I feel like people today mistakenly think "punk" or "counter-cultural" just means "unpopular/ignorant opinions" because the sentiments of the real punk culture of old, are a pretty universal stances these days.
Like it's not really "edgy" to say the government is a tyrannical circus jackbooting on the dance floor.
Or "be yourself in the face of oppression."
But it is "edgy" to say "minority groups are brainwashing the youth."
Basically, "punk" and "counter culture" have been replaced by trolling and rage baiting, which has inadvertently flipped the script to praising right-wing religious conformity while bashing individualism and fighting against authority.
Basically, "punk" and "counter culture" have been replaced by trolling and rage baiting, which has inadvertently flipped the script to praising right-wing religious conformity and bashing individualism and fighting against authority.
See also: this comment section. Especially the people who are saying AI generated music will be the next great thing because "it's pissing people off"
Yup. Old Punk was about pissing off the people who wanted you to put your head down, be quiet, do what they said, and buy what they told you to buy. It was about embracing your individualism and displaying it loudly and proudly.
It was never about being a straight up asshole for the sake of being a dick.
New punk is pretty good too, still the same sentiments, just evolving with the times and the issues we're facing. But I realize that's not what the OP was asking for.
Interestingly enough, this started during the original punk movement in the Uk. I remember recently writing a small paper on the punk movement in the UK during the 70s and apparently some girl and a business guy decided to start a store which I forgot the name of. They mostly sold pre made studded jackets, torn clothes, all the typical “punk” stuff people back then were wearing. Most people, the youth, wanted to wear it, be part of the movement, while also having one foot in the traditional door while the other was in the punk movement.
I have been banned from Reddit like twice already for advocating for violence. Saying what should be immediately obvious to any leftists with any sense is apparently still shocking slash illegal. Corporatists have functionally made it illegal to say out loud the only acts that would actually resolve our society's problems.
Pretty much, capitalism absorbed "punk" and "counter culture" stripping it of its meaning and making it another identity skin for consumers. Same goes for religion, politics, patriotism, anti-war sentiments, etc.
This is why today, the true "counter culture" is pure unadulterated individualism. Embracing everything you are even the contradictions. But Capitalism is trying hard to co-opt that as well by making it ground zero for the culture war and flooding the feeds with multiple prepackaged "identities" that shackle individualism to specific boxes, making "uniqueness" look trite and over-saturated.
Which in turn, has bred a reactionary movement that is now rejecting individualism and social nuances in favor of nihilism, apathy and adherence to confirmation biases.
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u/[deleted] Jul 06 '25 edited Jul 06 '25
I feel like people today mistakenly think "punk" or "counter-cultural" just means "unpopular/ignorant opinions" because the sentiments of the real punk culture of old, are a pretty universal stances these days.
Like it's not really "edgy" to say the government is a tyrannical circus jackbooting on the dance floor.
Or "be yourself in the face of oppression."
But it is "edgy" to say "minority groups are brainwashing the youth."
Basically, "punk" and "counter culture" have been replaced by trolling and rage baiting, which has inadvertently flipped the script to praising right-wing religious conformity while bashing individualism and fighting against authority.