"Lemme see your iPod."

""

How can you not at some point feel alienated because you like prog? Prog fans are rare worldwide. What I've come to realize about people who don't listen to music critically (like most prog fans) is that if they perceive something to be socially acceptable, cool, or not a social stretch for them, etc., they will "enjoy" it. If Yes were cool and was played on the radio as much as 50 Cent and Hillary Duff, honestly many people would be convinced it's quality art simply because it's acceptable and their friends are into it. Not only does good music grow on the listener over time, but so does the fact that it inhibits a sense of belonging, as all humans are communal and not hermits in the woods.

But of course if you're a prog fan you're most likely not a victim of this syndrome. In that case you'd enjoy things without thinking about what John Doe thinks about it. The best thing a prog fan can do for the genre is claim pop and rap music is what is unacceptable, especially when you're about 12 minutes into Close To The Edge, and declare pop/rap musical blasphemy. Be persuasive

dude: "What kind of music do you listen to?"

Hmm well personally, I think a lot of people into progressive rock or other more ignored genres should try to be very open about it like I am. Sure, I still get made fun of once in a while, but due to my laid back attitude and humorous ways I'm treated as just some strange funny little guy and left alone :D If everyone is quiet about their music like a lot of people here seem to be, you’re not really going to find anyone else into the genre or get somebody into it, however unlikely. When I first met my best friend a few years back, it took me a long time before I found out he was a huge Pink Floyd fan. I told him about and gave him cds of various similar bands, then later branched out into all sorts of interesting music. Today, he's almost as big of a fan of progressive music as I am and every time I recommend something he always takes it seriously and gives it another chance even if he doesn't care much for it on first listen.

To be quite honest, in the past I've always avoided situations that were potentially awkward...I guess not having enough confidence to explain what or why I like what I do; perhaps fearing that others wouldn't be able to understand things a bit on the eccentric side....so I can't say I've had any "awkward" situations.

About feeling "alienated";

There's really no reason to ever feel left out or alone in regards to personal tastes, hobbies, or the like.  Your no more different than the next guy from the next guy, I think that some of (us) have a lack of confidence in our social ability to stand by what we like.  Perhaps this is why some posters express feelings of superiority (certainly a little tongue-in-cheek but nevertheless true) while some are alienated or uncertain around those who don't understand.

Contrary to the past, I now have no problem standing beside my music and other nerdy hobbies because I know that if someone can't understand why, it's either a fault of mine for not connecting well enough, or most likely a fault of theirs for not trying to be open-minded.