
Cyberpunk as a subgenre of science fiction often deals with themes of rebellion against oppressive governments or corporations and explores the ways in which technology can both empower and dehumanize individuals. It often features dystopian settings, where advanced technology has failed to bring about a better world, instead exacerbating existing social inequalities and creating new forms of oppression.
The term "cyberpunk" was coined in the early 1980s by science fiction writer Bruce Bethke to describe a new wave of science fiction that was emerging at the time. Cyberpunk was heavily influenced by the punk subculture of the 1970s, with its anti-establishment and anti-authoritarian ethos, as well as by the noir fiction of the 1930s and 40s, with its focus on crime and corruption.

In terms of visual style, cyberpunk often incorporates a blend of high-tech and low-life aesthetics. This can include sleek, futuristic technology like augmented reality contact lenses or brain-computer interfaces, as well as gritty, dystopian cityscapes with neon signs, rain-slicked streets, and towering skyscrapers. Characters in cyberpunk often wear a mix of futuristic and retro fashion, such as leather jackets, combat boots, and cybernetic enhancements like implanted chips or robotic limbs.
One of the most famous examples of cyberpunk is the 1982 film Blade Runner, which was based on the Philip K. Dick novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? The film depicted a future Los Angeles that was gritty, dark, and rain-soaked, with a society divided between the haves and the have-nots, and featured androids known as "replicants" who were indistinguishable from humans.

Other notable examples of cyberpunk include the novels of William Gibson, particularly his seminal work Neuromancer, which is often credited with popularizing the cyberpunk genre. The video game series Deus Ex is also a prominent example of cyberpunk, with its themes of transhumanism, corporate greed, and conspiracy.
Overall, cyberpunk is a genre that explores the ways in which technology can both liberate and oppress individuals, and the complex relationship between human beings and machines in a rapidly changing world. Its themes and aesthetics continue to influence popular culture, from movies and television shows to video games and fashion.
