The Pirate’s Dilemma: How Youth Culture is Reinventing Capitalism?
76 Comments Published by clay January 26th, 2008 in Education, State and Local Politics, U.S. Politics.I am currently reading The Pirate’s Dilemma; How Youth Culture Reinventing Capitalism by Matt Mason.
The idea of the book hit a cord in me, because of the influence punk music had on me when I was younger. I wasn’t a musician, but I was somebody who didn’t like the limitations provided to me by others.
Here is an excerpt from the book:
When punk was born, polite society didn’t think it was right about anything. Initially, punks were seen as threats, menaces, scum. “What is punk music? It is disgusting, degrading, ghastly, sleazy, prurient, voyeuristic, and nauseating. Most of these groups would be vastly improved by sudden death,” remarked a member of the Greater London Council in 1976. But when Joe Strummer, lead singer of the legendary band the Clash passed away in 2002, the BBC described punk as “pioneered who kicked down musical and social barriers, making anything seem possible.”
So what has changed? Why does history remember them fondly? Because the punks had a point. Established ideas and outdated dogma create limitations. Limitations suck. As the Sex Pistols lead singer, Johnny Rotten, said in the documentary The Filth and the Fury, “All our first rehearsals were a nightmare. It would be constantly. ‘You know you gotta to learn to sing’ and it’s a Why? Says who? Why are you accepting all these, like, boundaries? That’s where everything went wrong in the world, Previously.”
Youth cultures often embody some previously invisible, unacknowledged feeling in society and give it an identity. They are reactions or responses to other factors, and once a critical mass of people endorse such movements, they take on lives of their own. “I think it was in fact, inevitable in history,” says Hell. “Western cultures got homogenized and corporatized to an extent where it was inevitable that would come into existence a stratum under the radar, where people who saw the stupidity and boredom of the mass culture started doing things themselves and for each other, and opposing the standards and values of the false, mass way of doing things..I don’t think it was someone’s brilliant idea, it just followed from the way things had become.”
The urge to rebel and express oneself is clearly many moons older than punk, but its angry, loud, minimal sound concentrated this feeling and sent shock waves through society, demonstrating to a generation disenchanted with rock ‘n’ roll that once again, anything is possible.
The Pistols, and punk, empowered ordinary people. Not only did they encourage others to start making music, but also to design their own clothes, start fanzines, and set up gigs, demonstrations, record stores, and record labels. As Hebdige points out in Subculture: The Meaning of Style, the punk fanzine Sniffin Glue “contained perhaps the single most inspired item of propaganda produced by the subculture—the definitive statement of punk’s do-it-yourself philosophy—a diagram showing three finger positions on the neck of a guitar over the caption:
“Here is one chord, here’s two more, now form your own band.”
A Letter of Introduction from T. Herman Zweibel
By T. Herman Zweibel
Publisher Emeritus (photo circa 1911)
The Onion
January 21, 2008 | Issue 44•03
The school-educated busy-bodies who manage my media properties inform me that it is almost time to appoint a new President. I almost cannot believe it is time for the suet-brained populace of this flagging Republic to be once again herded into the voting-booths to allegedly choose precisely which bloody-handed butcher will crack their bones and suck the marrow over the next few years. Futility, I say, rank and base futility! Does the grist choose the mill, the rabbit the hawk, the innocent 12-year-old Atlantic City orphan girl the lusty mob of beefy, drunk, vacationing coal-oil sales-men? They do not, and neither do the Citizens choose their Leaders. However, if The Onion news-paper can further the illusion that an individual vote has more potential to change the world than a lamb’s last bubbling bleat in a crowded slaughter-house—and furthermore, if we may turn a hand-some profit by doing so—than let The Onion be the Judas goat to the milling herd of democratic cattle!
I am told that our new War of the White House section will contain the vetted and censored life stories of each candidate; white-washed and simplified versions of their heinous plans to drain the life and wealth of each and every tax-payer; a schedule denoting the appearances of every aspirant, so that one may go and be covered in unspeakable fulminating lies in person instead of hearing them over the crystal-set. I should God damned well hope that there will also be prettily-colored pictures, or else the average American citizen will not be able to keep his eye on it for more than a few heart-beats, and it would be better yet if there were accompanying photos of ample heaving bosoms. Sadly, the man in the street becomes affronted whenever he feels his supposed dignity is being besmirched. Why is this? The man in the street is, for all his puffery, standing there in the God damned street!
In any case, there will also be a section on how our Democracy works, despite even the simplest boor suspecting in his secret heart of hearts that it is a sham. Which it is. I have not voted since becoming a wealthy industrialist, having figured out some time ago that it is much wiser to employ the organ grinder than vote for the monkey. Still, I hope this special section is of some amusement to all. I understand that one of the candidates is campaigning in a dress this year, and yet another in a minstrel’s blackface, which I must say was unexpected; but as long as there are no Catholics on the ballot, I see no reason to summon the marksmen.
Now get back to work!
In relation to the Do-It-Yourself section, I think it is regarding the simplicity of guitar chord progession in punk style music. A series of 3 or 4 chords with a fast paced strumming pattern accomanied by quick, steady, drum beats and an angry singer, personafies the punk music scene in a way. I love punk music. Perfect for when I’m mad or pissed off and want to hear some good music. There are somethings I would like to change in the world though.
I hate the fact that we have become completley reliant on certain things to live our daily lives. Gasoline runs our entire economy and electronics make sure that the economy functions. Whathappens when we run out of gas, the earth stops producing it. Or when sunspots interupt the radio waves traveling all over our plaent. We will fall apart in minutes. The worth of our dollar has plummited, and a few people profit immensly from misfortune upon others. I can’t give an example of how I want the world to function, because there is noting I can do to change how our economy is set up. We are kind of stuck in this cycle, where gasoline runs our economy, through the trucking industry delivering food all over the country, and airplane industry delivering people all over the country, gasoline provides the means for our entire economy to work. As one of the highest producing economies in the world, without gasoline, we are screwed and so is the rest of the world.
This is what I would like to have changed in the world.
Punk isn’t what it used to be. Punk was used to motivate young people into a new sub-culture and sadly that is all it ever was, a SUB-culture. Now, why would such a brilliant scheme fail? For the same reason why communism failed, closed-minds run the very fabric of our “society”. Movies like “A Clockwork Orange”, and “Fight Club” tried to bring back the corpse that is punk and failed. These philosophies failed because they rely on one common fault, and that fault is that everyone wants to improve the world we live in. Even if we did ignore the people who thrive on the failures of others, we would have to deal with the fact that everyone has a different idea of how to change the world for the better. If you don’t believe me just read the ending of every single post in this thread. The only way that any improvement can be made is if every single man, woman, and child on this earth was shown what an open mind can accomplish.
As Tyler Durdan said in “Fight Club”, “If our fathers stood for God (all that we hold sacred and true) and failed, what does that say about God?”
THINK FOR YOURSELVES
The do it yourself proposition seems to have a significant in any young adult’s life. Everyone in society would want do things their own way, or at least i would. This brings me to what I would like to change in society. I was in my philosophy class today and my Professor said he would like to make high school optional similar to college. I agree to this to a point. I think this would make life easier on teachers and students in high school. I could just be saying this because sometimes when I’m trying to comprehend a lesson in class, there are often people acting annoying in class, whicih obstructs the learning environment. And when I’m in my college courses, it seems like the majority of the students actually WANT to be there. They are listening to the lectures, participating, etc. It could be because they are paying for the class. I woulnd’t want to make high school students have to pay because it would just end up being the parents’ money. Or it could be that the majority of the student are not forced to be there. It is compeltely optional. And i would have to absolutely agree with Judson. I think our economy is concerned too much with gas. what will happen when we run out of natural resources?
Buddy makes a good point. punk isn’t what it used to be. It used to be some people taking shit for what they believed in cuz it wasn’t the norm, standing up for what they thought was right, and/or sometimes even wrong to piss people off (not all the time mind you). Now, we got kids running around claiming to be punks and rebels but they have no cause.
Its all BS and its nuthin but a show. Something to look at and get some attention. Underground punk still tries to keep some of the old ideals of thinking for urself and basically not taking the shit society is throwing at you.
Our society is now made up of corporate zombies living not to live, but to make success for themselves excluding the rest of the population to fend for themselves. How the hell is anything going to work for our generation if nothings getting accomplished in our “democracy”
enjoy life now kids, cuz it aint gunna last
wow, these may be tough acts to follow, but here it goes:
ok, so as i understand it the sub-genre of rock ‘n roll known as punk was really about rebelling against oppressive norms that are present in society. personally, these “punks” (or “punx” i have also seen) seem to fitmany of the traits found in what are commonly refered to in literature as “byronic heros”. they are idealistic, they dont like society, they are outcasts, they dont respect rank or previlage (or any other indicators of authority or authority itself), et al. however, instead of being revered (as heroes of this type and of the anti-hero variety are at this modern day) they are/were scorned by many as, according to the exerpt, scum, threats, etc. funny how we can have one set of ideas and yet denounce those who personafy them. then again, this is comming from the one who also finds it funny (and sad as well as disturbing) that in spite of many of us believing in a deity whose prophets preach peace and love, that more people have been killed in his name or because “heathans” (be they in differing sects (ie catholic or protestant (or more recently shiite or suni or kurdish)) or differing religions with similar moral beliefs (the crusades) were seen as, through ignorance i believe though im not sure, threats for some weird reason. anyway, it is rather odd that we are so conflicted.
ok, enough of my ranting and on to what i was supposed to talk about.
i cant say that the do-it-yourself thing has affected me much. all that i would like to see changed is for us to actually start thinking rationally without being influenced by religious beliefs. i say “without” because it is apparent from history and current happenings that we are incapable of thinking rationally with the influence of our spiritual beliefs. sadly however, i doubt this will ever happen.
Do it yourself. Hmmm ok in the text when it speaks about how we are more into being individuals and speaking our minds I agree. And yes, punk has its own style and flavor… then again every category does. I think it’s probably just me but it just seems like their putting punk on a pedestal. A lot of music gets loud, and in my eyes every song tells a story and has a point. Sure back in the day there were some great bands, but it just seems like everything is so commercialized today. In my eye’s punk has fallen into the thing it didn’t want to be. To be punk you have to pass all these standards and it’s like um wow ok.
To me teens are more on their mommies’ tit than ever. Everybody depends on their parents and don’t want to work for anything. It’s like there’s no fucking work ethic in this damn country anymore. It would be great if people actually did shit themselves, but they don’t. They call people to mow their lawns, clean theirs house, take care of their kids. I don’t see any improvement since pass generations. I just see morals spinning down ward.
After writing this I kind of feel like my mom. That scares me. But then again maybe it’s time for are fucking generation to grow the fuck up and stop crying and bitching about everything. It’s time for our generation to start actually doing things by ourselves, and doing them right, and not just pretending to. But hey then again thats just me…
well i havent really listened to punk from back then or now, so i wouldnt know how it has changed, but i do agree with martin because i see a lot of kids popping up everywhere saying that they are punk, but they are just as, i guess a style. they dont stand up for anythign, these kids are just in it to fit in. i think most of these kids are fake, they say that they stand up for their beliefs, or views, but when you ask them to tell you what they stand up for, they cant tell you anythign good, just vague answers. these kids need to stop playing around, dont lie and say you are your onw person, cause they know they arent.
I think one of America’s best market is the do it yourself stuff. It really does sell. We have paint your own Piccaso now with paint by numbers, we have build your own model car kits, make your own purse kits, and more do it yourself things. Especially ones marked as children’s toys. For me, HGTV has really influenced me. Today many shows like HGTV advertise how you can do things your self. HGTV shows how you can redo your bedroom, house, or backyard. They show how “easy” it is to paint and add spice to your room. This summer I repainted my room, ripped out the carpet, installed hardwood floor with he help of my brother, made my own desk and added a color scheme and theme to my room. It did turn out pretty cool but it definitely did not take the three days HGTV gives your the impression of. However the do-it yourself craze really is a positive thing. I would of never spiced up my room. I’m glad I did though because I really enough being in there now which really does affect me more than most people would think.
I really don’t know much about punk music. The first time I heard it, it made me laugh. I though it was a joke but it sounds like it influenced a lot of average youth out there to do something which is hard to do. I that’s great, even if there is a lot of negative that comes with it. Everything will have negative and positive sides. Sometime you can’t stop things but it will turn out alright if we use the situation to our advantage. I think it’s kind of like my senior project. Almost every ballroom dance was originally considered dirty dancing. They were inappropriate, and unacceptable in society. It was considered scandalous to be dancing that way. At first dancing changed to dancing facing the opposite sex, then to being too close to each other, then to touching of a hand, touching of arms, touching bodies, all the way to today of grinding up on each other. Although now we view those those dances except for grinding as acceptable unanimously, they weren’t all considered appropriate. As society progresses they become more accepting of the unacceptable. In time we will probable view punk as just another genre of music that isn’t intended to lead any astray just as I have seen in ballroom dancing.
The “do-it-yourself” i half to be split on it, yes i try to be of a more do it your self kind of person, but it not always works, but not everything that you want to do can be a do it your self, and if it is then what is the point of doing everything by yourself? yes i agree you should do it your self but don’t discourage others from helping you. we are social beings, that’s our nature. we need other people in order to survive. which is why people who are alone what to fit in, a prefect example would be peer pressure, it wouldn’t work if everything was a do it yourself thing. we wouldn’t have the culture difference between nations fall. yes you should complain if you don’t do anything, but you shouldn’t do everything yourself, “two heads are better than one.”
what i felt more of an response to was actually the that we could do any thing, that all the norms that all the beliefs and morals could be broken, that anything is possible, the problem with that is yes any thing is possible, man can do many things unimaginable, the WWW’s showed us all of history has. But just because it is possible, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be tried. just because we can put our heads beneath a moving truck’s tier doesn’t mean we should. Just because we can open Pandora’s box should we?
Nearly every tennager has had that “DIY” type of attitude. It is within our nature. We like to find things out our own way, even though it may be wrong or even lead us to compromising situations. Punk to me, was just a way to rebel against everyone and everything. It took all the rules, smashed them into pieces and created a whole new culture. Hardcore music came about because of the punk movement, in a faster,heavier, and louder form. I believe that both genres of music are in fact movements and even in a sense a revolution. It was a whole new way of thinking. Not having a care in the world and just basically living to die. But just as in any genre of music, people don’t listen to it for the message, they turn it into a style. A way to dress and to act. They don’t have a passion for it and due to this, they give that genre a bad name.
Punk was all about anti-establishment and anti-authoritarian ideologies. This was a genre created to provide a new prospective on society and was supposed to me new and modern compared to earlier rock music. Like so many other genres, it had its time and will always be remembered, but it’s hype was short-lived. Asside from the music and genre itself, I think that the ‘Do It Yourself’ ideology is one that has affected everyone at one time or another- Whether the influence was brought on by the punk genre or was found by other means.
I think that music in general can influence the masses, whether it be through the beat or through the lyrics or even through the image of a band. I think that when we associate the ‘Do It Yourself’ ideology with the punk genre, we are really discussing that anti- establishment- get out there and think for yourself- ideology. And I think that whether you are into punk or not, this “Do It Yourself” idea has or will affect you at some point. There are certain issues that everyone won’t agree with or will rebel against the authority for. So be it the influence of the great but short-lived life of true punk or not, everyone will have a ‘Do It Yourself’ time.
Well what I can say about this blog is that punk is part of the wonderful experiences that people encounter when they are younger.It is true that punk is not what it used to be, now instead of a rejection to society it part of a trend that many teenagers follow to respond to limited sources in society. The “do it yourself” situation I believe is not very well applied because of the different times we live in there is only so much we can reject. I agree with most people that commented on this blog because most of us can reflect on the simultaneous proposals that are given to us throughout our teenage years. I believe punk in our time is still very alive but in a very different way. There are no longer any determinating situations in which we can describe who we really are as compared to the past. Teenagers can be pursuaded into becoming and doing many things I belive in being one’s true self as a correspondent to rejecting societys norms, which is why I believe that we should be able to choose whether or not the “do it yourself” situation still results as a factor to neglection.
really i have no clue whats happening. i read it 5 times and still don’t get it. So for my opioninon this must be boring or doesn’t interest me very much! but i decided to do it but really what i think is happening is punk has changed over the years, but really i don’t know, i haven’t listen to it or really known anyone that is puck but i am still confused. Punk must suck or something, sorry i really am confused. but to me it seems as if people “dress” punk but with more style. … yea sorry i cant answer this! not sure!
Well I really dont know! Punk music has never really cought my intrest. I am with hector on this one, I have never really cared about punk music. If anything I am turned off to it more because of the way it is now. I dont know what is good ounk music and what isnt. If bands like yellow card,Marron 5 of Plain white T’s are considered punk music than I am half way there, but then again I just got introduce to then so I still couldnt be and help.
From what I know about music in general of coused it has changed. The world has changed and the music is what drives the world. We havent had our share or good long lasting bands or musisian like we did in the older days. We find ourselfes with ONE HIT WONDERS a lot, and that could be a bad thing.IDK! From the R&B side i and waiting for things to change because they are always saying the samething so I want some new matarial! but I am going to stop typing no beacuse I think I am missing the whole point!!
People agree that The Clash, or Punk, in general was the beginning of the do it yourself movement. The music had a huge impact on society, and since then, youth has never been the same. Back in the 70′s adults were exactly the same as they are now. My guess is, that not only did they loathe the music, but blamed youths behavior on it as well. Basically, they wanted it gone. But as said, in 2002, the death of Joe Strummer was such a tragedy. And its so sad how death really opens ones eyes and shows a loss for what it really is, and one would have never known until its gone.
The thing that was so tragic, is the fact that one of the poeple responsible for such an epic movement, was suddenly gone. Maybe he knew he was responsible for this, maybe he didnt. In my opinion, I dont think that this movement was completley about the music. It was more about someone actually having the balls to look at society in the face and say FUCK YOU!
This triggered something in the back of everyones mind, wether they like to admit it or not. Even the ones who wanted punk dead. Music enspires people and speaks to them. It almost tells them, what to do, how to act, what to wear and other little details like that.
Some think this movement was obscene. Others think its an artistic and intellectual form of expression. And that part, is what got translated to just about everyone in the 70′s, and since then, youth has never looked back. Kids are kids, music speaks to just about everybody, and no matter if punk is truly dead (which it is), theres always going to be that one person that changes someones persepective on somthing.
The thing that pisses me off is the fact that the united states used to be the most envied place to live. But now everyone has a right to say that america is the stupidest nation. We have a complete dipshit as a presdient and the value of our dollar is falling ever so quickly. If i were to try and change something, i would try to change americas reputation. dont ask me how i intend on doing that, but its just a thought. i know i would surley not make a good leader, but dammit i know i have some good ideas!
I’ve never really looked into the effect punk music has had on society. There is always an underlying current of rebellion in any society. It’s part of the human condition that we ask why. Why things have to be done this way, and why we can’t decide for ourselves.
What I think makes this movement different then others is the fact that being ‘original’ and ‘different’ has come into the popular view. Now it seems unorthodox to do things the ‘old’ way. Our facination with the new and unexplored grows every day. Especially in the state of California, where its much better to be out there and strange then usual and predictable.
But while the movement succeeded in changing our views on what is okay and not, it never really solved the heart of the problem. The focus is just adjusted a little. It’s okay to be different, so long as you’re not like anyone else.
Punk kicked ass, in both senses of the word. Not only was it good music, it also gave the Establishment the middle finger and opened up people’s eyes. Even if you hated punk or what it stood for, you knew that there was a group of people who saw injustice and wanted change in the system.
But nope, you’re not going to see any of this nowadays. People nowadays seem more than willing to accept the system without question. Politics has devolved into partisan hacks in Congress and the media flinging crap at each other across the aisle. There’s no chance of any meaningful change coming about in the government, and there’s little-to-no chance of it happening from the outside, because the older generation is comfortable with the way things are and the younger generation doesn’t care, and if they do care, there’s no way their message is spreading. Three reasons why: M, T and V.
I want our political landscape to get turned on its head, and I got an idea from an internet politics thread the other day for how to make it happen. Imagine this scenario: In the presidential election, Barack Obama trounces Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination and Mike Huckabee/Mitt Romney (it works better with Huckabee, but he doesn’t have a chance in hell of winning) somehow manages to eke out a win against John McCain for the Republicans. Furious and not willing to take no for an answer, Hillary runs as an independent. Meanwhile, Ron Paul decides to run as the Libertarian candidate. Come November, we have four major candidates for the presidency. Barack ultimately becomes president, thanks to a surprisingly high turnout from young voters, and Hillary ends up getting most of her support from the over 65 crowd. Mitt/Mike and Ron Paul end up with almost equal support, fracturing the Republican party between the Religious Right and true fiscal conservatives.
When the dust settles, the Republican Party is dead, with a new fiscally conservative/socially moderate party forming in its place. The Democratic Party boots out the old guard of the Clintons and becomes the voice of he younger generation in politics. This has no chance in hell of happening, but I think that it would take a major clusterf**k like this to finally bring about some change.
Well im not much of a punk music listener. It’s not really my thing, but i do think its cool that this type of music influenced peopel to “do it yourself”. It let people control who they wanted to be even though it was looked down upon. Now punk music is just like every genre. There are people wh like hip hop and dress and act in that life style, there are people who listen to rock who dress dn act like rocksatr, and the same thing with punk, people listen to that type of music and it inspires them to dress dn act like what they hear. Nothing is wrong with it. Everyone has there own personalitlies and every will express them in different ways. What ive seen from people who listen to punk, is that they do have there own way of dressing and they are walking to their own beat, but thats what makes them them and ocngratulations to the music that lets them be them. Punk music isnt the only musc though that allows people to have the “do it themselves” attitude. I think every genre will effect someone in that manner. For example im sure hip hop or rap music wasnt excepted at first, abut now there are a lot of people who listen and follow and can relate to whats being played on the radio. So good job to punk bands, and every other band that gave kids and teens and adults the feeling where they can step out of their shells and be who they want to be regardless.
i dont know much about punk history, besides the bands that were in it, but even then not much about them. all i can say about what i have herd is that the impact that they made on our society as well as the rest of the world, or atleast britain for sure, is something that people will never forget. im not really one of those people on account of i didnt live in the punk rock era, but i guess it impacted tpeople to go their own way and sort of gave them a sense of originality. if my definition is not the “correct” one than all i have to say is that everyone percieves things differently ad its hard to understand something that you never gone through yourself.
after trying to understand this era i found out that is not what this is about. so, how the “do it yourself” proposition affected me? well i cant say that this article has proposed that in particular to me but i have been exposed to this type of question before and i learned that it’s true. that the only way you can make sure that something is done or will get done is to do it yourself. that you cant always rely on other people to do what is asked of either one of you. im not saying to do others work all the time but if it affects you and will impact you in any way then i say you should stick on the guy and if the guy that you are working with doesnt pull their own weight is to show yourself up to your superiors and do it yourself. it will show your superiors that you are capable of doing things for yourself and it will show them that that other guy is not capable of doing their work and is not sufficient in this company. i dont know if you are reading this nad have question marks all over your head but i know how this has affected my life. it is sad that i dont always put this into practice but i think its good that i atleast understand this concept and way of thinking, and now im just in the position of doing it or not.
I….don’t really listen to punk,…at all. So, like Hector stated, I wouldn’t really have much to say on the topic. Now I could say, “Yeah! Punk has changed!”. But I’ll shy away from that stuff to prevent me from looking like a *Holden*phony*Holden*. I can’t really speak on the topic without giving a good arguement.
Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate what the whole genre has done for the world and music. If it weren’t for Punk Music, and it’s ,”Hey, I’LL DO WHAT I WANT!” mentality, we may not have the Mos Defs, the Kanye’s, or Commons. The type of rappers that I like. Just like Hip Hop, I’m pretty sure that Punk music has gone through a faze where musicians from that genre were blowing up and were blowing up in the pop scene BUT were total disgraces to their respective genre. For example, Soljah Boy needs to stop making music. PERIOD. Dude is horrible, NO real hip hop heads really respect his rapping skills, as cliche’ as that sounds. I’m pretty sure that the Punk genre has had it’s fair share of horrible pop bands.
Sorry for getting side tracked and expressing my hatred for bad rappers. In conclusion, punk music has made a huge impact on society, and without it, we may not have the type of music that we love and listen to today. And for that, I am great full.
Punk was a sub-cutrual used to brak comformity and to rebel against the masses. Anarkist came out the punk era. The sex pistols and many other great rock bands sang about breaking the establishment and doing things for yourself. They wanted the world to know that they said fuck authority, they didn’t care who was in there way they were not another slave to the system. But sadly we are all slaves to th system, well aren’t we? Lets think about that? The govenment, which is an establishment, was set up to better off everyone. That everyone works as a team to help one another. It also sets up rules and regulations we must fallow, and if we break these then we must pay for them. We all fit into the system, we all have a role to play. The best example I have for this question is SLC punks, aka salt lake city punks. Its a movie about a couple of punks that have figured out the system and have said fuck it. But as it turns out they cant escape the fact that its to late, they’ve been sucked into it. At the end of the movie something strange happeneds, the main character stevo decides to go back to college. It turns out that he knew all along he couldnt escape the system, though he hated it with all his heart, he knew it what he had to do.
The do it yourself method fails and will always fail because people in general are just too lazy, and it always easier to depend on the system.
yeaaaa….
w e l l Hector I`m right with yoo` I frigg`n don`t even understand this article at all yo !
I`m not a big fan of punk music, its really annoying to me.
Well from reading from what everyone is saying, punk is basically its own little rebellion saying to do things your own way.
i dunno what this is about, i dont know what im even saying
skip this…
… i m d o n e
well, there’s kind of always been punks. hippies were pretty punk, so were everyone else who didn’t agree with the way things were going. punks were just the people who actually did something about what they didn’t agree with. bands like the sex pistols were just (kind of) the first who actually sang about their disagreements. ironically, the punk phrase was wasn’t even coined by bands like the sex pistols. it was given to them in newspapers and headlines. patti smith called punks, “rock ‘n’ roll niggers” (don’t get offended) before the punk term was used. a small list of rock ‘n’ roll niggers that she named were “jimi hendrix, jesus christ, jackson pollick, and grandma too!” punks were just the poeple who fought to get there point across, whether peacefully or forcefully. people who weren’t happy with the world around them.
however, the punk “style” kind of got over played and made into an actual dressing style. people thought that as long as they dressed punk, then they were punk. most “true” punks were too poor to afford new clothes, which is why they had to saftey pin there rips and tares. afterwards, that became the “punk style” saftey pins, rips, tight pants. whatever. it became an overplayed fad.
even people like johnny rotton started noticing the fad punk was becoming. that’s why the sex pistols just stopped playing music while they kept getting bigger and more popular. that’s why, like in SLC punk, this girl had a conversation with this punk guy about how the whole punk look was so blown out. she said something like, “why do you dress this way? don’t you realize that this isn’t what punk is about. everyone dresses this was now. that’s your uniform, you look like a punk. that’s everything that’s punk isn’t” that’s when punk was obviously used as a style.
sure, there are still some “new” punks who try to get back the “old” punk style. but there’s still some bands who associate them selves with punk, even though they are very very not punk (ie.- sum 41, simple plan, blink 182, good charlotte, green day, etc…).
the punk years, however, are still a part of rock’n'roll history, which is why it’s still trying to be remembered and copied. because it shaped the way that the history of music was to become.
I agree with what David said…every decade or era has had its own form of punks. The ones from the 70′s who screamed into microphones and didn’t give a damn about the world were just the most angry and noticeable.
The flappers and showgirls in the 1920′s were punks. The hippies of the 60′s were punks. Martin Luther King Jr. was a punk. Emilio Zapata was a punk. In a way, at least.
As for the “do it yourself” mentality we’ve become so accustomed to, it’s both a blessing and a curse. If I was an originally punk rocker, I would absolutely hate seeing all my fans copying my clothes and thinking they could play my songs if they were just doing it for the fad. However, imitation is the best kind of flattery, and the fact that stores like Hot Topic are still around and selling “punk clothes” even 30 years after the punk movement just shows how influential it is.
However, the bands that call themselves “punk pop” or whatever just annoy the crap out of me. I’d rather listen to the Sex Pistols over Blink 182 any day. Punk’s dead, man. But it lives in our hearts!
Truthfully I’m not clear on what is being quite asked because I am ignorant of punk music/style. But the way I take the do it yourself thing is really i wouldn’t quite categorize myself in anything because I am just me and can careless what others would have to say and think really. I mean yea I care about when I need to dress appropriate according to an occasion but I do that because that is the way I feel not others. But on a regular day and I know I dont have anything of much importance or to dress accordingly to then im not going out of my way. I will be nice and relaxed. the same goes for my music. i am a very open person to music. If you want me to listen to something of any form I will and if I personally take interest in it then I will continue listening to it otherwise if I didn’t I wont listen to it from that point on. I don’t know I wouldn’t consider myself a follower with trends. I’m completely far from being a materialistic girl, and glad it makes me appreciate things that much more and not so “high-class maintenance” type of person.
Truthfully I’m not clear on what is being quite asked because I am ignorant of punk music/style. But the way I take the do it yourself thing is really i wouldn’t quite categorize myself in anything because I am just me and can careless what others would have to say and think really. I mean yea I care about when I need to dress appropriate according to an occasion but I do that because that is the way I feel not others. But on a regular day and I know I don’t have anything of much importance or to dress accordingly to then I’m not going out of my way. I will be nice and relaxed. the same goes for my music. i am a very open person to music. If you want me to listen to something of any form I will and if I personally take interest in it then I will continue listening to it otherwise if I didn’t I wont listen to it from that point on. I don’t know I wouldn’t consider myself a follower with trends. I’m completely far from being a materialistic girl, and glad it makes me appreciate things that much more and not so “high-class maintenance” type of person.
Personally im pretty sure punk music isn’t the same as it used to be.It has became more,i guess you can say “pretty.” And maybe that is why youth is having greater difficulty with the transition of the
Punk Today VS. the Punk of Back in the Day.
The hasrdcore attitude that was displayed back in the day is what people really looked up to. The whole “Do-It Yourself” attitude was originated back than and is just being modernized into today’s punk culture.Which if you ask me is not so punk at all.
People are afraid of change.So when something new evolves their first reaction is to shut it down.Just as the Greater London Council did in 1976.
It is not necessarily that punk is bad,more of it just being different and not being used to it.
I think everybody still has a little punk in them.
Well, I really agree with David, and Gabi too. Every decade, generation, or whatever had/has their “punk”. Music genres shouldn’t be about style so much, as the message the musicical artists want to portray and tell everyone is the most important part. It’s their way of trying to change things, or at least put the ideas out there. I believe in the DIY ideas. You can’t just sit around and watch things happen and just say, “Oh I wish I could do this..or that..” If you want something done, then just do it yourself, instead of waiting for someone else to come along and do it, it’ll get done sooner, and its likely if you’re waiting for someone to do it, it’s not going to get done. No matter if its something big about the goverment or something small. If its too big, at least try to get your ideas out there or TRY to do something if you really want a change in the world, instead of just letting it go to waste.
Punk is a really good type of music in my opinion, since it has been around for quite a while now and has made a great impact on our society. These punk pioneers have really set a bar for the youth to try and reach or even overcome them. People should be allowed to make their own decisions without any ristrictions blocking them or holding them back. Punk music can be looked at as an inspiration to many people who have found themselves emotionally lost in life. Gives them an understanding of what’s going around in life and encourages them to follow their own dreams no matter what other people tell them. Now a days punk is still doing what it has been doing ever since it was first started, and im pretty sure it will continue to do so for years to come.
Ha. the do it yourself is just a teen thing makes me laugh. it sounds weird.
ANYWAY.
i don’t really have ONE thing to say about this blog. some of is put me to sleep but other parts got me thinking of random rediculous things…But,i’m completely absent minded this week and everything seems stupid right now. but i’m familiar with the “do it yourself” studd and yeah once u learn the basics of something it’s easier to take off on your own with it. like most PEOPLE not just teens, tend to want in life. to learn everything on their own.
another thing i kind of have an opinion on in this dumb blog, is the whole Punk scene. i know that long ago, being a punk had nothing to do with what you wore…but what you wore had a lot to do with your attitude. Punk’s (not Punx) were “rebels with a cause” as felix said in class..haha. now everyone thinks that if you wear holy jeans with messed up boots, some chains and a mohawk, “OH MUH GAH I’M A PUNKER NOW”…no you’re not..you’re stupid. that’s what you are…see society just pissed me off lately. how white boys say “FOO” wtf is that anyway?? just a lot of things have changed in society, obviously. and it’s annoying. i feel bad for people who really are “punks” cause all the other “Punx” make them look like idiots.
real punks listen to punk rock music. they do what they say and don’t pretend…
posers listen to hawthorn heights and thrash their head up and down (aka. emo)
i hate that.
hmm. i dont even know if i completed this “blog objective”…oh well.
Punk music is meant to relieve the stresses of a society that wants to control every little thing. The do-it-yourself ideaology, to me, just tells me if their is something out there you don’t like, change it because nobody else is going to do it for you. If their is something you want go for it. The whole punk scene is full of many angry people that feel slighted by the “man”. By lashing out and doing it yourself change can come around and I think that is what the whole movement is about.
I believe in our society many things could be changed. I believe that instead of a rift between the two party dominated system things could be more harmonious. I think that the public should be more educated in politics so they know the reason they SHOULD vote. Healthcare should be universal, politicians should care more about the society and not their own party affiliations. College should be less expensive, we should stop pointless wars and start spending money on more productive things. The environment should be a large issue on everyones agenda instead of sitting on the backburner. There are so many more things that I could say on the topic of change in America. All we need is a good strong president, and maybe some change for the better will actually start happening.
To me, punk seems to have become more mainstream.
BAD.
I know punk used to be about people standing up for what they belived in. They would fight for it. Now, like Hillary said, if people have boots, a mohawk and chains, they think that all of a sudden theyre punk. You have no cause!
NO YOU ARE NOT PUNK. What are you fighting for? A raise in allowance?
Every generation has its set of rebbels, but these days you get more and more of theose “rebels without a casue.” People, they are not rebels. They just wanna look cool.
Plus, in my opinion. music today seems to have lost what earlier music had: a purpose. Songs today are about someone wanting to kill someone and their mother or “omg i love you” mush.
They no longer carry messages that can inspire younger generations to change something in their society. The do-it-yourself has gone from Punk culture today. It seems to me that as long as people have what THEY want, people will remain complacent.
OK, I am probably one of the people that know LEAST about punk than most people! I have never really gien punk much effort because to me it is just a bunch of so called “rebels” yelling and creaming into a microphone. I am DEFINITELY not inspired about that! I have and always will LOVE my pop music! I love SINGERS like Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears (even though many of you believe she has no such ability to sing but how else can someone sell over 83 million albums worldwide in 9 years) and the new LEONA LEWIS! she is like the NEW MARIAH CAREY but from the UK! And her new album will be released in April! yay! Anyway, basically I just rather listen to POP MUSIC, nothing inspires me more than a diva singing a very slow and emotional song to a concert full of people! I know that’s not what aspires most people, but that is what I LIKE! I’m sure punk is GREAT, other wise it wouldn’t have such a huge following worldwide. So in conclusion, every individual has their OWN interests of what inspires them to be their own person. Unfortunately, punk does NOT give me even an ounce of inspiration to “do it myself”.
Punks are rebeles to society they dont like to be on leashes they beleive everyone should do what they please. But most people sadly disapprove of them. People are very judgemental and dont tend to think outside the box, they dont give people the oppurtunity to express themselfs. Punks tend to look very trashy and dirty, they dont seem to care on how they look. Some wear exremely tight clothing and where patches showing protest of our goverment, today. If a group of punks were to walk to a supermarket they would e looked down on as a bad example for humanity. Like I said people are not so open minded about things.
As for the music they show alot of their emotions what they feel and think about life in general. Punks is a style of living not some pop-culture trend.
The do it yourself proposition has some pros and cons to it. At first, I was like yeah I’m all for this DIY method because the only way you’ll get things in life is if you work for it. However, this can’t be only mentality for the DIY method. You NEED people to help you out sometime or another. Plus, if we had this DIY mentality then the purpose of I-Poly and its group ideal would be defeated. We learn how to do things we don’t know from other people because we’ll never learn anything if we depend on ourselves on things we already do know. Darwin’s “survival for the fittest” theory is kind of like this DIY idea, but I don’t really agree with him. You need other people to help you out in areas you are weaker in and vise versa. I’m not saying you NEED to depend on people in life. There must be some sort of balance between you and the people around you. That’s really all I have to say on this topic.
the last part is just a brief commentary on the simplicity or “punk music” and the versatility it has. pretty much if you can hold a guitar you can play it, mind set. things that i would like to change, sure. i can think of a ot. but one that i would like to change more than any other. our reliance on electronics. right now i’m relying on my computer, my electric company, and my wiring in the walls, my telephone connections. i really hate being tied down to things, that could go wrong at any minute and ruin everything for us. a lot like the y2k bug. but regardless of my opinion im still using it, because there is no other way to do my homework, or write this blog. i mean im glad that we have it, and itll just get better. i love technology i just had being tied down to one source of energy. if we had other types, somehow some type of backup source of energy than just electrical i wouldn’t feel so tied down to just the unreliability of one source. but as for technology its fine, i really like new inventions. upgrades etc. i’m just not the most enthusiastic about one source of energy, and im sure i might of accidently contradicted some statements, accidentally.
Well the do-it-your self situation has always been in my family. We try to create our own bussinesses, do handy work around the house on our own. we try to be different from other people. My godmother works a part-time job and she has an e-bay store on-line. My grand uncle even has had big bussinesses himself like a diesal company and now he has a palm tree nursury that I help promote (anyone interested in a palm tree). I build things around the house like cabinets (or at least try) and I try to make my own entertainment centers so I don’t have to buy one from the store.
There is a lot of variability in what people are saying. It’s interesting to read the connections people are making. I think the reference to punk isn’t this huge thing in this article, it is merely a way of presenting something that’s been happening for quite some time now. The purpose of this, in my opinion isn’t about the music itself, but mainly what it represented. I don’t think you have to have listened or be a follower of punk to understand what it is. Based on that you can make a clear and straight forward statement. Punk, like other genres of music did and continues to in some form have an impact in society. It was a form of media then, and it continues to be just like other music.
As far as the do it yourself attitude, I think that’s just evolved as a result of boredom with society. I know a lot of us like to say we’re different and all that stuff, and in truth we are. No one is quite like someone. There are so many ways to view the do it yourself philosophy ranging from school to style to anything that has to do with a personal choice. Personally, I think it is a great philosophy. If you aren’t satisfied with something, then do something about for yourself or for the community in large.
Punk music has never really caught my attention, but I would understand how they would define the DIY! I would say that they have started with the whole rebellion, hair cuts and all their stuff. but, was it really for a good cause? for them, yes it was. but now you look at people from our generation and they would do these types of things, but they dont really have a cause for it. a lot of these things change and i believe that the music from today has changed from the one that we had before. now the music from now doesnt have any “feeling” as it did before.
I don’t know much about punk music, but I completely agree with Lupe. People who say that they are rebels but have not cause aren’t rebels. They are just trying to get attention. I hate people who go to political rallies but don’t know why they are there or what they are trying to support. I’ve seen t on the news before, a reporter would go up to a group of people protesting, and there are always a few of them who really don’t know what they are fighting for. And when they are interviewed, they look like idiots and make they everyone else look bad. Through out history, music has always influenced the masses. Today’s music has lost that effect. They say that their is a meaning to their songs, but it’s all crap. Just like Lupe said, it’s all about shooting some one because they wear white shoes instead of blue ones or something stupid like that. Music should have a purpose and today’s really doesn’t seem to have one.
I never really listened to punk to be honest. I know tons of people that are into that whole thing, but I have never really gotten into all that, but I understand the point. Honestly, I think the whole punk scene has changed from its start, there are way too many unoriginal bands out there that just try to be like the clash, the sex pistols, etc. A lot of it just isn’t the real deal anymore but more just people trying to fit in with something and unfortunately they choose the punk route. TOO MANY POSERS haha.
I think that the do it yourself proposition applies to a lot of teens and not only teens i think just anybody in general. Well with me i believe that in some ways it influenced me and in other ways i just stayed the same. I mean beacuse yea i have lisent to punk music several times but it really doesnt catch my attention, because i mean i lisent to a little of everything but punk doesnt really interest me that much. It’s juts not my type really. However, i do have a friend that really starte getting into that type of music big time and several weeks later thats when he started getting all into the wearing black and things like that. One of the things that really caught my attention though was that he was different he was rebeling and that was not typical him. After i think i started rebelin too because there was a point were i was bad well kind of not really bad but i wouldnt normally do some things i did but other than that i satyed the same because i realized the things that it was causing so i decided to stay away from him and the music other than that i was the same after. However, there are a few things i would like to change in our economy due to it well i dont want people judging them, due to how punks dress or what type of music they lisent to. I dont think people shpuld be judged by how they dress nor what type of music they lisent to because everybody has different taste in music and style. Nevertheless, everybody should be whowever they want to be because that is what distinguishes one person to another and thats what makes each and everyone of us unique. Well that is the basic thing that bugs me and that i would like to change. Other than that it didnt really influenced me.
Well, I can agree with everyone when they say Punk isn’t the same as it was before, but just like then I continues to affect society, like many other music genres. The do-it-yourself proposition has influenced all of us in one way or another, especially now with the internet. We have new artist records, photographers that can post their pictures online, filmmakers who can make and broadcast their own films (Youtube), etc. I think the do-it-yourself ethic has helped me learn that I could do more than I thought possible, which I can also say for others. I know that if I could change something in our culture it would be to promote this DIY proposition, especially in these years where it seems everyone has someone else do their work for them. Today we often have someone else do our work for us either for repairing our car, home improvement, electrical… We need to start doing things ourselves as opposed to paying others to do them.
“Punk” has not only become a music genre but a way of life for some people. It’s evolved and fluorished over the many years it’s been in existence. Personally, I know next to nothing about punk music. But I can relate with the whole idea of breaking down barriers and becoming something new.
I think it’s pretty natural to find your own way through life, make fresh paths, and break down previous stigmas. It’s great to learn something and create your own genre. I think that the do it yourself method has turned many doomed people into confident ones. The whole idea that you can do ANYTHING has helped many through life, including me. Everyday we have people that know next to nothing about a certain thing, but they throw all that aside and do what they want any way. I think that’s awesome. Things like abstract art, YouTube–like Cristina said–, and Myspace are examples of cool ideas that started from the do it yourself method.
I think it’s important to evolve and grow. Now I just need to follow my own advice. Haha.
I’m going to be completely honest and say that I don’t really understand what this article is stating. I know it is talking about what a revolution Punk music was, but I don’t really get the message it is trying to bring. Also I don’t know to much about Punk music, but I know that some of it sounds pretty good and that the bands in this genre always try to convey a message within the lyrics. What the band wants their audiences to know is what they think about certain issues, things going on in their lives, about relationships, or even just something random. But regardless, the band always wants their voices to be heard.
But I have to say that I’m very eclectic when it comes to music, if I hear a song in a commercial that sounds good, I will try to find it, because it sounds so cool! Especially songs in the Apple and iTunes commercials. And I was just listening to The Clash on iTunes and had no idea that they sung “Rock the Casbah” or “Should I Stay or Should I Go”, because I’ve played the song “Should I Stay…” on a video game called “RockBand” and loved it (even though it was played millions of times that day). But I didn’t have a clue that a Punk band sang it. But anyway, I think that for many people they love a certain genre of music because it is what fits their personal style, and puts them in a better mood when they listen to it. I know that, that is something I do all the time, for example if I’m sad I’ll listen to something that makes me feel better to bring me back to being happy.
So this brings me to my conclusion, what I think should be changed in society is for people to not label each other just because of the music we listen to. Everyone has their different tastes in music and shouldn’t change that just because they don’t think that their friend(s) will like it. Listen to what you want to listen to, because it always seems to make you happy.
im not sure i even understand whats being said. i really dont listen to punk but i think the article is saying something about how punk has influenced society and has changed things in music? im not really sure.
I’ve listened to some recent punk however I dont listen to it that ofter. Nor have I listened to punk from back in the day so I wouldn’t really know just how much its really changed. I think that being punk is just a sense of expression. Your expressing what you feel. And I highly respect that, people may look at them weird and underestimate how far they will go in life. I dont, I think that its just a sense of expression and we should just accept that. Punk music should be seen as just music. Yea it may seem a little crazy to some people but in the end, its just music. If you don’t like it, OH WEll get over it. I dont see anything wrong with it. I like the do it yourself attitude, because I believe that if you want something done, you must do it yourself. If you dont do it, who will?
Well to be honest I am not really inspired by punk music because I rarely listen to punk music. But the idea of it is the same throughout different time periods of youth culture. I understand the idea of punk that it voiced the opinions of many young people that needed to be said. But like I said I really to not understand much about punk. There is one thing I know for sure is that now for the most part basically all music does not portray a great emotion. Some songs do portray a sort of an emotion that is great but some music you can tell is created by the music industry. It is music that will sell millions but has no direct message as apposed to back in the past where music actually has a message in it.
Also the same way punk music has embodied an emotion or feeling in our society by our youth happened in years past. For example there was a time in the 1950s and 1960s where there was a slow separation from the youth and their parents. The media started targeting the nation’s youth advertising to them products to purchase. After that a youth culture started forming where the nation’s youth “rebelled” against mainstream culture. During that time there emerged poets, and music like rock and roll, and folk song. During the 1950s and 1960s were the Cold War and the improvements of invention like the TV. So the idea of music portray a feeling in youth culture has not changed.
Basically youth culture is based on the same idea that punk music was started. The idea is that some started a movement where they expressed their feelings about society or an experience in their life. Then other people related to it and started a new type of music or culture.
music has a strong influence over our nations youth. when the punk movement started, many people found the music empowering and formed their own way of thinking. the punks made their own subculture and stuck together. as i said, music has had influence over our nations youth for decades. the punk movement is only one instance. another example of a musical movement which influenced our nations youth would be the rise of metal music in the 80′s. as did punk, metal in the 80′s told the establishment “FUCK YOU!”, and the establishment tried to shut up the metal. a great example would be the band twisted sister. in the 80′s, parents sued twisted sister claiming that their music was to explicit for our nations youth to listen to. in the court case metal overcame the establishment and the only thing they had to do was put a sticker on the cover of their cd’s that said “parental advisory” (the very same one you see today). at the time it made the metal scene even more kick ass. the point is, music will always overcome. it will always influence our nations youth and tell the adults what the youth is thinking.
As always, Buddy makes a really good point.
Our music and our generation today are all based on what we did in the past.
I hardly consider music, MUSIC this generation.
When it went on back then, a point was made and they changed their society. but in this generation, its frowned upon almost.
we neeed to start thinking on our own and stop following.
there are very few people nowadays who want to make a change and actually folllow through with what they say.
there are very few genuine people.
theres not much we can do.
its sad looking at our soicey though and not seeeing any leaders and no revolutions.
we just think we are.
For as long as i know youth have always complained of people not understanding them or making crazy assumptions about them. Youth dont feel understood it what they do, how they act and how they feel. Punk music is an outlet for them to express themselves. It is not only a genre of music it is a style. I am not punk but I understand it. Its just a form of expression. When I listen to punk music it gets me pumped up. It gives me and many other young people inspiration.
It is a way for youth everywhere to relate to each other and understand each others beliefs and opinions.
The do it yourself, i feel is refering to if you feel strongly about something you have to go for it. You have to get your feelings accross. I agree with this to an extent. I do think youth should have the right to express themselves any way they can.
well like some others posted before me i dont kno much about punk but ill give my 2 cents… i think dat “do it yourself” is a great thing and im not 2 positive but im pretty sure corporations found punk took it and commersalized it and alot of “punk music” changed its meaning. In a way that reminds me of the hiphop movement also, because it once had a purpose but afta the corporations and businesses saw tht they could make money off of it they took it and suga cotted it, dat iz wat i asumin happend to the whole punk movement. like some people said earlier, all the generations had their version of the “punk rebellion” and eventually the business got a hold of it and sort of killed the whole meaning to make money off of it, then something else would come along…but then again this is just my assumption
i dont know what it is about music, but its just not what it used to be. it seem that artists from all genres want to become famous so they put out whatever seems nice. i liked it when people actually spoker their mind. back in the 80′s and 90′s the gov’t tried to ban alot of genres like rap and metal. it wasnt about fame back then. it was about getting your message to the audience and not giving a fuck about how others interperted it. i know what ryan is talkin about when he talks about the whole twisted sister thing. but twisted sister was just one of many. NWA went through the same thing. as much as i dont want to believe it, i think we’re stuck with the bullshit on the radio some call music. kinda sad
I never heard punk music, honestly but i imagine it as if it was rap because its gone through the same thing, they judge it saying its a crime and all that but when an artist dies like tupac they say “he was one of the best persons you’d ever meet” but when he was alive he was a menace to society. But now a days i see people dress and want to be in a genre that they have no clue about, they just act as if they know things. The only thing the youth wants to do is express themselves and thats ok for me as long as nothing bad happens. Sometimes they cross the line but when that happens thats when you have to keep things more strict. So in my opinion youth should have to express themselves.
I like how a lot of people that replied to this blog don’t like or even listen to punk music. I’m very open minded to music, and personally, punk is one of my favorite types of music. So basically punk music spawned off the do it yourself method. Even though at that time, the DIY method was probably exactly what they needed, it does not apply to the here and now. I know many people like and often want to do this method, but it does not work all the time. You can’t learn EVERYTHING while using this method. You learn to do things from many different places, OTHER people’s experiences. You can learn how to do things by watching other people do them or learn from the mistakes history, as well as you yourself have made. Many things you can learn from the DIY method, as well as there are MANY things that you can not. Even though there are those people who have to go and learn the hard way, you can not learn everything simply by doing it yourself.
I find it to funny, how in the beginning punk was seen as the scrum of society and was not very popular among kids who followed the mainstream fashions. However as the whole “rebellious” image became iconoic we now have the mainstream following with this “new” way of thinking. From Blink 182 to Greenday to Avril Lavigne, bands and singers are calming the punk title without really being true to the punk mentality. The DIY way of thinking is against the corporate companies such as Hot Topic, yet you can go over there and buy Avril posters and her wrist warmers.
Punk has become just another fab, being a true punk is not looking punk but having the punk spirit. But sadly I do not see many people with that sort of drive or ambition without getting lost in the world of drugs and alcohol.
I’m not quite sure that i understand the article but punk music is something that i have been listening to for many years. Music in general makes a statement or change in our society whether it be matal or rap. Punk was just a major change because of anti-establishment that punk stood for. almost every type of music had there muovement and stood for something big in society. many things happened becasue of these types of music and rules have changed over the years for record labels, record stores and even musicians have changed.
being a libertarian i guess its in my nature to like punk. i can listen to it every now and again but like techno, after a while i just get a headache. my favorite things about punk?
1. it seems to have no boundaries. you can talk about whatever you want to talk about and say whatever you want to say.
2. you dont have to know how to sing
3. you dont have to know how to actually play an instrument
4. its rebellious
5. its loud
7. if you wanted your lyrics to be a secret no one would really be able to understand what your saying anyway!
i do not think that punk is the only music genre considered to be “rebellious”. i think that all music can be considered rebellious in its own way…(i dont know if anyone heard the chipmunks rapping, but that was pretty wild and rebel like) every song is different, and adds something new to the musical table of wonder. accept if its like chris brown or something, everyone knows he doesnt count. jay kay jay kay
The ‘punk’ era was short lived. But it brought about a rebellion for those who wanted change. That rebellion lives on even today for those who carry the ‘punk’ mentality. I think though that it the whole ‘punk’ scene has drifted far from it’s roots.
Today ‘punk’ has become a mere style or way of dress. It has also become closely associated with drugs and alcohol. I think that the whole ‘punk’ era was perfect for its time, when as the article says it, “demonstrated to a generation disenchanted with rock ‘n’ roll that once again, anything is possible”. So I feel its biggest impact on others was then. And so ‘punk’ is just to live on as a good memory, but will be awakened every time a new group of people come around and want change.
Every generation will have its own entrepreneurs that will rebel against the mainstream just as back then.
Although I am not a listener of punk music I do agree than punk music has changed our society. For example emo music, screamo music, the way punks dress, it is sure different than everyone else, that’s for sure but then if you think about it music in general has changed the world in many ways. Its allows us to vent our feeling and some musicians even write songs about their opinions on politics. Every different type of music has their certain style. But that’s what makes everyone different is their likes and dislikes. Music allows you to express yourself in some sort of way whether it’s rock, punk, hip-hop or rap. Society should not shut down the punk way just because they’re really not singing, “they’re screaming” many artists have very interesting and intellectual things to say. Just because you are not in that certain type of music doesn’t not mean that you cannot listen to what they have to say. America needs to become more open minded, and REALLY open minded. Not how their “open minded” of gays because we don’t believe that.
Punk was and is still a do-it yourself genre. It may not seem like it but I myself am very into ‘oi’ or under ground punk. The do it yourself punk I think really started to grow when the birth if the the DIY zine (the self made punk magazines) and it stil flourishes. A friend of mine has made his own recording studio in what was once a shed out back and makes demos for himself and many other bands so yes he might have conformed to capitalism but in a punk way. Cheating the system and making do with what you have. Any way I dont think punks have sold out when they make high quality cds for profit.
Punk is punk. and really we all are. To me it’s a word lilke all others that give the motion the motive to do what you want, and whenver you want. It’s it too simply your opinion in a sense, that your opinion gets through. That it is seen and excepted. We are all rulers of ourself, and sometimes peole, and different things get in the way,So, thats when we decide. fuck, i’m gonna do it my self. Im gonna do it for myself.
Punk back then was something new, and as people, we live off of “new”,
“ideas” pretty much, change. And with that said, punk brought it. i think we something is siad. let alone sung out loud, a point is clearly made. And weather or not peole like it, there is always someone out there that sares more or less your ideas, and likes what you produce. i wouldn’t give all credit to Punk as our leading motive in doing it yourself, but i just think it contrubuted and let out new customs, adaptations like other music subculters.l
We are each our own person. Punk means nothing to me. When i hear the word punk i just imagine someone with ugly hair trying to stand out. There are many people who dress like that but that doesn’t mean they are all “rebels”. I think they are a bunch of wannabees. Punk in the past was seen as a bad rebellious thing. It has changed drasticaly today from what it was in the past. Today it is just seen as another style. All of us have the capacity to do things ourselves, and we do not need to be labeled as punks to do so. We all have the power to control our futures and stand out from the rest. In a way, no one is really a rebel. There is always some one out there who is doing the same thing or joins the same cause. Once we are in a group we are now part of something and not singled out antmore.
if do it yourself is the motto for punk then it is an exceptional way to live. I was always told if others cant do it for you then you have to do it yourself cause no one else can help you but yourself. Im not a big fan of punk but I see people who consider themselves punk but there are posers just like in other trends. This can apply to everyone because there similiarities just like other styles. Im sure that punk has changed through out the years because nothing truly stays the same. The game might be the same but there are always new players who might bring something new to the table. Sounds like punk is based solely on an individual to do what they believe should be done no matter what others think or say. Punk should never be limited or categorized its the freedom to express your opinion.
Alright, i don’t listen to punk music. but i know that it did change people and the whole music history. the whole do it your self worked for this, but it won’t work for everything. but you always have to try everything try to finish by yourself. you want to win alone, you want to be the only one to have an A on a test, it feels a lot bette. but this won’t work with everything. now since i’m not really a fan of punk, i won’t talk about it. but hip hop and rap was similar to it. everyone thought it was offensive and gives bad messages to other people, well i guess they’re right for some songs. but now they have their own style, many people listen to it, and more and more artist are popping out of nowhere and making great music. so yea…….. thats all i got to say.
In my opinion, punk music hasn’t really made a good impression on me. I think that the type of music is meant for a different kind of crowd but for me I personally don’t listen to it. I mean I have friends who listen to it and are all into it but I think of it as the type of music that sends out different messages. PUnk music is more rebellious and more against society. It has really been aimed towards the kids who really don’t care and kind of like a menace to society. However, I wouldn’t say that the type of music is bad for the crowd but it is just different and just sends out different messages. All in all the era of punk music has changed the way we listen to music into a more hard rock type of music.
The very foundation of our country is that of freedom. We are blessed with rights such as freedom of speech, religion, press, and so forth. So how can a genre of music called “punk” that preaches freedom be a bad thing? I believe the error lies in our logic that any freedom is a good freedom. People are inaptly imperfect and by to allow them complete freedom is to unleashed chaos. To be productive we must have some freedoms. It has been proven that a country under communist rule (minimal freedom) is less powerful economically than a country that has a greater amount of free choice. However, the freedom that punk preaches is that of a “rebellious nature”. If we as a people follow these ideals of complete freedom, we are bound to deteriorate morally and economically.
Punk was all about shoving a mirror up society’s ass and telling it to fuck off. Punk showed youth that they could do their own things without anyone help and still see results. Nowadays, true punk exists, but it is not as pronounced. And alot of kids who call themselves punk are really just scene kids who have no idea what the term means. But is punk a bad thing? How many kids started playing in a band with just those simple 3 chord progressions, and formed lifelong friendships with bandmates, and some even got signed and got famous.
I think the whole do-it-yourself philosophy is at least a little important to every adolescent and/or young adult. Doing things yourself gives you a little more responsibility and gives you this sense of freedom and independence. If people were given the option or choice, I’m sure everyone would want to do things or have things done in their own way.
I mean, ‘punk’ in general has changed a lot from way back when to the way it is now. People that portray themselves as “punks” aren’t really punk. They may think they’re tough, but really they’re just rebels without a cause. They’re “punk” simply because they like the style. It’s just not the same.
Punk. Not a big fan, but not against it either, When it comes to music i listen to pretty much everything. Like most people have said already, punk is not the same like it used to be. Like everything else in the world, it changes. Throughout the years people start interpreting it differently and pretty soon it has a totally different meaning. Not everybody like punk music, but then again not everybody like country or pop. I think it depends on the crowd. Punk music can mean different things to different people. I think that it not only changes music, but it also changes the way we dress and the way we talk. It changes our society even if we don’t see it. Punk music is not for everyone. It’s o.k.
Not a punk listener myself, I can hardly even begin to try to compare the punk scene now to that of 30 years ago, but I can identify with the idea of radical ideas in music. Music has been evolving and changing for centuries, evidence being that we still don’t dance to the music they listened in the Middle Ages (slow music with people touching palms, moving in circles and clapping), but many still like to think that their genre was the “first” to question the norm. Now I’m not trying to belittle the impact punk had on a generation (I’m sure it was huge) but I’m saying that change is inevitable and people adverse to that change is even more expected. One example I can think of is hip-hop. Not hip-hop as we know it today but REAL hip-hop.
The revolutionary idea of hip-hop was spoken word to music. There have always been poets with bongos playing behind them but constructing an actual beat to words hadn’t been done. This gave those that had something to say but couldn’t sing per say a medium not afforded to them before. This also opened the world to what the ghetto was like. It had been sung before but most rappers came from these areas, so their music was able to relate to those struggling with them as well as telling everyone else what it was like. Now there are several sub-genres to rap, the most recent one being, what I like to call CRAP! because there is no reason in hell why a teenager named Soulja Boy should have a song, let alone one that’s played on the radio and became number 1 in the nation. GRR… but I digress.
In response to the “Do-It-Yourself” I’ve seen it before and have an idea what that is. I’m imagining plaid, jackets and jeans with holes that are pinned together with safety pins, lots of black and spiked hair. If I don’t have it, I’m sorry but I’m not much of a “do-it-yourselfer” myself. I just buy my clothes and wear them.
i really don’t know very much about punk music no, its not really my thing but i think that the music has change. i mean all music has to change from the start if you look at the hip hop music it has change tremendously. every one tries to follow the past but just cant get it cause the only people that can do it is the originally people. punk has changed alot by the way people think about it and just the way they talka bout it and even the way they dress.
Punk was a new wave of music that swept over and through society in the mid 1970′s.
And to my understanding, back then was a point in time where there were a lot of uprisings going on and grounded preachers or speechers spreading and exhibiting their beliefs. It was a movement to break away from the suffocating norms of the lot back then.I used to always see punks as angry, rebellious people who either wanted attention or none at all. This is true in ways, but I never looked hard enough to see what was behind their distinct living style. They were angry for a reason. They rebelled for that reason. But they’re just doing what every other stand-out does, representing…and that deserves recognition and respect.
Yes and now I know why they hate scene kids so much! Because scenesters are living in the frame of “the scene” and that’s exactly what the punks are against…the major trend and flow of everyone else. I love punk. When I was introduced to it for the first time, I automatically felt a sense of …something… like a sense of normality coming from our abnormalities, all in the duration of a song
Punk arrised for the same reason as any new music does; people want to rebel, they want to push the limits further. Look at society now. Most of our parents frown upon the teens of this generation, and their parents frowned upon them when they were teens, and the cycle continues way back. Everyone wants to stand out in one way or another, whether through music or clothes, they want to make a statement. Funny that everyone wants to be themselves and stand out, yet everyone looks the same, they dress the same, they talk the same. So how is that really standing out? We just go from one trend to another, we all want to belong and fit in, yet stand out in a way; a contradiction within itself.
After reading this article i have no idea what to say to it. I don’t listen to punk music at all and i know nothing about punk’s history. From what i read, i assume that it’s a music genre that focuses on injustice and change which is cool. When I think about punk, I can only think about one thing which is rebellion. I never knew why they rebelled or what for but now i have a deeper understanding of what this music genre is all about. I just can’t really relate to it though because I’m put off by the way it sounds.