Is Austin really weird and progressive? the forum seems mainstream (Cactus: neighborhood, theater)

[carolinajack]

awesome, i hope to find out about him

[artsyguy]

The culture in Austin is not progressive, it is very regressive.

Politically it is capitalistic like any city that wishes to grow and gain profits.

Austin is weird in that you feel weird and creeped out when you have to live there. Little by little you realize people aren't friendly and try to take advantage of you.

[G Grasshopper]

OK, artsyguy has had a bad experience, and I'm sorry about that. My experience with Austin is that it is progressive when compared to the rest of Texas, but there are certainly other progressive places in the country (and probably places that are more progressive). It is more accepting of all kinds of lifestyles and people than most other areas of Texas, but there are probably places in the country that are just as accepting. So in the context of Texas, it is unusually progressive and accepting, but in the context of the whole country, it isn't so unusual. But being not so very unusual does not mean it isn't unique. Every place has its own "feel". Austin is truely Texan, but it also a place unto itself. The challenge for Austin is keeping that unique character when the trend, nation-wide, is for every place to become more and more just like every place else. The task for newcomers to Austin (as I see it) is to find your place and make your contributions while respecting and appreciating the things that make Austin distinctive.

[coog78]

Austin was "weird", meaning liberal progressive thinking laid-back and fashion forward or apathetic in the late 80s and early 90s. Then Austin got "discovered" and instead if being weird is now smoke and mirrors and pretentious.

IMO, people in Austin try way too hard and it does not feel like a liberal town to me at all. Obviosly, you have the University and that generates intellectual thought which I do not consider liberal, rather thought provoking.

Austin does have a cool music scene and some diehards have stayed to try and keep the old vibe alive. But it is sadly dying off and being replaced by Cali transplants that don't think it's done until it's overdone.

[love roses]

The music scene isn't being helped by all the new condo dwellers moving near 6th street and environs and then complaining about the noise, and now having noise ordinances put in place.

[TexasHorseLady]

Yep. Same thinking as folks who move to the country and then complain because there are no sidewalks, there are ANIMALS there, and it's DARK at night!

[love roses]

true!

[sxrckr]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Sixth street used to have real music instead of all cover and/or dance music. You could usually find something worth listening to.

I know, what happened?

[carolinajack]

i was wondering that too, there used to be great songwriters and singers, Pat Green was one right?

[centralaustinite]

There are still great singers and songwriters! You just won't find them on 6th street.

Try the Saxon Pub or the Continental Club, or the Cactus Club on UT campus.