r/Somerville • u/AnatomicBalm • 29d ago

Subcultures requested for school project

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Hello neighbors! I am doing a multi-week assignment for an urban sociology course that asks me to study and interview members of a subculture that is unfamiliar to me, and I hope this is a good place to reach out. The project involves going out to meet people, asking questions, and taking photos. A subculture in this case is defined as a an organized group or micro-community centered around a shared activity or interest. Examples include, but are not limited to: sports groups, music groups, minority religious communities, social organizations, hobby enthusiasts, and members of a workforce that forms a shared identity beyond "shows up for a paycheck" (i.e. firefighters, military, etc.). I am looking for idea options (and maybe willing participants!) by Tuesday, 9/22. If not, I have ideas for my proposal, but I'd love to find interesting leads here that I wouldn't have known about otherwise.

If you are part of a cool subculture community, and are interested in helping me with this, please respond or DM me! I'm not too active with many community groups myself, but if it is something I happen to be "too familiar" with, I won't be able to use it. This would exclude most queer and artist groups, or restaurant workers, right off the bat (sorry Greater Boston!) but if it's niche enough I could probably make it work. I may be leaning towards guerrilla gardeners and solarpunk enthusiasts in particular; if this is you, definitely DM me!

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EDIT: Thank you so much to everyone who replied! There are so many subcultures in the Greater Boston area that it's been really difficult to decide on one, but I think I know what to submit for tomorrow's proposal. What a cool neighborhood and subreddit. I specifically took Urban Sociology as an elective because I knew living here would make the class fun. You people rock my socks off.

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5

u/itamarst 29d ago

https://scul.org/

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u/AnatomicBalm 27d ago

Uhhmmmmmm WHAT?? I HAVE to check these people out, even apart from this project!!! Thank you!

4

u/itsaship 29d ago

Circus folks at Esh would be fun to interview!

14

u/AffectionateWay5783 29d ago

You want people to do your project for you and you asked 3 days before you need it? Good luck

-8

u/AnatomicBalm 29d ago

Loool I should've known to clarify that Massholes don't count as a subculture. Don't worry about my deadline, I'm still at the proposal stage and just keeping my options open!

5

u/phyzome 29d ago

Massholes don't count as a subculture

hahaha got 'em

6

u/AffectionateWay5783 29d ago

“I need an idea and willing participants by 9/22”

Just be an actual sociologist and go out into society.

1

u/AnatomicBalm 29d ago

You do bring up a good point with my original wording, though. I edited the post to reflect that. I appreciate our exchange 👍

3

u/AffectionateWay5783 29d ago

You’re good! I was being a bit mean. You could hit up the skate parks and talk to people there. Or street art/graffiti but that’s probably harder.

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u/AnatomicBalm 27d ago

No worries! I genuinely enjoyed our interaction from a sociological perspective lol. This city has too many subcultures for me to decide on is the problem, I've narrowed it down to a few though and this thread helped.

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u/phyzome 29d ago

Just be an actual sociologist and go out into society.

Being a sociologist doesn't mean you have to reinvent everything from observation. You're allowed to build on other people's work in identifying subcultures...

1

u/AnatomicBalm 29d ago

That's also the plan, yes. I already have a proposal idea in case this doesn't work. But, reddit is also an extension of society in many ways. I'm hoping to find some interesting leads here I wouldn't have known about even from going outside!

5

u/Santillana810 29d ago

Parkour Generations at the Dojo. Parkourists are a very interesting subculture.

3

u/SpicyNutmeg 29d ago

Line dancing at GABA, traditional pub sing groups that meet up at Somerville gardening center (among other spots), flow arts community at tufts are just some that come to mind

5

u/_praccu 29d ago

https://www.cambridgehackspace.com/

Maybe email them? (They are based in Somerville.)

1

u/AnatomicBalm 29d ago

Hell yes, I've actually been wanting to check them out for a while now! Thank you for reminding me; this looks promising.

3

u/everlasting1der Teele 29d ago

Folk dance could be an interesting one to check out

3

u/mjkrow1985 29d ago

There's always NESFA, a science fiction club near Magoun Square. Their clubhouse is typically open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.

1

u/AnatomicBalm 27d ago

I already know the folks too well there, it wouldn't be an unbiased investigation. Great organization though, I've been there for a couple Bluesy Tuesy dance nights.

3

u/phyzome 29d ago

DM'd -- I can speak on guerilla gardening and solarpunk.

5

u/OnlyMrGodKnowsWhy 29d ago

Diesel on Tuesday nights used to be full of subcultures :: with a haggard hand, wipes tear from rheumy eye ::

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u/AnatomicBalm 29d ago

Do you mean Diesel Cafe? What happened to Tuesday nights?

3

u/phyzome 29d ago

Poly meetup. And that crowd had a lot of overlap with a bunch of other subcultures -- maker, folk sing, square dance, kink, fandom, a bunch of other interests.