Cecil Cameron on the Rational Hardcore Movement

The Logical Implications of Real Hardcore Punk – misunderstood by the majority of the masses wearing its mark
- by Cecil Cameron

Why have I abandoned much of the current local/regional/national “scene” of “indie” and “punk” music? Simply because it is not what it claims to be, and does not aim for what it should be striving for. The masses’ lack of understanding of “punk” and “indie” have finally come to define the genre, approach, and movement, despite true hardcore punk’s role as (ideally) a voice of Reason in the face of alienation. After the original punk, often seen as fake and image-conscious, was bought out and sold with skinny ties by major record labels, the strongly DIY hardcore punk (later truncated to “hardcore”) was created as a purer version of punk that was so loud, fast, and noisy that no major would ever be interested in it. This is largely an attempt to retain autonomy (though the music certainly rocks).

In the year 2005, “hardcore” is the base of many major labels’ trendy marketing approaches, despite the shiny products marketed and sold under the name. This amounts to a sort of bait-and-switch at the level of the major label: the trendy “punk” kids have been told by those with “cred” that they should respect “hardcore”, so the majors use the name to appease the trendies, who don’t know the difference. Nevermind the fact that real “cred” is many separations away, if not nonexistent.

The real hardcore punks, particularly those who have followed its capitalist/libertarian/anarchist logical implications, are now alienated by those claiming indie/hardcore/punk “status”. This alienation has not been recognized because the signs of punk have been co-opted by the masses. The weakness of punk/DIY has been that anyone can do it, and when projected onto the masses, the Truth is alienated beyond the point of recognition. This is parallel to “democracy” as the tyranny of the many (wrong) over the few (right). The lone voice of truth is drowned out by those wearing its mark.

The “liberal” (socialist) media companies that love to dumb down the public to make room for leftist agendas have succeeded in doing just that by taking the bite out of “punk”, a phenomenon that has been largely confused and unrefined since its beginnings. Punk exists because there was confusion, and individuals rose up to show that they had a voice and could make their own media (DIY). However, the environment of confusion that often haunts the human condition affected the punk movement against the efforts of the best and brightest to use reason to show just why “everything sucks”. “Punk” continued on as it does today with a confused sense of self, but this confusion is now exacerbated by the mass-level integration of “punk” and its popular reactions to world events. Today, the popular mass “punk” movement is in bed with (extreme) leftism.

The very human condition is sometimes said to be most purely communicated in the hardcore experience. The rush and energy of the music gives a sense of mowing all the bullsh!t down and burning it behind, toward connection with a feeling of Truth. The major downfall in this appears to be that the effect is a feeling of Truth, not the thought of Truth.

Note that leftists often rely on feelings of mass democracy (this is inherently deceptive), whereas the libertarian/right uses rational thought as its prime tool. Truth, it turns out, entails capitalism and a yearning for Anarchy. The rational explanation of what is described here is provided by the body of thought expressed in this website’s accompanying articles and sponsored links. Essays, articles, and books can elaborate beyond the scope of songs and bumper stickers, while clearly laying the ground work for a more thoroughly explicit depiction of Truth. There will be no coercion; no use of aggressive, violent force. The only proper use of violence is defense of life and property. There will be a call for voluntary choices in the place of statist duress. I invite you to break from the socialist hive. Join me in this effort to clarify the path of the individual – the path of Truth.

Cecil Cameron discusses youth, naive disinterest, and punk

Naïve Disinterest & Nihilism
Roles in the development of “punk” youths into adulthood
- by Cecil Cameron


The idea was to leave behind the problems of mainstream society as unnecessary baggage. “If you’ve got a problem, the problem is you!”-Sex Pistols. To the youth, not yet immersed in the world of adult issues, the chance to shrug it all off seems very inviting.

These issues seem “stupid” to the youth, and we often find this to be accurate as we get older. Naïve disinterest and nihilism can be an initially legit response. A “golden rule” approach to situations is allowed to thrive in most cases for the youth, before government coercion and idiotic “adult” issues raise their heads and prevent this approach by the introduction of coercion and conflict. A youth who sees this “adult” world threatening his future will react in a way that allows him the comfort level he requires. This may very well include the disinterest and nihilism that have long been part of real punk (corrupting hippie elements have increasingly invaded much of the punk base, and these elements must be diagnosed and treated as such). This is all tied together with overflowing naivety.

The youth wants a clean slate. And such a youth may be right in many ways, though he does not yet appreciate the extent to which he is – because he has not experienced the full shock of taking on and living within adult mainstream society. He is innocent and naïve, he does not like excessive rules, seeks to be an individual despite the trends and so-called “group identities” he is (perhaps unhappily) bound to, and he may have some undeveloped interest in Anarchy (the absence of government/rulers, though often falsely associated with chaotic violence and suffering). He may actually harbor many strikingly intelligent thoughts that simply need developing.

This naïve youth will ultimately find his life is affected by government coercion in increasing ways as he steps further from the protective shell of youth. Government coercion forces the youth to become involved, effectively eliminating his old strategy as a choice. This amounts to a personal injustice (resulting from greater, more widespread coercive injustice), against the principles of the golden rule. If his pure initial reactions are retained, he will find himself increasingly drawn to the Conservative (in the real, original sense of the word – see Murray Rothbard’s ‘Life and Death of the Old Right’), Libertarian, and perhaps Anarchist bodies of thought. His individualist mindset, dislike for excessive rules, and interest in “Anarchy” are buds from which a complex but elegantly organized rose of a Paleolibertarian or Paleoconservative theorist may bloom…

…Unless, of course, he is distracted and led astray by others with sick, selfish, and ultimately confused motives toward the path where one becomes a (socialist) “liberal”. These intellectual sirens beckon, and many fall prey, but some can eventually “right” their ways… The leftism that has taken over the “punk” movement has turned it into something that real punk is not, but that is a topic for another discussion. By now, it should be clear we are dealing with an individual and his relationship with society. The hope for him and those in a similar predicament lies in creating a world conducive to the promotion of paleolibertarian thought.

And so, naïve disinterest and nihilism are replaced with vigilance, active interest, and wisdom … on The Right!

Robert Jones says don't be a mohawked hippie

Robert Jones is vaguely "on the right", without dropping many hints of his specific beliefs. He does give some good points ...

His last question is:
To those who ask "How can conservatism be punk?", I reply: "What could be more punk than conservatism?"

The answer is "PaleoConservatives, Libertarians, and Anarchists".
Enjoy. http://www.conservativepunk.com/ColumnItem.asp?reviewId=18

Michale Graves on leftist warping of "punk"

Michale Graves could almost be considered a CONSERVATIVE in the original, true sense of the word. Here he does what a Conservative would do: Say what punk rock IS NOT. He speaks more of the leftist corrupting of America. He does not appear to be in a position to go into talk of libertarianism and anarchy, but he does a good job of touching the surface of some real problems. Thank you, Mr. Graves.

http://www.conservativepunk.com/ColumnItem.asp?reviewId=4

Pat Kim is a Libertarian Punk

Pat Kim makes a few mistakes in this article, such as confusing the government (the state) with the country (a geographical place). He also calls government a necessary evil. It is actually an unnecessary evil. He also calls himself a "hawk" and supports war in some cases... We truly appreciate his efforts, though. Some good points that many punks need to hear. Thanks Pat !!

http://www.conservativepunk.com/ColumnItem.asp?reviewId=1

Dave Smalley on Punk Rock & Gonzo Conservatives

Dave Smalley may give a little too much credit to the "ideological diversity" idea, but he's arguing in the direction of small government... and this can be extended toward Anarchy (in which ideological diversity can be more acceptable given respect for an anarchist base).

http://www.conservativepunk.com/ColumnItem.asp?reviewId=8

Punk Rock = CAPITALISM by Todd A.

That's right. If you don't agree, I dare you to read this article. And if you do agree, ooh, I dare you too!

http://todd-a.com/?p=297#more-297

This is one of the best articles on the subject. Thanks Todd A. !!

Rational Hardcore

Sick of mind-numbing emotional appeals in hc/punk music? Tired of the mainstream appeals of so-called "emo" and related genres as of late? Do you like the original hardcore music and the original hardcore approach? Do you recognize the need for tight, clear rational thought in music as well as in society in general?

The socialistic nature of today's "punk rock"/"hardcore" (or is it "pop?" ... whatever you call that stuff) needs to be called out and eliminated. When one boils it all down with reality in mind, hardcore/punk is really about Anarchy (libertarian, capitalist, anti-state). As is the reality of society itself. Hardcore/punk has sometimes been said to be a clear expression of the human condition. This expression can be emotional or rational. The emotional should be treated as such, thoroughly digested without any immediate action. However, emotional hype in society tends toward misguided legislation (often socialist and statist, far from the right-anarchist ideal).

The complexities of hardcore/punk, politics, society, etc are too many to be discussed at once, but we will publish articles and link to sources that explain these things. An understanding of Rothbardian Anarchy and "Right-Libertarian" thought are essential for clear understanding of these things. Such a vantage point will put the media, government, etc in proper perspective.

rationalhardcore.blogspot.com is here to serve these needs.

here are some good links for now...

www.lewrockwell.com News/Opinions/Blog etc on mostly Right-Libertarian thought, dedicated to Murray Rothbard
www.mises.org Ludwig von Mises Institute... Similar content to above link, but heavier reading. Check out the media section.
http://ydbrecords.blogspot.com Libertarian/Conservative record label. Home of The Yellow Day Brigade (Libertarian/Christian industrialized hardcore) and others.

More coming soon.