Poll: I am so freaking ALTERNATIVE!

[Boxi]

Alright, backstory time.

At school today, some colleagues and I were discussing being alternative, indie culture, the mainstream and the like, and it got me thinking - how heavily has this new concept of alternative-ness affected us as a global society, or even on a local scale? So my question, nay, questions, to you, fellow Escapistians, are as follows:

1. Have you, or do you, frequently come into direct contact with indie culture?

2. What are your views on indie culture?

Also, feel free to speculate and generate discussion

I find it interesting that society has evolved to the point that we can openly go against group behaviour without fear of eradication.

Discuss! Have Fun! BE INDIE!

 

[BonsaiK]

You haven't defined "indie" culture. What the hell is it? I personally don't think such a culture even exists, just like I don't believe "indie music" exists.

 

[emeraldrafael]

Indie culture is something that no one can truly enjoy as long as they pay. and if you have to pay, you're not enjoying indie, because you're being charged, which means the band conformed and is not indie.

 

[SimuLord]

I find "indie" to be pretentious, overwrought, and full of people who are just "conforming to non-conformity".

You want to break from the mainstream? Try Schubert.

 

[Anarchemitis]

Your intentional misuse of the word irony burns my eyes.
It's so sarcastic that it's actually ironic.

 

[Sovvolf]

I feel those that jump around screaming about how alternate, unique or indy they are, are pretentious pricks. Extra points for avoiding films or games just for the sake of showing how alternate they are.

Me personally, I just play what ever game I find entertaining, I couldn't give a shit how "Mainstream" or "Alternate" it is... if I enjoyed it I'll play it.

I find "indie" to be pretentious, overwrought, and full of people who are just "conforming to non-conformity".

You want to break from the mainstream? Try Schubert.

Bloody Ninja's.-Shakes fist-

Also inb4 "Your all slaves to the media" comments.

 

[AvsJoe]

Other than my taste in film, I'm pretty damn mainstream, and, quite frankly, I like it that way. There is a lot more crap independent music/games/movies/art/clothing/etc than crap mainstream. My only gripe about the mainstream is that it gets samey and boring pretty fast, but in my opinion that's better than swimming in a sea of garbage looking for a gem.

However, since I do exactly that with movies, I guess I'm both a fan of main street and indie drive. A little of both is the best option.

 

[Betancore]

Well if you mean the shitload of hipsters we get in Melbourne, then yeah, we seem to have an infestation of 'indie.' They constantly fight over the Flinders St steps with the goths and the scene kids, and buy everything in my size from op shops. I don't really care for 'alternative' cultures, and I wouldn't have the dedication or diligence to embrace any one of them, since for the most part, everyone just seems to try very hard, and they seem to care too much about being the same in order to be different.

 

[Frotality]

I find "indie" to be pretentious, overwrought, and full of people who are just "conforming to non-conformity".

pretty much this. the very fact that there is an 'indie culture' is kind of a big sign that its just another form of mainstream. 'indie' is just like goth; your not rebelling against anything, your just conforming to a different group. there is no more of an dichotomy between "mainstream" and "inde" than there is between basketball fans and football fans; you follow different sports, but theyre still both sports.

 

[Andrew Bohan]

I'm not really part of a culture. I listen to, watch and play what I like. Social cultures are just retarded. Be who you want, wear what you want, use what you want. It's honestly not a big deal. You have friends who like things other than you, and who like the same as you. Surely it's better to have a diverse and interesting friend group than all ones who can fit under the same umbella

 

[Phlakes]

inb4 Indie/Alternative has become mainstream, thus defeating the purpose. I love it when someone talks about some "obscure" indie rock band that only they know of, and then the next day I notice dozens of people that know of it.

Anyway, I was never a rebellious teenager so I don't get it.

 

[AngloDoom]

...I still don't quite understand all this 'indie' stuff.

I mean, I wear combat-esque jeans, three/four pendants, a shit-tonnes of wrist-accessories (bangles, straps, etc.) I have mid-length hair, and I listen to bands like Muse and Incubus. I was in Germany for half my teen years so I'm still uncertain where I was stuck in terms of fashion when I came back to England.

WHO AM IIIIII?

 

[TheComedown]

I find it interesting that society has evolved to the point that we can openly go against group behaviour without fear of eradication.

It's not "against the group" its just a different group. Indie means shit all anymore, all "non-conformist groups" are just conforming to something else, the whole thing is stupid, just a different fad, a different hair cut. Means shit all.

 

[PurplePlatypus]

Well I enjoy some games, music, movies etc made by independent groups/companies, if that is what you?re asking. I?m not sure though, people use indie in this strange way and I?m not entirely sure what they mean by it.

 

[fgdfgdgd]

"You're unique, just like everyone else." my favourite line around indie people, and trust me, i know a few, get to be friends with a musician and you'll meet alot.

 

[Bon_Clay]

I find it interesting that society has evolved to the point that we can openly go against group behaviour without fear of eradication.

It's not "against the group" its just a different group. Indie means shit all anymore, all "non-conformist groups" are just conforming to something else, the whole thing is stupid, just a different fad, a different hair cut. Means shit all.

Thissssssssssssssssssss.
Indie and alternative and such just mean slightly less popular and well known group of crap. And eventually the small gap which makes them a minority compared to the most mainstream stuff will disappear and it will be assimilated into it. Then someone else will come up with some other stuff most people hate but a few catch onto, it'll grow in popularity and the cycle continues.

 

[SpaceGhostPoncherello]

Pretty much what Freezy Breezy said.
Anyone proclaiming themselves to be 'indie' just sounds like a pretentious dickwad to me.

 

[blankedboy]

I'm a one-man indie band, I have roughly 60 indie games lying around, and I can't stand mainstream music, as far as, pff... anything more mainstream than Foo Fighters is likely to drive me insane. Which is alot more than it should be.

Foo Fighters is VERY borderline by the way, I'mfuckingtiredgoodnightescapistbarbeque...