Symptoms Of A Restrictive Society

​In the age of reason, calm and collected thought takes favour over the expression of the emotional and passionate. A sense of nakedness is ascribed to our emotional self and we feel the need to think a cover for it, by having rational explanations for everything we do. In this climate, more basic functions of the human psyche that lead to emotional response can be suppressed by manner of grooming and pressure to conform.


Emotional responses such as anger, apathy, depression, and counter-sexual personality traits all become hidden within the standardisation of societal conformity. Alternative movements offer a way to express these otherwise suppressed human sensations and emotions in artistic ways which do not necessarily lead to the negative effects of this thinking resulting from dis-identification within the whole. By choosing to adhere to a particular theme of style and art taste, the otherwise non-virtuous personality trait becomes an expression of subculture, thus excusing them from having to maintain a facade which hides their true emotional landscape.


By expressing ourselves in unique ways, we give ourselves an identity, and by following ideas and fashion from particular artistic themes, we find strength in the validation offered to us from these philosophies. Then by using this validation as motivation towards our other actions, an individual is able to under-go their life's journey within the emotional story of the themes and symbology which rewards them for living life in a way that appeals to an otherwise restricted mind-set.


Whether the oppressed emotional story that seeks self validation in the sub-cultural movements that express them are actually unhealthy, or counter-productive to society is always a matter of debate and discussion. It is fair to say that any powerful motivational mind-set in moderation can be good for us, but when used too much and forms habitual and automatic behaviours which do not benefit the individual, these mind-sets will become harmful. There is therefore a tipping point, in which any form of artistic mind-set will eventually inhibit a person rather than benefit them.


These oppressed emotional background thoughts which result in sub-cultural trends and behaviour styles will manifest in any number of ways, personal interpretation is always a key stage within the expression of art. By finding our own style within a style, we begin to re-define the ins and outs of what is available in the idea pool of which that particular theme of alternative culture can draw upon. Inventive and new ways of doing similar things to what used to happen will always spark a chain of similar ideas as the conceptual dynamics of thought filter through the mass consciousness of the localised alternative scene.


Mostly, it is the clothing and music which portray the emotional story which an individual will identify with. On a personal behaviour level, the person may be quite aptly situated in the middle average of how we ought to behave, but the impression given by the things they like will tell a different story. In this emotional and symbolic manner, individuals in the alternative scene are generally able to inform of their differences and celebrate them comfortably within the given movement, and remain a functioning member of standard society.


Logos, depictions, accessories, and old style fashions all combine with body language and lyrical themes within music, plot themes within film, and advertising concepts used by the commercial markets fuelling desire. This alchemy of expression creates a diverse and multifaceted alternative culture that flourishes under many names yet holds the virtues of freedom of expression as paramount no matter how it manifests.