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It seems as if the virtual omniscience of the internet makes subcultures impossible since there is no mystery anymore. Subcultures were a primary driver of all
by nwah1 6y ago
It seems as if the virtual omniscience of the internet makes subcultures impossible since there is no mystery anymore.
Subcultures were a primary driver of all this cultural churning through the decades. Greasers, hippies, metalheads, punks, etc.
In the past people were able to differentiate themselves this way. Outside the subculture nobody would know what you are doing, or the words you use. They may fear you.
And you couldn't just be anyone in order to achieve a certain look. Punk gear didn't come off the rack. Now it does.
Now you could have a conversation with any random stranger in full goth attire and everyone will carry on as if nothing is out of the ordinary.
At most they will just think you are lame, and a LARPer.
- AtlasBarfed 6y agoI had hoped the internet would enable formally disparate subcultures to get a slightly better "critical mass". You do see this in places... But the net effect is that the outreach allows the "big media" to increase their footprint, and that footprint quashes innumerable nascent subcultures from forming, just from sheer greed in consuming your attention. Boredom also used to fuel imagination.