cyberpunk

n. (Computers and Communications) nickname for people who live on the edge of modern society (controlled by media and technology) who fight and defeat the establishment; computer hacker

Cyberpunk is a science fiction genre noted for its focus on "high tech and low life". The name, derived from cybernetics and punk, was originally developed as a marketing term and coined by Bruce Bethke in his short story "Cyberpunk" published in 1983, but popularized well before its publication by editor Gardner Dozois. It features advanced science such as information technology and cybernetics, coupled with a degree of breakdown or a radical change in the social order. According to Lawrence Person:"Classic cyberpunk characters were marginalized, alienated loners who lived on the edge of society in generally dystopic futures where daily life was impacted by rapid technological change, an ubiquitous datasphere of computerized information, and invasive modification of the human body."
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Noun
1. a programmer who breaks into computer systems in order to steal or change or destroy information as a form of cyber-terrorism
(synonym) hacker, cyber-terrorist
(hypernym) programmer, computer programmer, coder, software engineer
2. a writer of science fiction set in a lawless subculture of an oppressive society dominated by computer technology
(hypernym) writer, author
3. a genre of fast-paced science fiction involving oppressive futuristic compterized societies
(hypernym) science fiction

n. cyberpunk (Computers and Communications); nickname for people who live on the edge of modern society (controlled by media and technology), who fight and defeat the establishment

/si:'ber-puhnk/ (Originally coined by SF writer Bruce Bethke and/or editor Gardner Dozois) A subgenre of SF launched in 1982 by William Gibson's epoch-making novel "Neuromancer" (though its roots go back through Vernor Vinge's "True Names" to John Brunner's 1975 novel "The Shockwave Rider"). Gibson's near-total ignorance of computers and the present-day hacker culture enabled him to speculate about the role of computers and hackers in the future in ways hackers have since found both irritatingly na"ive and tremendously stimulating. Gibson's work was widely imitated, in particular by the short-lived but innovative "Max Headroom" TV series. See cyberspace, ice, jack in, go flatline.
Since 1990 or so, popular culture has included a movement or fashion trend that calls itself "cyberpunk", associated especially with the rave/techno subculture. Hackers have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, self-described cyberpunks too often seem to be shallow trendoids in black leather who have substituted enthusiastic blathering about technology for actually learning and *doing* it. Attitude is no substitute for competence. On the other hand, at least cyberpunks are excited about the right things and properly respectful of hacking talent in those who have it. The general consensus is to tolerate them politely in hopes that they'll attract people who grow into being true hackers.
[Jargon File]