User talk:Stephen Vossler

Steampunk

I've deleted the link you added to the "External links" of the Steampunk entry, for Steam Trek is not related to steampunk on the whole, neither as a genre nor as a subculture. Unless you can provide a credible reason why a reference to Steam Trek ought to be included while links to regular steampunk fansites are not, the link must not be included.

In the future, please refrain from reverting edits without explanation. Address editing conflicts on a page's talk page. Ottens (talk) 15:29, 28 April 2008 (UTC)

From S. Vossler

Your argument that Steam Trek is not related to steampunk on the whole seems to be contrary to the primary definition of steampunk listed in the entry.

Steam Trek is a literary project focusing on an alternate history wherein the technological extrapolation of steam technology has penetrated into a well known science fiction genre. Steam power and mechanics are the basis for the technology and 19th century Victorian England provides the background, settings, props and character motivations.

All the trappings of steampunk technology and setting are present, for example; Medical technology includes the use of formalin lamps, cerebral phrenology, orgone injections, ect., Engineering technology includes firemen and stokers feeding dilythium coal into a furnace / boiler that powers the ship. The military command structure is copied lock, stock and barrel from late 1800 British traditions including piping onboard, the bell system of time keeping and the look and feel of uniforms.

The paralels to British situations is the essence of Steam Trek in that; Victoria is still on the throne, Britain is in an Empire Building mode (in the solar system instead of on Earth), The prejudice against non-caucations is still present but in the form of anti-alien sentiment, Britain traditional enemies are still present in new forms (German = Klinkon, French = Ferenchi, Russians = Romlians, Orientals = Borj, Irish Fennians = O’Ryans, etc.)

I think your hesitancy to accept Steam Trek as steampunk is that Steam Trek pushes far beyond the 20 to 30 years of divergent history as is present in most writings and extrapolates such historic alteration to 150 years or more. I do not think this distinction between Steam Trek and other steampunk stories is gounds to exclude it from mention

From Ottens:

Dear Sir, my reluctance to accept a link to Steam Trek on the entry about Steampunk is by no means inspired by an aversion to Steam Trek in any way. Quite to the contrary, I'm quite fond of Steam Trek, but as I pointed out, it is not related to steampunk on the whole. Steam Trek is an example of steampunk as a literary genre, but it provides no information about the genre. Therefore, no "External link" to it should be included.

This issue, however, ought to be discussed on the Steampunk Talkpage if you remain to insist that a link to Steam Trek is proper. Until the matter is resolved, refrain from constantly adding your link, or I will report your conduct as vandalism. Ottens

From S Vossler

The Steampunk entry is filled with examples of various media which exemplify the particular characteristics of Steampunk(ery). Why do you not think Steam Trek is an example of Steampunk. That question has never been answered in any talk section or discussion post. All that was ever said is “Steam Trek is not related to steampunk on the whole” with no explanation or rationalization as to why or what elements do not make Steam Trek fit to be a proper example.

I would also like to know why my repeated undoing of the deletion of Steam Trek is considered vandalism but the repeated deletion of the reference is not? I am not that familiar with the way Wikipedia is edited but this has not been a very congenial experience so far.