When the Underground Goes Mainstream

01

A Conversation That Stayed With Me

Many years ago—well, what I consider to be many years ago; let’s say approximately fifteen—I had a fascinating conversation with a well-established psychologist. He was probably in his early eighties at the time and had lived through periods of history that I had never personally seen or experienced.

Somehow, the doctor and I found ourselves discussing modern-day society. I believe the subject was partly inspired by an article I had recently read in Mother Jones. Something in that article had sparked my curiosity about where society was headed, and the question must have remained somewhere near the front of my mind.

Interestingly enough, our conversation did not begin with society at all.

It began with cars.

The doctor had complimented me on the vehicle I owned at the time. We started talking about automobiles and some of the newer features appearing in cars during that period. Then, without much warning, I shifted gears—both literally and figuratively—and moved the conversation toward the subject I really wanted to explore.

I wanted to pick his brain about modern society.

02

The Genie Is Out of the Bottle

At that time, it seemed as though gun violence, carjackings and open-air drug trafficking were becoming increasingly visible across the country—particularly in Philadelphia, where we were both located when the conversation took place.

I shared some of my thoughts about what might have been contributing to the rise in crime. I also asked whether he believed society would ever escape what felt like an increasingly powerful stranglehold.

I want to be clear that our later discussion of subcultures was not an attempt to connect them with crime or social disorder. The concerns about crime were simply what opened the door to a much broader conversation about how society changes—and how ideas, lifestyles and identities that once existed outside the mainstream can eventually move toward its center.

The doctor offered his perspective, and in many ways, our viewpoints were similar. But when I asked whether society would ever be released from that grip, he responded with an expression I had never heard before.

“Well,” he said, “unfortunately, I think the genie is out of the bottle—and there’s no putting it back.”

I shifted in my seat.

I remember sitting a little more upright and leaning slightly forward. His words hit me like a taser shock—not in a painful way, but with the sensation of being suddenly awakened.

My response was immediate.

“Oh shit. That’s not good.”

“Yes,” he replied. “Your sentiment is definitely shared—and accurate.”

03

The Question of Subculture

Our conversation continued for quite some time. Toward the end, the doctor began talking about subcultures. He explained that subcultures had always existed throughout history and continued to exist within modern society.

That observation led me to another question.

“Do you think—or would you say—that the subcultures have gone mainstream?”

I tried to explain what I meant.

Could the subcultures that once existed around the edges of society have moved into the center? Could they have replaced—or become—modern culture itself? Had subcultures disappeared because everything had merged into one enormous culture under which modern society now operates?

The doctor took a deep breath before responding.

“That is a very interesting hypothesis,” he said. “And it probably fits what appears to be the case we are seeing. However, it would be difficult to provide a definitive answer, let alone establish it as a proven theory.”

I did not completely understand the weight of the question at the time.

But it stayed with me.

04

Fifteen Years Later

And approximately fifteen years later, I still find myself wondering:

I have my own thoughts, but I do not believe these questions belong to me alone.

What do you think? Have subcultures disappeared, been absorbed into the mainstream, or simply found new ways to exist? If you feel inclined, I invite you to form your own conclusion—and share your thoughts with Azure & Verdant.