A new breed of rebellion?

Rebel (noun);

• A person who rebels.
• A person who resents and resists authority or oppressive conditions.
• A person who refuses to conform to the generally accepted modes of behaviour, dress etc

Despite the above description that would suggest otherwise, the modern day rebel has now taken on a whole new meaning, image and associated attributes. No more does the word inspire images of violent and passionate protestors in the street defying the authorities, but rather that of a confused teenage tearaway orchestrating meaningless juvenile antics and shenanigans. The current perception of a rebel as a mischief-making nuisance therefore lies in stark contrast to the word’s previous association with that of a threat to normality or as an agent for change.

So who now constitutes anything resembling a modern day ‘rebel’ as perceived in the press or in social circles? And how would you describe a rebel in contemporary terms? Well how does this fit...

He or she is likely to be wearing a hoodie loitering around a street corner, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol and/or drugs whilst indulging in casual sex and violence during late nights full of wrong-doing and ASBO-worthy activities. At least this is the exaggerated image conveyed by politicians and the press as they complain of youth crime and anti-social behaviour amidst these raucous ‘rebels’. But what if said stereotype is now the norm, simply a product of contemporary society? Not so much a rebel, but a mindless sponge just absorbing its conditioned environment, and soaking up all that’s wrong with it. That being the excessive bacteria of trashy entertainment output, advertising overload, and the ill influences of modern media we are all susceptible to. And all of this in the absence of any real cleansing influence in the form of respectable role models for the younger generation to look up to as politicians seem sleazier, families more fragile and celebrities forever redundant of any moral guidance.

As a result, these wrongly tagged ‘rebels’ are drawn into a numb state of conformity and consumerism that is currently bombarded into our surroundings, encouraging a blend of compulsiveness and impressionability that only furthers their vulnerability to such an environment. Television tells them that casual sex and violence is okay, so it’s condoned. Marketing and advertisements tell them that buying is always good, so they consume. Fashion and music media tell them what’s ‘cool’, so they conform. Admittedly these individuals I am currently referring to will not possess all of the above traits, but what is clear is that such people can in no way be classed as ‘rebels’…

So who can now be genuinely classed as the modern-day rebels of contemporary society? Faced with this new generation of reactive conformists cultivated in such a conditioned environment, who’s resisting?

Well what if those who have previously been mocked and lazily branded as ‘hippies’ or ‘liberals’ were now the true rebels within modern society... What if the modern common perception of rebellion as a somewhat negative or aggressive trait was flip reversed into that of a positive force for well-being and progress. And so the stereotyped ‘hippie’ characteristics of having respect for the environment, genuine concern for others, engagement with spirituality, unconventional dress sense, autonomous thinking and alternative lifestyle patterns suddenly seem revolutionary. For what the mainstream may languidly disregard as ‘weird’ or ‘offbeat’ ideals are essentially core altruistic principles that are more pertinent than ever when considering our current cultural corruption. Environmental upheavals, blind consumerism, conditioned conformity, moral bankruptcy, and economic woes are all staring us in the face and so it is necessary for us to step out of our comfort zones...

And there are a number of ways in which this is achieved… It may include buying from independent stores, being environmentally responsible, giving to charity, spending sustainably, eating ethically sourced foods, the avoidance of dressing like a chain store mannequin, and taking the time to gain a perspective from our rushed lives. These are all manners of resisting the contemporary societal ills that plague us, and the transition is a smooth one should you believe in their underlying meaning and purpose. For living according to the convenience of credit, fast food, supermarkets, and the media’s latest take on the ins and outs of fashion may be the easy option, but it also makes taking the alternative route so much more appealing and rewarding. Such simple, considered and positive behavioural patterns can immeasurably stunt the current lifestyle trends that threaten to completely distort our already fragile cultural and environmental health. A form of rebellion that barely even makes sense considering how principled and fundamentally benevolent these actions are in everyday practice, and how idealistic they seem in the rough and tumble of contemporary society. Some may label this outlook and approach as a rosy form of everyday ‘culture jamming’, but it may be better perceived as taking civil disobedience to its most civil form.

And this resistance can only be reinforced with the open-minded, proactive and creative thinking that goes hand in hand with this new alternative breed of rebel. No more the glorified flag-waving or banner-bearing activism in the street, but rather the unassuming and undervalued actions of those simply living the change they want to see in the world.

Dan Bowen.