this post was submitted on 22 Feb 2024
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Cyberpunk

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What is Cyberpunk?

Cyberpunk is a science-fiction sub-genre dealing with the integration of society and technology in dystopian settings. Often referred to as “low-life and high tech,” Cyberpunk stories deal with outsiders (punks) who fight against the oppressors in society (usually mega corporations that control everything) via technological means (cyber). If the punks aren’t actively fighting against a megacorp, they’re still dealing with living in a world completely dependent on high technology.

Cyberpunk characteristics include:

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The entire Batman Beyond series was cyberpunk. But of all the episodes, I think "Lost Soul" (S2E4) had the most cyberpunk premise.

The episode is about a billionaire who is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Before he dies, he digitizes his consciousness so he can continue running his company after death. But instead of doing that, the other employees just power him off. 35 years later, his grandson is inheriting the family business but isn't confident he can handle it. So he brings his grandfather online for advice. Instead of helping, his grandfather convinces the grandson to give him internet access, where he promptly takes over the entire electrical grid in Gotham. Rather than running his company as a digital being, he decides to take over his grandson's body by uploading his own consciousness into it.

Of course, Batman gets involved and this is a kids show so the issue is resolved within 20 minutes. But for a kids show, that's one dark cyberpunk plot.

If it's been awhile since you've watched Batman Beyond, just listen to the intro theme one more time. Also, the whole series is streaming on HBO Max

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

Reminds me of a character from I think Mona Lisa Overdrive, the Japanese businessman with the row of shrines in his office with roms of the previous leaders stored on them.