"Neotrance and the Psychedelic Festival" (Grahm St. John)
I. Main Argument/focus
"Neotrance" has no immediately apparent overarching argument. John instead seems to be attempting a general survey of the psychedelic festival and its effects on participants.
II. Approach to altered state in relation to media
Without the electronic media made available within the past 20(?) years, raves as we now know them would not be possible. In this way, raves are necissarily modern.
Raves act to carnivalize " 'the technologies of a command and control society' " (46, quoted from Schutze).
III. Key concepts
electronic dance sub-genres: Progressive psychadelic, darkpsy, full on, morning trance, psybient, etc.
spontaneous communitas/"the vibe"/"togetherness"/"being together"/"connectedness"
Sensations of "nowness"
Difference and Singularity - "psytrance festivals enable participants ... to give expression to their difference while at the same time potentiating the experience of singularity" (44).
Defining "Psychonautica"
psychonautica - the practice of exploring one's own mind/consciousness.
under this definition, weather or not an experience is psychonautic hinges on intent (does the psychonaut MEAN to "travel" through his or her mind? Is he/she CONSCIOUS of the nature of the experience?)
psychonautica in relation to media - must view altered states (and the methods used to induce them) as TOOLS.
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