In the last several decades, this word’s meaning has gradually changed from “One of several options” to “Good.” This term can apply to any type of art form, but the most prominent examples are the music scene of the mid-nineties and the comedy scene of the early-zerosies. Used primarily by bitter hipsters, “Alternative” categorizes their place within an art form and simultaneously explains why they aren’t getting paid for their work. Anyone who creates something new and original will try to classify it as “Alternative,” simply because it is an alternative to what has come before it. As is everything. “Alternative” also carries with it the implication of “Street Cred,” giving the impression that something is better because less people know about it (even though this might not technically be true).
Example:
“Hey Jeff…haven’t seen you with a lady in a while. You doin’ okay?”
“Yeah, well I’ve been doing the alternative dating thing a lot lately.”
“Oh yeah? Alternative to what?”
“Too…um…not paying…for sex”
“Kinda just gave it away there Jeff.”
“I know. Fuck!”
“Alternative” is closely related to “Underground” or “Independent” in that it usually denotes a subset within a genre that receives less funding and poorer distribution than projects with suitable financial backing, which are dubbed “Mainstream.” However it is interesting to note that “Alternative,” which used to only indicate something in relation to something else, remains the label for its subset even after it has grown to dominate and monopolize the industry.