Informative post: Straight Edge is a lifestyle

**I am armed** · 07-01-2004 09:14 AM

Alright, after getting blackballed on my other post about the Benz, I seem to be getting alot of flack because of my straight edge sig. This post is to inform you people about the lifestyle, so there are no misunderstandings. I will not be responding, except to keep the post bumped at the top.

Straight Edge:

Straight-edge refers to a philosophy that's most basic tenets promote a drug free lifestyle. It developed as an offshoot of the punk rock/hardcore scenes of the early 1980's when the term itself is believed to have been coined by Ian Mackaye, in the self titled song, while he was the singer of the seminal hardcore band, Minor Threat. Mackaye eschewed the nihilistic tendencies of punk rock, promoting instead the simple (almost simplistic) philosophy of "don't drink/ don't smoke/ don't f*ck."
In the 12 years since the demise of Minor Threat, these simple beliefs have transformed the minds of scores of teens worldwide. Increasingly disenchanted with societal ills, young men and women adopt the straight-edge doctrine as a blueprint to better first themselves, and then the world in which they live. While the original definition of straight-edge only included the rejection of mind altering substances and promiscuous sex, modern interpretations include a vegetarian (or vegan) diet and an increasing involvement and awareness of environmental and political issues.

As noted, straight-edge grew out of the punk rock/hardcore scene and so music plays an important role. The Teen Idles, an early 80's Washington, DC hardcore band, and something of a precursor to Minor Threat, can arguably be called the first straight-edge band. Since that time there have been hundreds if not thousands of bands who've so labeled themselves. Early bands included Minor Threat, SSD and Uniform Choice. In the mid to late 80's, straight-edge hardcore reached a zenith, especially in the greater Metropolitan area of New York City. This atmosphere led to the creation of Gorilla Biscuits, Bold, Wide Awake and arguably the most prolific band of the era, Youth of Today. While the bands of this period did much to popularize straight-edge, they also contributed to its closeminded and antagonistic aspects. The attitude between straight-edge and the rest of the world often took on adversarial tones during this time, largely becoming "The positive youth crew versus people who drink, smoke and/or do drugs." Many people dislike straight-edge and its adherents because of such intolerant views.

Straight-edge today, while nothing like the "halcyon" days "back in '88," still offers a viable and positive lifestyle. Bands such as Strife, Mouthpiece, Earth Crisis and Snapcase, continue to proliferate and bear the standard. While its detractors often claim that straight-edge(rs) are no more than suburbanite, cliquish, fashion victims, few can argue that the philosophy is still valid. The drug-free lifestyle has left its positive impact on more than one wayward youth. Perhaps the ideals and ideas are more pertinent today than ever as the focus begins to reach beyond affecting merely oneself to altering and improving one's society and environment.

**Saturnine** · 07-01-2004 09:29 AM

I dont get what the big deal is about you sig?

I have friends that are straight edge..

**EVIL-AUDI** · 07-01-2004 09:37 AM

You're letting things get to you too much. There is no need to explain yourself because of somehting someone wrote over the internet.

**Foos Girl** · 07-01-2004 09:45 AM

Originally posted by Saturnine
I dont get what the big deal is about you sig?

I have friends that are straight edge..

Werd!! S'all good I am armed....today is a new day

**I am armed** · 07-01-2004 09:51 AM

I just don't want any bad blood between me and the fellow azer's is all Evil. Confusion can cause controversy. I just wanted to clear up what my sig is all about. By the way, thanks for locking that thread Evil.

**ADOBO** · 07-01-2004 09:54 AM

Can't make everyone happy nor agree with you...my sig is innocent

**EC Motorwerks** · 07-01-2004 09:54 AM

"Arguing over the internet is like getting a gold medal in the special olympics...." im not finishing the punchline

**SEXICÄN** · 07-01-2004 09:57 AM

I have a friend who is Straight Edged, but she is mormon, does that count?

I have not found anything wrong with your sig. People have their opinions but don't let other people dictate you

**jpsimon** · 07-01-2004 10:19 AM

and I thought you were extreme..

shows what i know!

**DDQ** · 07-01-2004 10:23 AM

To each his own

. (By the way - I am armed - you spelled "peaceful" wrong in your sig).

**Kirath** · 07-01-2004 10:34 AM

I'm white

Never understood calling yourself Straight Edge, or emo, or punk or this that and the otherthing..

Labels just never did anything for me, only actions.

Best of luck with all of this though ;)

**HICK** · 07-01-2004 10:34 AM

ok and?

**Zodiak** · 07-01-2004 10:35 AM

Originally posted by I am armed
I seem to be getting alot of flack because of my straight edge sig. This post is to inform you people about the lifestyle, so there are no misunderstandings.

only one person made any reference to your sig or your chosen lifestyle. And if you take such personal attacks on the internet so personally, don't give out such personal information...

of all threads to ask the mods delete, it should be this one. Let the subject die already.

**/\G** · 07-01-2004 11:02 AM

whoah!!!! bringing back some old memories. I actually have met Ian a few times and I knew the guys in Wide Awake pretty good. I definitely understand the scene. I am not sure why you posted it but good info anyway. I didnt even know that scene was still thriving. As far as the drugs, I am with ya, but I cant say the same for booze, cigs, and sex!

**I am armed** · 07-01-2004 11:22 AM

Hahaha, yeah man, its still alive big time. :) It's on the eastcoast right now more so than the westcoast. But it's definantly still going. As far as the reason for the post, there were alot of questions and statements made to me on the forum and in my box about the lifestyle, so i figured i'd just inform the general public. The moderators can delete this if they want.

**Zodiak** · 07-01-2004 11:35 AM

Originally posted by I am armed
I will not be responding, except to keep the post bumped at the top.

**/\G** · 07-01-2004 11:42 AM

Originally posted by I am armed
Hahaha, yeah man, its still alive big time. :) It's on the eastcoast right now more so than the westcoast. But it's definantly still going. As far as the reason for the post, there were alot of questions and statements made to me on the forum and in my box about the lifestyle, so i figured i'd just inform the general public. The moderators can delete this if they want.

you ever been to the Anthrax in CT? That club was the epicenter for the hardcore scene. All those bands played there all the time. Sean Marcus from Wide Awake lived near me and had a 1/2 pipe that we used to skate daily. ctXhc

**OverSpun** · 07-01-2004 12:22 PM

why do you guys have to continually direct comments towards the guy? your only instigating. so if the kid is straight edge, let him be, i think it was a pretty interesting thing to read even though i already know what straight edge. i didnt know minor threat was involved with it. i have heard earth crisis's music and its pretty cool. your forgetting this is the general chit chat forum, and not the, "lets pick what we let people post" forum.

**dukez** · 07-01-2004 12:25 PM

I have a straight edge. Comes in handy for measuring things.

**Saturnine** · 07-01-2004 12:28 PM

Originally posted by dukez
I have a straight edge. Comes in handy for measuring things.

**jpsimon** · 07-01-2004 12:28 PM

EXXXTREME

**EVIL-AUDI** · 07-01-2004 12:29 PM

Originally posted by dukez
I have a straight edge. Comes in handy for measuring things.

Nicely done.

**Zodiak** · 07-01-2004 12:33 PM

Originally posted by OverSpun
why do you guys have to continually direct comments towards the guy? your only instigating. so if the kid is straight edge, let him be, i think it was a pretty interesting thing to read even though i already know what straight edge. i didnt know minor threat was involved with it. i have heard earth crisis's music and its pretty cool. your forgetting this is the general chit chat forum, and not the, "lets pick what we let people post" forum.

It's not the fact that he posted it, it's why. I'm trying to tell the kid to put the whole thing behind him and move on. By posting this thread and stating that he'll keep it bumped to the top suggests that he is yet to move on from it. (none of what I have just said will make sense unless you have read the thread/post that started all of this)

**OverSpun** · 07-01-2004 01:25 PM

yea thats true.... that part is unnecessary, but overall i found his post interesting, worth reading for me atleast.

**I am armed** · 07-01-2004 02:07 PM

I said that I wouldn't respond because i thought i'd be getting nothing but negative feeback. But there is some intelligent convo going on and some good things, so i figured i'd chime in. And to /\G. I've never been there, but i've heard things. :)

Hey Zodiak, did you get rolled by some hardliners or something? This seems to be a touchy subject for you.

**MR VTEC** · 07-01-2004 02:25 PM

What do you mean black asain is that racist or something!

Originally posted by ADOBO
Can't make everyone happy nor agree with you...my sig is innocent

Just playing.

**JMG** · 07-01-2004 02:26 PM

um.. thats cool i guess. I am armed if you are able to live your life with this philosophy, all power to you. Most people can't do that. And most people are too hard on themselves for that reason. I personnaly have nothing against the basic idea, to each his own I say. But the moment you criticize others for not adhering to the straight edge doctorine, you become an elitist. That's not cool. No one is perfect. Straight edgers are no better people than anyone else just because they follow some ideal. I'd take a chain smoker over a murdering/lieing/manipulative straight edge any day. I'm not saying all straight edgers are murdering/lieing/manipulative, but I'm not saying that none of them are either. Know what I mean?

**JMG** · 07-01-2004 02:28 PM

Originally posted by I am armed
Perhaps the ideals and ideas are more pertinent today than ever as the focus begins to reach beyond affecting merely oneself to altering and improving one's society and environment.

Just a side note: Hitler wanted to change society for the better too. Everyone has a different idea of a better society. I like my cigarettes and the occasional beer.

**Imperial** · 07-01-2004 03:49 PM

Originally posted by I am armed
Perhaps the ideals and ideas are more pertinent today than ever as the focus begins to reach beyond affecting merely oneself to altering and improving one's society and environment.

Uh, not to CONTINUE the battle, but...

This statement here is a teensy bit disturbing. While I can hardly argue the fact that improving one's society and environment is pertinent, I have to question how exactly being "straight-edge" will lead to said utopia. I agree that drug use and alcohol use can lead to problems, but only in excess. In moderation, I don't particularly see a problem with drinking or recreationally using drugs or "mind-altering substances" as you said earlier. Abuse of said substances can definitely lead to problems both for the abuser and for those around this person which can indeed cause a ripple-effect so to speak that could ultimately effect soceity in an adverse manner on the whole. However, abuse of many things that do qualify as "straight-edge" could also have similar results. A person could take ridiculous amounts of caffeine and acheive a buzz similar to that caused by some stimulants. Cough medication can be used in high doses to acheive an opiate-induced-like state of high. The question therefore becomes whether or not avoiding alcohol, drugs, and various other things that the "straight-edge" philosophy opposes will really help society. Ultimately, I believe that it is not the abolition of said things that will benefit society, but the tempered use of them. Alcohol in moderation is not necessarily bad. Red wine contains high levels of anti-oxidants that are helpful in clearing hardened arteries. Of course, there are side effects of alcohol as well, such as neuroatrophy and such, but those are effects in high-doses. Smoking is bad, of that there is no doubt, but it is a personal decision to smoke. Societal benefits from abolishing smoking are difficult to predict. The average lifespan may increase, but as far as a benefit to society, the results seem limited. Indoor smoking can adversely affect others, but many places have banned it and many other places are pushing for the indoor smoking ban, as well.

So the question remains - does being "straight-edge" in the capacity of avoiding smoking and drinking and such necessarily benefit society? It would seem not. The Third Reich, for example, was strictly non-smoking as Hitler himself was a non-smoker and was adamantly opposed to it. Did that society benefit from that ban on smoking? I would hardly say so. In the 1920's, the US decided to ban alcohol. What happened then? People started making their OWN alcohol and were dying as a result of poorly-concocted alcoholic drinks. There are too many other factors. Furthermore, there is no correlation between being 'straight-edge' and being morally upstanding in such a way as to improve society and the environment. One who does not smoke or drink is not necessarily a nice person. While I will admit that aiming to improve society and one's environment in general is an admirable goal, I do not feel that being "straight-edge" alone will lead to this utopian existence.

....besides, it seems almost like you said that the straight-edge people are aiming to improve the society by turning others 'straight-edge'. Sounds slightly creepy to me. And the implication that non-straight-edge people are not doign things to benefit society is flawed at best. I smoke sometimes and I'm going for drinks later today (wheeeee happy hour!), so am i harming society? Uh, I work in research institute aiming to cure cancer. Let's think about that...

**jpsimon** · 07-01-2004 03:54 PM

well said sir. well said.

**DDQ** · 07-01-2004 03:57 PM

If I had to be labeled, I think I'd be a crooked-edge.

**jpsimon** · 07-01-2004 03:59 PM

id be rusty-dull-edge

**Saturnine** · 07-01-2004 04:00 PM

Sahand = Hero!

**jpsimon** · 07-01-2004 04:06 PM

hero status

**Saturnine** · 07-01-2004 04:10 PM

Fo Sho

**kennious** · 07-01-2004 04:13 PM

Informative post: Straight Edge is a pseudo-movement of depressed teenagers who think they'll somehow become intelligent and successful if they don't drink, do drugs, or engage in sexual activities.

Well, allow me to let you in on a little secret: intelligence is hereditary, and success is the direct result of hard work.

Just because you don't drink, do drugs or have sex doesn't mean you're some sort of saint. There is nothing morally wrong with drinking in moderation or sexual relations (with the exception of casual sexual relations, although they seem to be almost morally acceptable in today's society.)

If you want a real reason to abstain from sex, drugs and alcohol, go join a church. Although organized religion and I have our differences, I'll be the first to attest to the fact that religion actually teaches you REAL morals, not some bullshit Ian Mackaye and his shitty band told you to do.

**jpsimon** · 07-01-2004 04:14 PM

owned and kennious ill give you partial hero status because you response wasn't as long.

**DDQ** · 07-01-2004 05:33 PM

Originally posted by kennious
Informative post: Straight Edge is a pseudo-movement of depressed teenagers who think they'll somehow become intelligent and successful if they don't drink, do drugs, or engage in sexual activities.

Well, allow me to let you in on a little secret: intelligence is hereditary, and success is the direct result of hard work.

Just because you don't drink, do drugs or have sex doesn't mean you're some sort of saint. There is nothing morally wrong with drinking in moderation or sexual relations (with the exception of casual sexual relations, although they seem to be almost morally acceptable in today's society.)

If you want a real reason to abstain from sex, drugs and alcohol, go join a church. Although organized religion and I have our differences, I'll be the first to attest to the fact that religion actually teaches you REAL morals, not some bullshit Ian Mackaye and his shitty band told you to do.