"So, we just kind of created our own thing and that's part of the beauty of Athens: is that it's so off the map and there's no way you could ever be the East Village or an L.A. scene or a San Francisco scene, that it just became its own thing"

In this quote, Michael Stipe, the lead singer of the band R.E.M., is assessing the special cultural and musical environment of Athens, Georgia, where the band came from. Stipe highlights the distinctiveness and innovation inherent in the music scene of Athens, which varies from widely known cultural hubs like New York's East Village, Los Angeles, or San Francisco. By specifying, "we simply sort of developed our own thing", he suggests that the music and cultural output from Athens wasn't always influenced by mainstream patterns or pressures to conform to recognized artistic standards emanating from more popular cultural centers. Instead, artists in Athens carved out their own unique identity.

The expression "part of the appeal of Athens: is that it's so off the map" suggests that Athens' geographical and metaphorical distance from significant cultural hotspots permitted higher imaginative freedom, causing the development of a distinct artistic neighborhood. By being "off the map", Athens was exempt to the instant impact of primary cultural waves, allowing regional musicians, artists, and developers to reveal themselves authentically without the restrictions of fitting into a pre-existing scene.

Stipe highlights the concept that since Athens could never ever replicate other well-known cultural scenes, it had the ability to cultivate a varied and self-sufficient creative environment. This independence allowed it to establish "its own thing", an unique character and sound that could resonate by itself terms instead of as an imitation of more commercially popular locations. In this way, the city became an incubator for special skill and imagination, triggering bands like R.E.M. and others who contributed to its enduring legacy. The quote records the essence of the DIY values common in Athens, commemorating its role as a crucible for originality and artistic innovation.