A Post-Cringe Theory of Psychedelic Spirituality in the Rave Scene
Michelle Lhooq
Psychedelic Intersections January 17, 2025 DOI: 10.70423/0001.12 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the emotion of cringe can serve as a tool to identify and overcome outdated and clichéd elements in the rave and psychedelic music scene, thereby helping to reclaim a transcendent spirit. |
Abstract
This essay uses the concept of cringe as a tool to assess where the rave scene has gone stale and to argue for ways it may reclaim a transcendent spirit. While we may never be able to fully escape the cringe, the powerful emotions it signals can serve as a shock collar, alerting us to behaviors and beliefs that were perhaps once radical but have since become outdated and cliche. In this way, I argue for the instrumentalization of cringe as a way of advancing the psychedelic music scene beyond its cringe and capitalist present. There cannot be change without cringe.