Cumulative advantage argues that whatever is entering the outskirts of the mainstream will gain more and more awareness, simply because it already owns awareness. People do not generally choose culture or products because of qualitative assessment, deep knowledge or selective skills; they do it because other people do it.

How anything enters the outskirts of the mainstream (usually by recommendation from powerful networked visionaries) is basically accidental and in two parallel universes the hit charts would not look the same (read this report on the parallel universe study (pdf) by Duncan Watts et al).

So, does this mean that our culture is dominated by mindless consumers that will invest in whatever ‘crap’ that is playing on the FM-band? Basically, yes. But does it also mean that the phenomenon will flatten our culture and make it even more shallow as connoisseurs usually tell us it will?

Not necessarily, considering that history and culture on the overall works by action-reaction paradigms and that a subculture simply is unimaginable without mainstream culture. Just like a fungus, the subculture thrives best in dark and ‘supressed’ environments (such as basements, and condemned buildings).

Looks matters too
But, for something to really enter the epicenter of the mainstream, it has to own certain characteristics; let’s just call it a ‘pop’ quality (pop being short for popular). The idea is, that if Pere Ubu lead singer David Thomas really had looked and sounded like Rod Stewart (as he usually jokes about) his lyrics and band status would have been completely different. He would not have experienced the same level of hardship and letdown that his musical universe evolves around.

In fact, it is said that geniuses such as Kierkegaard and Wagner were best when times were the worst. I believe this argument holds some truth, which also might testify to why most great cultural products and experiences seem to flirt with tragedy rather than comedy (the sublime often has both).

Ugly lead singers should embrace their mugs and time-space situation, because in the end, it’s not really about becoming someone (i.e. pop star), it’s all about becoming yourself (Kierkegaard again). Certainly that’s what Pere Ubu has done and that’s why they’re unique.

To conclude, subculture should praise the mainstream, as it is the sounding board on which it plays out loudest.

And the concert?
It was great, everything it was supposed to be. Lead singer David Thomas delivered a bulletproof version of his Remy Martin-consuming, chain-smoking, and ranting stage persona, beautifully flavored with some truly unique falsetto vocal work.

Pere Ubu was formed in 1975, have done massive touring and still do. They are best described, I think, as the missing link between Captain Beefheart and Joy Division. European tour dates are here. The vintage picture above was found here, the ‘after’ version can be seen here.

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