This meme plays on a common modern frustration — struggling to get a decent Wi-Fi signal — but reimagines it in a fictional steampunk world. Instead of laptops and routers, the characters are Victorian scientists using elaborate brass and glass “aetheric” devices to connect to some mysterious transmission network. The humour comes from the overly specific, almost superstitious instruction — “stand exactly here and face the moon” — which echoes the absurd positions people sometimes resort to in real life to get better reception. The contrast between advanced, intricate machinery and such an oddly primitive solution is what gives the joke its charm.
The earlier version I was after, but me and the automaton had a falling out. But all is well now, I think.
“This creative homage breathes new life into Johannes Vermeer’s 17th-century masterpiece by blending its timeless elegance with the retro-futuristic style of steampunk.” -The Steampunk Meme Logbook.
In a fascinating fusion of classic art and modern subculture, the iconic “Girl with a Pearl Earring” has been re-imagined as “Horaciao the Steampunk Goat.” This creative homage breathes new life into Johannes Vermeer’s 17th-century masterpiece by blending its timeless elegance with the retro-futuristic style of steampunk.
The original painting is celebrated for its masterful use of light and shadow, the subject’s captivating gaze, and the striking simplicity of her attire, highlighted by the luminous pearl earring. In this re-interpretation, the essence of the original is preserved while introducing a whimsical and inventive twist. Horaciao, the goat, stands in for the girl, his natural form adorned with steampunk elements. The pearl earring remains a central feature, its classic beauty contrasting with the intricate brass goggles and cogs that are now part of the subject’s headwear.
This artistic project is a brilliant example of how classic works can continue to inspire and evolve, proving that art knows no bounds—not even those between a Dutch master and a whimsical steampunk goat. It invites us to see the familiar in a new light, celebrating the enduring appeal of the original while showcasing the boundless creativity of a modern artistic movement.
Two earlier darts of the goat with the pearl earring.
This meme is a witty response to the criticism often aimed at AI-generated art, in this case labelled dismissively as “AI crap.” Rather than engage in a defensive or angry rebuttal, the image portrays a refined Victorian gentleman in full steampunk regalia — top hat, goggles, and all — sipping tea with complete composure as lightning crackles and gears float in the collapsing fabric of time.
The caption “Someone commented: ‘AI crap’ — so naturally, I wore my finest temporal composure. Steampunk forever.” reframes the insult into an opportunity for dramatic elegance, turning the comment into a moment of theatrical defiance. The “finest temporal composure” line humorously suggests that, when time itself unravels (whether literally or in the heated arguments of the internet), the best thing one can do is remain poised, stylish, and unapologetically steampunk. It’s part of a larger trend in the steampunk community of meeting modern absurdity with anachronistic grace.
“Does a magician reveal his secrets? No… but a steampunk meme engineer might, provided you bring biscuits.”
The question arrives almost every week:
“What AI generator did you use?”
Some people expect a single, glorious answer — a mysterious name whispered by candlelight, perhaps engraved on a brass plaque.
But here’s the truth: there is no single secret key to the Meme Forge.
The Illusion
I like to pretend my creations are handcrafted in a great ironwork hall — gears turning, pipes hissing, and a grumpy goat named Horacio chewing on the instruction manual. In this fantasy workshop, waistcoated cats supervise while Jenkins polishes the lens on a clockwork camera.
That’s the magic my audience sees. And it’s all true… in spirit.
The Actual Tools
The real “machinery” behind Automaton Improvisation?
ChatGPT (that would be this delightful conversational partner you’re reading through now — usually the free version).
Gemini (tried on occasion when feeling experimental — again, mostly free).
Canva (serviceable for final touches, though its AI image engine… well, let’s just say Horacio could do better with a box of crayons).
And that’s it. No secret paid-up elite membership to an arcane AI society. Just tools you can open in your browser right now.
The Real Secret
It isn’t about which generator you click.
It’s about knowing what to tell it, and what to do afterwards.
Over time, I’ve learned to:
Write prompts in my own steampunk dialect (and make the AI play along).
Refine ideas until they feel like they belong in my meme universe.
Keep a consistent cast of recurring characters — Jenkins, Horacio, the brass-goggled cats.
Let the tools “train me” as much as I train them.
That, and a steady supply of tea.
If You Want to Try It Yourself
You can! Here are my brass-polished beginner tips:
Don’t chase one perfect tool — most are 80% the same; it’s your input that makes them sing.
Save good prompts so you can reuse and tweak them.
Think like a storyteller, even for single-image memes.
Keep your own style — AI can imitate anyone, but only you can be you.
Why I’m Telling You This
Because the magic isn’t in hiding the method — it’s in making people feel the world you’ve built.
And if reading this gives you the itch to try your own creations, then I’ve done my job.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, Horacio is eating the blueprint for next week’s memes. Again.
Automaton Improvisation by John Watkins — where the gears turn, the tea brews, and the Kraken occasionally fits in your pocket.
Automaton improvisation unit allowing me to do my stuff.
In this sepia-toned dispatch titled “Case #14B: The Great Mint Tea Shortage”, we bear witness to a moment of sheer steampunk crisis: a gentleman, visibly shaken, stares in horror at his teacup. The reason? No mint. Just a steaming vessel of disappointment.
The elaborate piping and brass kettle in the background hint at a complex tea-brewing system — now likely compromised. A watchful raven looks on, as if aware that this minor inconvenience may spiral into full-scale emotional ruin. After all, in the steampunk world, tea is more than a beverage — it’s the engine of civilisation.
The meme plays on the genre’s love of elevating the mundane to the melodramatic. Mint tea, often associated with calm and clarity, becomes the symbol of stability here — and its absence signals that something has gone terribly wrong.
Framed as “Case #14B”, this image introduces a delightfully absurd bureaucratic system for cataloguing minor catastrophes. It suggests there’s a whole archive of ridiculous crises still to be uncovered — a format ripe for expansion.
Whether read as a commentary on overreaction, an ode to herbal blends, or simply a love letter to overcomplicated beverage preparation, this meme resonates with the tea-loving time traveller in us all.
This sepia-toned image, titled “Meme Investigation Ongoing. Suspects: You Lot.”, is both a meta-moment and a tribute to the ever-growing community around your steampunk meme universe.
In the scene, a dignified gentleman — complete with top hat, pince-nez, and teacup — sits in a leather chair, gazing thoughtfully at a wall filled with past meme posters. Among them are familiar favourites like “Time Rift? Again?”, “Oh Dear,” and “Keep Calm and Blame It on Time Travel.” This parody of a detective’s case board reimagines meme creation as a kind of ongoing chrono-conspiracy — with you, the viewer, clearly implicated in the digital mischief.
The humour plays on the trope of the “meme detective” while affectionately acknowledging the audience’s role in the chaos. It’s a fourth-wall-breaking wink that invites further interaction. The caption on Facebook leans into that sentiment, recognising the audience not just as passive viewers but as co-conspirators in an expanding timeline tangle of steampunk absurdity.
By visually referencing earlier memes, this piece also functions as a self-aware milestone — marking the moment when your fictional memeverse begins to loop in on itself. It’s both an inside joke and a call to action: suggest more nonsense. Tea is optional, but strongly encouraged.
In this meme titled “Temporal Rift? Again?”, we are introduced to a quintessentially composed Victorian gentleman calmly adjusting his cuffs while a swirling temporal rift looms ominously behind him. The contrast between chaotic time anomalies and his unwavering sense of decorum plays into the humour of steampunk culture — where refinement and absurdity coexist in perfect harmony.
This piece pokes fun at the idea of repeated time-travel emergencies being met not with panic, but with sartorial composure. The caption, “Tidy your cuffs. One cannot time travel with wrinkled sleeves,” satirises the obsession with appearance and etiquette often found in both Victorian society and modern cosplay subcultures. It’s not just a visual gag — it’s a manifesto for the chronologically adventurous: dignity first, even when the timeline collapses.
The underlying joke is a love letter to the steampunk aesthetic, which blends high-stakes sci-fi tropes with genteel manners, impeccable tailoring, and a touch of British absurdity. Whether facing tea shortages or tachyon surges, proper attire is non-negotiable.
This meme sits comfortably within the “Steampunk Composure Protocol” series, where formality always trumps chaos.
Just another perfectly reasonable morning commute through Parallel Steampunk London.
Steam-powered buses hiss down cobbled lanes, conductors look alarmingly composed, and no one can quite remember where the fog ends and the timetable begins.
Fuelled by tea. Guided by fog.
A big thanks to David Radlett for suggesting the bus.
The transport system appears fully operational — if mildly whimsical. Steam-powered buses rumble down cobbled lanes. Conductors maintain an air of severe professionalism. Goggles are issued but not explained. Timetables remain theoretical.
The fog appears sentient.
Meme context:
This image was created in response to a reader comment on the post:
“You wake up in a parallel steampunk London — what’s the first thing you notice?”
Their answer:
“The steam-powered buses with conductors. Possibly goats — maybe even the descendants of our late pet pygmy goats, Patsy, Purdy and Edgar.”
We opted to explore a slightly more conventional version of that reality. Goats may yet arrive.
The slogan “Fuelled by tea. Guided by fog.” nods to two essential British exports: determination and utter confusion. It’s a wry summary of steampunk logistics — where the engine may sputter, but the vibe stays impeccable.
This meme playfully combines steampunk aesthetics with modern digital woes — specifically, losing internet or mobile signal.
In the image, a well-dressed Victorian gentleman sips tea calmly while a pigeon (styled as a stand-in for a raven) perches nearby with a scroll. In the background, a sparking, gear-filled communication contraption has clearly failed. The top text asks, “Lost all communications?”, and the bottom advises: “Post a raven. Sip something restorative.”
The joke hinges on the absurd juxtaposition of 19th-century solutions to 21st-century problems. When your high-tech device fails — a relatable modern frustration — the suggestion is to revert to a whimsical steampunk alternative: sending a message via bird (like a raven or pigeon), and calmly drinking tea.
The accompanying Facebook caption drives the humour further: “When the signal fails, summon the feathered broadband. Reliable, reusable, and never asks for a password.”
This line mocks our dependence on Wi-Fi and passwords, suggesting instead a feathered creature with perfect uptime and zero digital barriers. It pokes fun at both modern connectivity issues and Victorian-era eccentricity — the very essence of steampunk humour.
