2021: Dawn of a Cyberpunk Decade

Welcome to the new year, fellow barbarians. I realize that some time has passed since our last formal gathering. My decision to end 2020 without a somber farewell speech apparently raised concerns. Some voices even proclaimed me “dead”.

I hereby assure all of you that reports about my demise were greatly exaggerated. As for the reason behind my long silence: I felt that fancy commentary would only distract from what was already a perfectly executed dystopian flick. Clearly 2020 has surpassed the visions of the doomsayers of old, sending the civilized world on a hellish ride featuring highlights such as nationwide lockdowns, accelerated consolidation of cyberspace, the defilement of “sacred” places of democracy, and finally the very term cyberpunk becoming a glitchy trademark in the hands of a megacorp.

We want to protect our hard work and we don’t plan on using the trademark offensively — it’s a self-defense measure only.

— Totally innocuous statement by a totally innocuous company

Indeed the ride is far from over. If I may, let me add my own prediction to the chatter of other crystal balls: 2020 was not the “final chapter”. It was the first chapter. Humanity has crossed the threshold of a new decade. A decade that will see the crumbling of pillars that our civilization has long taken for granted and the rise of new tyrants.

The story of humanity is about to be rewritten. And we will of course take an active part in it, clansmen. While the world trembled before the Q Shaman’s wrath, he was not a “true” herald of the coming age. A barbarian? Maybe, though I doubt he’d label himself as such. But a neobarbarian? Certainly not.

The world is yet to be introduced to the savagery of the future. And our tribe has been hoarding ink to do exactly that.

More is to be revealed in February. For now, I will leave you with the knowledge that the printing machines have been running throughout the past months. Soon, the neobarbarians will no longer be confined to digital shelves …