Hipster-
A contrived identity constructed out of a pastiche of symbols co-opted from bohemian movements of the past, and then reassembled and repackaged. Yet, unlike bohemian subcultures of earlier periods, the hipster lives by no common creed, ethic, or collection of political beliefs. Nor does the hipster offer a unique form of art, music, or literature as groups such as the Beats, Hippies, Yippies, or Punks once did. Rather, the hipster is driven by an effort to cultivate an identity as an end in itself, a persona that will presumably distinguish the hipster from their despised, and over-generalized concept of “mainstream culture.”
Hipster Psychology-
Hipster psychology is born out of experiences of rejection during childhood and adolescence as well as the resultant inability to conform to contemporary social standards. The hipster, as a psychological self defense mechanism, constructs an alternative perspective on culture and identity as a response to their subjective experience of social failure and emotional pain. Rather than accept their own shortcomings at face value, the hipster cultivates a self centered world view whereupon culture, religion, politics, and society as a whole are at fault for all that causes dissatisfaction and frustration. Furthermore, the hipster believes that his or her non-participation in “mainstream” life serves as a form of subversion itself, as well as proof positive of their intellectual enlightenment rather than an obvious demonstration of their failure to adapt. Because arrogance is the shadow of shame, the hipster converts his or her social incompetence into an attitude of superiority, and his or her failure into a disposition of pride.
Consequently, hipster culture presents an “alternative image” that attempts to counter, parody, mock, or even satire their concept of mainstream culture while providing a safe environment that, from afar, collectively gives the appearance of a movement. Thus, hipsters make it their practice to flaunt the photo-negative image of their idea of popular “suburban” culture. For example, if the average person in the suburbs shops in malls, the hipster will buy their clothing in second hand shops. If (over generalized) suburban men drive state of the art sports cars with large engines, the hipster may drive a modest Volkswagen or an old, very undersized subcompact European car such as an early seventies BMW, or better yet, ride a fixed gear bicycle with a sticker exclaiming “One Less Car.”
Because the Hipster loathes above all things to be seen as conventional they, as a rule, don’t work. According to existentialist orthodoxy, “one is what one does.” As a result, the hipster does nothing. The hipster’s lack of participation in any type of career, at least on the surface, functions as an attempt to avoid being characterized as "mainstream." However, upon deeper examination it isn't hard to discover that the hipster lacks the requisite skills to do anything purposeful anyway. Rather, for the hipster, one is as one "seems." And the hipster is very adept at being able to "seem." Seeming requires collecting symbols both material and intellectual and proves much easier on a frail body and psyche than actual work. This is particularly the case when parents help around rent time, if the hipster doesn't already own.
Because the hipster’s life is a lie that they tell to themselves (and don’t believe themselves) they demonstrate a high degree of instability and mental illness which will often be treated by psychoactive medication. Often hipsters will merely self-medicate, particularly if their parents don't pay their COBRA. As a result, hipsters will eventually exhibit behaviors that are truly alternative until they face the fact that their subculture is an elaborate buffer from their fear of non-acceptance and failure.
A contrived identity constructed out of a pastiche of symbols co-opted from bohemian movements of the past, and then reassembled and repackaged. Yet, unlike bohemian subcultures of earlier periods, the hipster lives by no common creed, ethic, or collection of political beliefs. Nor does the hipster offer a unique form of art, music, or literature as groups such as the Beats, Hippies, Yippies, or Punks once did. Rather, the hipster is driven by an effort to cultivate an identity as an end in itself, a persona that will presumably distinguish the hipster from their despised, and over-generalized concept of “mainstream culture.”
Hipster Psychology-
Hipster psychology is born out of experiences of rejection during childhood and adolescence as well as the resultant inability to conform to contemporary social standards. The hipster, as a psychological self defense mechanism, constructs an alternative perspective on culture and identity as a response to their subjective experience of social failure and emotional pain. Rather than accept their own shortcomings at face value, the hipster cultivates a self centered world view whereupon culture, religion, politics, and society as a whole are at fault for all that causes dissatisfaction and frustration. Furthermore, the hipster believes that his or her non-participation in “mainstream” life serves as a form of subversion itself, as well as proof positive of their intellectual enlightenment rather than an obvious demonstration of their failure to adapt. Because arrogance is the shadow of shame, the hipster converts his or her social incompetence into an attitude of superiority, and his or her failure into a disposition of pride.
Consequently, hipster culture presents an “alternative image” that attempts to counter, parody, mock, or even satire their concept of mainstream culture while providing a safe environment that, from afar, collectively gives the appearance of a movement. Thus, hipsters make it their practice to flaunt the photo-negative image of their idea of popular “suburban” culture. For example, if the average person in the suburbs shops in malls, the hipster will buy their clothing in second hand shops. If (over generalized) suburban men drive state of the art sports cars with large engines, the hipster may drive a modest Volkswagen or an old, very undersized subcompact European car such as an early seventies BMW, or better yet, ride a fixed gear bicycle with a sticker exclaiming “One Less Car.”
Because the Hipster loathes above all things to be seen as conventional they, as a rule, don’t work. According to existentialist orthodoxy, “one is what one does.” As a result, the hipster does nothing. The hipster’s lack of participation in any type of career, at least on the surface, functions as an attempt to avoid being characterized as "mainstream." However, upon deeper examination it isn't hard to discover that the hipster lacks the requisite skills to do anything purposeful anyway. Rather, for the hipster, one is as one "seems." And the hipster is very adept at being able to "seem." Seeming requires collecting symbols both material and intellectual and proves much easier on a frail body and psyche than actual work. This is particularly the case when parents help around rent time, if the hipster doesn't already own.
Because the hipster’s life is a lie that they tell to themselves (and don’t believe themselves) they demonstrate a high degree of instability and mental illness which will often be treated by psychoactive medication. Often hipsters will merely self-medicate, particularly if their parents don't pay their COBRA. As a result, hipsters will eventually exhibit behaviors that are truly alternative until they face the fact that their subculture is an elaborate buffer from their fear of non-acceptance and failure.
Hipster Conversation-
Dylan: “Man, I’m so sick of my dad’s whole patriarchal disdain for any sense of leisure.”
Josh: "Yeah, man, tell me about it; I hardly ever get back up to Greenwich anymore for that reason.”
Dylan “Hey bartender, we’ll take two Pabst Blue Ribbons please.”
Dylan: “Man, I’m so sick of my dad’s whole patriarchal disdain for any sense of leisure.”
Josh: "Yeah, man, tell me about it; I hardly ever get back up to Greenwich anymore for that reason.”
Dylan “Hey bartender, we’ll take two Pabst Blue Ribbons please.”
by Mickey M August 18, 2009
Someone who doesn't fit any other social group. Listens to indie music. Dresses in a style kindly described as "oddly".
just look at this Pandora profile....THAT is a hipster or young soon-o-be-hipster, if I've ever seen one:
"Hey! I'll just talk about music here, throwing in little tidbits about me. I really like "Indie" (though such differing styles should never be crushed into one genre) bands and things nobody's(at school, anyhow) heard of, so I'm glad Pandora has them. I really like irony, and I would think it amazing if the lyrics of a song reflect effort of intelligence spent on them, rather than the cookie cutter mainstream things out there today.EVen though I'm just 14, I despise the direction music is headed, both lyrically and instrumentally. Where are we, in 1984? Music making machines might have worked in George Orwell's world, but that's why Big Brother would have killed me. On a related note, I was recently distraught to discover that Indie FM in soCal has been replaced by Spanish station. How could they get rid of such a groovy station?
When not, I like reading, writing, debating, having intellectual conversation, knitting, creating theories, talking to cats with different opinions than my own, and riding my totally amazing bike (vintage schwinn with LOOOONG fenders!!!). By the way, despite comments made by some drones I know, I am NOT a hipster. I refuse to submit to an group. WHy limit yourself? (I hang out with self identified nerd, dorks, activists, emos, punks, hipsters, geeks, band people, and drama geeks. However, I hate social branding, just can't convince my ragtag band of amigos.)"
Notice how the girl edits her pandora profile.... she also describes herself as a "student/novelist/poet/blogger"
Look at the station, it's called "Groovy Tunes for Tubular Cats"....seriously?
"Hey! I'll just talk about music here, throwing in little tidbits about me. I really like "Indie" (though such differing styles should never be crushed into one genre) bands and things nobody's(at school, anyhow) heard of, so I'm glad Pandora has them. I really like irony, and I would think it amazing if the lyrics of a song reflect effort of intelligence spent on them, rather than the cookie cutter mainstream things out there today.EVen though I'm just 14, I despise the direction music is headed, both lyrically and instrumentally. Where are we, in 1984? Music making machines might have worked in George Orwell's world, but that's why Big Brother would have killed me. On a related note, I was recently distraught to discover that Indie FM in soCal has been replaced by Spanish station. How could they get rid of such a groovy station?
When not, I like reading, writing, debating, having intellectual conversation, knitting, creating theories, talking to cats with different opinions than my own, and riding my totally amazing bike (vintage schwinn with LOOOONG fenders!!!). By the way, despite comments made by some drones I know, I am NOT a hipster. I refuse to submit to an group. WHy limit yourself? (I hang out with self identified nerd, dorks, activists, emos, punks, hipsters, geeks, band people, and drama geeks. However, I hate social branding, just can't convince my ragtag band of amigos.)"
Notice how the girl edits her pandora profile.... she also describes herself as a "student/novelist/poet/blogger"
Look at the station, it's called "Groovy Tunes for Tubular Cats"....seriously?
by Harvey Jones July 05, 2009
The term "hipster" is cross-applied from the 1930s Beatniks. The modern hipster is a composite of individuals with a certain bohemian life situation and lifestyle. He or she rejects "mainstream" culture and embraces and contributes to independent culture, and prides him/herself on this. The modern hipster image has been proliferated through the internet, publications such as Vice Magazine, and sightings in the music, fashion, and art world. The image of the hipster is constantly changing, but several aspects have stayed constant over time. Lives in a young, artsy neighborhood of a major city such as Wicker Park in Chicago, Greenwich Village in Manhattan, or Williamsburg in Brooklyn. Usually has some degree of monetary conformability, although sometimes only because of their parents, due to cost of living in these areas. Works (or wants to work) in music, art, or fashion. Has "elitist" music taste and listens to nu-rave (i.e. The Klaxons, Cut Copy, Hercules and Love Affair), minimalist techno, independent rap (i.e. Spank Rock, Talib Kweli, Aesop Rock), nerdcore (i.e. YT Cracker, MC Lars, MC Chris), Elephant 6 (i.e. of Montreal, Neutral Milk Hotel, Apples in Stereo), garage rock, and punk rock in addition to all manners of independent rock. Favorite band is very likely Bright Eyes, The Arcade Fire, The Arctic Monkeys, The Libertines, The Strokes, or something of that nature. Also watches independent and foreign films and reads independent books, magazines, and periodicals. Is a fan of modern art and may also be an amateur artist. Dresses in a progressive but retro fashion that is often changing. Popular items include leggings, mini-skirts, leg warmers, '60s dresses, headbands, chunky jewelry, and large shirts and sweaters for girls and skinny suits and ties, tight jeans and cords, t-shirts with ironic sayings and images, cardigans, plaid and buffalo check shirts, colorful hoodies, and tight windbreakers for guys. Both genders frequently wear dirty Vans and Converses, flamboyant Nikes, large plastic frame glasses, and neon wayfarer sunglasses and are sometimes pierced and tattooed. Shops at Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, and thrift stores. Likes to hang out at fashionable coffee shops, indie rock shows, and hipster dance clubs. Does food shopping at stores like Whole Foods and is often vegan or vegetarian. Eats chic ethnic food and prefers organic and Fair Trade fruits and vegetables. Favorite beer is Pabst Blue Ribbon. Takes up many causes and is often socially minded. Enjoys irony in all facets of life, from fashion (wears mismatching outfits and unpopular vintage clothing often emblazoned with ironic sayings) to sports (plays in dodgeball tournaments at McCarren Park Pool). May ride a fixed-gear bicycle or a hybrid car. Networks through Myspace, Facebook, and/or Twitter. Usually rejects the term "hipster" and argues if called one.
by mtfn392 January 28, 2009
One who possesses tastes, social attitudes, and opinions deemed cool by the deck. The Hipster walks among the masses in daily life but is not a part of them and shuns anything held dear by the mainstream. Ideally, a hipster posses body fat in the single digits.
I saw Eli Fuld riding his fixie the other day. How anti-mainstream of him. He's the only hipster in YU.
by Marky mArk 247 December 22, 2010
by jconnormccann March 27, 2011
a "hipster": vneck wearing, pot smoking, photography lover, bike riding, skinny jean, weird-ass music listener. they are very easy to find step into stores such as, Forever 21, Urban Outfiters, American Apparel blah blah blah... Hipsters HATE being called "scene kids". When you go into their myspace profile all you see is random retarded photography. They usually have large friend counts too. When they take photos they usually cover their mouths and heavily photoshop the pictures. Hipsters have taken over sites such as myspace, facebook, twitter and the most famous one TUMBLR. They think there cool because they wear ugly shoes and ride fixed gear bikes. Hipsters are like roaches. They can survive anything....even a nuclear bomb. but the most important thing you have to know about a hipster is....THEY ARE F*CKING ANNOYING
Guy 1: dude that scene bitch on myspace "WhoIsKat" is fucking annoying. Guy 2: oh shes no scene shes a "hipster" Guy 1: dude can we just kill her already?!!?!
by crazystevelol August 31, 2010
Women's underwear. Resembling to male's boxer briefs, except "hipsters" cling on to the body more. Hipsters also tend to show off the female's rear end.
by Hanako(: August 21, 2009