Un-reason-able talk

[sowhat]

Not sure how to put it better, mean the title.
The question is about people rather than music. I've heard many different explanations as to why people become rebels and adopt rebel groups (hippie, punk, whatever) music & image — from very unpleasant ones to really "honourable" or whatever. The list below isn't full, of course, and i think it's not a secret to anyone that people are different and therefore any "classification" or whatever you call it has its limitations, not to mention it is always subjective.
Here's what i've heard.
1. "Because they're attention seekers". Or "posers", or "like to show off", or "want to be different from the society", or whatever.
2. "Because they think it's cool/unusual". Similar to #1, just put in a more delicate way.
3. "Because all of their friends/classmates or just one friend or a "class star" adopted this lifestyle". In other words, "emulation".
4. "Because they find it hard to fit in with the society with their differing opinion on what's happening but feel a need to find those who think the same".
5. "That's the way of self-protection for those who are too vulnerable". Kinda similar to #4 — "the feeling of being a part of the group makes them stronger" or perhaps "the way of self-expression typical for the group helps them deal with others and become more self-confident; that doesn't necessarily imply belonging to any specific group as such".
6. "Because they're not just "part of the crowd", they can really think and care and not only consume. They're elite". Well, sounds flattering, doesn't it?
7. "Because it was the only natural way for them, they were born like that".
8-... Etc.
So what do you think about these "reasons"? And, if you don't mind, how and why did you adopt this music/lifestyle/way of dealing with the world? (I'm a typical #5 if anybody's curious. ) Personal stories & experience will be greatly appreciated.
Toodle pip, or cheers, or whatever you like — SC.

[manta]

They hear the beat of a different strummer.

Tim

[winston]

How about no particular reason, I just feel and like to look this way so **** off if you don't like it.

[sowhat]

How about no particular reason, I just feel and like to look this way so **** off if you don't like it.

Damn, Brian. Just for the moment i wanted to be serious, and that's what i get for it. Yours is close to #7, though.

[winston]

Happy to help define what being a rebel is all about. As an aside I have never observed any convention. I have always marched to my own drummer so to speak. That's why some people love to hate me so much. Not you of course. Just people I run into from time to time.

[sowhat]

Well, yes, the thing is, i'm not trying to define anything cause it's pretty useless, just an observation of what other people said to me. Some just like to think that everything in this world should have an explanation, or a reason.
Speaking of "other people" — i really have no idea as to whether there are people who hate me or not and if there are, who are they. Why should i care about it anyway?

[whojamfan]

Possible answers, reasons, or rehashments.

1.)Love me, hate me, just don't be indifferent to me.
2.)Because I hate people, and they hate me(from the "Anti Nowhere League)
3.)Maybe I'll get laid if I play this game.
4.)I'm sociopathic, and therefore the "smartest nut" in the institution, mentality allows me to control others who believe my B.S.
5.) #5 on Sheenas list is a large part of why a good many kids join gangs, in addition to the money,women, and power deal and oh.(Ha Ha,) respect.
6.) Because if I have to be a member of society, I'll choose which one thank you.
7.) To make mommy and daddy upset.
8.)The same reasons rich people join country clubs.
9.)Because I have no future and nobody cares anyways.
10) Boredom, Boredom, ba dom ba dum(Buzzcocks).

[whojamfan]

Sheena, on your love and hate question, just remember that the opposite of love is indifference, not hate. Actually there is a thin line between love and hate, but indifference, is the big stinker. Having someone love and/or hate you directly implies that what you do and who you are has value, wheteher it's good or bad. Indifference is what, if anything, that should concern people in how they are percieved.

[sowhat]

Sheena, on your love and hate question, just remember that the opposite of love is indifference, not hate. Actually there is a thin line between love and hate, but indifference, is the big stinker. Having someone love and/or hate you directly implies that what you do and who you are has value, whether it's good or bad. Indifference is what, if anything, that should concern people in how they are percieved.

Now that is interesting. Because it is exactly what i think of this "triangle". Hatred means some kind of respect, and, as some put it, "it's a strong feeling, very few people really deserve it". As for indifference — well, sometimes it could be only for better. It is tough when your close/loved ones are indifferent, but when it comes to some perfect stranger in the street who likes to ask questions (like, "why don't you put on a fur coat, it's so freakin' cold" or "why does your daughter wear jeans, girls should wear skirts" and such), i'd rather he'd be indifferent.
Loved your point #7. Not that others aren't cool, mind you.

[whojamfan]

I always try to wear my fur coat with my skirt, as it hides my sideburns better. Hate that draft though.

[TheBeat]

I've always been a loner and a little different...most of my friends when i was young respected this and left me much to my own devices...the guys who did try to bully me soon got sorted by the older guys that i knew, having a 6'3" best friend from starting high school sort of helped too...he never really fitted in either because of the size of him and i was much the same because i was a short arse...both loving punk when most people were still wanking off to Yes and Genesis also helped.

I gradually became a 'rebel' mostly because the thought of being stuck in my village freaked me out even when i was 14...when i left school and got a job i eventually stopped seeing my friends from the village and started hanging out with the local bikers, having bought a bike to get away from my ****** village and get into town without having to rely on public transport. Most of the guys i ran with were borderline and did not fit in...most were great friendly guys but a few were out solely to raise hell and fight whenever the oppurtunity arose. Why i got into this sort of crowd, being so quiet originally, was probably as much because these guys didn't seem to judge me on my eccentricities and seemed to respect me for what i was: a short, skinny little guy with a good sense of humour and a tendency to drink and take drugs too much.

A lot of the guys i kicked around with in my younger years are either dead or living chaotic lifestyles eg, drug addiction, alchoholism etc., and sometimes i think myself lucky to have escaped such an end myself, because believe me, i really got close to the edge as far drink and drugs go....moving away was the only thing that saved me. Still, i thank those guys in my head for accepting me and not judging me like everyone else seemed to do at the time... to sum up i'd say that i rebelled mainly by accident...i didn't set out to become a 'rebel' intentionally, it just sort of happened that the people who most 'got' me, were to be other like minded misfits

[scotty]

Hey big Al pm sent! check your inbox.

[sowhat]

The reason sounds somehow familiar, Alistair. Interesting story. Thanks for sharing.

[admin]

Alistar: Life can be an unpredictable and difficult journey. Your resilience seems to have allowed you to move forward.

In what way has music guided you in your journey?

[leftyguitars]

I'm with Brians first post on this one. Although I have a reputation for being a rebel (I prefer to call myself a 'nonconformist') I just get on with life in my own way.

I don't do the 'pipe & slippers' thing, never have - never will, and find I have more in common with people of my ages' children than with the people themselves. If fact I am accepted by and regularly socialise with my 21 year old sons friends!

I lived a 'rock 'n' roll' lifestyle when I was 16 and 40 years on I haven't changed. In my case how I am and how I live my life comes from deep inside me and wasn't a conscious decision.