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March 04, 2005
Hipster Theory 101: Who are these hipsters?
So can someone tell me if they're a hipster? Anyone out there....?
I thought not. But if you are one, please let me know.
Hipsters. People talk about hipsters and they use the term to describe other people, but I haven't heard any one use it for themselves as a self-identifier. Although someone might (knowingly or not) present an act or an identity others would call hipster, an individual probably isn't that shameless call himself that (even if he does think he's a hipster secretly).
Baltimore is kind of a strange town. I've heard on numerous occasions here folks expressing admiration for hipsters and even a desire to be one. I think these people don't have self esteem and/or are shallow. Because what does it mean to be a hipster? At the most basic it means one thinks he's "cool" and other people think a person's cool. And why is a person cool? Because one dons a trucker hat? Because one has the ability to play passable music? Because one frequents The Talking Head?
When you strip away the material trappings hipsterism, what kind of values do you find? I'll ruminate on that at a later post.
For your information, I think on one level the hipster does not exist. Because the word seems to signify more of an ideal that people aspire to and no one is an ideal person if even a person is called a hipster (interesting question--who is a perfect hipster?). I guess people understand that on some level since they're not identifying themselves as hipsters.
But there is a hipster culture--a space to act out hipsterism, wear hipster clothes, listen to hipster music, make hipster comments. This has been a culture I'll look at more while I'm still in Baltimore. It's an interesting scene and there are some great people and by-products resulting from it. But I'll also look at the ailments of hipsters and take apart peculiar behaviors that seem to afflict them.
For more reading about hipsters check this link out. Thanks to Marley for sending it to me!
Posted by Anti-hipster at March 4, 2005 12:51 AM
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Comments
aw, look a blog about hipsters. and i'm in the first post. Fame and fortune are right around the corner.
I'll have more hipster-mocking links for you, dont worry.
also, I suggest a link to the hipster handbook site. and a vote on whether its tongue in cheek or not.
its a tough call.
Posted by: Marley at March 8, 2005 08:43 AM
Some time ago, I was pointed by the Rittenhouse Review towards this article, not sure if you read it, but it is hilariuos.
http://tinyurl.com/5s325
Two comments on your first post, I'm jealous.
Posted by: Heath at March 8, 2005 08:56 PM