Are you a Hipster or Happily Surprised?
Why did this topic come to me!!!!! Oh, hell, here we go again.
According to urbandictionary.com,
and I quote; Hipsters (hip·ster) are a subculture of men and women typically in their 20's
and 30's that value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive
politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence, and
witty banter. The greatest concentrations of hipsters can be found living in
the Williamsburg, Wicker Park, and Mission District neighborhoods of major
cosmopolitan centers such as New York, Chicago, and San Francisco respectively.
Although "hipsterism" is really a state of mind, it is also often
intertwined with distinct fashion sensibilities.
Hipsters reject the culturally-ignorant
attitudes of mainstream consumers, and are often be seen wearing vintage and
thrift store inspired fashions, tight-fitting jeans, old-school sneakers, and
sometimes thick rimmed glasses. Both hipster men and women sport similar
androgynous hair styles that include combinations of messy shag cuts and
asymmetric side-swept bangs. Such styles are often associated with the work of
creative stylists at urban salons, and are usually too "edgy" for the
culturally-sheltered mainstream consumer. The "effortless cool" urban
bohemian look of a hipster is exemplified in Urban Outfitters and American
Apparel ads which cater towards the hipster demographic. Despite misconceptions
based on their aesthetic tastes, hipsters tend to be well educated and often
have liberal arts degrees, or degrees in math and the sciences, which also
require certain creative analytical thinking abilities. Consequently, many
hipsters tend to have jobs in the music, art, and fashion industries. It is a
myth that most hipsters are unemployed and live off of their parent's trust
funds. Once certain concepts of fashion and music have reached mainstream audiences,
hipsters move on to something new and improved.
Because of the rise of various online
photo-blog and social networking sites, insights into urban hipster culture is
reaching sheltered suburban audiences at an exponential rate. Cultural
"norms" have been deconstructed by hipster culture as a whole.
Hipsterism is often dismissed as just an image thing by some, but the culture
as a whole is effecting changes in society, leading to feelings of insecurity
and resentment in people who are no longer a part of the cultural ruling class.
For example, a lot of anti-hipster sentiment evidently comes from
culturally-clueless suburban frat boy types who feel that the more sensitive,
intelligent, and culturally aware hipster ideal threatens their insecure sense
of masculinity. Anti-hipster sentiment often comes from people who simply can't
keep up with social change and are envious of those who can.
The above statement solely belongs to urbandictionary.com
and is shown here in parts and not in its entirety. If you wish to read the full
definition, Have At It! Now for the
Happily Surprised.
My definition of a Happy Surprise is anything you find or it has found you and it
makes you happy enough to show others. There is no deep seeded, conspiracy
theory, overly metaphoric, multiple levels of consciousness involved. You see
it, you like it, and you tell others so they can like it too. I wish to point
out that the term Hipster is nothing new or innovative or forward thinking that
only a few can understand and those who believe they are part of this culture won’t
explain because you wouldn’t understand. Once again the wheel has turned but it
was not re-invented. As some would wish to believe that they are ascending to
some higher level as if on a graph, but in reality it is only a horizontal
timeline.
I don’t want to freak too many of the
chosen ones out, but there was once called a group of people who wore Bobbie
Socks, leather jackets and were Rocking Rollers and they were cool, you just don’t
understand. Then there were the Zoot-Suitor with wide brim hates and pocket chins and they were some wild hip cats (Hip as in Hipsters), you just
don’t understand. Then there were those in smoky rooms with bong, cool jazz, Greenleaf
hand rolled poetic inspiration being smoked in great abundance, and hand claps were snapping of
fingers, you just don’t understand. Of course there were the enlightenment of Free Love that came across a far out scene and the
world was seen through rose colored glasses (just don’t eat the black
liquorish), you just don’t understand. Then men and women start falling from the stars
like David Bowie, Georgie Clinton and Parliament,Wendy o Williams, Elton John, Pattie Labell and the Blue Bells, and alike, you
just don’t understand. Super groups that sang from the heart for the people,
like Chicago, Heart, Cinderella, Poison, and of course Bon Jovi, you just don’t
understand. Then there was that music that was to be a passing fad called
Hip-Hop (rap), you just don’t want to touch that one ever. And throughout all
this generational separation futility came the Nerds, Geeks, and Artistry
Gifted like the person who said you only have fifteen minutes of fame (time
almost up!).
The point of view in this article is solely my
own and was by no means not influenced by having an open and non-judgmental
upbringing through loving people around me and augmented by all types of music.
From classical, R&B, Rock, Rap, were played. Books of all genres were read
and shared. Classic radio entertainment shows, world cinema (subtitled in some
cases) and family gathering television. Close connection with family, friends
and loved ones of all cultures also played and important part. I’ll end this
with a hope for those who write, act, and contribute to making the world sit up
and take notice. Don’t be a one hit wonder when you can make generations share
in what you do. For those who wish to isolate themselves by a thin preconceived
notion of being something special, or unique, or only you understand this is a
special announcement. Enjoy your fifteen, you’ve used up fourteen of them. Get
with, get along, or get going. Time has a was in assimilating everything. SD
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