The Paradox of Collectivism

Individualism, Identity, and Isolation in South Florida’s Creative Subculture

This research investigates the social dynamics, aesthetic labor, and identity formation within Miami’s creative and music subcultures. Through in-depth interviews, participant observation, nightlife ethnography, and media analysis, it examines how the pursuit of collective identity and cultural belonging paradoxically reinforces individualism, competition, and emotional isolation. The project situates local artists and creative workers within a globalized cultural economy, exploring how they negotiate authenticity, community, and creative survival amid the tensions between collaboration and self-promotion.