It does seem contradictory in terms, and that is why I believe it to be disturbing. I believe that now the idea of individuality and of counterculture in many ways is being exported by the mainstream media/culture in order to curb true rebellion. If one is given the ability to become counter-culture and individual easily, one will go no further, and that is what can be seen in the later incarnations of the supposed "punk" movements. Other than the movement breaking down into one in which nihilism is all to prevalent, it has become a major export of the mainstream. The revolutionaries within this group are either marginalized by their nihilist tendencies or by their sincere political leanings - however I feel as though Punk is now dead. I believe punk died in the eighties with the D.C. Straight Edge Hardcore movement and has not truly been in existence since. The Straight Edge movement was in reality a very "Anti-Punk" or at least Anti-Nihilist and Nazi Punk movement. Others sight the No-Wave movement and such.
So, I no longer believe it is a question of the mainstream media commercializing youth culture. I believe that mainstream media and culture have found a way to create "counter-culture" and "individuality". There was a dunkaroos commercial on nickelodeon last year where a kangaroo rode a skateboard saying, "Oi, Oi, Oi!" Other than being completely ridiculously funny, for those with no knowledge of what "punk" is as an ideology can attach themselves to that image and believe it is counter-culture. I believe where the disconnect in our communication comes from is our understanding of the word "counter-culture" in the sincere sense and in the marketed sense. I believe you have taken my words to mean, "Sincere counter-culture caters to the mainstream" but I mean to say "Synthetic counter-culture - a construct created by the mainstream and sometimes adapted by a sincere counter-culture - caters to the mainstream". This is my fault and I will make sure to edit the manifesto accordingly.
As you can see, I have my issues with the Punk Movement, and especially with those who care to call it a culture. Punk has strayed completely from its initial philosophies and is now a hodge-podge of different looks and attitudes, an easy way for one to categorize him or herself if he or she feels inadequate with their true personage. I love punk and I hate it, but despite my sentiments it is dead as a sincere counter-culture. It is now mass-media property.
Sincerely,
M. Woods
Thank you for bringing up this point. I look forward to discussing things further.
It does seem contradictory in terms, and that is why I believe it to be disturbing. I believe that now the idea of individuality and of counterculture in many ways is being exported by the mainstream media/culture in order to curb true rebellion. If one is given the ability to become counter-culture and individual easily, one will go no further, and that is what can be seen in the later incarnations of the supposed "punk" movements. Other than the movement breaking down into one in which nihilism is all to prevalent, it has become a major export of the mainstream. The revolutionaries within this group are either marginalized by their nihilist tendencies or by their sincere political leanings - however I feel as though Punk is now dead. I believe punk died in the eighties with the D.C. Straight Edge Hardcore movement and has not truly been in existence since. The Straight Edge movement was in reality a very "Anti-Punk" or at least Anti-Nihilist and Nazi Punk movement. Others sight the No-Wave movement and such.
So, I no longer believe it is a question of the mainstream media commercializing youth culture. I believe that mainstream media and culture have found a way to create "counter-culture" and "individuality". There was a dunkaroos commercial on nickelodeon last year where a kangaroo rode a skateboard saying, "Oi, Oi, Oi!" Other than being completely ridiculously funny, for those with no knowledge of what "punk" is as an ideology can attach themselves to that image and believe it is counter-culture. I believe where the disconnect in our communication comes from is our understanding of the word "counter-culture" in the sincere sense and in the marketed sense. I believe you have taken my words to mean, "Sincere counter-culture caters to the mainstream" but I mean to say "Synthetic counter-culture - a construct created by the mainstream and sometimes adapted by a sincere counter-culture - caters to the mainstream". This is my fault and I will make sure to edit the manifesto accordingly.
As you can see, I have my issues with the Punk Movement, and especially with those who care to call it a culture. Punk has strayed completely from its initial philosophies and is now a hodge-podge of different looks and attitudes, an easy way for one to categorize him or herself if he or she feels inadequate with their true personage. I love punk and I hate it, but despite my sentiments it is dead as a sincere counter-culture. It is now mass-media property.
Sincerely,
M. Woods
Thank you for bringing up this point. I look forward to discussing things further.