The Lincoln Log

photo courtesy of www.assembly.org

A new trend is slowly working its way up into Lincoln’s social network. This trend comes with bright colors, lively music, and a very simple, serene even, outlook on life.

“I’ve seen and heard a lot more people talking about raves in the last year,” said senior Tamara Zimmer. “[But] I don’t think our school has tons of ravers [yet].”

Yet the rave scene continues to catch on amongst students little by little, whether it’s because people are getting more of their friends involved or because some just like the style.

“I think that a lot of kids at Lincoln are starting to get into the ‘raver’ look. You see one person do it, and it’s attractive, you know, lots of colors, it’s appealing,” Zimmer said. It ultimately started with a few people that got their friends into it, and it just grew from there”

The “raver” look varies. It is generally thought of as including a lot of bright colors.

“There is no specific raver look, although a lot of girls tend to dress up very colorful,” said senior Andy Chen. “All kinds of people go to raves so there really isn’t a certain way a raver looks.”

Even the music played at raves deviates from the techno music generally associated with the scene.

“These days, there is barely any techno music [played],” Chen said. “There’s…dance, trance, drum and bass, and happy hardcore.”

Raves tend to differ from other clubs. The fact that they are generally underground and don’t have the same restrictions is key in their distinctions.

“Most are [illegal] so it doesn’t matter how old you are. They’re pretty much accepting environments so it’s not as huge of a deal as going to a club,” Marina Ozarzhitskaya, a sophomore, said.

This accepting environment comes from the raver philosophy of “P.L.U.R.” or Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect.

“People aren’t creating fights and drama there like they do at clubs,” Marina said.

At the same time, this established way of thinking isn’t being revered by newcomers who aren’t familiar with the scene’s history.

“I think a lot of kids who don’t understand PLUR are going to raves, and a lot of them don’t really understand what raves are about in general,” Zimmer said.

Despite this rise in intruding fresh faces, the scene stays true to its original roots dating back to the 90s.

“There’s not all that much you can change in the rave scene…I mean the clothes, the music,” Marina said. “It’s generally the same.”

But, this influx of curious new meat has sparked a bit of resentment amongst those who have more experience and knowledge.

“Some friends of mine get annoyed when people who don’t respect the scene show up at raves just so they can say they’ve been to one,” Zimmer said.

Though irksome to some, Chen decides not to let it bother him.

“I feel rather indifferent,” he said. “I don’t care who goes as long as I still get to hang out with friends and have fun.”