Biker gangs and Nazis. What I learned from sub-cultures | Martin Pashley | TEDxDerby

TEDx Talks

25 Jul 201612:07

Summary

TLDRThe speaker, Martin from Union Magazine, shares his experiences exploring various global subcultures, emphasizing how people are often different from initial perceptions. He discusses the impact of the internet as an echo chamber, how evolutionary psychology influences our tendency to group with like-minded individuals, and the diversity of subcultures he encountered—from Silicon Valley bikers and 'bronies' to American Nazis and UFO believers. Despite their differences, he highlights the humanity shared by all, advocating for empathy and understanding through dialogue with those we might initially find unusual or disagree with.

Takeaways

🌍 Union Magazine explores global subcultures, revealing that people are often not what they initially seem.
💻 The internet is a powerful communication tool but also creates echo chambers where people stick to their beliefs and avoid opposing views.
🔒 Evolutionary psychology suggests humans group together due to ancient survival instincts, fearing those who look or think differently.
👨‍🔬 Sociologists argue that people group together to be socially distinctive, resisting mainstream culture by adopting unique identities.
🏍️ The East Bay Rats Motorcycle Club in Oakland consists of members who appear rough but have professional jobs, showcasing the contrast between appearance and reality.
🐴 Bronies, adult fans of My Little Pony, find value in the show's lessons on conflict resolution, despite societal judgment.
🧢 Harry Hubbard, a member of the American National Socialist Party, displays a paradox of kindness and extremist beliefs.
👽 The Raelians, a UFO religion, believe in alien creators and engage in spiritual discussions, contradicting their media portrayal of wild gatherings.
🏍️ Baltimore’s illegal dirt bike riders, known as the Twelve O'Clock Boys, use their bikes for stunts and as a form of rebellion against local laws.
🤝 Despite their differences, people from various subcultures have common human concerns like work, family, and daily life, highlighting the importance of empathy and understanding.

Q & A

What is Union Magazine, and what does it focus on?
-Union Magazine is an independent publication that focuses on exploring different subcultures from around the world.
What does the speaker say about the role of the internet in modern communication?
-The speaker acknowledges the internet as one of the greatest innovations in communication, comparing it to the evolution of speech, but also highlights its downside—how it often reinforces existing beliefs and creates echo chambers, rather than fostering open dialogue.
Why do people tend to group with others who share similar beliefs online, according to evolutionary psychology?
-According to evolutionary psychology, this behavior dates back to prehistoric times when being part of a group that looked and thought alike was often a matter of survival. This instinct to fear those who are different has persisted in humans today.
What perspective do sociologists offer on why people group together?
-Sociologists believe that people group together to assert social distinctiveness, often as a way to rebel against the mainstream. Some groups even prefer to remain elusive or underground.
Who are the East Bay Rats, and what makes them notable?
-The East Bay Rats are a motorcycle club in Oakland, California, known for riding 'rat bikes,' which are intentionally made to look worn out. Despite their tough appearance and love of fire and Fight Clubs, many of them have professional jobs in Silicon Valley and the music industry.
What are 'bronies,' and why are some adults drawn to 'My Little Pony'?
-Bronies are adult fans of 'My Little Pony,' a cartoon aimed at children. Many bronies are drawn to the show because it teaches lessons on conflict resolution and overcoming life's challenges. Despite societal stigma, some continue to enjoy the show due to its meaningful impact on them.
Who is Harry Hubbard, and what are his beliefs?
-Harry Hubbard is a member of the American National Socialist Party and spends his time patrolling the Arizona-Mexico border. Although his views are controversial, he was described as a polite host during the interview, despite his swastika-emblazoned shield.
What are the Raelians, and what are their core beliefs?
-The Raelians are a UFO religion founded by a former French car journalist. They believe that all life on Earth was created by an alien civilization that will return in the near future. They have also been known for hosting alleged sex orgies, although this was not witnessed during the speaker's visit.
Who are the illegal dirt bike riders of Baltimore, and what role do they play?
-The illegal dirt bike riders of Baltimore, known as the '12 o'clock boys' due to their wheelie stance, were once involved in drug trafficking because their bikes allowed them to evade police. Although riding these bikes is now illegal, the riders still parade them as a form of protest against the authorities.
What is the main takeaway the speaker wants the audience to understand from their journey through various subcultures?
-The speaker emphasizes that despite different beliefs, practices, or lifestyles, people are fundamentally the same. They have everyday concerns and responsibilities, and the speaker encourages empathy and listening to others’ perspectives, rather than trying to change them.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 The Evolution of Internet Communication

Martin, a representative of Union Magazine, introduces himself and the publication, which focuses on global subcultures. He discusses the internet's impact on communication, likening it to the evolution of human speech. However, he highlights a downside: the internet has led to the creation of echo chambers, where people gravitate towards like-minded groups, reinforcing their beliefs instead of fostering open dialogue. This segregation is rooted in evolutionary psychology and sociology, where humans historically grouped together for survival and social distinctiveness. This tendency persists today, influencing online interactions.

05:01

🏍️ Discovering the Unexpected: The East Bay Rats

Martin shares his experience with the East Bay Rats Motorcycle Club in Oakland, California. Despite their rough exterior, involving pyromania and Fight Clubs, many members have surprising backgrounds, including jobs in Silicon Valley and the music industry. This juxtaposition of their wild lifestyle with professional success illustrates that people are often more complex than they first appear. The club's pranks, like placing a shopping trolley full of valuable beer cans on a lamppost for the homeless to retrieve, reflect their unique sense of humor and camaraderie.

10:03

🎠 The Secret Lives of Bronies

Martin delves into the world of Bronies, adult fans of the children's show 'My Little Pony.' Contrary to stereotypes, many Bronies are regular people with demanding jobs, such as working in the Oklahoma oil industry. They appreciate the show for its lessons on conflict resolution and personal growth. Despite fears of being ostracized, these individuals remain dedicated to the fandom, finding significant personal meaning in it. Martin explains that becoming a Brony involves watching the first three episodes of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,' after which viewers might be hooked.

🛡️ A Glimpse into Extreme Beliefs: The American Nazi

Martin introduces Harry Hubbard, a member of the American National Socialist Party, who patrols the Arizona-Mexico border to prevent illegal immigration. Despite his extreme views, Harry is depicted as a surprisingly personable individual who rejects the Nazi label as derogatory. Martin's encounter at Harry's home, humorously named 'Rancho Murieta' (Ranch of Death), underscores the contrast between Harry's disturbing beliefs and his seemingly ordinary interactions.

👽 Unconventional Beliefs: The Raëlians

Martin explores the Raëlians, a UFO religion founded by a former French journalist. The Raëlians believe that life on Earth was created by aliens, who will return to save humanity. Despite media claims of sex orgies at their gatherings, Martin finds them to be regular people, discussing mundane topics like dental care costs and showing a keen interest in TED Talks on future society and technology. This contrasts sharply with their belief in alien creators, highlighting the diversity of human thought and belief.

🏍️ The Illegal Dirt Bike Culture of Baltimore

Martin examines the illegal dirt bike culture in Baltimore, where riders, known as the 'Twelve O'Clock Boys,' defy police by riding banned bikes through the city. These bikes, once used in drug trafficking, are now symbols of rebellion. Despite their outlaw image, the riders share concerns typical of youth, such as education and road safety. Martin's difficulty in gaining their trust reveals the group's wariness of outsiders, yet his persistence uncovers the ordinary lives behind the dangerous stunts.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 A Journey of Understanding: The Humanity in Subcultures

Martin reflects on his journey through various subcultures, emphasizing that despite their differences, people everywhere share common experiences. Whether it's a Nazi, a biker, or a Brony, everyone has everyday responsibilities and emotions. He advocates for empathy and open communication, urging people to engage with those who seem different rather than judge them. Martin concludes that by listening to others' stories, we realize that we are all fundamentally similar, despite our divergent paths.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Subcultures

Subcultures refer to groups of people who differentiate themselves from the mainstream by adopting distinct beliefs, practices, or lifestyles. In the video, the speaker explores various subcultures, such as the East Bay Rats motorcycle club and bronies, showing how people often gravitate toward communities that reflect their personal values or provide a sense of belonging.

💡Echo Chamber

An echo chamber is a situation where individuals are exposed only to beliefs or opinions that mirror their own, reinforcing their views rather than challenging them. The speaker discusses how the internet, instead of being a space for open communication, often serves as an echo chamber, where people cluster around like-minded groups, such as left-wing or right-wing platforms.

💡Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychology examines human behavior through the lens of evolution, suggesting that many behaviors are influenced by inherited traits from our ancestors. The speaker references evolutionary psychologists to explain why humans tend to group with people similar to themselves, a survival mechanism from prehistoric times when strangers were often perceived as threats.

💡Sociology

Sociology is the study of society, social institutions, and human behavior in group settings. The video contrasts evolutionary psychology with sociologists’ view that people join subcultures to assert social distinction and break away from mainstream norms, as exemplified by the unconventional appearances and behaviors of groups like the East Bay Rats or bronies.

💡East Bay Rats

The East Bay Rats are a motorcycle club based in Oakland, California, known for their love of rat bikes and activities like Fight Clubs. The speaker highlights that despite their rough exterior, many of the members have high-profile jobs in tech and other industries, demonstrating how first impressions based on appearance can be misleading.

💡Bronies

Bronies are adult fans of the animated series 'My Little Pony,' a show typically targeted at young children. The video explores how this subculture finds meaning in the show's lessons about conflict resolution and personal growth, challenging stereotypes that those who like the show are 'strange' or immature. Many bronies hold conventional jobs and lead normal lives, as illustrated by the two Oklahoma oil workers who secretly enjoy the show.

💡My Little Pony

'My Little Pony' is an animated series originally designed for children, which became the foundation of the brony subculture. The show is mentioned as teaching valuable life lessons that resonate with its adult fanbase, like how to manage stress and interpersonal conflict, which attracted fans from diverse backgrounds, including tough, traditionally masculine professions.

💡American National Socialist Party

The American National Socialist Party is a neo-Nazi organization in the U.S. The speaker introduces Harry Hubbard, a member of this group, to illustrate the complexity of people within extremist subcultures. While Harry’s beliefs are deeply controversial, the speaker notes that Harry was personable and hospitable, demonstrating how even those with extreme views can have multifaceted personalities.

💡Raelians

Raelians are followers of a UFO religion founded by a former French journalist. They believe that life on Earth was created by aliens and that these extraterrestrial beings will return to save humanity. The Raelians provide an example of how certain subcultures can form around unconventional, even fringe, belief systems, yet still consist of people with normal, everyday concerns, such as dental care.

💡Twelve O'Clock Boys

The Twelve O'Clock Boys are a group of illegal dirt bike riders in Baltimore, known for performing stunts like wheelies and evading police in the city’s streets. The speaker describes how this subculture formed in response to police crackdowns on their bikes, and the riders’ concerns go beyond their rebellious activities to more mundane issues like road safety and the challenges of growing up in Baltimore.

Highlights

The internet, while a revolutionary communication tool, often becomes an echo chamber where people gravitate towards like-minded communities, reinforcing their beliefs rather than fostering open dialogue.

Evolutionary psychologists suggest that the tendency to group with like-minded individuals is an ancient survival mechanism, where strangers represented danger.

Sociologists argue that people group together to be socially distinctive, to set themselves apart from the mainstream through appearance, behavior, or beliefs.

The East Bay Rats, a motorcycle club in Oakland, California, consists of individuals with high-profile jobs in Silicon Valley, challenging stereotypes about bikers.

Despite their tough exterior, the East Bay Rats engage in playful yet controversial pranks, such as attaching shopping trolleys filled with beer cans to lampposts, knowing the homeless would try to retrieve them.

Bronies, adult fans of My Little Pony, find solace and life lessons in the show, despite the societal stigma and potential ostracization they might face in their personal and professional lives.

Many bronies are regular individuals with families and jobs, like the two men working in the Oklahoma oil industry who find comfort in the show's messages about conflict resolution and stress management.

Harry Hubbard, a leading member of the American National Socialist Party, patrols the Arizona-Mexico border, reflecting a stark contrast between his extreme views and his friendly demeanor.

Harry Hubbard prefers not to be called a Nazi, despite his association with the American National Socialist Party, highlighting the complexity of individual identities within extremist groups.

The Raelians, a UFO religion founded by a former French car journalist, believe that all life on Earth was created by aliens, and that religious figures like Jesus and Buddha live together on another planet.

Raelians, despite their unconventional beliefs, are regular people with jobs and everyday concerns, such as the cost of dental care and the convenience of TED Talks.

The illegal dirt bike riders of Baltimore, known as the '12 O'Clock Boys,' use their bikes to challenge the authorities, protesting against laws that prohibit dirt bikes in the city.

Despite their rebellious activities, the Baltimore bikers are like any other teenagers, concerned about their futures, road safety, and the impact of elderly drivers on the streets.

The speaker emphasizes that people from diverse and often extreme subcultures are still fundamentally human, with everyday concerns and emotions similar to anyone else.

The overarching message is to engage with people from different backgrounds and beliefs with empathy, listening to their stories without judgment, to better understand our shared humanity.