I have 2 big problems with the new topic: Time (Steampunked)

Firstly, and perhaps undermining any hope of a rational argument, I do not 
like steam punk. As I see it this is a fundamental problem with it as an 
IRTC topic: you are choosing the aesthetic I must use.

Secondly, would Jules Vern's time machine count as steampunk? I mean it 
predates the whole concept, and was set in victorian times so it was 
designed that way out of necessity rather than style. And yet it has the 
correct aesthetic (to the best of my understanding) and it is a time 
machine.

This use of a specific style has not occured with any previous topic. The 
closest example I can find is "minimalism" which would at first glance 
appear to dictate the aesthetic of the image, but as the winning entry 
showed there was no reason to take that as dictating the style of scene. I 
cannot see any such broad interpretations for steam punk.

Seriously, I don't like to cause a fuss, but I really think this topic is a 
bad idea.

-- 
Tek
http://evilsuperbrain.com

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Tek <tek### [at] evilsuperbraincom> wrote:
> I have 2 big problems with the new topic: Time (Steampunked)

  Your entry will not be rejected if it doesn't strictly adhere to the
current topic. It's up to the voters to decide the merits of your image.

  You could, perhaps, do something more imaginative than simply adhering
to the topic. The message of your image could, for example, be more at a
metalevel. For instance, it could be some kind of protest against the
topic in question. If done in good taste and in a clever way, in a way
that shows creativity and cleverness, it may even gain favorable votes.

  Just an idea.

-- 
                                                          - Warp

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Tek wrote:
> would Jules Vern's time machine

I'm pretty sure Jules Verne did never write a time traveling story.
H. G. Wells did.

>count as steampunk?

Sure.

-Ive

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Tek wrote:

> Firstly, and perhaps undermining any hope of a rational argument, I do not 
> like steam punk. As I see it this is a fundamental problem with it as an 
> IRTC topic: you are choosing the aesthetic I must use.

Agree, it's boring. Mostly because people had timepieces in the 19th 
century which were a lot more interesting for the modern technology they 
*didn't* use.

Steampunk would be OK on its own as Minimalism was, but "subject(style)" 
is too limiting for a topic, IMO.

  -Shay

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I didn't know what steampunk was (after some searching, now I do), but looking
at the google image search pages on it get my creative juices flowing. I will
definitely need to participate this round, and probably wouldn't have without
such an arguably cool topic.

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"Ive" <"ive### [at] lilysoftorg"> wrote in message 
news:4a9d863d$1@news.povray.org...
> Tek wrote:
>> would Jules Vern's time machine
>
> I'm pretty sure Jules Verne did never write a time traveling story.
> H. G. Wells did.

Doh! I should have googled that :)

-- 
Tek
http://evilsuperbrain.com

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Tek wrote:
> I have 2 big problems with the new topic: Time (Steampunked)
> 
> Firstly, and perhaps undermining any hope of a rational argument, I do not 
> like steam punk. 

I like your honesty though.


As I see it this is a fundamental problem with it as an
> IRTC topic: you are choosing the aesthetic I must use.
> 

A succinct point.

But I think Warp's counter makes sense.  The topic can be merely the 
grain of sand to the oyster.  We are all clever enough here by half, 
let's face it, we can 'go meta' on a topic without loosing a beat.


> This use of a specific style has not occured with any previous topic. The 
> closest example I can find is "minimalism" which would at first glance 
> appear to dictate the aesthetic of the image, but as the winning entry 
> showed there was no reason to take that as dictating the style of scene. 

Exactly. Interpretations of a topic morph in many directions..

As for precedent, personally I don't fear a slippery slope in this regard.


I think you protest is good to consider but I feel you are over-reacting.

I view such a topic as a chance to visit, (or comment on,) a style
I wouldn't ordinarily come anywhere near.

-Jim

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P Brewer wrote:
> I didn't know what steampunk was (after some searching, now I do), but looking
> at the google image search pages on it get my creative juices flowing. I will
> definitely need to participate this round, and probably wouldn't have without
> such an arguably cool topic.
> 
> 
Well I havn't done any googling yet but I am already picturing 
fossilized steam pistons.

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Jim Charter schrieb:
> I view such a topic as a chance to visit, (or comment on,) a style
> I wouldn't ordinarily come anywhere near.

I personally do agree with Tek:

Prescription of a certain topic is ok.

Prescription of a certain style would be ok as well IMO.

Prescription of a certain topic /and/ style is a bit too limiting IMO.

Just my cents.

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I don´t even know what/who/when/why Steampunk is... sounds like a nice name for
a coffee drink.

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"Hildur K." <nomail@nomail> wrote:
> I don´t even know what/who/when/why Steampunk is... sounds like a nice name for
> a coffee drink.

o.k. I have checked it out. Nice :-)

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"clipka" <ano### [at] anonymousorg> wrote in message 
news:4a9df461$1@news.povray.org...
>
> Prescription of a certain style would be ok as well IMO.

To be honest I'd probably be complaining if it was just "steampunk".

As Warp said, it's possible to do a "meta" topic for the image. But even 
then I think it's too restricting. Steampunk just isn't a term that's open 
to interpretation. You either render a scene in that style, or a scene 
reflecting/mocking the steampunk sub-culture, or a stupid pun on "steam" and 
"punk". I realise I'm being cynical but I honestly can't see any other 
interpretation and none of those motivate me.

Still, I can see my opinion is not shared by most here, so I'll skip this 
topic and wish you all luck with your entries. Perhaps when I see the 
finished images I'll change my mind!

-- 
Tek
http://evilsuperbrain.com

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Tek <tek### [at] evilsuperbraincom> wrote:
> As Warp said, it's possible to do a "meta" topic for the image. But even 
> then I think it's too restricting. Steampunk just isn't a term that's open 
> to interpretation. You either render a scene in that style, or a scene 
> reflecting/mocking the steampunk sub-culture, or a stupid pun on "steam" and 
> "punk". I realise I'm being cynical but I honestly can't see any other 
> interpretation and none of those motivate me.

  I think the same arguments could be applied to many of the past IRTC
topics...

-- 
                                                          - Warp

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"Warp" <war### [at] tagpovrayorg> wrote in message 
news:4a9ed5a0@news.povray.org...
> Tek <tek### [at] evilsuperbraincom> wrote:
>> As Warp said, it's possible to do a "meta" topic for the image. But even
>> then I think it's too restricting. Steampunk just isn't a term that's 
>> open
>> to interpretation. You either render a scene in that style, or a scene
>> reflecting/mocking the steampunk sub-culture, or a stupid pun on "steam" 
>> and
>> "punk". I realise I'm being cynical but I honestly can't see any other
>> interpretation and none of those motivate me.
>
>  I think the same arguments could be applied to many of the past IRTC
> topics...

Yeah sorry about that, I'm tired. I thought about editing out that rant and 
just leaving it as a polite message, but my geek-rage got the better of me 
:)

-- 
Tek
http://evilsuperbrain.com

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Btw, I wonder if clockpunk would fit into the topic.

-- 
                                                          - Warp

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I think Steampunk may have been a good topic on its own, but Time was 
probably chosen as well, as the IRTC says, to link back to the original IRTC 
theme.

I had a fun time learning about the concept of steampunk, and came up with a 
few ideas of my own.  I'm not guaranteeing that I'll enter, but a big part 
of me really wants to, so we'll see...

If not me, I hope that someone will create an "AWSOME ROLEX WATCH!".  ;-)

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"Tek" <tek### [at] evilsuperbraincom> wrote:
> I have 2 big problems with the new topic: Time (Steampunked)
>
.....
> Seriously, I don't like to cause a fuss, but I really think this topic is a
> bad idea.
>
> --
> Tek
> http://evilsuperbrain.com

I was thinking much the same thing. I take Warp's point that there are creative
work-arounds that are possible given that the IRTC gives rather liberal leeway
with respect to topic interpretation, but this just means that the IRTC has
done a good thing in regard to handling problematic topics so folks can
participate anyway and not that the objections that Tek has raised are not
valid.  I would like to add my voice to those urging that future topics
generally avoid calling for a particular artistic style.

Best Regards,
Mike C.

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Jeremy "UncleHoot" Praay wrote:

> 
> I had a fun time learning about the concept of steampunk, and came up with a 
> few ideas of my own.  I'm not guaranteeing that I'll enter, but a big part 
> of me really wants to, so we'll see...
> 

Hope you do, Jeremy, you do high quality work.

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Mike the Elder wrote:

> valid.  I would like to add my voice to those urging that future topics
> generally avoid calling for a particular artistic style.
> 
Fair enough.

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