The Kids Are Alright

You may remember a time when being punk, alternative, or indie meant that what you wore, said, and did represented your values. Those values (anti-establishment, pro-grassroots activism, anti-drug, pro-choice, or simply rebellion against the status-quo of greed and arrogant individualism) have been marketed, branded, and slapped with a slogan by multi-national capitalist conglomerates. This debasing of values has created an entire culture of virtuous language that lacks any meaningful lifestyle change. Want to be punk? Drive or browse to Urban Outfitters and purchase a Clash or Bob Marley shirt, some retro-cool shoes, pants, and welcome to the neo-punk revolution.

There is, however, a backlash to this. Check out the reclaiming of extreme sports by the grassroots green movement at grist magazine.

"Kids want to be armed with knowledge that their parents don't have," he says, "and this is that vehicle for them. The beauty of it is it's exactly what action sports needs, because the ultimate punk rock rebellious act to fuck the Man and fuck the system is to be environmentally and socially conscious. That's exactly what they don't want you to do."