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'''Mainstream''' is, generally, the common current of [[thought]] of the majority. However in the [[reality]], the mainstream is far from cohesive; rather the [[concept]] is often considered a cultural construct. It is a term most often applied in [[the arts]] (i.e., [[music]], [[literature]], and [[performance]]). This includes:

'''Mainstream''' is, generally, the common current of [[thought]] of the majority. However in the [[reality]], the mainstream is far from cohesive; rather the [[concept]] is often considered a cultural construct. It is a term most often applied in [[the arts]] (i.e., [[music]], [[literature]], and [[performance]]). This includes:

*something that is available to the general public;

*something that is available to the general [[public]];

*something that has ties to corporate or commercial entities.

*something that has ties to corporate or commercial entities.

As such, the mainstream includes all popular [[culture]], typically disseminated by [[mass media]]. The opposite of the mainstream are subcultures, countercultures, cult followings, underground cultures and (in [[fiction]]) [[genre]]. Additionally, mainstream is sometimes a codeword used for an actual ethnocentric or hegemonic subculture point of view, especially when delivered in a culture war speech. It is often used as a pejorative term. In the United States, ''mainline churches'' are sometimes referred to synonymously as "mainstream."[1][2]

As such, the mainstream includes all popular [[culture]], typically disseminated by [[mass media]]. The opposite of the mainstream are subcultures, countercultures, cult followings, underground cultures and (in [[fiction]]) [[genre]]. Additionally, mainstream is sometimes a codeword used for an actual ethnocentric or hegemonic subculture point of view, especially when delivered in a culture war speech. It is often used as a pejorative term. In the United States, ''mainline churches'' are sometimes referred to synonymously as "mainstream."[1][2]

The [[origin]]al [[meaning]] of "mainstream" is "the principal current of a river." Its use as a [[metaphor]]ical reference to popular opinion or taste appeared at least as early as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Carlyle Thomas Carlyle]'s [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sartor_Resartus Sartor Resartus] in 1831, where he wrote in Chapter VII of "those main currents of what we call Opinion".

The [[origin]]al [[meaning]] of "mainstream" is "the principal current of a river." Its use as a [[metaphor]]ical reference to popular opinion or taste appeared at least as early as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Carlyle Thomas Carlyle]'s [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sartor_Resartus Sartor Resartus] in 1831, where he wrote in Chapter VII of "those main currents of what we call Opinion".

==References==

==References==

# Caldwell, John. "Faith in school: as mainstream churches continue to wrestle with homosexuality, some religious colleges are taking an increasingly welcoming attitude toward gay students,", The Advocate Sept 2, 2003

# Caldwell, John. "Faith in school: as mainstream churches continue to wrestle with homosexuality, some religious colleges are taking an increasingly welcoming attitude toward gay students,", The Advocate Sept 2, 2003