From sho@bohr.physics.purdue.edu Wed Mar 16 09:47:41 PST 1994

One thing I find strange about our society is how we tend to
surround ourselves with people who listen to the same kind
of music that we do.  To be more precise, I'd say that most
youth subcultures are divided along musical boundaries.

Even within a subculture, there are further subdivisions
along musical boundaries.  I guess I'm noticing that more
nowdays, since I've been hanging around the underground
dance scene.  In chicago, it's become particularly factious,
with house, hardcore, and breakbeat being the three big
wings.  The breakbeat fans hang out with other breakbeat
fans, the house fans hang out with other house fans.  They
all make fun of each other.

It's strange, if you stop to think about it.

I mean... there are so many reasons to form friendships.
Musical taste seems, to me, least important.  Why should I
care what kind of music you like, as long as we get along
with each other?  And yet, looking around, I see that my
closest friends are those with the same musical taste as me.

I can't explain it.  The closest I can come is to view music
as a pantheistic religion.  Parties, concerts, etc., are
where we go to gather in communal adoration of the music of
our choice.  

Right now, I'm listening to "Complete Control" by Jark
Prongo on the Fresh Fruit label.  Are you a member of my
religion?

-Sho
--
sho@physics.purdue.edu <<-- finger this account to find out what I'm
                            having for lunch!