Due to recent events around me due to kids being irresponsible and causing everyone a lot of grief, including their friends and family who have to deal with the loss, I've been thinking a lot about both the Music Scene and "Drug Prohibition".
In order to get everything off my mind, decided to just write my thoughts down as if trying to explain my viewpoint to the world as a form of release.
Figured I'd share it here as well, since it's more like minded people here.
Music Scene and Drug Prohibition
First thing I'm going to say, is a criticism to the a general population of the people in the Music Scene. If you go to any music event with any intention of getting "fucked up", please go the fuck away. Your kind are the reason we have to put up with so much bullshit. Of course I know you really won't care about my desire for you to leave, and you probably will never read this anyways, because you are a douche that doesn't actually care about the music you are paying money to listen to.
Now for the rest of the people still reading this, you're probably asking, "But don't you do drugs? Why doesn't that apply to you?". The answer is simple. The drugs are not the reason I go, and I'd be doing them whether I went to those events or not. I don't use drugs to get "fucked up", I use them as tools just like the entirety of humanity has for years. Simply because I choose to -also- use them at music events, doesn't mean it's my only reason for going, I go to them because I actually care about the music,. I know about the producers, the genres, the musical influences that lead to the currently playing track's sound and beat, the skills and talent required to make the performance we are all enjoying.
For the majority of our existence as a species, we have been free to consume whatever plant or chemical we wished to, without requiring consent from anyone. We are free to do any other activities, even ones far more riskier. Skydiving, spelunking, swimming with sharks, safari's through jungles, and many other deadly activties.
Yet when it comes to what we put in our bodies, we are FORBIDDEN from using something that if pure and appropriately dosed, would make us happy, love everyone, and lose all anxiety to dance and enjoy life, and is completely debatable on whether or not it actually causes permanent -significant- damage. Really? Why?
It's legislation of morality, pure and simple. It's not to help anyone. Non-addictive substances are just as forbidden as addictive ones. Non-damaging substances just as forbidden as damaging ones. Should an end to the prohibition be seen, all those who do have problems with addiction would be able to seek help without fear of legal consequences. While still burdened by the shame of an addiction, they would not be fearful of the shame of being a "criminal".
Ending drug prohibition, would eliminate issues of Levasimole in Cocaine, untested analogs being sold as MDMA or LSD. It would eliminate the explosions, deaths, and dangers of home based Meth production.
It would allow the use by psychiatrists and psychologist, to use all tools at their disposal for the assistance and therapy of people troubled by mental illness or traumatic experiences. These people are the experts in our society at determining what the best ways to help our mental and emotionally ill, and asked the Government to let MDMA be a prescription medication. It was denied.
Psychedelics have been used by religions around the world for many centuries. Two religions are actually allowed to pursue them in our country today, an exception made for Ayahuasca (DMT + MAOIs) and Peyote (Mescaline). Why then, are other people forbidden from pursuing their own religious usages of various psychedelics, or even discovering a non-organized, self-fufilling personal spiritual usage of these substances?
Today we know more about the potential harms, effects, risks and benefits of all these substances than we did 100 years ago. Yet 100 years ago, every plant or chemical discovered, all people had the freedom to use at their own risk.
Regardless, the electronic music scene seems to have the largest negative stereotype with drugs. I have a theory on why. Could it perhaps be, that the people who truly enjoy ALL types of music, are attracted to such music? It is the most complex and widely varied of musical styles I've seen in one place. There is an electronic remix of the 5th Symphony! Jazz/disco/intrumental influences, amazing vocalists but not lyric heavy, and so many other reasons to make electronic music an amazing art form.
The Electronic music scence, I believe, is the modern day version of what classical music was in it's day. 500 years from now, what music will be seen as the epitome of our generation's best works?
I highly doubt it will be Britney Spears or Eminem. Yes they will be known. But the most beautiful and complex music I've heard has been in the electronic music scene.
The most brilliant artists making tracks for it, are creating music that evokes the same level of emotions that I feel when listening to the most popular music from centuries past.
So how does a person being attracted to all types of music mean they are more likely to do drugs? They are highly likely to have an open mind, a love for all things humanity has to offer and experience, and are willing to venture forth into the realms of our existence that are forbidden by the masses.
Drug usage can be done responsibly, despite some people's opinions otherwise. It would be even easier to do it responsibly and with far less physical risk if drug prohibition were ended.
Until such a day, I will continue to hide my usage of any substance, and can not publicly teach the responsible usage of drugs without appearing to encourage illegal activity. Thanks Government for making me look like a criminal for helping people be safe, while allowing others to encourage far more deadly activities legally.
All good music, regardless of genre, century or culture, is amazingly beautiful.
Drugs allow you to see the world in a different viewpoint, and can enhance abilities, or cure/treat illnesses.
What's wrong with either of those?