5 ms·
For me, the mainstream takeover of subcultures has always felt very superficial. The subcultures I've been a part of (Pen&Paper, LARP, early Internet, Gothic) h
by sdoering 5y ago
For me, the mainstream takeover of subcultures has always felt very superficial. The subcultures I've been a part of (Pen&Paper, LARP, early Internet, Gothic) have registered that the masses have taken elements as (often purely visual) tokens and this has often led to a "glut" of new people entering into the subculture, but this was usually not long lasting and was often mostly also purely superficial.
There were always people (and niches) in the depths in which one could feel comfortable. However - I must admit - it became harder to find these depths and to get through the superficiality. The niches have become even more self-isolated and it has become more difficult for newcomers with real interest to immerse themselves.
- Akronymus 5y agoOne of the biggest annoyances for me is when people enter some subculture, then demand the subculture to change to acommodate them rather than them changing to acommodate the subculture. I had it happen a few times that it changed to something unrecognizable to me and thus I left it for a new one. So at this point, I feel like gatekeeping, (ofc not based on race gender or such things, but rather specifics to the subculture) has become mandatory, even at the cost of keeping a, possibly sizeable, portion of genuinly interested people out.
- marksbrown 5y agoSimilarly of course, you're describing the eternal September [1] which itself is a rather dated reference at this point! [1]https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_September https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_September
- sdoering 5y agoThanks for the reminder. I knew somewhere in the back of my head that there was this reference. I came later. I never experienced 1993, September. My first glimpse into this net was in fall 1997. So I was part of the eternal September so to speak.
- corpdronejuly 5y agoThe biggest thing to keep in mind when "gatekeeping" is that it's more important to step up and take on the role of a "initiator" or "sponsor" into the culture, and pass on the community knowledge that makes the culture a special place.
- krapp 5y agoBut then we can't look down on the new people and complain about how their fun is ruining our fun /s.
- Akronymus 5y agoIf they come in with plans to change the subculture...
- Akronymus 5y agoOf course assimilating the new people would be the best outcome. Sadly I have ran into enough that go in with the intention of changing the subculture that I am now VERY skeptical of any new person.