The Airportline: Observations

Being a hipster is hard work. You see them looming around the internet looking for the next big thing. Or small thing they can leave when it becomes big. You them in second hand stores pulling weird looking scarf's off the rack. And in the foreign magazine section in the book store. Or maybe that is me? Anyhow, last fall Adbusters had a cover story called Hipster: The End Of Western Civilization. The author was less than impressed with the hipster wave, claiming that:
Punks wear their tattered threads and studded leather jackets with honor, priding themselves on their innovative and cheap methods of self-expression and rebellion. B-boys and b-girls announce themselves to anyone within earshot with baggy gear and boomboxes. But it is rare, if not impossible, to find an individual who will proclaim themself a proud hipster. It’s an odd dance of self-identity – adamantly denying your existence while wearing clearly defined symbols that proclaims it.

To further put salt in the wounds of the current hipster he conclude that:
the hipster is a consumer group – using their capital to purchase empty authenticity and rebellion. But the moment a trend, band, sound, style or feeling gains too much exposure, it is suddenly looked upon with disdain. Hipsters cannot afford to maintain any cultural loyalties or affiliations for fear they will lose relevance.

I remember thinking that he is a bit over dramatic and that the author was making some very sweeping arguments. But, its a fun read and as a person very familiar with hipsters through, among other things, my music interest, festivals, and a stint in San Francisco I do recognize a lot in his texts. But then again, generalizations has never been my cup of tea. So I advise drinking it with some milk. And sugar.