Was anyone aware of this study?
It's already quite old right now though. (2006)
It handles (on a scientific, sociological level) about the psytrance community on the internet. Quite interesting (though I didn't read it all yet), but don't expect it'll be an easy read hehe. Psynews was used as a source by the way.
Source:
http://www.tandfonli...676260600914390
PDF:
http://www.tandfonli...676260600914390
Second half of the introduction:
"This particular group was
chosen as research subjects as in many ways they appeared to epitomise a
‘postmodern subculture’*a seemingly contradictory turn of phrase, but highly
relevant to the debates about subculture and post-subculture. In other words, virtual
psytrancers are a global, Internet-based grouping (hence seemingly postmodern), yet
whom also share temporary physical spaces (i.e., attend psytrance events in one or
more countries), and who are characterised by a strong attachment to a particular
form of music, and a common set of values, practices and belief systems (i.e., aspects
of what we think of as subculture).
A total of 569 virtual psytrancers from over 40 countries were involved in a unique
[2] large-scale, Internet-based, online-questionnaire-based survey, which assessed the
shared attitudes, global spaces and international connections of the group. Firstly, we
provide some background and explain what virtual psytrance is, before moving on to
contextualise the study within the wider debate about subculture and postsubculture.
We then turn to a discussion and rationale of the research methodology
utilised. Finally, we present a range of data from the online questionnaire (including
both quantitative data and data from more ‘interpretive’ open-ended questions),covering aspects relevant to the subculture/post-subculture debate, such as psytrancers’
sense of community and solidarity, belief systems (spirituality and religious
beliefs), adherence to their chosen musical form and patterns of drug-use in relation
to the culture. We also examine both their use of the Internet and their attendance at
psytrance events (both inside and outside their own countries), to maintain and
cement their dedication to this culture. Overall, the findings presented here reject a
simple theoretical dichotomy, and challenge the notion that tightly bounded
subcultures must be primarily local (rather than being global/virtual), and singularly
class specific, as well as refuting postmodern conceptions that global youth styles are,
by definition, depthless, transitory and internally fragmented."
(hope this is no re-post)
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