The midst of the Mainstream

Mainstream means going on the safe side, the need to be sure, be a part of general consensus, of the Majority, widely-held opinion, taste and feelings.  Despite its commonly accepted image, the mainstream is not too conservative, clinging to old or frozen concepts.  It does develops, searching and investing in new and updated trends, but does it only in those not controversial, intimidating or menacing, picking only safe, accepted trends. 

Some are worried of mainstream, afraid to lose their self-determination, to be like all others, to be swallowed by the crowds, but, coming to think about it, it’s good that there is a mainstream, because only when there is a mainstream it’s possible to understand what is the fringe culture, why there is a need for alternatives and what are the possibilities below and above the concensus.

The Edge of The Contemporary Culture

Contemporary culture grows at the fringes of the mainstream.  From its point of view the existing culture is tattered, worn-out, castrated and boring.   Contemporary culture’s people are producers of original, new sub-cultures, with cretive sayings, and alternative, intimate ways of expression.   True, these sub-cultures’ messages are often quite vague indistinct, unclear and equivocal, sometimes infuriating or irritating, without a reason we can understand, whereas sometime it it is exactly what we think, but wouldn’t dare to say.  It is, however, always a quest for some truth, always exciting, emotional, with some input, asking a question.

Experimentalism as a Global Theory.

The dynamics between Mainstream and Contemporary Culture

A strong, close attraction- repulsion relationship exists between the mainstream and the contemporary culture.   The Mainstream is always looking for renewal and updating of its sources, and fringe culture has always enticed the mainstream with its secrecy and curiousness, while it is afraid of taking risks, of making changes, of the unknown. 

Contemporary Culture, on the other hand, seems to creat the alternative to said mainstream, but, deep inside, it craves for recognition, for leadership, great masses of believers, turning it into a new mainstream.  This craving, if realized, would threat its uniqueness, individuality and its special independent reputation.   It would now be governed by the mainstream, thinned, diluted, rounded at the edges, turning down these temptation- repulsion relationship it once held.