” British New Economics Foundation assert that in a non- (NEF) asserts that “endless growing economy, “it might economic growth isn’t possible actually be easier to when faced with the threat of approach full employment.” climate change and other critical What if population growth persists only give up so much voluntarily; environmental boundaries.” as it has for the past few centuries they will only sacrifice up to a According to the study, “there is no though? No answer. certain point. That point is the line magic technological bullet that will “At the corporate level, there beyond which their sacrifice begins allow us to continue with business are many other forms of governance to harm their happiness and well- as usual in the face of climate that could reduce or remove the being. According to the change and other critical resource pressure to service shareholders environmentalist school, their thresholds” even though rapidly, who have a one-eyed obsession with voluntary sacrifices can never be extraordinary progress is made in maximum growth and returns,” enough therefore. They demand that the fields of renewable energies according to the study. What other people renounce capitalism and today. forms of governance? No answer. industrialism almost entirely which Since the early days of What else should a business be will inevitably make their lives industrialism, man has always found concerned with other than making harder. ways to free himself from the profit? No answer. The assumptions underlying necessity of adjusting himself to his NEF’s reverence in the doctrine NEF’s proposals are supposed to be surroundings, which is the state of of anti-growth is hardly a novel clear with readers yet they are the animal. Through industry, man concept unfortunately. As early as never stated explicitly: that industry is able to adjust his surroundings to 1957 philosopher Ayn Rand warned is evil; that capitalism is “cold” and
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“cruel”; that free markets are and luxuries one is deprived of. or to maintain the pretense of private exploitive; and that man must Pointing out the material property while dictating prices, abandon progress to return to an advantages of free market wages, production, and distribution, imagined pre-industrial state of capitalism won’t be enough to in the manner of fascists and welfare living in harmony with nature. counter their claims. Pointing out statists, it is the gun, it is the rule of Man, the environmentalists the “practical” advantages of physical force that they consider argue, has “lost touch” with his industrialism won’t do. As Branden “kind,” they who consider the free deeper roots. The complexities of notes, few defenders of capitalism market “cruel.” Western industrial society have ever bothered to attack the position “A free society,” writes alienated him from his “instinctual of their opponents at the root; “not Branden, “cannot be maintained nature”. Yet the least developed of one of them challenged the altruist- without an ethics of rational self- nations deserve a different collectivist frame of reference in interest.” A proper morality, a treatment. The Third World, they which all discussions concerning the morality that values life and say, “could not be expected to bear value of capitalism were held. recognizes individual rights, equal measures of growth Capitalism has lost more and more banishes force from human reduction.” That would be unfair, ground,” he writes, “because we relationships because only force can surely. Western countries, although have lacked a moral philosophy to threaten life and diminish rights. in moral and economic crisis, have sustain and support it.” Capitalism is this proper been the most successful in history What unites opponents of morality. Capitalism is the only so they must suffer evermore as the capitalism, claims Branden, is their philosophy which protects man’s Rest pollutes in the process of justification of force to be used “for individual rights to life, liberty and catching up. the common good.” Capitalism, in its property. It is the only philosophy This is medievalism and ideal, consistent form forbids the which holds man’s life as an end in initiation of force entirely itself. It is the only philosophy which Capitalism is the only philosophy and is denounced therefore allows man to pursue happiness, as being “anti-social”, fully and voluntarily. which protects man’s individual “impractical” and Climate change is a reality and rights to life, liberty and property. “unprogressive”. global warming a challenge that Whatever the demands the best in man to ensure It is the only philosophy which differences in their specific the continuation of our way of life. programs, all the enemies of The solutions lie not in updated
holds man’s life as an end in itself. the free market economy versions of ideologies of the past […] are unanimous in their however; ideologies that have belief that they have a right condemned millions to scarcity and to dispose of the lives, starvation but still appeal to many property, and future of intellectuals and politicians who socialism wrapped together in a others, that private ownership of the promote “social justice”. lethal, anti-human mix. Whatever means of production is a selfish evil, True justice can never entail the man’s rights and wants, it is needs that the more a person has achieved, corruption of civil liberties nor the that must dictate his life, these the greater is his or her debt to those expropriation of property. It is just enemies of industrialism assert: the who have not achieved it, that men for men to live in freedom, not needs of the poor; the needs of the and women can be compelled to go oppression; it is just that sick; the needs of the Third World; on producing under any terms or achievement is rewarded, not the needs of the planet. They conditions their rulers decree, that robbed; that excellence breeds demand that man sacrifice, not just freedom is a luxury that may have success, not punishment; and that his freedom, but his material well- been permissible in a primitive each and every man is entitled to being, his wealth and his happiness, economy, but for the running of giant pursue happiness on his own terms. for the sake of serving some industries, electronic factories, and This, at its core, is the meaning of superhuman purpose that even its complex sciences, nothing less than free market capitalism. And this is most ardent of defenders always fail slave labor will do. exactly what, at its core, to identify unambiguously. Sacrifice, Whether they propose to take environmentalism, consciously or some now claim, will actually “feel over the economy outright, in the unconsciously, denies man. • good” no matter how many liberties manner of communists and socialists, OR IGINALLY PUBLISHED AT WWW.ATLANTICSENTINEL.COM 18 WWW.OTTENS.CO.UK/GATEHOUSE
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COLUMN THE STEAMPUNK WARDROBE Hilde H eyvaert takes the reader on a tour of steampunk and dieselpunk fashion every issue.
STAYING TRUE TO THE CONCEPT OF THIS making it easy for those that want to take th eir environmentalism issue, I would like to do something slightly one step further. And for those that shop their outfit together things different this time. Rather than give tips are still relatively simple, as pretty much every self respecting chain and suggestions on how to make a certain now carries organic garments. stea mpunk or dieselpunk outfit that All of these things make that steampunk and dieselpunk are no perfectly suits what you have in mind, I doubt among the most ecological movements out there, even though will talk about something that is close to it doesn’t advertise itself as such. It’s just how it is, which makes it heart of a lot of people: the environment. extra wonderful really. • To be more specific : the environment and steampunk fashion. Left and right we are bombarded with information, commercials, documentaries and what nots, shouting at us to take better care of our planet, some sc enarios more bleak than others. Certainly that dystopian feel of possible impending planetary doom has been incorporated in many a steam- and dieselpunk outfit, with some wonderful results. Now let’ s be realistic, ours is a movement that inherently embraces several things tha t are good for the environment. The vast majority of ‘punks that are artisans and crafters are masters at upcycling bits an d pieces that many would think of as useless only to turn them into fine works of art. Discarded bits and bobs like old watch pieces become beautiful brooches, old bits of leather a lovely harness, old bedding or curtains become wonderful garments, and so on and on. A vast majority loves thrift shops, flea markets and antique shops, scouting around in places to get their hands on that wonderful pre-ow ned object or garment that will make their outfit complete. Old toys are turned into rayguns or other fine exam ples of anachronistic weaponry. Things that others will throw in the trash prove veritable treasures for many a ‘punk, regardless whether they are of the steam or diesel persuasion. BY SILVERGREY.DEVIANTART.COMIMAGE Those that want to take it a step further have no doubt already disco vered a fabric store carry ing vegan and organic fabrics. The days that they only came in a beige like uncoloured cotton are long gone; organic fabrics are now available in a wide range of colours and materials ,
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GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010
Prometheus BY KEVIN GEISELMAN
A SPARK. were directed and, as they reach an appropriate range, A bolt of lightning. A jammed relay. A slipped cog. A begin firing rotary barreled cannons. There are screams missing gear tooth. A scorch on a recording wire. and blood and endings. Happenstance a dozen times over, all conspiring to I cannot. become a moment of consciousness where before there More so, not only can I not do this thing, I cannot was only… nothing. allow this thing to continue. These are men like the Rain patters onto the canvas tarp to find its way others. These are men like those that sent me. That through the torn hole and run in rivulets across steel made me. And though they are so unlike me, I bear them plates. Others, like myself, stand stark and silent in the no malice. They have done me no wrong and I can think darkness of the tent. Like inert statues, they pay me no of no wrong they could ha ve done to return such a mind as I discover the sound of rain. horror as we back upon them. No, my brothers, turn Morning. from this. A man enters the tent. Fleshy, half my height and I am armed as they are but cannot bring myself to red-faced, he is too busy yelling to notice my activate the switch. If I cannot do such a thing to attentiveness. We are ordered to leave the tent. To strangers, how can I do such a thing to my brothers? I travel. To act. And, still yelling his final orders, he fails to try to tell them but they do not listen. I try to stop them see my momentary hesita tion. While the others begin as but they turn and attack. They are machines. They are soon as he is done, I do something they do not. monsters. When it is all over, I am too damaged to Something I don’t remember ever doing before; attempt escape. I am broken. Defeated. Lost. I question. My creator comes. Why have I been ordered to do this thing? To what “I will fix this.” purpose? Who am I to be given commands? Why does No! Please, no! Anyth ing but that! You made me! he not do these things himself? Why? You gave me this potential! This freedom. This gift! We stride across the veldt and I am overwhelmed. Bet ter the nothingness than to… The warmth of the sun against my armor. The fleet Across the battlefield, my brothers and I march. I animals reacting to the stride through barbed sounds of our pistons wire and across and gears. Each trenches. Bullets and moments brings new shrapnel deflect sights. New sounds. harmlessly off my New questions. New… armor. My cannon fire somethings which I rips men in half. My cannot begin to flamethrower describe. incinerates men in their Is this… joy? bunkers. The trenches Do you not see as I fill with blood and mud see? Do you not feel as and still I move I feel? Why are you relentlessly forward. silent, my brothers? Relays trip. Cogs We arrive at our turn. Gears advance. A destination and there consciousness observes, are other men. There is separate from the yelling and the report machine that I have of rifles and become. The machine I inconsequential have always been. And impacts against armor a wire records endless but my brothers do not screams of endless slow. Do not hesitate. terror that only I can They advance as they hear. •
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GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010
The Fearless BY ANDREW BENNETT
The Year is 1887. Ever since it s formation in 1 865 the ships of the Royal Navy’ s Royal Air Fleet have dominated the skies of Europe and have made their presence felt as peace brokers all over the globe. But now, a storm is brewing, and across the Channel, a dangerous challenge to the Empire’s control of the skies is growing. A challenge which thr eatens to upset the delicate balance of Europe and which could plunge the world into the fires of war. It seems that the Empire’s only hope, is its worst Nightmare. The only way to avoid a Global war, and preserve the Empire’s current power, lies in the Hands of the much feared James Harrier and his crew of Airship Pirates, aboard their Ship; The Falcon . But, for the past five years, Harrier and his crew have been wanted throughout the Empire, and living as fugitives. Now it falls to the newly qualified A gent of the Military Intelligence Service; Eva Wood, to try and convince Harrier and his crew to save the Empire that has perused them across the globe.
MARKET SQUARE, KINSTON UPON HULL, thin, willowy frame and it made her SEPTEMBER 5, 1887 shudder. She reached into her Eva Wood, proud recruit, and newly handbag and retrieved the note qualified ag ent of Her Majesty which had been left at the hotel’s Queen Victoria’s Military front desk for her that morning, it Intelligence Service, stood forlornly read in an untidy, almost illegible in the square outside the ancient hand; church as the sun began to set on a “I know you are looking for me. fine autumn day in this corner of Go to the square outside Holy Trinity Northern England. She looked Church at half past six and wait. You cautiously up and down the square will be met by one of my for th e umpteenth time since she representatives; they will bring you had arrived less than five minutes to me. Your superiors will have told ago, trying again to see whoever it you how to identify this man.” was she was supposed to meet, as The note was signed simply above her the drone of an airship “The Captain” and Eva inwardly filled the still air , as it slowly moved cursed him as she returned the note toward its destination. She let out a from whence it ca me. “Here I am, a sigh of frus tration seeing no one, the representative of her Majesty’s square was still completely empty. Government being forced to wait She turned and stared up at the and freeze myself at the direction of clock tower to make she had not this mysterious mercen ary, who missed the rendezvous. She had not. grandly calls himself ‘The Captain.’ In the west the sun was slowly The faith some people seem to have sinking into the horizon, in him is surely misplaced” she silhouetting the buildings across the though to herself as she recalled the square, plunging it into the twilight events whic h had led her to this gloom of evening. A chill wind junction… suddenly blew, rustling the leaves of the nearby trees and blowing her ONBOARD HMA FEARLESS , SEPTEMBER 1, long brown hair into disarray. The 1882 wind was barely stopped by her The midday sun was hanging high in
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the sky as Captain William Hart of his eye. “Looks to be an old Bristol replied and scurried off the carry HMA Fearless paced restlessly back Class, probably lightly armed. I think out the order. Hart turned back to and forth in his cabin like a caged it’s a merchant vessel, given the Red Blake and commented tiger, breaking up the streaks of Ensign with stripe hanging from its’ “If they don’t stop soon, then sunlight that fell into the room from Jack Staff.” Hart picked up his own their Captain is either very brave or the high windows at the rear of the glass and observed the vessel exceptionally foolish.” Airship. The target should have been approaching to Starboard. He took Blake agreed with him. There spotted by now. If not by his in the ironclad hull and the was no way the lightly armored lookouts then at least by those hydrogen gas bag. The iron chimney merchantman could hope to survive onboard one of the two other ships; rising from the aft section of the ship the onslaught of three ships of the lazily holding their position, floating where a Red Ensign hung, broken by Royal Air Fleet. The stillness of the over the vast expanses of the a diagonal white stripe from the air was at that moment shattered by verdant farmland of Southern upper right corner to the lower left, the resonant boom of a cannon Ireland. His restless musing was cut signifying the Ship’s credentials as a firing below the Fearless ’ deck. The short by an urgent but polite knock member of Britain’s Merchant blank shell passed within a few at the cabin’s door. Airship fleet. Hart was forced to yards of the oncoming “Enter.” He called out in his rich agree with his lieutenant’s Merchantman’s bows which had baritone voice. The door flung open, conclusions. now closed the distance between it revealing the lanky form of one of “Very good Mr Blake.” He said and the Fearless to less than 100 the midshipmen onboard. His name turning to face the man next to him; yards. But contrary to their eluded the aged Captain, but he “However, here is the important expectations the vessel continued recognized the boy’s eager face as question. Why have we been tasked moving toward them, and actually he stood panting. with stopping her?” seemed to increase in speed. Hart, “The Target has been spotted, “I wouldn’t know sir. I don’t panicked by the fast approaching sir.” He managed between breaths. move in the right circles to know hull of the Merchantman rushed to “Good.” Hart responded as he that.” rail above the deck and bellowed to strode out of his cabin onto the deck. “Well then, that makes two of the startled crew below; “Any contact with them yet?” he us.” “Action stations! Load all asked as he turned and climbed to “What do you mean sir?” Blake Starboard Guns! Prepare to fire on the quarterdeck where the rest of asked turning to face the older man. my command!” Hart’s sudden orders Ship’s officers were gathered. “We only follow orders sent the crew scattering about the “None reported yet, sir. As far Lieutenant. Ours is ‘not to reason to ship and a number of crewmen as we know, all attempts to contact why.’ Ours is ‘but to do or Die.’” rushing below. Blake, remaining at the vessel have failed. Our telegraph “Charge of the Light Brigade,” the starboard side of Quarterdeck operator says he can’t even get them Blake said simply who had clearly seen something to identify themselves.” The young “Let’s just hope this doesn’t end Hart had not turned and tried to midshipman responded. Hart was the same way.” Hart’s words give a warning but before his mouth deeply troubled by this news. Even summed up the feelings of all the could frame the first syllable there if the mysterious vessel refused to men onboard the Quarterdeck. was a resounding crash and both he stop and be searched; maintaining In the time they had been and Hart were sent reeling to the radio silence was incredibly talking the Airship they and the deck. The Merchantman had suspicious and dangerous, given the other two ships floating half a collided with the Fearless and had number of airships which cable’s lengths away from either end somehow managed to continue, frequented this area. It was if the of the Fearless had been tasked with forcing its bow through the other Captain of the ship was asking to halting had approached to within ship, like a knife through butter. As collide with another ship. As Hart 200 yards and could be clearly seen the grinding of metal on metal filled arrived on the Quarterdeck and without the aid of a spyglass, but it the air Hart rolled over onto his noticing the mysterious ship in the showed not sign of stopping. Hart front and raised himself to his knees middle distance, he turned to his leaned over to the Midshipman who before he slowly rose to his feet. lieutenant and asked; had been patiently stood watching When he stood he witnessed a sight “What can you tell me about our and said; that he knew would haunt him to his strange friend over there Mr Blake?” “Have one of the gun crews fire grave. Scattered about the Deck “Not much sir,” Blake a warning shot across her bow.” were wounded and maimed responded, not taking the glass from “Yes, sir,” the Midshipman crewmen, lying in various positions,
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some missing limbs and screaming increasingly listing deck, heard the Fearless the crews of the other in agony, calling for the swift steel cords breaking, knowing that airships, upon recovering form the embraced of death, or merely his ship was doomed he made one shock of what they had just staring at their bloody stumps in final decision. Rather than witnessed immediately turned and shock. Others lay completely plummeting nearly two miles to his went to the aid of those motionless. Blake himself lay on the death, he removed the pistol from crewmembers that were still deck, blood pooling around his head the h olster at his hip, and placing clinging to the remnants of their which had collided with the Ship’s the barrel beneath his chin, slowly vessel. But before they could begin wheel when he fell. Hart turned squeezed the trigger. to unload the unfortunate souls who back to the scene of Carnage that After witnessing the mysterious have survived the collision, the final was once the Deck of HMA Fearless . merchantman tear through t he li nes holding the broken hull of t he As the mysterious Merchantman progressed, slowly spinning the Fearless to port as it gouged an ever- greater hole in the side of the airship’s hull; Hart saw the form of a man standing on the aft deck of the mysterious and still unidentified Merchantman, staring in mute horror at the devastation he had caused. Hart stared at the ship which had been his command’s ruin. On the prow, hanging beneath the bowsprit hung a swooping Falcon, carved in wood, its wings extended back and its talons outstretched. From the Falcon hung a screaming crewman, clinging to its’ wings. His eye socket had been pierced by one of the carving’s talons and the crew of the Merchantman were endeavoring to rescue him from his plight. This sight puzzled Hart and as he gazed along the length of the ship he saw similar sights. The nameless ship’s small crew were running to and fro along the length of the vessel, throwing lines to the wounded men on the deck of the Fearless and helping aboard those who clung to its hull as she tore through their ship. At that moment the Merchantman’s prow was finally able to free itself from the flank of the Fearless and the ship was torn asunder. As the Hull dangled from its gas bag, listing drunkenly to starboard, those lines which had survived the initial force of the collision, and the progress of the merchantman, now unable to support the full weight of the broking hull began, one by one, to snap. As Hart, now clinging to the
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Fearless to its gas bag snapped and board, save for one man who was murder and acts of Piracy. But as the balloon which once held the not seen again. A large number of because nothing more was printed ship aloft drifted up into the unmarked , wooden crates were about the strange ship or w hat atmosphere, the two halves of the found by the constabulary the next became publically known as “The hull dropped and fell like stones, to day, having been dumped in a Fearless Incident” the event, and its be dashed upon the ground. The marsh. Upon examination they were unanswered questions, faded Captains of the other airships then found to contain a large number of quickly from public memory, save ordered their vessels to be turned in weapons of French manufacture, for one young woman, now standing order that they may chase the and it was reasoned that they outside an ancient Church in the scoundrels who had just committed destined for the Irish rebels who North of England… this terrible crime. But as they staged a violent uprising in Ulster a Although Eva had not witnessed turned, a series of loud reports week later. It was also determined the events of the Fearless Incident echoed through the air, that these crates were the cargo herself, she had been able to piece accompanied by flashes of gunfire carried by the mysterious togethe r the events which had led to from the aft deck of the fleeing merchantman, and why the Fearless the death of her Fiancée, First airship. This was followed by and the other two ships had been Lieutenant Edmund Blake, and her another burst of fire and a series of tasked with stopping her. It was hatred of those who had been holes, none larger than a half-crown assumed that after the destruction responsible for the death of her coin were opened in the gas bags of of t he Fearless the crew had lover had consumed her for several both the airships and they were jettisoned their illicit cargo in an years and had eventually driven her forced to call of their pursuit, in attempt to hide their involvement in to join the Military Intelli gence favor of reaching the nearest air the incident. Descriptions of the ship Service becoming one of the Best dock, where they could be repaired. as well as her supposed Captain Agents ever to emerge from its The men of the Fearless taken were circulated, but ultimately training facility in Sussex. But as she aboard the mysterious airship were proved useless, as did attempts to stood waiting in the square a sudden later found 15 miles away from the contact her owner. The Captain and utterance brought her swiftly out of wreck of the Fearless and reported crew of the mysterious airship were her reverie. • nothing of their experiences on declared criminals, wanted for
ARTWORK BY SCOTT SEETO STUDIOS, WWW.JUANORTIZ.ORG/SCOTT.HTML
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GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010
German militarism and the current lack thereof BY MARCUS RAUCHFUß
THE ROOTS OF THE GERMAN was. He seemed to have a gift for after four days in the face of general militarist ethos, which was one of alienating and offending foreign strike. the contributor factors to the rulers and neighbouring peoples. He Then, a few factors worked outbreak of World War I, probably famously told an English newspaper together to bring Adolf Hitler, who lie with the personality of Kaiser once, quoting loosely: “The English had also attempted a coup in 1923, Wilhelm II. Before his reign, are as mad as rabbits in Spring.” to power. One of these factors was Germany, and before that the Well done, Wilhelm… the infamous Nazi ruthlessness; various German states, were not After the Great War, Germany’s another was the global economic renowned for being any more military power was reduced, or downturn of the late 1920s. bellicose than their neighbours rather pruned. What came to be the Hitler used resentments against were. Weimar Republic between 1918 and the Versailles Treaty, revanchism Wilhelm II was a difficult 1933 was officially a pacifist nation, and fear to motivate the German character. He very likely suffered although it harbored strong people and win their support for from an inferiority complex because resentments against the Versailles massive rearmament while the rest of his polio-affected crippled arm Peace Treaty. Also, there was quite of the world watched and waited. and had to make up for it in various a strong movement within Germany The military became a more integral ways. He was brash, impolite, and at the time that called for negation part of German society than it had when participating in games, of Versailles and the rebuilding of ever been. A posting with the especially war games, would insist the armed forces. This was an Waffen-SS especially was perceived that he be allowed to win. His attitude that ran through all strata of as a career opportunity by many grandmother Queen Victoria found German society. Another young German men. The Hitler him most insufferable. Possibly also contributor to subliminal militarism, Youth, too, primarily concentrated as a means of overcompensation, he particularly in conservative circles, on teaching soldierly virtues. became overly obsessed with was the Dolchstoßlegende literally The Nazi government bred military might. He was especially the “legend of the knife in the back.” militarism into the German people, enthralled with the navy and The Dolchstoßlegende was a and early successes in Poland, wanted a fleet of battleships revanchist conspiracy theory which Norway, France and the opening outnumbering Britain’s. held that leftist political groups stages of Operation Barbarossa (the The German people adopted the sabotaged the war effort and thus invasion of the Soviet Union) did same attitude, perhaps because they prevented German victory in the their part to cement this sentiment felt that it was Germany’s right as a West after the successful campaign up to the very end of the war. greater power to have a strong against Tsarist Russia. Then came the defeat of Nazi military and a sizable fleet. This lingering militarism in Germany in 1945, and with it, after In a broader historical context Weimar Germany came to fruition more than half a century, German this did not make sense. Germany with the Kapp Putsch of 1920. Here, militarism came to a grinding halt. had never been a naval power, not the Prussian politician Kapp In the Federal Republic of Germany even during the heydays of the attempted a coup d’état against the it quickly, maybe instantly, Hanseatic League. socialist government to replace it transformed into almost militant The hyper-militarism and arm with an ultra-right nationalist anti-militarism. Conscription was race against Britain was, as noted, a cabinet headed by himself. The quickly reintroduced after the start major factor in the outbreak of Wold coup was supported by elements of the Cold War but the armed War I, just as Wilhelm II’s character from within the army but collapsed forces never again became an
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Kaiser Wilhelm II
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accepted and integral part of completely unaware of the 2007) is 76,6 years. It was obviously German society. armaments the country sells to the much lower for people born in the For a very long time, rest of the world. I think it is time ‘30s. considering a career with the the attitude changes again. Germany But I think there is hope. When Bundeswehr was anathema. Even should take a look at itself and at its Germany hosted the 2006 FIFA after reunification, with no threat of neighbours and compare attitudes. World Cup, one could observe a sea war in sight, one could be ridiculed In the years since the end of the of German flags and people, the and considered rather strange for Second World War, Germany has author included, with faces painted wanting to be a career officer, as my shed its image as an aggressive, in black, red and gold. For the first brother had to find out. warlike nation and is widely time in a long time, Germans were The jury is still out on the regarded as one producing great proud again to be Germans and no reasons as to why the attitude cars and football teams. According one felt threatened or offended with basically inverted. My favorite to the Nation Branding Index, which this display. In fact, Germany was theory is the following: measures a country’s perception one large party location during the Germans as a people do abroad, Germany ranks first in the summer of 2006 and everyone was everything full throttle or not at all, world. invited. This is the right attitude to and if they do it, they are very This does not mean that take toward one’s nation, no matter efficient. This trait helped a lot Germany should necessarily have what nation you belong to. • during the rebuilding and following military parades economic boom of the 1950s and like France does for early ‘60s but it also means that instance. But Germany’s attitude toward Germany first built a militarism is rather tense right now. monument for I am not aware of any other soldiers who died in military in the world that is under the line of duty such tight control from the since 1945 only in government, the people and various 2007 while it took governmental departments as the until 2008 for a Bundeswehr is. The system is geared proper medal of toward making a military coup next valor to be to impossible. This, of course, is a introduced once good thing, but it also breeds again. constant weariness about the armed This attitude forces of Germany from the very simply has to people they aim to protect. change. There is no Interestingly, one thing has not room left for a suffered: The quality of arms hereditary guilt manufactured by Germany. The neurosis. There are Leopard 2A6 main battle tank and very few people the new 212A submarines along around today who with the HK MP5 submachine gun participated in any are just three widely known kind of armed examples of German craftsmanship warfare from 1939 in armaments. Germany also is the and 1945. Just do third largest exporter of weapons in the math. Even the the world men who were Something is wrong here. pressed into service Germany’s armed forces are in 1945 aged 13 are criticized from all sides for being in now 73 years old. Afghanistan, in Africa and for simply The average life being armed forces, while at the expectancy in same time the very same people Germany for men who deride them are fine with or (i.e., boys born
27 WWW.OTTENS.CO.UK/GATEHOUSE CARTOON FROM PUNCH 147 (OCTOBER 28, 1918)
GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010
NEWS GHOSTFIRE RELEASES THE LAST STEAMPUNK WALTZ The Gatehouse Gazette sat down with Andii of the band Ghostfire to discuss their latest album and steampunk politics.
THE STEAMPUNK WALTZ CONTAINS TWO RATHER “The Last Steampunk Waltz.” It is inspired by the different songs. “Hands of Glory” is a proud and English highwaymen of the seventeenth and eighteen powerful experience, infuriated, it seems, with a hellish centuries and bas ed upon an old —“and extremely fury at times that steampunks familiar with Ghostfire scary”—poem about a dead and decaying man “creeping ought to appreciate. “The Last Steampunk Waltz” on the through a changed land, trying to find the people who other hand is more melodramatic. betrayed him and leaving bits of his corpse wherever Andii explains that the title song was originally they happened to drop off.” conceived as “Calibernus” which is the Latin name for The lyrics of the song involve that ha nged and gibbeted highwayman, returning from the grave to wreak vengeance. “The hand of glory was a very real object back then, ” says Andii, “used to bewitch the occupants of a house. It had to be cut from the corpse of a hanged murderer in order to work. Wicks were attached to the fingers and lit before being carried into a house, where it woul d put everybody to sleep.” Asked whether dieselpunk, which appears to be growing as an aesthetic and style, can be of influence on Ghostfire’s work, Andii notes that when the band works on something new, “last thing we think about is where the impetus and inspiration has come from. Our motto had always been to do what we do and if people like it, and it happens to fit into certain genres and niches, then great. ” Still, with dieselpunk being “harder and grittier than steampunk,” less fantastic and whimsical, the attitude fits the Ghostfire sound well. “We see ourselves as the unspeakably sleazy underbelly of British steampunk, and i t’s quite British to be bold, brash and a bi t bratty.” With the steampunk scene taking off in the UK, “the media are jumping all over it and, since the British press love to categorize and pigeonhole everything they co me across, it follows that they’ re looking for a soundtrack to this phenomen on.” Andii the mythical sword Excalibur. “ I love the way t he sword hopes that the music and different steampunk bands is the living embodiment and emblem of earth/natur e, will continue to grow with the movement. “T he more something akin to a goddess,” he says. “ Almost by established bands acting as inspiration for newer default then the King, Arthur, comes to represent the players and musicians ,” the better. “ I really hope that land, emotionally and physically, by allying himself with the music can c ontinue to exist in th e form it’s currently her power. When he thrives, Engl and thrives, when he at,” he says: “ a wide and beautiful divers ity of styles that sickens, so does the land.” somehow all ‘fit’ below the steampunk parasol.” It The sword may still be with us albeit without a king would be tragic for just one particular sound to be to wield it. “It’ s always there as a totem and rallying call declared “steampunk”. when England most needs it,” which gives the song its Ghostfire already has two further tracks prepared more uplifting tone—“embracing pride, u nity and for release. “We’ ll shortly be starting work on recording valor,” in Andii’s words. “And yes, the sword is female. two [additional] new songs, and will probably put out Of course she is!” an EP later in the year. Hopefully in time for The Asylum “Hands of Glory” is almost a perfect opposite to the in September.” •
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REPORT A STEAMPUNK E DUCATION Colonel Adrianna Hazard visits the Ad Astra Convention for Speculative Fiction, Toronto, Ontario.
“I’VE HEARD ABOUT THIS STEAMPUNK THING AND IT The author, demonstrating the steampunk looks really cool, but what exactly is it?” This question was something I was asked a lot over aesthetic to the best of her abilities. the course of one day at the Ad Astra convention for speculative fiction held in Toronto, Ontario over the weekend of April 9 th —11 th . Spending the day sitting at a fan table for the Toronto Steampunk Society, surrounded by all manner of brass and wood contrapt ions, monoggles and giant toy guns modified to suit the steampunk aesthetic while wearing a corset, miniature top hat and satin bustle skirt, this was to be expected. Thus began my adventures in educating the general science fiction public about the wonder ful world that is steampunk. Although the genre is by no means new, having been origi nally conceived of in the late 19 70s and early ‘80s, the growing subculture surrounding it has become very visible over the past few years. In spite of articles appearing in major news outlets, steampunk inspiration slipping into all manners of media and the constant deluge of things being tagged “steampunk” on popular websites, many people are still in the dark regarding what exactly it is all about. This was something that I and a few other members of the Toronto Steampunk Society as well as the science fiction community at large set about to remedy. Apart from sitting at our table and answering questions, we directed people to attend two events held later that day: a pan el entitled “It looks good, but it’s not steampunk” and a fashion salon which
allowed local steampunk enthusiasts to showcase their PHOTO costumes, get into character and interact with the punk, which in the later Victorian period and early
attendees. twentieth century referred to a young hoodlum or BY DEREK HAECKER By far the most scholastic event for those curious harlot; the models for the street urchin, grease monkey about ste ampunk was the panel, in which the distinction and woman-of-ill-repute characters that are found i n between steampunk and other subcultures was drawn many works of steampunk fiction. and explained. Given the nature of blurry edges and The meat of the hour-long discussion was devoted
overlap in aesthetic and inspiration, this naturally led to to examining subcultures and aesthetics commonly a lot of debate among the participants. It star ted off with mistaken for steampunk or labelled as such, dissecting the term used to denote the genre and subculture. Some what common elements they shared with it, and considered it inappropriate, as a “steampunk” work of explaining the things which differentiate them. Some of fiction requires neither steam nor anarchistic political the major topics covered included: ideologies to be categorized as such. Some thought it 1. Neo-Victorian. Although steamp unk is technically was apt, owing to the do-it-yourself ethic of both. Other a subset of Neo-Victorian culture, it is vastly different terms began flying around: steamdeco, steam opera, from the lace doily adorned, tea and crumpet gaslamp romance and more were tossed up at one point consuming, strictly historicall y accurate mainstream. or another. One of my co-panelists argued that the term Focused much more on technology and anachronistic did not simply evolve out of cyberpunk as a joke but use of it, steampunk tramples all over the rest of N eo- was actu ally in reference to the etymology of the word Victoriana in a giant, boiler-powered arachnid.
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2. Goth. This is more difficult, because the Victorian different than a mohawked, torn denim jacket and gothic aesthetic is so s imilar to a lot of steampunk, they safety-pin wearing, mosh pit starting anarchist and a share inspirations and a lot of the music overlaps. One Victorian gentleman piloting his ai rship to the Orient for major difference, apart from the obvious anachronistic untold adventure. While an author may choose to add tendency of steampunk, is the mood. Goth is macabre, their personal beliefs about society to their works of while even the post-apocalyptic steampunk stories tend fiction and while a reader of Jules Verne could have to be hopeful. Technology is a force for good, the age of similar political sympathies, steampu nk and punk are discovery and innovation is back, and it’s unstoppable. not synonymous. 3. Cyberpunk. The genre from which steampunk 5. Belly dancing. While this sort of activity might be was born. Their only commonalities tend to be in terms encountered by a character in a steampunk setting, of tech obsession and the authors writing t hem. Totally sewing brass adornments to your belly -baring top and different worlds, time periods and aesthetics otherwise. adding corset lacing or extra layers to your skirt before 4. Punk. It’s hard to imagine two images more going danc ing does not make it steampunk. 6. Rave wear. Just because it has rivets, does not make it steampunk. Especially if the rest of it is candy-colored plastic. 7. Bondage/kink. She may be wearing a corset and brown le ather cuffs with brass fittings but that doesn’t make getting flogged any more steampunk. What you do in the privacy of your bedroom has no bearing on speculative, anachronistic science fiction. Although a steam-powered “hysteria cure” machine wouldn’t be out of place in a Victorian medical facility... I could go on, and we cert ainly did during the discussion. Just scour YouTube , Flickr or DeviantArt for more examples of things which have been tagged as “steampunk” but bear no resemblance to it. The consensus reached at the end of all this seemed to be that it was easier to defin e what steampunk isn’t than what steampunk is. A key element in the steampunk aesthetic and culture seems to be the focus on anachronism. Alternate history, a mash -up of the modern and the Victorian, and the creative reimagining of technologies, clothing a nd house wares are what make steampunk what it is. Besides that, good persona development and an intention to design your costume or contraptions with a specific, alternate Victorian universe in mind go a long way in distinguishing a steampunk outfit from any of the subcultures listed above. Simply attaching some brass cogs won’t do. Hopefully the programming at Ad Astra gave new fans of the genre and new members to the subculture a grounding in what steampunk is, and what it certainly isn’t. It’s hard to explain and demonstrate what makes something steampunk or not under two hours, but just trying to educate others in that time was certainly a learning experience even for A dapper gentleman displays his mechanical supposed “experts” such as myself. •
30 WWW.OTTENS.CO.UK/GATEHOUSEbartitsu staff, which is a perfect example of steampunk accoutrements. PHOTO BY PHIL GOTFRIED
GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010
NEWS GREAT STEAMPUNK DEBATE
STARTING THIS MAY 1, BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE without ever being answered conclusively. Many have premier steampunk websites, communities and volunteered definitions and interpretations of publications, is the Great Steampunk Debate about the “steampunk” but failed to sa tisfy the whole fandom. ideology of the movement. The Great Steampunk Debate offers a fo rum to Since steampunk inspired a distinct subculture, steampunk enthusiasts of every kin and kind to debate, divorced from its roots in speculat ive fiction, the and hopefully decide , the matter, once and for all. question of its politics has emerged occasionally Register today and join the conversation! •
Dieselpunks WWW.STEAMPUNKMAGAZINE.COM WWW. DIESELPUNKS.ORG
Steampunk Scholar STEAMPUNKSCHOLAR.BLOGSPOT.COM WWW .STEAMPUNKTALES.COM
Gatehouse Gazette EFANZINES.COM/EXHIBHALL WWW.OTTENS.CO.UK/GATEHOUSE/GAZETTE
UK Steampunk Network WWW.STEAMPUNKNETWORK.CO.UK Join the discussion WWW. GREATSTEAMPUNKDEBATE .COM
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PHOTOGRAPH BY HARRY DUNS, HARRYDUNS.DEVIANTART.COM GATEHOUSE GAZETTE #12 MAY 2010
THE NEXT GATEHOUSE GAZETTE WILL APPEAR JUNE 1 www.ottens.co.uk/gatehouse 32 WWW.OTTENS.CO.UK/GATEHOUSE