Too often in the club or big EDM events your Furtographer will be approached by certain individuals who don’t seem to understand what P.L.U.R. really stands for, if they even heard the acronym at all. They tend to “Ask” in a stern, almost hungry way for the sentimental Kandi bracelets that grace my paws without realizing the deeper meaning behind each one. It’s time to straighten things up for those new to the Scene:
1. A Gift is Given, Not Asked For:
How would you feel if someone came up to you and asked for a special piece of jewelry or attire out of the blue, without offering anything in return? Some people seem to think that we acquired these personally made Kandi from Hot Topic or something. Each piece we made was for someone special, whether a current or future friend, and not some mass-produced piece of crap that Corporations like to pump out. We took the time, sometimes hours, to craft each one. Sometimes they can be intricate pieces like necklaces, masks and other cool Kandi-wear that have special meaning behind them. Next time you’re in the Club or other event, bring your own Kandi if you hope to Trade. It’s incredibly rude and disrespectful for you to ask for a Gift. This is a “Give” culture, not a “Take” like the materialistic machine has conditioned you to believe. Try making some yourself, you might be surprised the cool and creative ideas you come up with. There’s something satisfying about bestowing the gift you created to a loved one, friend or stranger (soon to be friend).
2. What PLUR stands for?
P = Peace
L = Love
U = Unity
R = Respect
In some cases an H is added, standing for Hope.
To me this represents a Modern Mantra that can be applied to daily life, even outside the “Rave” Scene as society likes to label it. It all boils down to Love and Community. We are a Family first and foremost, from all walks of life, connected together with common needs and understandings. We are United together with the hope of a better tomorrow, one founded on principles far older and powerful then the shallow ideals the Media and Fear-Based Systems conditioned us with.
In ancient times tribal communities would dance around the fire in ecstatic dances, rejoicing in Life and connecting to Higher Energies that we are finally rediscovering through Archaic Revival and Personal Spirituality. While on the surface it appears to be a bunch of kids having fun, in truth we are manifesting something that’s in our very blood; a spiritual calling that transcends the money-driven ambitions of detached club owners and promoters. Whether consciously or not, our generation is returning too its roots in a new, vibrant forms. History repeats itself they say, something that is proven time and again.
3. A Living Culture:
Many sub-cultures exclude others based on racial or status-based conditions, becoming close-minded cliques that revel in their conformist patterns. The EDM (Electronic Dance Music) Scene is composed of diverse individuals of all ages and backgrounds. We love and accept each other for who we are, without judgment and prejudice. The culture contains all sorts of people from Hip-Hoppers, Punks, Hippies, Black, White, Spanish, Young and Old. The list goes on. We love Music, Art and Free Expression.
As humanity evolves you will notice that older concepts of “All for Yourself” and “Divide and Conquer” are swiftly dissolving away as we transcend rigid cultural barriers. The World, thanks to the beautiful invention of the Internet, is becoming a melting pot of Ideas, Beliefs, Concepts and Philosophies. It’s a matter of time before the archaic, divisionary notion of “country” and “state” collapse when we realize the connected Oneness we share on Mother Earth.
To the upset of many governments, the Truth is being released from countless sources and individuals. They have tried to stop the wave of change, with such acts as “S.O.P.A.” and other legislation in an attempt to retain their wield of power over us. Knowledge is Power you see. We live in an exciting time, one in which information is freely exchanged and shared to millions. Pandora’s Box is Opened.
4. The Scene Today:
How does this relate to the EDM culture and Underground Music scene? I feel that this recent manifestation in our society is a symptom of Awakening. We are realizing that connected unity we share. Humanity is one big family, many tribes that share common origin and lineage both genetically and spiritually. Love is the conduit, the very catalyst for our next evolutionary step.
This generation is finally fed up with the primitive, cookie-cutter notions of “class” and “status”. We are searching for something deeper and realer then anything our Public Schools, Media, Churches and Governments could provide. Life is far more then profit-driven motive for valueless pieces of paper. We are meant to learn, love and help each other, not live for the Self. As you can see, the Ego has caused much suffering and pain throughout the Human Tapestry.
Love is the Answer to all things. If we take care of each other, then our own personal needs are already satisfied. Imagine the Utopia we could share if everyone loved each other unconditionally without preconceived notions and expectations. It’s only a matter of time before our species finally embraces Love, lest we destroy ourselves in Fear and Blindness.
5. Beware the Parasites
It has come to my attention that many within the Scene are driven by self-motivated impulses. Some of these are Promotion Companies and Venues that are incredibly detached from the very culture they are servicing. Only now I hear that Clubs (like Roxy’s) lifted their pretentious, status-obsessed dress code for EDM Events. You may have noticed that I distanced myself from certain venues entirely because of the vile disrespect and egocentric attitudes they exude. You see them I’m sure: Snobby Suits that think they can pack their sweat-box past capacity while offering overpriced tickets, drinks and ridiculously rigid “rules” for what’s supposed to be a fun-filled music event. Some of them (like Vain) are entirely anti-PLUR I hear, preferring to revel in their ignorant egos at your expense. I won’t even start on huge corporate events like EDC or Ultra, some of which ban Glove Performers and even Kandi now. This is suppression of free expression delivered in a pre-packaged, super-expensive format by out-of-touch promotion companies who want to milk you dry of both individuality and money.
Why humans wait to pay in lines just to be practically strip-searched like criminals before entering a small, over-crowded venue is beyond me. They treat us like cattle or sheep, here to make themselves rich with your hard-earned dollars. For what? To see your favorite Artist? Why not save up for a Local Music Festival where you can see all your favorite Artists in one place over a 3-day period in the great outdoors, free of restrictions and rules that box-like, congested venues provide?
Don’t get me wrong; I am not entirely against every club or city venue. We obviously can’t be at a Festival every weekend, though that will soon change as they become more frequent. In the meantime there are solutions if you do your homework: Alternative, underground events that will make both your wallet and heart happier. I plan to cover just these events to bring better exposure to what the EDM Scene is really about while cleaning up the many misconceptions society has labeled it with. It’s time for us to wake up and solidify the foundation of Love that gave rise to the Scene in the first place. Will you help?
~The Furtographer (July 29, 2013)
