Everyone makes fun of hipsters; even hipsters. "I'm not a hipster!" they declare indignantly. However, according to pop culture definition (see previous post) that is exactly what they are. Most people, especially the ones who envision themselves as unique, don't like to be reduced to a cliche, or branded by a label; especially one so banal as "hipster." But let's assume that, even though they vehemently deny it, hipsters do exist; and that they do regard themselves as unique. Are they really that different? Yes, and no...
Every generation has a relatively small, creative group of people who start trends; a whole lot of people who follow trends; and a few hardcore individuals who reject trends from the get/go. The people who start the trends, ie: hipsters, bobo's (bourgeois/bohemians), hippies, the beat generation (beatniks), etc., follow the trends for a while, until they become mainstream. Then they reject them and move on to new trends, although "new" is often simply a reworked mishmash of trends from generations past.
The mainstream of society will eventually follow the trends started by the ones who start the trends. They will scoff at first, but finally succumb to somewhat watered-down versions of the original trends; ie: wearing strategically ripped designer jeans, expensive tee shirts with ironic quotes, and eyeglasses from Warby Parker; eating vegetarian and organic foods from exclusive, specialty markets; and driving "green chic" hybrid cars.
And then, there are the truly "uncool" people who reject all trends from the very beginning; like your parents...
You may consider yourself a rugged individualist, immune to the comings and goings of the latest trends; but unless you live in a cave, you are most likely influenced, to some degree, by trends in pop culture and the media. Billions of dollars go into marketing and advertising every year, and with good reason; it works. And while hipsters, and their recent predecessors (bobo's, hippies, beatniks, etc.) may reject mainstream culture, make no mistake; they are vulnerable to trends within their own subculture. Cases in point:
How many hipsters are vegans, hang out in coffee shops that roast their own coffee beans and brew them in fifty different and complex ways; wear vintage and mismatched clothing, tight jeans, and heavy rimmed, "geek" eyeglasses; listen to obscure, indie music; and spend hours everyday texting and twittering on the most current version of an iPhone?
How many bobo's purchased a $100 shovel from Smith & Hawken for the name emblazoned on the handle, when they could've gotten one just as good for $20 at the local hardware store?
How many hippies wore fringed leather jackets, grew their hair long, stopped washing their hair and wearing deodorant, smoked pot, and tried to learn to play the guitar like Jimi Hendrix, because of Woodstock?
How many beatniks wore all black, played the bongos, read Kerouac, and dreamed of going "on the road?"
How many middle-aged executives today wear do-rags and leather jackets every weekend, as they tool around town on their Harleys? Hello, Easy Rider, circa: the glory days.
How many 50+ women wear little black dresses and black pumps, a la Holly Golightly, because Audrey was their style icon back in 1961?
Can't we just admit it? Each of us has a self-image that we're trying to live up to. We all want to make a unique, personal statement, but we still feel the need to belong; to be a part of the bigger picture. Is that the end of the world?
What? You're different? You're anti-social, anti-trend, anti-consumerism, and you don't give a flip about fitting into any faction of society? Sorry, but you are still making a statement, and you are still influenced by trends; just in an "anti" way. And frankly, you're not that different; if you look around, you'll find thousands of people who are very much like you.
Who we align ourselves with, or not; how we communicate with others, or don't; whether we are religious, spiritual, or atheist; our interests and pastimes; where we live; how we furnish our homes; how we choose to make a living, where and how we spend our money; who we vote for; the causes we support, or oppose; what we eat; where we go on vacation; how we dress; what we read; the music we listen to; the movies we see; the TV shows we watch, etc.. These things, tangible and intangible, help define who we are, who we want to be, and who we want people to believe we are. That's just life...
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.
- William Shakespeare
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