rave-plur.html

PEACE-LOVE-UNITY-RESPECT


"Peace-Love-Unity-Respect. It is the REAL rave anthem. ..The values and state of mind associated with the PLUR spirit makes the vibe so thick and the night so enjoyable"
(B.B.: Wed, 10 Apr 96 20:49:22).


A fundamental rave ideology, PLUR was coined as the rave anthem and became an organizing principle for the scene in 1992 and 1993; it was an ideological statement that encompassed peopleís feelings about rave. PLUR is the basis for much, but not all, of the vibe that many people refer to when discussing parties and the rave community. (More?) It is an important part of rave culture because it provides hope and love in a world that is often characterized by despair. Additionally, PLUR forms a foundation for the constantly emerging relationships in the community:
...I saw a funny word spelled P-L-U-R and did a little research, hoping to find out what it meant. Then, and only then, did I ëget a clue.í I had my moment of clarity and I discovered the real reason those crazy British people got together to dance all night. They came together to celebrate each other. They saw the world collapsing around them into a place of violence, ignorance, and depression. They were young people (ìyoungî as a state of mind, not age) who had open minds and open hearts that were being forced to conform to a world that wanted to destroy their individuality. Hopefuls in a hopeless world. They needed to be free. They needed to reaffirm the LIFE that was seething within their minds, hearts, and souls. So, instead of giving it all up, they got together their records, called their very best mates, and proceed to have the very best time of their lives. They got together to change the world. And, indeed, they have (B.B.: Wed, 10 Apr 96 20:49:22).
While PLUR is important ideologically to rave culture it has become, for many people within the community, something to cling to as the dynamics of the earlier scene have begun to dissipate (f.h.: Wed, 24 Apr 96).

PLUR is also an important part of the rave scene because it provides a loose guideline for people who are new to the scene, as well as a lifeline for those who see that the scene is changing. While there is an informal rigid format at raves it is not scripted in the same manner as a concert or a performance. This informal format is loosely based on PLUR: aggression is simply not accepted and the consumption of alcohol is openly frowned upon (f.h.: Wed, 24 Apr 96).

PLUR also functions as a means by which people can come together without the pretense and hostility that is experienced in our day to day lives. We live in a society where people are increasingly isolated and disconnected from one another due to the role of the marketplace. With market relations constantly displacing us from friends, family and loved ones it is only natural that in the midst of our alienation from each other the qualities PLUR encompass are appealing. ì...raving is a trap door, you walk in thinking itís one thing and find out youíve found something entirely different... Teach [people who are new to the scene] about PLUR by being a living example of it. Theyíre not going to give Peace-Love-Unity-Respect to us if we donít give it to themî (j.l.: Thurs, 11 Apr 96 15:47:15). PLUR provides a way for people to live out their values and openly encourage a certain type of behavior in an increasingly aggressive and individualistic society. It is a means by which people may reach out to each other without fear of a hostile response and forge community. For more information on Peace-Love-Unity-Respect.Click or Click.


Introduction
Commodification
Postmodern?
Community?
Language Games