It's better because it's fluff? ' /> I think that's a little unfair to the science fiction progenitors like Verne and Wells whose tone steampunk largely echoes. It's also unfair to steampunk authors themselves who offer commentary on how technology in any era affects not just societys structure but its nature in ways both disorienting and liberating. "Delightfully whimsical" postmodern noir is something I can't begin to fathom, but you asked why the "punk" is present in the genres name; if my answer's inadequate you'll have to ask Mr. Jeter to elaborate. I left out the subject line because copying it never occured to me since the body seemed to elaborate the subject line, as one would expect.