Subcultures

[Kether]

In the past 60 years or so, numerous subcultures have emerged, mostly made up of young people, and expressing (at least at first glance) different norms and values from mainstream society. People can quite comfortably sit in both mainstream society and a particular subculture, behaving according to the 'rules' of either one, depending on the situation.

Why do subcultures emerge? What do they express? What are their consequences?

[Kether]

Perhaps subcultures emerge because people's need for identity is not satisfied by mainstream society; perhaps mainstream society's views conflict with their own. So they find others who share their feelings, and form an alternative society with its own values, as an attempt to express their identity in a way with which they are comfortable.

[Kether]

i thought i said that
You did.

mainstream is not deep nor authentic
Perhaps subcultures are more authentic because they have a conscious, common aim, whereas the mainstream is comparatively messy and random.

we are conditioned by the media
And not just by the media - most if not all social institutions pressurise and condition us. The question is how we respond to that pressure (although the way we respond may be affected by other social conditions).

so yes a subculture can be more saisfying as it arises spontaneouly...it is not pre programmed...
In comparison to mainstream society, yes. Though subcultures may emerge because of certain events and currents of thought in society. However, these ideas often fall outside the paradigm of mainstream opinion.

[Kether]

Sorry, I read your topic and thought about it...I guess I was thinking out loud. :)

[Kether]

It is, sort of.

[Kether]

I probably wouldn't consider The Big View a subculture, as there are so many ideological differences within it. On the other hand, most or all of its members share a roughly similar outlook on certain matters, and think within a similar paradigm. Moreover, there are certain things that could be said to mark out The Big View as a subculture - we interact with other members differently from people in the real world. So maybe you're right - maybe we are a subculture. And people within this subculture are also part of other subcultures outside of it.

Is the 'mainstream' just a collection of subcultures? It is if one accepts the very broad definition of 'subculture' outlined above.

[Kether]

If we consider each different mode of social behaviour and creative activity a subculture, then I think you're right - the 'mainstream' is less directed at a particular end. Perhaps the term 'mainstream' simply means all the modes of social behaviour or 'subcultures' in existence, each with different distinguishing characteristics in terms of member's behaviour and practices. Then are large societies, usually viewed as the mainstream itself, subcultures? If we take our definition of 'subculture' this far, then I think we need to think of a new word to prevent misinterpretation.

[Kether]

Very valid points raised.
Do you think that 'mainstream' values are essentially a melting-pot of different individual and subcultural values? As you say, they lack consensus or purpose, while subcultures have these. People who follow the mainstream rather than a deliberate subculture probably are, as you say, just going along with the flow - lacking in purpose.