I saw hippies, punks and goths mentioned and it reminded me of a question I can’t get out of my head:
Why is this the first youth-movement that isn’t attached - in any meaningful way - to either a music-scene and/or type of drug?
This feels significant to me. And completely alien. It’s a totally artless movement. It’s only hedonism is expressed through exaggerated online tales of victimhood, rather than fond retellings of drunken mishaps or unforgettable gigs. Instead it turns inward to the individual and it’s wallowing. I remember quite vividly writing band names on my pencil case at school, they were like badges of honour. That’s been replaced by pronouns and intersectional profile-points.
"Why is this the first youth-movement that isn’t attached - in any meaningful way - to either a music-scene and/or type of drug?"
I think the social contagion arm of the trans movement is more accurately compared to the social contagion of anorexia a decade or so ago. Anorexics didn't take drugs either generally speaking. It was about mental illness and bodily control.
Although if you consider the way some of these kids talk about cross-sex hormones and "gender euphoria," there's definitely a "drug-like" aspect to the phenomenon too.
I didn’t think about the cross-sex hormones as being a kind of recreational drug, like LSD for hippies, or Speed for Punks, but it kind of makes sense. I think you’re on to something.
I also get what you mean about the anorexia contagion, but it feels bigger to me. There’s a strong fashion element too. An aesthetic. But no music.
I saw hippies, punks and goths mentioned and it reminded me of a question I can’t get out of my head:
Why is this the first youth-movement that isn’t attached - in any meaningful way - to either a music-scene and/or type of drug?
This feels significant to me. And completely alien. It’s a totally artless movement. It’s only hedonism is expressed through exaggerated online tales of victimhood, rather than fond retellings of drunken mishaps or unforgettable gigs. Instead it turns inward to the individual and it’s wallowing. I remember quite vividly writing band names on my pencil case at school, they were like badges of honour. That’s been replaced by pronouns and intersectional profile-points.
"Why is this the first youth-movement that isn’t attached - in any meaningful way - to either a music-scene and/or type of drug?"
I think the social contagion arm of the trans movement is more accurately compared to the social contagion of anorexia a decade or so ago. Anorexics didn't take drugs either generally speaking. It was about mental illness and bodily control.
Although if you consider the way some of these kids talk about cross-sex hormones and "gender euphoria," there's definitely a "drug-like" aspect to the phenomenon too.
Hey Steve,
I didn’t think about the cross-sex hormones as being a kind of recreational drug, like LSD for hippies, or Speed for Punks, but it kind of makes sense. I think you’re on to something.
I also get what you mean about the anorexia contagion, but it feels bigger to me. There’s a strong fashion element too. An aesthetic. But no music.