Originally Posted by
Gizmotron
I was fascinated when I noticed that just above, Firth has this signature at the bottom of his posts: "Freaking Out is a process whereby an individual casts off outmoded and restricting standards of thinking, dress, and social etiquette in order to express creatively his relationship to his immediate environment and the social structure as a whole." --Zappa
In the context of this Thread, it really seems to hint at the actual reality or at least, irony of the "hipster" thing. Whatever one calls it ("freaking out," being a "hippie," "hipster," etc.) Zappa is describing is the REAL thing...the concept of realizing that the status quo might not be the best way to be happy and to learn. Rather, by chucking the trappings of the current society, keeping an open mind, and picking and choosing the best and most helpful cultural elements of the past and the present, one can become a better person and help society. So many "hip" movements have aspired to this and despite the fact that there really is no such thing as a card-carrying hipster (like so many categories of personality type, it is just a generalization and many people that look like a hipster are not...many people that swear they aren't really are, etc.).
Perhaps many or most of the people out there that appear to be hipsters really DO (or, at least pretend to) value these lofty goals. They do seem to espouse pro-societal interests (recycling, alternative energy sources, a holistic approach to life, see value in other cultures, etc.). However, my personal hunch is that unfortunately, like so many of the previous groups of young people (Gen X, millenials), the reality is that they are much more interested in wealth and material things. In particular, the reputation that hipsters have for mining the past for just the right accessories and products for their own selfish purposes seems well-deserved. So much of the time, the choice of where and what they eat, the music they listen to, the beer they drink, and the popular causes they adopt, are more for the appearance value and to earn "street cred" with their pals. They seem much less interested in REALLY changing their minds and the world. Rather, they want to look good. That seems to be the main goal. They want to jump on the latest bandwagon and be seen with just the right combo of fashions, Bourbon, coffee drinks, and cuisines. And particularly frustrating to me, as a group, they don't vote.
And again, in a very poetical way, Mr. Zappa's tendencies and approach seems to neatly encapsulate the subject of hipsters...I think of all of the hilarious parodies he did over the years gently mocking hippies, valley girls, etc. If he was still around today I know he would have already done a great send-up of the hipsters.
I am not trying to be overly judgmental; I try to keep my suspicion of trends and my general frustrations with mass-culture in check. There ARE some wonderful people that look like hipsters. But there are tons of posers out there. I think most of the posts above refer to the posing that seems all too apparent.
But are they really to blame? They are a product of our western culture that values the consumer-based society. After all, advertising for decades has preached that it really isn't substance that matters...it is the appearance that matters most. "It is better to look good than to feel good." (Billy Crystal)
But don't blame the hats. I dig a quality fur-felt fedora with just the right bash and with just the right tilt of the brim. I have several nice ones. Why? Because I just look so damn good in one! But I had them waaaay before they were cool! Ha ha...
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