Acceptance. Good or Bad?

During the late 60's one could see the emergence of the "punk" style in its youth.   Challenging the norm seemed to be the main goal of the style and music, and would ultimately display one's modernity and self-image.  Andy Warhol's Factory had a profound effect on the punk style in its beginning.  While the punk style was most noticeable as a fashion statement against the rest of society, Warhol's Factory challenged the artistic community with pop-art which celebrated materialism and the mass media.  Overall the punk style and Warhol's Factory were looked down upon on an academic level  and not accepted by the more conservative audience.  Since then many other styles have faced the same trial of acceptance and have passed, or have failed only to be accepted by a later generation (retro). 

Technological advances and the increase of the media's influence on society have undoubtedly affected the way our generation has developed.  The introduction and commercialization of the internet has deeply impacted society, bringing people together and forming masses where they may have stood alone in the past.  That being said we have been allowed more exposure to different styles and ideals.  Our technology has formed a very diverse youth, though perhaps not always tolerant, but none the less we are composed of many different styles, new and old.

This mass exposure has made the punk style acceptable, for the most part, in today's society and is more popular than when it first started.  Though it's good that it's accepted now,  this defeats the purpose of the style and the very meaning of being a punk, different and lowly.  With its acceptance in society it has become a part of the mainstream and created another group to conform to.  More moderate punks may be relieved by the acceptance while hardcore punks will only want to find other ways to change and stand out.  It's no doubt that this diverse culture has made it hard for anyone to be different or original.  Perhaps a lack of anything new and unique will be the cost of our broad acceptance and diversity.

WC: 350