I’d like to say I agree with the generalized (oops, that’s a bad word around these parts) tone of the commentary so far; that being that while the article made a very valid point, it used the ‘indie’ culture as a poor scapegoat illustration. I would consider myself ‘indie’ only as far as not letting myself be influenced by popular culture and commercialism and trying to find real meaning in my life. To be perfectly honest, in my personal experience, maybe 50% of the ‘indie’ people I know and socialize with fit this bill. Half of them are genuinely concerned with making their lives more meaningful and less controlled by society, and the other half are along for the ride, very much in the way the author describes it.

It is a pity that the author chose this stereotype as a medium for his frustration against buying an identity, but I totally agree with the point personally. If you base any part, absolutely any part of your self-identity or self-image on how others perceive you or how others perceive the products you subscribe to, you are quite the tool. Sincerely, if you need some kind of product to identify yourself with a group of people, especially one that’s designed for that very purpose, you’re a tool.

That being said, one thing I’ve learned from my ‘true indie’ friends is how to be accepting and think thoughtfully about other cultures and perspectives, and it’s done me some good. As a passionate musician, I’d say the 50/50 rule applies again to the ‘indie’ music I’ve heard; half of it is really good and satisfying, half of it is poorly thought-out junk.

Coda: If you’re going to use blatantly incorrect grammar or spelling in your posts, I’ll generally disregard your opinions straight-away. For real, think about what you write.

the previously mentioned posers have basically been all of these things. when one becomes popular, they move on to the next. there are sincere people who were part of these “groups” before posers and consumerism made it popular, and there are sincere people that stick with it after it has moved on. while a lot of what i’m about to say sounds like complete generalizations, anyone who is a genuine part of these groups will most likely be able to agree.

with poser emo kids, like these other groups, a set fashion was readily and wordlessly agreed on. type in emo hair on google images. imagine that – they all look basically the same. type in emo makeup. same thing. whiny little girls that hated their lives. depressed little boys that tried to be as skinny as possible – writing sad poetry – sometimes cutting themselves”to make themselves feel ok because “they’re proving i can still feel something in my callused life”

poser indie kids. neutral milk hotel. vintage clothes. urban outfitters phonographs. grungy. self aware. 70s comeback.

poser hipsters. bright clothing. pushing their fixed gear bikes with bright deep v’s. 80s comeback. listening to bubblegum electric pop. as i stated earlier, native american fashion has had a bit of a resurgence. keffiyehs around necks.

it’s easiest to tell the posers when talking about their fashion dominates their conversations. genuine indie kids couldn’t care less about staying in trend, and just do what they’ve always done. genuine bike messengers aren’t worried about so many posers riding around with their ourys.

the blogger makes some great points that i agree with about consumerism, but obviously has very little idea about the particular group they chose to pick on. research could have been entertaining and informative. but this just seems like yet another case of being out of touch with a younger generation. we fear what we don’t understand. the general adult public and big markets pick up on the increasing amount of posers copping a style, market/talk about it, and it attracts more posers. exponential growth til the next big thing. for every gilded thing to complain about, there’s most likely a more genuine beginning.

@indieguy – i’d say it’s the other way around. indie used to define music, but nowadays it seems to me to be more of a culture thing.

ha! lets just alienate everyone not interested in marriage, people who may never meet a suitable partner, homosexuals…

or Not….u could just help everyone “man up” without the narrow dogma

and…u could have said more about the concept that shopping independently, organically, locally, etc can help make the world better by supporting businesses that act responsibly, sustainably, chemical-free, fair trade, and on and on, rather than perpetuating corporate globalization/homogenization

But when you’ve actually done something, it’s enough to let your actions speak for themselves or other people speak for you.