Part of the problem is when we bring in a new technology we expect it to be perfect in a way that we don't expect the world that we're familiar with to be perfect.
Esther DysonRead
Steampunk appeals to the idea of uniqueness, to the one-off item, while every mainstream consumer technology of recent years is about putting human beings into ever more granular, packageable and mass-produced identities so that they can be sold or sold to, perfectly mapped and understood.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Steampunk emphasizes individuality and uniqueness in contrast to modern consumerism's focus on mass production.
In this quote, Nick Harkaway critiques contemporary consumer technology for reducing human identities to mere products that can be easily categorized and sold. He contrasts this with the steampunk aesthetic, which celebrates uniqueness and the artistry of one-of-a-kind items, suggesting that true individuality is lost in a world driven by mass production and consumer culture.
Themes
UniquenessConsumerismSteampunkIdentityTechnology
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on the impact of consumer culture, this quote highlights the importance of individuality.
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