Claire Matthews: Santa Clara undergrad and the newest blogger for Apples and VCRs. She writes about culture (internet and otherwise) from San Francisco, CA.
Yes. Hipsters. I know, I know, why would anyone want to discuss this undying breed of smug, ironic, know-it-all, college-attending, cigarette-smoking, city-living, swallow tattoo-sporting, vinyl-listening, non-meat-eating, vintage-wearing humans? Nobody wants to talk about hipsters… because everybody is a hipster.
For all of you out there who are gasping and denying any relation whatsoever to being a hipster, do not fret; I understand your rapid repulse to this idea. I myself would never claim to be a hipster, despite the fact that I do retain some hipster-esque qualities (I am currently writing a blog post…). What I mean by this statement is that most people, particularly those in their 20′s who have access to an at least moderate urban lifestyle, have a little hipster in them (that’s what she said).
Hipsterdom, while remaining a clichéd subculture, has spread it’s little wings and flown straight into the mainstream. Without this mini-civilization of coolness, the rest of the population would be a far less educated place. It has brought us knowledge of many things, which include (but are not limited to) : Nylon, American Apparel, Buddy Holly glasses, Lookbook, Neutral Milk Hotel, Ray Ban Wayfarers, coffee, Animal Collective, namedropping, PBR, vintage jewelry, plaid, vintage cameras, The Mission, vintage clothing, veganism, vintage hats, vegetarianism, Williamsburg, organic food, Blackspot sneakers, and so on. Of course, many of these things and places were known of before the Hipster era began; however, their popularity has surely increased since.
I am not accusing everyone associated with some, or even all, of these things to be a hipster stereotype (such as those showcased in the video above). I am merely pointing out the fact that most web-browsing, blog-reading, cultured human beings possess interests that can definitely be categorized as hipsterish. Now my question is, why deny the hipster when we can embrace it?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
And the incredible writing skills continue on…. Does anyone in your family not possess these skills (I am deep deep down jealous!)
And I would also like to say that even though I am a huge banana and jcrew fan, even I love ray bans sunglasses and my all stars… Am I a little hispter?
I think everyone has a little hipster in them and, sometimes, I don’t mind acknowledging this.
You must have really good writing genes, btw.