Techno-shamanism and the economy of ecstasy as a religious experience

Alan Nixon, Adam Possamai

    Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperChapter

    Abstract

    Over the course of this discussion, we have described three interpretations of ecstasy induced by the (electronic form of music) EDM experience. Pagan, Christian and secular dance music enthusiasts all see the primordial religious experiences induced by this environment through different lenses. Using Bourdieu's theory in this supposedly eclectic field, we have been able to observe a type of economy of ecstasy in which the cultural capital of three agents is in competition in the sub-field of rave culture and the (ir)religious experience. In other words, these cultural transactions of the meaning behind these (ir)religious experiences are in conflict, and thus structure this sub-field of (ir)religion into largely separate scenes witl1 competing interpretations of ecstasy. Thus we have been able to distinguish Neo-Pagan interpretations of ecstasy from those of two other competing agents within the sub-field of rave ecstasy.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationPop Pagan : Paganism and Popular Music
    EditorsDonna Weston, Andy Bennett
    Place of PublicationU.K.
    PublisherAcumen
    Pages145-161
    Number of pages17
    ISBN (Electronic)9781844656486
    ISBN (Print)9781844656462
    Publication statusPublished - 2013

    Keywords

    • Techno-Shamanism
    • Shamanism
    • paganism
    • popular music
    • religious aspects

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