Post #232210 by caerthe on Tue, May 16, 2006 12:33 AM

Sometimes something becomes mainstream because it represents certain qualities that many are searching for. Does this make mainstream bad? Not necessarily. In fact, on the rare occassion it's an endorsement of how good something is. Those who foresake or avoid something, simply because it's popular, will inevitably miss out on some great experiences. The underground can only stay underground if nobody new comes into the mix. Therefore, if there's no new energy or ideas, there'll be no growth. If there's no growth, then stagnation and death are (most likely) end results.

With something as broadly encompassing as Tiki, I think there's room for all levels of representation. Many of our friends see my wife and I as overly enthusiastic about Tiki, but even they are now begining to keep an eye out for some of the more cheesy "mainstream" items. I feel that as their respective Tiki palets become more sophisticated, they'll come to realize that not all things Tiki are what everyone, including themselves, might consider "true" Tiki.

I think that the Tiki movement will continue on the path to a strong resurgance, so long as the new school continues to be admitted by the old. Really, the old school only exists because of how mainstream Tiki was before.