Beyond Subculture and Postsubculture? The Case of Virtual Psytrance (Journal of Youth Studies)

[Ajanta]

Was anyone aware of this study? It's already quite old right now though. (2006)

It handles (on a scientific, sociological level) about the psytrance community on the internet. Quite interesting (though I didn't read it all yet), but don't expect it'll be an easy read hehe. Psynews was used as a source by the way.

 

Source: http://www.tandfonli...676260600914390

PDF: http://www.tandfonli...676260600914390

 

Second half of the introduction:

 

"This particular group was

chosen as research subjects as in many ways they appeared to epitomise a

‘postmodern subculture’*a seemingly contradictory turn of phrase, but highly

relevant to the debates about subculture and post-subculture. In other words, virtual

psytrancers are a global, Internet-based grouping (hence seemingly postmodern), yet

whom also share temporary physical spaces (i.e., attend psytrance events in one or

more countries), and who are characterised by a strong attachment to a particular

form of music, and a common set of values, practices and belief systems (i.e., aspects

of what we think of as subculture).

A total of 569 virtual psytrancers from over 40 countries were involved in a unique

[2] large-scale, Internet-based, online-questionnaire-based survey, which assessed the

shared attitudes, global spaces and international connections of the group. Firstly, we

provide some background and explain what virtual psytrance is, before moving on to

contextualise the study within the wider debate about subculture and postsubculture.

We then turn to a discussion and rationale of the research methodology

utilised. Finally, we present a range of data from the online questionnaire (including

both quantitative data and data from more ‘interpretive’ open-ended questions),covering aspects relevant to the subculture/post-subculture debate, such as psytrancers’

sense of community and solidarity, belief systems (spirituality and religious

beliefs), adherence to their chosen musical form and patterns of drug-use in relation

to the culture. We also examine both their use of the Internet and their attendance at

psytrance events (both inside and outside their own countries), to maintain and

cement their dedication to this culture. Overall, the findings presented here reject a

simple theoretical dichotomy, and challenge the notion that tightly bounded

subcultures must be primarily local (rather than being global/virtual), and singularly

class specific, as well as refuting postmodern conceptions that global youth styles are,

by definition, depthless, transitory and internally fragmented."

 

 

(hope this is no re-post)

[mars]

Very interesting.

I kind of remmeber this poll...we could search in the board's history.

[IronSun]

Cool, thanks for posting this! This will be an interesting read and might even become a thesis-source ^^

 

Anyway, I'm currently looking forward to Graham St. John's new book: http://www.amazon.com/Global-Tribe-Technology-Spirituality-Psytrance/dp/1845539567/ref=pd_ybh_8

[Ajanta]

Looks like an interesting study as well! Never heard of him. I will also probably buy it when it comes out!