I was instantly interested when I first heard the oxymoron that is "silent disco." Dancing with groups of people is rarely associated with being silent. After participating in one of these events, I know I want to go to a silent disco the next time I get the chance. I also realized that silent discos are not actually silent nor do they really allow you to listen to your choice of music.

For those unfamiliar with a silent disco, instead of one song the DJ chooses to blast from the speakers, each person receives their own pair of headphones to wear. The person can tune into one of the three channels and control the volume of the headphones. The devices glow different colors indicating which channel people are jamming out to and add to the party aesthetic.

The most attractive feature of a silent disco is the fact that you can choose to switch between channels. You don't have to listen to one song only. You can dance to hip-hop while your friends bop to pop. However, despite being able to choose the song you like, the tricolored glow surrounding you influences your decisions. Seeing the majority of the crowd headbang to the blue channel compels you to switch from your choice just so you can sing along. It may be called a silent disco, but everyone is making a sound. Your friend urges you to switch to green channel because "it's that song we both like!" Curiosity overcomes you and you find that you can't help but keep an eye on everyone else's headphones.

Peer pressure works its way into an activity that is based on a person's choice. They want to feel apart of the group and fit in nags at everyone. Although everyone may be listening to a different song, silent discos bring together people through music and dancing. The common ground is already there, yet there is still the idea that I am not a part of the group if I don't belt out the lyrics with my friends. Moreover, circles of people sporting the same color glow on their headphones form in unspoken camaraderie. People still look for their groups. Silent discos grant the opportunity to be independent and do your own thing, yet many still look to the crowd as a guide.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to dance to the same song as your friend or the person next to you. Silent discos are a great example of group peer pressure. Alternatively, they are also instances of not conforming to the group. If two people want to have a conversation instead of dance, they simply remove their headphones. Neither one of them has to scream over the speakers or get a headache from the bass.

Silent discos are a small insight into how people interact with the rest of the world: some people go with the group while others venture beyond the crowd.