The hipsters

Jraff and I argued in length about the Adbuster article on hipsters. Yes, we actually argued to the point of evil eye stares and grinding teeth. We are very mature intellectuals like that.

While I wasn't specifically upset that the journalist claims hipsters are the "dead end of Western civilization", nor was I really moved to tears by the last sentence:

We are the lost generation, desperately clinging to anything that feels real, but too afraid to become it ourselves.

I think this applies to every generation in their twenties and the affirmation seems a bit too thin and apocalyptic.

These aren't really the points that I argued over with Jraff. We argued over whether the hipsters were part of a culture or an aesthetic. We can all recognize the hipster by its "skinny jeans, cotton spandex leggings, fixed-gear bikes, vintage flannel, fake eyeglasses and a keffiyeh". They hang out at art parties and go out to "nouveau disco-coke parties". It's undeniable that there is a hipster style, I'm just doubting if there is a culture.

Shouldn't a culture have individuals that share values, political ideas and religious convictions? As the journalist states, the hipsters have "nothing to defend, uphold or even embrace". The only thing that draws them together is their clothing style and their choice of music.

I think one of the reasons people are so uncomfortable with being called a hipster is that it suddenly devoids them of any moral convictions. If you are a hipster, you are empty and shallow.

I see being a hipster much more as a style statement, than a cultural affiliation. I see myself as a leftist, a feminist and a Québécoise, not as a hipster. It's certain that when I'm walking around with my keffiyeh, my tigth jeans and my American Apparel shirt and that I'm humming to myself lyrics of Natalie Portman's Shaved Head my political convictions are not what you'll see. I'm not quite sure how to dress as a leftist feminist Québécoise without falling into horrible clichés.

Perhaps that is the answer. Being a hipster is an aesthetic that you embrace regardless of your political and moral convictions, which doesn't necessaraly mean that you don't have any. If you're 17 year old rich kid and you "live for the scene", perhaps you don't. Chances are however that you're not and that you have a life outside going to hipster party and shows.

This obviously doesn't solve the journalist's concern about the lack of a modern counter-culture. I'm with you buddy on that one.