So apparently according to Guardian fashion critic, Emma Stibbles, old school rave whistles are amongst items set to make there way back into fashion this summer. Rave whistles… huh? Read more in this inthemix article.
-AmyC
Check out this link for some not so common subcultures. Many of these subcultures are considered bizarre as they represent a culturally darker or unknown aspect of society and will probably never gain mainstream following.
-AmyC
A scene from one of my favourite movies in the last couple of years - Step Up!
This shows how Hip Hop has truly become a part of the mainstream culture. The film focuses on the concept of ‘battles’ and the question of who is allowed to be a part of the culture!
This final dance routine displays a hiphop street battle.
- J
This is an interesting blog site i stumbled over when investigating gamer hierarchies. Its aim is to demonstrate that gaming can be considered a part of ‘high culture’ to a certain extent and show that hierarchies are developed within gaming communities. The blogger makes some interesting point and quotes some legitimate sources, although his wordy sentences are occasionally off putting.
-AmyC
Cutest thing you will see in a long time guaranteed!
4 year old hip hop dancer Miles Brown on the Ellen Degeneres show!
You’re never too young to start dancing and showing your allegience to a subculture
- J
I was watching an episode of Glee on Channel ten last week and came across this great video. It involves a mash up between a rock song (its my life - Bon Jovi) and a hiphop/rnb song (Confessions pt 2).
Its a great example of how different subcultures music can be mashed up and transferred to mainstream culture!!
- J
This video uses the web2.0 technique of mashups! See this hiphop DJ mashup different music!
- J
Add us on twitter, to know when we post new blogs :)
It is interesting to note the way in which music has become so central to many subcultures today. I noted in a previous post how Identification, and signification of membership in a subculture is so vitally important to the survival and distinction of that subculture as separate from mainstream society.
But are these individuals grouped around tis music, or do they listen to this music for the “scene” and the belonging it represents. As Firth (2005) poses, whether “a piece of music reflects the people” or “produces them”
Within these subcultures, and particularly since the rise of the internet there has been active dialogues about value in music. As put by Stan Cohen, music traditionally constitutes a locus for negotiations of meaning and identity among music fans. Bu he argues that it is the mass media labelling that results in the creation of subcultures by imposing a framework in which individuals can locate their behaviour.
To an extent I agree with this. Music, Initially is a unifier. People come together under the appreciation of a certain style of music. As it becomes popularised however, the importance of the music becomes contested by the importance of ‘image’ imposed by the media.
In some subcultures, this image focus is again disputed with focus re-directed towards the music. Within the scene subculture for example, knowledge of music is a litmus test for authenticity, and credibility.
This can be seen in the growth of ‘underground’ music scenes, in a number of genres as a rebellion against a consumer driven capitalist society. When combined with the use of technology, and its ability to spread music, and knowledge about these underground scenes it is easy to see why they seem to have taken off. Technology has greatly increased the way in which music can both signify and unify a subculture.
The importance of Identification in constructing a sub-cultural framework cannot be underestimated. According to Dick Hebdige, members of a subculture often signal their membership through a distinctive and symbolic use of style, which includes fashions, mannerisms, and vernacular.
The sheer number of websites dedicated to informing, and transforming individuals into emo/scene kids/ hip hoppers/ravers/etc is a stark reminder of this. Offering advice on hair styling, clothing, slang, attitude, body language and every aspect of the subculture, these websites enable an individual to almost instantly identify themselves through physical and verbal cues as a member of a particular subculture.
And this is not a recent phenomenon. Mods, greasers, bohemians, furries, and Goths, (just off the top of my head) have all, throughout history used fashion and other means to instantly signify themselves as subscribers to a particular subculture.
The question remains, why are these identifying features are such an important component of sub-cultural life.
I guess, part of the answer lays in the reasons people join subcultures. I can assume that they join these groups of people because they relate to the group’s music style, clothing style, personal opinions, views of the world, however it also has to do with the human need to be accepted and belong. By so obviously identifying as a sub-cultural member, an individual is indicating to mainstream society and to others in a social group that they belong. that they are not an outcast, or hermit. Inherently, they are demonstrating their worth to others in nothing more than a somewhat refined primal chest-beating exercise.
The practice also enables members in a subculture to recognise and engage with one another, to enhance this sense of belonging, and conversely to shun outsiders and intruders.
I will never forget one night, attending an alternative club, frequented by emo/scene kids. Never having attended before a friend of mine wore a fluoro shirt, not realising how this would stand out against the sea of conformist black. Within the first hour, he had been assaulted, kicked, and generally abused. Being a generally passive and calm individual I can only assume it was because he was seen as an outsider, an intruder into a staunchly defended subcultural environment.
Regardless of the reasons, identifying subcultures will remain an important part of subcultural study and participation.
A friend of mine sent me this blog entry in an email and i found it very funny! When does your obsession with your subculture become too much?
Baby, You Mean The World Of Warcraft To Me
By Kevin Spivey
April 19, 2006
Come on, honey, why do you have to be like that? You know that you’re my Elven princess. My one and only. I would dare say that there is no one in all the realm who doesn’t know of our love. I have sung your praises from the mouth of the Shadowthread Cave to the Stranglethorn Vale of the Eastern Kingdoms. I’ve introduced you to my comrades-in-arms in the Ulster guild, and they all accept you as kin.
And now you want to dissolve the greatest love ever to brighten my basement?
When we met, I was looking for a group fit to take the Zul’Gurub instance. But as I stocked up on provisions at the convenience store before my quest, and our eyes locked, I realized that I was not looking for a group, I was looking for love, and I found it in you. You are the sun, the moon, the Cinderhide Armsplints of the Monkey. There is so much we have to offer one another. Unfailing loyalty, a Strength of 250, someone who can go out for snacks in the heat of battle. Can’t you see we’re made for each other?
Darling, no orc can keep me from you. I would make my way into the heart of Moonglade and fight an army of trolls just to be by your side. I would go up against Varimathras, the ruler of the Undead himself, if he so much as hinted that he was a danger to you. Make no mistake, I would get aggro on anyone who would threaten you.
This is, of course, provided the system is not down due to a faulty patch.
Don’t you see that I did it all for you? My love for you exceeds Level 60, higher than anyone thought possible in this fantastic computer universe. My spirit soars when you are near. You restore my mana with a kiss. I even named my epic mount after you. Her name is Helen, and her hair shimmers in the sunlight, and together we ride forward into destiny.
I would climb the highest peak of Mount Hyjal to toil for 100 days and 100 nights in the mines in order to extract the precious ore so that I may fashion you a necklace of the finest thorium. My warrior, Hammuster, devoted his game’s life to the professions of mining and smithing just so that I might accomplish that very thing. All you need do is join me in the WoW and hold the necklace up to the virtual sun. Then you may see the efforts I have expended to create this thing of beauty for you. The dishes can wait until tomorrow.
Helen, my mage, when I was ganked by a lowly rogue from Tennessee in the Caverns of Time and stripped of my treasured belongings, I rose from the grave with one purpose in mind. I had to be resurrected, not to seek revenge, but to return to you.
There is no other way to put it: You take my breath bar away.
Why do we need to go out to have fun? Everything we could possibly want is right in WoW. Fine dining, theater, romantic sunsets—they’re all there. The outside world just costs money, and I don’t have a magic breastplate to protect me from people’s stares. Come with me so I can treat you like the princess you are.
Please, baby, if you leave, you will increase by 32 percent the chance of doing direct damage to my heart. Please reconsider.
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/47492
- J
This YouTube video takes a humerous and satirical view of the gamers who participate in Secondlife. It is criticising the fact that they unrealistically live through the digital existence of their avatars, rather than in reality. Much like our presentation video, it comments on stereotypes of a particular subculture and how they are viewed by the dominant culture.
The following is a link to an article which highlights a negative aspect which has been associated with video games in recent years. Thre article details the effect that playing violent video games can have on the agression of the participant. These concerns have been aroused by parents, teachers and the mass media, particularly concerning the effect of gaming on children.
The following link is an interactive timeline of the history of gaming, stretching from 1952 to 2003. This site also provides reviews of the best and worst games which have been developed overtime, and the impacts of gaming on reality, along with many other links to gaming history and information.
The following list contains links to sites which are useful for gaming communities. They provide resources, reviews and forums or computer,video and ‘unplugged’ games for gamers to interact with one another and pursue their interest. These sites are a great introduction to gaming for those just getting started, providing a history or gaming and avenues to play.
http://www.gamers-underground.com/forum/index.php
