The Story Of Mars

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second smallest planet in the Solar System. Named after the Roman god of war, it is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance.^[14] Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thin atmosphere, having surface features reminiscent both of the impact craters of the Moon and the volcanoes, valleys, deserts, and polar ice caps of Earth. The rotational period and seasonal cycles of Mars are likewise similar to those of Earth, as is the tilt that produces the seasons. Mars is the site of Olympus Mons, the second highest known mountain within the Solar System (the tallest on a planet), and of Valles Marineris, one of the largest canyons. The smooth Borealis basin in the northern hemisphere covers 40% of the planet and may be a giant impact feature.^[15][16] Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos, which are small and irregularly shaped. These may be captured asteroids, similar to 5261 Eureka, a Martian trojan asteroid.Until the first successful flyby of Mars occurred in 1965 by Mariner 4, many speculated about the presence of liquid water on the planet's surface. This was based on observed periodic variations in light and dark patches, particularly in the polar latitudes, which appeared to be seas and continents; long, dark striations were interpreted by some as irrigation channels for liquid water. These straight line features were later explained as optical illusions, though geological evidence gathered by unmanned missions suggest that Mars once had large-scale water coverage on its surface.^[17] In 2005, radar data revealed the presence of large quantities of water ice at the poles^[18] and at mid-latitudes.^[19][20] The Mars rover Spirit sampled chemical compounds containing water molecules in March 2007. The Phoenix lander directly sampled water ice in shallow Martian soil on July 31, 2008.
Mars is currently host to five functioning spacecraft: three in orbit—the Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter; and two on the surface—Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity and the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity. Defunct spacecraft on the surface include MER-A Spirit, and several other inert landers and rovers, both successful and unsuccessful, such as the Phoenix lander, which completed its mission in 2008. Observations by NASA's now-defunct Mars Global Surveyor show evidence that parts of the southern polar ice cap have been receding.^[22] Observations by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have revealed possible flowing water during the warmest months on Mars.^[23]
Mars can easily be seen from Earth with the naked eye. Its apparent magnitude reaches −3.0,^[7] which is only surpassed by Jupiter, Venus, the Moon, and the Sun. Optical ground-based telescopes are typically limited to resolving features about 300 km (186 miles) across when Earth and Mars are closest, because of Earth's atmosphere.

Physical characteristics

Size comparison of Earth and Mars.

Mars has approximately half the diameter of Earth. It is less dense than Earth, having about 15% of Earth's volume and 11% of the mass. Its surface area is only slightly less than the total area of Earth's dry land.^[6] While Mars is larger and more massive than Mercury, Mercury has a higher density. This results in the two planets having a nearly identical gravitational pull at the surface—that of Mars is stronger by less than 1%. The red-orange appearance of the Martian surface is caused by iron(III) oxide, more commonly known as hematite, or rust.^[25] It can also look butterscotch,^[26] and other common surface colors include golden, brown, tan, and greenish, depending on minerals.^[26]

Internal structure

Like Earth, this planet has undergone differentiation, resulting in a dense, metallic core region overlaid by less dense materials.^[27] Current models of the planet's interior imply a core region about 1794 ± 65 km in radius, consisting primarily of iron and nickel with about 16–17% sulfur.^[28] This iron sulfide core is partially fluid, and has twice the concentration of the lighter elements that exist at Earth's core. The core is surrounded by a silicate mantle that formed many of the tectonic and volcanic features on the planet, but now appears to be dormant. Besides silicon and oxygen, the most abundant elements in the martian crust are iron, magnesium, aluminum, calcium, and potassium. The average thickness of the planet's crust is about 50 km, with a maximum thickness of 125 km.^[29] Earth's crust, averaging 40 km, is only one third as thick as Mars's crust, relative to the sizes of the two planets. The InSight lander planned for 2016 will use a seismometer to better constrain the models of the interior.

Surface geology

Main article: Geology of Mars

Global mosaic of Mars from data gathered by the Viking 1 orbiter in 1980, showing Valles Marineris (center)

Mars is a terrestrial planet that consists of minerals containing silicon and oxygen, metals, and other elements that typically make up rock. The surface of Mars is primarily composed of tholeiitic basalt,^[30] although parts are more silica-rich than typical basalt and may be similar to andesitic rocks on Earth or silica glass. Regions of low albedo show concentrations of plagioclase feldspar, with northern low albedo regions displaying higher than normal concentrations of sheet silicates and high-silicon glass. Parts of the southern highlands include detectable amounts of high-calcium pyroxenes. Localized concentrations of hematite and olivine have also been found.^[31] Much of the surface is deeply covered by finely grained iron(III) oxide dust.^[32][33]
Although Mars has no evidence of a current structured global magnetic field,^[34] observations show that parts of the planet's crust have been magnetized, and that alternating polarity reversals of its dipole field have occurred in the past. This paleomagnetism of magnetically susceptible minerals has properties that are very similar to the alternating bands found on the ocean floors of Earth. One theory, published in 1999 and re-examined in October 2005 (with the help of the Mars Global Surveyor), is that these bands demonstrate plate tectonics on Mars four billion years ago, before the planetary dynamo ceased to function and the planet's magnetic field faded away.
During the Solar System's formation, Mars was created as the result of a stochastic process of run-away accretion out of the protoplanetary disk that orbited the Sun. Mars has many distinctive chemical features caused by its position in the Solar System. Elements with comparatively low boiling points such as chlorine, phosphorus and sulphur are much more common on Mars than Earth; these elements were probably removed from areas closer to the Sun by the young star's energetic solar wind.
After the formation of the planets, all were subjected to the so-called "Late Heavy Bombardment". About 60% of the surface of Mars shows a record of impacts from that era,^[37][38][39] while much of the remaining surface is probably underlain by immense impact basins caused by those events. There is evidence of an enormous impact basin in the northern hemisphere of Mars, spanning 10,600 km by 8,500 km, or roughly four times larger than the Moon's South Pole – Aitken basin, the largest impact basin yet discovered.^[15][16] This theory suggests that Mars was struck by a Pluto-sized body about four billion years ago. The event, thought to be the cause of the Martian hemispheric dichotomy, created the smooth Borealis basin that covers 40% of the planet.^[40][41]
The geological history of Mars can be split into many periods, but the following are the three primary periods:^[42][43]

• Noachian period (named after Noachis Terra): Formation of the oldest extant surfaces of Mars, 4.5 billion years ago to 3.5 billion years ago. Noachian age surfaces are scarred by many large impact craters. The Tharsis bulge, a volcanic upland, is thought to have formed during this period, with extensive flooding by liquid water late in the period.
• Hesperian period (named after Hesperia Planum): 3.5 billion years ago to 2.9–3.3 billion years ago. The Hesperian period is marked by the formation of extensive lava plains.
• Amazonian period (named after Amazonis Planitia): 2.9–3.3 billion years ago to present. Amazonian regions have few meteorite impact craters, but are otherwise quite varied. Olympus Mons formed during this period, along with lava flows elsewhere on Mars.

Some geological activity is still taking place on Mars. The Athabasca Valles is home to sheet-like lava flows up to about 200 Mya. Water flows in the grabens called the Cerberus Fossae occurred less than 20 Mya, indicating equally recent volcanic intrusions.^[44] On February 19, 2008, images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter showed evidence of an avalanche from a 700 m high cliff.^[45]

Search for life

Main articles: Life on Mars|Life on Mars (planet)|Life on Mars and Viking spacecraft biological experiments

The Viking 1 Lander sampling arm created a number of deep trenches as part of the surface composition and biology experiments. The digging tool on the sampling arm (lower center) could scoop up samples of material and deposit them into the appropriate experiment. Some holes were dug deeper to study soil which was not affected by solar radiation and weathering. (Chryse Planitia)

The current understanding of planetary habitability—the ability of a world to develop and sustain life—favors planets that have liquid water on their surface. This most often requires that the orbit of a planet lie within the habitable zone, which for the Sun currently extends from just beyond Venus to about the semi-major axis of Mars.^[130] During perihelion, Mars dips inside this region, but the planet's thin (low-pressure) atmosphere prevents liquid water from existing over large regions for extended periods. The past flow of liquid water demonstrates the planet's potential for habitability. Some recent evidence has suggested that any water on the Martian surface may have been too salty and acidic to support regular terrestrial life.^[131]
The lack of a magnetosphere and extremely thin atmosphere of Mars are a challenge: the planet has little heat transfer across its surface, poor insulation against bombardment of the solar wind and insufficient atmospheric pressure to retain water in a liquid form (water instead sublimates to a gaseous state). Mars is also nearly, or perhaps totally, geologically dead; the end of volcanic activity has apparently stopped the recycling of chemicals and minerals between the surface and interior of the planet.^[132]
Evidence suggests that the planet was once significantly more habitable than it is today, but whether living organisms ever existed there remains unknown. The Viking probes of the mid-1970s carried experiments designed to detect microorganisms in Martian soil at their respective landing sites and had positive results, including a temporary increase of CO₂ production on exposure to water and nutrients. This sign of life was later disputed by some scientists, resulting in a continuing debate, with NASA scientist Gilbert Levin asserting that Viking may have found life. A re-analysis of the Viking data, in light of modern knowledge of extremophile forms of life, has suggested that the Viking tests were not sophisticated enough to detect these forms of life. The tests could even have killed a (hypothetical) life form.^[133] Tests conducted by the Phoenix Mars lander have shown that the soil has a very alkaline pH and it contains magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride.^[134] The soil nutrients may be able to support life, but life would still have to be shielded from the intense ultraviolet light.^[135]
At the Johnson Space Center lab, some fascinating shapes have been found in the meteorite ALH84001, which is thought to have originated from Mars. Some scientists propose that these geometric shapes could be fossilized microbes extant on Mars before the meteorite was blasted into space by a meteor strike and sent on a 15 million-year voyage to Earth. An exclusively inorganic origin for the shapes has also been proposed.^[136]
Small quantities of methane and formaldehyde recently detected by Mars orbiters are both claimed to be hints for life, as these chemical compounds would quickly break down in the Martian atmosphere.^[137][138] It is remotely possible that these compounds may instead be replenished by volcanic or geological means such as serpentinization.^[119]

Habitability

The German space agency discovered Earth lichens to survive in simulated Mars conditions.^[139] The simulation based temperatures, atmospheric pressure, minerals, and light on data from Mars probes.^[139] An instrument called REMS is designed to provide new clues about signature of the Martian general circulation, microscale weather systems, local hydrological cycle, destructive potential of UV radiation, and subsurface habitability based on ground-atmosphere interaction;^[140][141] it landed on Mars as part of Curiosity (MSL) in August 2012. Microrganisms make up 80% of Earth's biomass.^[139]

Exploration missions

Main article: Exploration of Mars

In addition to observation from Earth, some of the latest Mars information comes from five active probes on or in orbit around Mars including three orbiters and two rovers. This includes 2001 Mars Odyssey,^[142] Mars Express, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Opportunity rover, and Curiosity rover.
Dozens of unmanned spacecraft, including orbiters, landers, and rovers, have been sent to Mars by the Soviet Union, the United States, Europe, and Japan to study the planet's surface, climate, and geology. The public can request images of Mars via the HiWish program.
The Mars Science Laboratory, named Curiosity, launched on November 26, 2011, reached Mars on August 6, 2012 UTC. It is larger and more advanced than the Mars Exploration Rovers, with a movement rate up to 90 meters per hour (295 feet per hour).^[143] Experiments include a laser chemical sampler that can deduce the make-up of rocks at a distance of 7 meters.^[144]

Astronomy on Mars

Main article: Astronomy on Mars

Phobos transits the Sun, as seen by Mars rover Opportunity on March 10, 2004

With the existence of various orbiters, landers, and rovers, it is now possible to study astronomy from the Martian skies. While Mars's moon Phobos appears about one third the angular diameter of the full Moon as it appears from Earth, Deimos appears more or less star-like, and appears only slightly brighter than Venus does from Earth.^[145]
There are various phenomena, well-known on Earth, that have been observed on Mars, such as meteors and auroras.^[146] A transit of the Earth as seen from Mars will occur on November 10, 2084.^[147] There are also transits of Mercury and transits of Venus, and the moons Phobos and Deimos are of sufficiently small angular diameter that their partial "eclipses" of the Sun are best considered transits (see Transit of Deimos from Mars).^[148][149]

Viewing

Animation of the apparent retrograde motion of Mars in 2003 as seen from Earth

Because the orbit of Mars is eccentric, its apparent magnitude at opposition from the Sun can range from −3.0 to −1.4. The minimum brightness is magnitude +1.6 when the planet is in conjunction with the Sun. Mars usually appears a distinct yellow, orange, or reddish color; the actual color of Mars is closer to butterscotch, and the redness seen is just dust in the planet's atmosphere; considering this, NASA's Spirit rover has taken pictures of a greenish-brown, mud-colored landscape with blue-grey rocks and patches of light red colored sand. When farthest away from the Earth, it is more than seven times as far from the latter as when it is closest. When least favorably positioned, it can be lost in the Sun's glare for months at a time. At its most favorable times—at 15- or 17-year intervals, and always between late July and late September—Mars shows a wealth of surface detail to a telescope. Especially noticeable, even at low magnification, are the polar ice caps.
As Mars approaches opposition, it begins a period of retrograde motion, which means it will appear to move backwards in a looping motion with respect to the background stars. The duration of this retrograde motion lasts for about 72 days, and Mars reaches its peak luminosity in the middle of this motion.

Symbolic Moon Facts

This page on symbolic moon facts is devoted to the various illuminating qualities of the moon from a philosophical/metaphysical perspective.
Throughout nature we find a cavalcade of energetic counterparts: Light/Dark, Male/Female, Increase/Decrease, etc., and the moon takes her place in the balance as the counter part to the sun.

The sun is symbolic of the fraternal (male, yang) aspect of guidance; and so logically the moon stoically stands as the maternal (female or yin) influence.
This gender association is a generalization, and (as with most symbolic meanings) there are departures. Moon symbolism in Native American tribes (Navajo, Eskimo, Pueblo come to mind), along with African, Japanese, Maori, Teutonic, Oceania, and Sumerian-Semitic groups refer to the moon as a masculine force.
More intriguing than gender, is the means by which the moon wields her force and influence. She is considered a luminary, but she produces no light of her own accord. She is reliant upon the sun’s light to reflect (mirror) her image to our earthly eyes.
This method of projecting light makes the moon a symbol of subtlety. Clarity, reflection, and indirect deduction are gained by passive means. Where the sun will boldly bear down its blaze upon a given philosophical subject – the moon softly enfolds our attention – illumining our psyche in a gossamer glow that is more open to esoteric impressions.
Some key words relating to symbolic moon facts include:

• Receptivity
• Femininity
• Intuition
• Illumination
• Passivity
• Psyche
• Influence
• Cycles
• Time
• Fertility
• Transition
• Emotion
• Perception
• Progression
• Mystery
• Wonder
• Shadow
• Balance
• Renewal

Astrologically speaking the moon is ruler of the sign of Cancer and governs the realm of intuitive thinking as well as emotions. The moon is a symbolic soul mate to water, and shares this affinity with Cancer as we learn Cancer’s foundational element is water.
In animal symbolism, the moon shares an association with water (and her influence over the tides) makes her matron of all sea creatures – specifically those with shell coverings.
Her domain doesn’t stop at the sea however, because the moon is also queen of the night, her kingdom includes all nocturnal creatures too.
Here are just a few lunar animals that dance to the rhythmic pull of the moon (more lunar animals will be added to this moon facts page as they are written):

• Bat
• Bear
• Wolf
• Owl
• Moth
• Cat
• Crab
• Hare
• Toad and Frog
• Snail
• Dolphin
• Dog

The symbolic moon facts can be found in alchemical teachings wherein the moon is a facet of silver. In the ever-parabolic perspective of the practicing alchemist, we know silver is symbolic of clarity, purity, and brilliance. Silver is one of the three foundational metals of the Prima Materia and so the silver-personified moon is prominently placed upon the triune throne of transformation.
More symbolic moon facts are derived from myth, lore and culture as we see lunar associations tied with deities and cyclical events in human collective consciousness.
To wit, the moon is associated with such symbolic archetypes as :

• Artemis:
  Greek hunter goddess whose personality highlights include chastity, protection, avengement, and childbirth.
• Diana:
  Also a huntress archetype, and woodland goddess of the Romans; she is protector of women and animals.
• Hecate:
  Adopted Greek goddess of the night specializing in birth, cycles, purification, crossroads and second (otherworldly) sight.
• Thoth:
  Egyptian god (note male attribution) of the moon having connections with magic, wisdom, writing, and hidden meanings (associated with Hermes in Greek myth, who interestingly, like Hecate is a figurehead of crossroads too).
• Virgin Mary:
  Christian symbolism features her with the new moon where she resonates with the concepts of purity, peace, illumination, and perfection.

These are just a few amidst a global pantheon of symbolic archetypes that embody the illumined movements of the moon.
We gain more symbolic moon facts by delving into the language of the Tarot where the lunar energies are represented in the Moon card of the Major Arcana.
The phases of the moon serve as another glimpse into her intricate meanings. For example:

• Waning Moon:
  Symbolic of letting go, surrender, release, quiet time, contemplation, and a time of incubation.
• New Moons:
  Symbolic of new beginnings, a fresh start, rebirth
• Waxing Moon:
  Symbolic of growth, manifestation, attainment, gravidity (heavy with child – both philosophical and literal).
• Full Moon:
  Symbolic of the height of power, the peak of clarity, fullness and obtainment of desire.

The nature-wise, and cosmically conscious Native American Indians recognized power of full moons to the extent they framed each month’s fullness with a contextual attribute. Meaning, they recognized the full moon in each month as having a specific (restorative, outstanding) quality. I’ve written about the Native American Full Moon names here.
I hope you have enjoyed this summary of observations on symbolic moon facts. I would encourage you to use this page as a jumping-off-point to launch you into broader research on your own.
Take the time to observe, quantify, research, and theorize about the moon for yourself. Connect with her many faces, and apply your findings to your own life experience. I guarantee the lunar depths you dive into will instill you with inspiration, expansion, and liberation.
Keep up the moon momentum!

The Straight Edge Lifestyle – How Our Generation Can Benefit From It

I am Straight Edge. Period. For those of you who don’t know what being Straight Edge is, it means that I don’t smoke, drink, or do drugs. I have never done any of these, and I never will. For our generation including all of us here at Skyline, these things consume our culture. One movement, however, can change our generation’s course for the better.

The Straight Edge lifestyle became a subculture here in the United States during the late 70s and into the early 80s. Associated during this time with hardcore punk music were ideals of individualism, doing what you want, and almost hatred of school or work.

After this period, the Straight Edge movement underwent a transformation, through the 1980s and 90s, into a subculture with some of the same ideals, but with a new era of influence. The musical element remained, but with the introduction of vegetarianism and veganism, animal rights advocacy, and Straight Edge militant groups.

These two decades defined the controversial aspect of being Straight Edge. In 2000 much of the controversy surrounding the movement disappeared.

For individuals in the movement, or living the lifestyle, the general ideals remain. Smoking, drinking, and drug use is not allowed. For more “hard line” followers, a diet of meat and promiscuous sexual activity is discouraged. Animal rights remain a strong ideal of being Straight Edge.

The most recognizable symbol of the Straight Edge movement is the “X,” either being drawn on the back of hands, on clothing, or in the form of a tattoo. As for how the movement represents themselves, there is some disagreement. For some Straight Edge followers, “playing the part” overshadows the ideals. There is almost a cultural criterion for how someone who is Straight Edge should look or act. There is also emphasis on the music you surround yourself with. However, the term “straight edge” is accepted by most Straight Edge followers, and the general public as somebody who doesn’t like alcohol, smoking, or drugs. This defines the message of Straight Edge.

Unfortunately, my generation fails to hear the message.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, (CDC), their 2010 smoking statistics for young adults ages 18-24 show that 21.4% smoke. Smoking is also known to cause cancer, heart disease, and lung diseases. In the United States, smoking is the leading preventable cause of death, killing one out of five people every year. Worldwide, smokers will die 13-14 years earlier than non-smokers. Excessive alcohol and drug abuse does not fare any better. CDC studies show alcohol abuse can lead to pancreatitis, liver cancer, high blood pressure, and chronic health problems. Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of death among young adults involved in car accidents. It is also shocking to know that most young adults begin drinking under the age of 18, which is definitely illegal. As far as drugs are concerned, a study conducted by University of Cincinnati psychologist Krista Medina in early 2010, showed that the brains of college students are impacted by abuse of prescription drugs and from the chemicals in marijuana. Medina’s research shows that abuse of drugs and alcohol can massively affect the students’ verbal memory and ability to focus, not to mention long-term mental effects. Illegal drug use is one of the largest problems law enforcement agencies face every year. Drug use is present in any area of any city or town.

I believe that our generation has been entirely taken over by a culture where getting drunk, high, or smoking is cool. I don’t understand how getting arrested by the police for being high or getting in a fatal car accident after binge drinking is cool. It’s not and what happens after the fact carries very serious consequences. This is the reality in what we face when making irresponsible decisions. It saddens me to look at those younger than us, especially little children, and realize it won’t be long before they are influenced by a misguided culture. I don’t really know if there is an argument justifying a reason to light up a cigarette and possibly get lung cancer, or doing ecstasy and collapsing from heart failure. I highly doubt it. The financial and emotional toll an addiction leads to is nothing short of a dead end. Whether you watch the news or read about it, addicts who don’t get help meet a terrible fate. This problem affects all of us here at Skyline College. I think if more young people familiarized themselves with the Straight Edge culture, they will find that they will live a much more comfortably healthy and positive lifestyle. The Straight Edge lifestyle protects you from the negative influences of society and commits you to be self-disciplined. This movement can really benefit our generation and turn the tide against so many problems we face.

I know, however, that most of you will continue to smoke, drink, and do drugs after you read this, but just understand the cost. I understand that you can do these things if you want, and you may– I cannot change you. I only hope that you can gain a sense of self-awareness of this never ending problem. I always say that things like alcohol and drugs are the Devil’s gift to man so that he may destroy himself. You, however, always have the choice to either take his offer or refuse it.

Written by: Kiriakos VilchezThursday, September 16, 2010

Originally posted at – http://www.theskylineview.com/opinion/the-straight-edge-lifestyle-1.1601933 

Straight edge History

Straight edge is a subculture and subgenre of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. It was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. For some, this extends to not engaging inpromiscuous sex, following a vegetarian or vegan diet, and not using caffeine or prescription drugs. The term was adopted from the song "Straight Edge" by the 1980s hardcore punk band Minor Threat.

Straight edge emerged amid the mid-'80s hardcore punk scene, in part as a reaction against the perceived "jock" element of the developing scene.^{[citation needed]} Since then a wide variety of beliefs and ideas have been incorporated into the movement, including vegetarianism, animal rights, communism and Hare Krishna beliefs.^[6] In many parts of the United States, straight edge is treated as a gang by law enforcement officials. A 2006 study suggested that the vast majority of people who identify as straight edge are nonviolent.

History

In 1999, William Tsitsos wrote that straight edge had gone through three eras since its founding in the early 1980s. Later analysts have identified another era that has taken place since Tsitsos's writing.

[edit]1970s and early 1980s

Minor Threat, the coiners of the termstraight edge

Straight edge grew out of hardcore punk in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and was partly characterized by shouted rather than sung vocals.Straight edge individuals of this early era often associated with the original punk ideals such as individualism, disdain for work and school, and live-for-the-moment attitudes.

Straight edge sentiments can be found in songs by the early 1980s band Minor Threat, most explicitly within their song "Straight Edge", first wave English punk band The Vibrators song "Keep It Clean" and Jonathan Richman's early band The Modern Lovers 1970s song "I'm Straight", which rejected drug use.^[13] As one of the few prominent 1970s hard rock icons to explicitly eschew alcohol and drug use, singer/guitarist Ted Nugent was also a key influence on the straight edge ideology.

Straight edge started on the East Coast of the United States in Washington D.C., and quickly spread throughout the US and Canada. By the 1980s, bands on the West Coast of the United States, such as America's Hardcore (A.H.C.), Stalag 13, Justice League and Uniform Choice, were gaining popularity. In the early stages of this subculture's history, concerts often consisted of non-straight-edge punk bands along with straight edge bands. Circumstances soon changed and the early 1980s would eventually be viewed as the time "before the two scenes separated". Early straight edge bands included: the Washington D.C. bands Minor Threat, State of Alert (S.O.A.), Government Issue, Teen Idles and The Faith; Reno's 7 Seconds; Boston's SSD, DYS and Negative FX; California bands as mentioned above; and New York City bands such as Cause for Alarm and The Abused.

[edit]Bent edge

Main article: Bent edge

Bent edge began as a countermovement to straight edge by members of the Washington, D.C. hardcore scene who were frustrated by the rigidity and intolerance in the scene. This idea spread and on Minor Threat's first tour in 1982, people would come up to the band identifying as bent or curved edge. The countermovement was short lived and faded away by the end of the 1980s.

[edit]Youth crew (mid 1980s)

Youth of Today, the pioneers of Youth Crew.

During the youth crew era, which started in the mid 1980s, the influence of music on the straight edge scene seemed to be at an all-time high. The new branches of straight edge that came about during this era seemed to originate from ideas presented in songs. Many youth crew bands had a strongheavy metal influence. Notable youth crew bands included: Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits, Judge, Bold, Chain of Strength, Uniform Choice, and Slapshot.

Starting in the mid 1980s, the band Youth of Today became associated with the straight edge movement, and their song "Youth Crew" expressed a desire to unite the scene into a movement. Vegetarianism became an important theme in straight edge during this era, starting with Youth of Today's 1988 song "No More", which contained the lyrics: "Meat-eating, flesh-eating, think about it. So callous this crime we commit". This catalyzed a trend towards animal rights and veganism within the straight edge movement that would reach its peak in the 1990s.

[edit]1990s

By the early 1990s, militant straight edge was a well-known part of the wider punk and DIY scene. However, militant straight edge punks were not known for being tolerant. They displayed outward pride, outspokenness, and showed a willingness to resort to violence in order to promote their sub-culture. The militant straight edge individual was characterized by being more conservative and less tolerant of homosexuality and abortion.

In the mid 1990s, a number of bands advocating social justice, animal liberation, veganism, and straight edge practices leaned towards metal. During the 1990s, the straight edge scene split into factions: hardline and Krishna Consciousness.

[edit]Outside the United States

In the early to mid 1990s, straight edge spread from the United States to Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and South America. Straight edge spread around the world due to the relentless touring of youth crew bands and the ease of ordering records from American record labels via the mail.

[edit]2000s

By the beginning of the 2000s, only small groups of militant straight edge individuals remained. The decline in militant behavior has been linked to the lack of a well known straight edge band leading the movement.^{[citation needed]} Contrary to news reports that portrayed straight edge as a gang, several studies have shown that straight edge individuals as a whole are mostly peaceful people. In the 2000s, there was a growing amount of tolerance of people who do not follow the straight edge lifestyle by straight edge individuals. In this incarnation of straight edge, the musical styles of the bands involved are more varied, ranging from a youth crew revival style to metalcore to posicore. Straight edge bands from the 2000s include Champion, Down to Nothing, Embrace Today, and Throwdown.

[edit]X symbol

Italian straight edge band To Killperforming live

The letter X is the most known symbol of straight edge, and is sometimes worn as a marking on the back of both hands, though it can be displayed on other body parts as well. Some followers of straight edge have also incorporated the symbol into clothing and pins. According to a series of interviews by journalist Michael Azerrad, the straight edge X can be traced to the Teen Idles' brief U.S. West Coast tour in 1980. The Teen Idles were scheduled to play at San Francisco's Mabuhay Gardens, but when the band arrived, club management discovered that the entire band was under the legal drinking age and therefore would be denied entry to the club. As a compromise, management marked each of the Idles' hands with a large blackX as a warning to the club's staff not to serve alcohol to the band. Upon returning to Washington, D.C., the band suggested this same system to local clubs as a means to allow teenagers in to see musical performances without being served alcohol. The Teen Idles released a record in 1980 calledMinor Disturbance with the cover shot being two hands with black X's on the back. The mark soon became associated with the Straight Edge lifestyle.

Later bands have used the X symbol on album covers and other paraphernalia in a variety of ways. The cover of No Apologies by Judge shows two crossed gavels in the X symbol. Other objects that have been used include shovels, baseball bats, and hockey sticks.

A variation involving a trio of Xs, XXX, is often used in show flyers and tattoos. This can be used to show that an adherent is extremely straight edge. Also, it can be ironic based on the fact that three X's are a cartoon way to signify alcohol or poison. The term is sometimes abbreviated by including an X with the abbreviation of the term "straight edge" to give sXe. By analogy, hardcore punk is sometimes abbreviated to hXc.

Re:Generation Music Project (2012)

Blink-182 - Up All Night

Blink 182 - Heart's All Gone