There's an interesting discussion-dialog going on between Tim Finney (skykicking) and Simon Reynolds about the [d]evolution of 'ardkore, jungle and techstep in relation to their rhythmic danger. I especially like Simon's term, the Zone of Fruitless Intensification (ZFI), in other words, a region of diminishing returns along some musical axis.

Simon and Tim point out that rhythmic danger is not all about speed or increases in tempo, neither does more complexity necessarily mean more danga. There are other factors involved, like bass motion and the interplay (tension build up'n'release) between the various percussive lines ... and the predictable unpredictability of it all. Compare this feeling to straight up flavours (e.g. early house) in which the aesthetic isn't big on the danga-zone and where although you might be grooved, there's not the same sense of urgent anticipation, tenseful restlessness that made certain jungle styles, some garidge and broken beat so exciting.

Also important is when these various potentially hazardous elements come together to define a new style, sub-style. Understandably, after you've been subjected to something for a coupla years and its 1001 knockoffs ... whatever it was that tickled you darker brown, most likely isn't going to do it for you in the same dosage, except maybe in a nostalgic sense. A “higher dosage” is often required and this is where the ZFI becomes important. Simon and Tim argue that jungle and subsequently techstep latter-year higher dosages of speed and complexity, didn't carry on the danga legacy and the core of the initial attraction, resulting in something much less exciting and less musical.