- people, especially young ppl, used to develop their personal style through and with subcultures. - “style” here referring to the way someone *interprets* things like fashion, art, politics, music, space, beliefs, values, and so on – and their ability to *express* themselves and their interpretations through and within similar mediums. - if we think of culture as a network, you might occupy one node, like listening to a certain band or holding a certain political belief. - this gave you the opportunity to explore related nodes, like a broader music genre, political ideology, even physical spaces (e.g. record stores, skate parks, museums). - part of the point and appeal of subcultures is the built-in friction of seeking and finding, the camaraderie in a shared experience of discovering something new or cool or specific. - this process of culture-finding has changed, especially as [[{3.1a1} algorithmic monoculture]] rewards sameness and siloed consumption. - (probably also as it commodifies hobbies and interests.) - it seems like elements of subculture are being replaced by *aesthetics*: deeply specific curated atmospheres or “vibes” with low-stakes attachments. - unlike a style that develops over time based on the way you’re actually moving through the world, aesthetics are not necessarily born out of shared experiences, contexts, or thoughts. - they don’t contribute to or expand on thoses things in the broader zeitgeist; they’re built entirely on *taste* – which, in contrast to style, refers here to what someone finds *appealing*. - a silcoff [[Teen Subcultures Are Fading. Pity the Poor Kids. - The New York Times|writes]]: ^cb0b49 - “Do you like this big thing? Yes, because it is big.” ^53e753 ^6297a0 - **why is this a thing?** - are subcultures fading as the wider culture becomes more “monotonous” and memeified? - algorithms prioritize self-indulgent, hyper-individualistic, categorical content. - [[the end point of the algorithm is always porn]] - despite being more connected, we’re less invested in community. - being “searchable” or performing an aesthetic can give you the trappings of community. - short-form video content?? when a new song comes out, for example, you can “engage in culture” by listening to a few clips and learning a few words. - minimal effort, work, friction. - feels similar to [[everything is a subscription]] – seems like we’re focused on *accumulating* the signals of a particular “vibe”, but we don’t “own” or embody the experiences, community, and context that might come with it. - some forms of consumption have become more abstract - are young people “accustomed” to owning vs. licensing? how is our idea of ownership exacerbating this? -