Changing the Scene: applying four models of social evolution to the scenescape

TL;DR

This paper introduces a multi-model framework for analyzing local scene changes, focusing on development, differentiation, defense, and diffusion, and discusses data, methods, and future research directions.

Contribution

It presents a novel multi-model approach to studying scene change, integrating four distinct change processes with theoretical and empirical insights.

Findings

Identified major trends in US scenes and amenities.

Presented initial findings for each change model.

Discussed data collection and analysis methods.

Abstract

This paper elaborates a multi-model approach to studying how local scenes change. We refer to this as the "4 D's" of scene change: development, differentiation, defense, and diffusion. Each posits somewhat distinct change processes, and has its own tradition of theory and empirical research, which we briefly review. After summarizing some major trends in scenes and amenities in the US context, for each change model, we present some initial findings, discussing data and methods throughout. Our overall goal is to point toward new research arcs on change models of scenes, and to give some clear examples and directions for how to think about and collect data to understand what makes some scenes change, others not, why, and in what directions.