AdBusters just published an article with the byline:
The article drips with the cynicism felt by many within the loosely defined 'hipster' set. It almost reminds me of the classic February 2003 "Rave is Dead" article in URB.
I think most see through the hype. Anyone who takes this shit too seriously, or anyone taking it seriously enough to analyze their hatred for it, is digging a little too deeply.
But there are those who take it to heart and play the game a little too hard. With victory defined by notoriety, it becomes one-upmanship on a grand scale, with material goods and the size of one's web presence serving as the measurements of cool.
On the flipside, the current mashup 'hipster' culture can also be viewed as the first true expression of the modern, hyper-connected global internet culture. The fusion of so many disparate counter-cultures past and present, all pulled together into an overload of diversions flashy enough to grab someone's attention...even if only for a few minutes.
Like any other culture certain trends blow up to the point of almost becoming a joke, and and I've been critical of the hype myself. Fixie bikes, sneakers, etc. are all in full effect right now, being eaten up as the easy-to-access gateway drugs for people clamoring for the new 'new'.
But it happened before. And it will happen again. That's kind of how these things work.
I understand where adbusters was coming from with the article, but there are far worse things in the world than wearing v neck t-shirts, riding fixe bikes, and drinking PBR.
Seriously, those American Apparel v necks are beeter than sweat shop t shirts, most fixe riders I know have converted old ten speeds - an EXCELLENT example of reuse, and PBR is cheap - nothing wrong with saving a few dollars on your beer.
The article is taking things too seriously. Not only does it feel like the author is one of those "chubby bloggers" already mentioned in the article, the writing is perpetuating the notion that this generation is not active enough, not involved and is not nearly as informed as the previous "revolutionary" youth groups were in the 60s and 70s. I usually shrug those kind of comments off, because that criitcism usually comes from the old and uninformed. Especially with the upcoming presidential election, to me it feels like the youth are NOT being silent. Sure we aren't burning bras and protesting as much as the past generation but thats because there is no military draft. But there is war, poverty, genocide and there is youth involved - even some I'd call "hipsters" as well. This generation isn't as 2-dimensional as this article makes it seem and growth of "hipsters" isn't THE defining counterculture of this generation, it just takes someone informed to know about it.
I friggin love PBR! On a budget it just doesn't get any better.
I have not read the article, so I can't comment directly, but I have a few questions:
1. Is there an articulated philosophy or manifesto that this supposed sub-culture holds, as loosely or tightly as that might be defined?
2. What is their teleology? What are they after?
3. What is the binding notion or commitment that they have together, that gives them cohesion?
I am fascinated by the Zeitgeist, and was a part of the late 70's and early 80's punk movement. Anyone's insights would be great.
Thanks,
chris
Hi Chris,
To quickly answer some of your q's:
1. I don't think there's a specific manifesto or anything like that, and I also don't think it's accurate to call it a true subculture like punks or ravers. Really it can best be described as a collection of individuals, the only unifying elements being a semi-similar style of dress and musical taste. Day to day many are probably quite different, but they come together for the club / bar scene. The closest analogues would be Disco and/or parts of the rave culture IMO. It's not meant to be taken too seriously.
2. Hedonism. I would say the main goal of the 'scene' is to be in the present and have fun. It's very escapist, perhaps a response to the politics and uncertainty of the 2000's.
3. I would say music is the one binding element, and to some degree fashion, but the fashion is more likely a symptom and not a cause of the cohesion.
Take care,
--Sean
