cyberpunk
    n 1: a programmer who breaks into computer systems in order to
         steal or change or destroy information as a form of cyber-
         terrorism [syn: hacker, cyber-terrorist, cyberpunk]
    2: a writer of science fiction set in a lawless subculture of an
       oppressive society dominated by computer technology
    3: a genre of fast-paced science fiction involving oppressive
       futuristic computerized societies

cyberpunk
 /si:'ber?puhnk/, n.,adj.

    [orig. 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 (see the
    Bibliography in Appendix C) 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?ve 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.

cyberpunk

   /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]