Taking into account what she has said, I think the idea of progress is key. To observe the situation with that perspective is to hold the belief that we are constantly moving towards something. Her thoughts are grounded in the idea that there is a greater eventual outcome for the actions taken within each youth generation. Constant cultural progress and a collective identity make change, in whatever capacity, a more viable reality.
With “hipsters” then, from the perspective of outsiders, there is a fear that we are delaying cultural or societal progress by only looking towards the past to shape our identities in the present. It is the belief that the need to shape ones own identity in such a manner makes it difficult, if not impossible, to define ourselves as a whole.
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- You can believe that we are going somewhere culturally, but that “hipsterism” is a reflection of the fact that that cultural place is no longer defined by collective “tastes.” Ones tastes are irrelevant in the grand scheme of things and our generation’s ethos is defined by something less othering and more equalizing. We can no longer seek collective progress culturally through traditional means as we are no longer a group of citizens strictly defined by those aesthetic identifiers (clothing, hairstyles, music, art). Our tastes are our tastes but our tastes are not the only thing that defines us. We have the ability to like numerous things because we are no longer constricted to the one narrative that is meant to appeal to us. Individuals seem to curate their own tastes and favorite things but what defines us is what makes it possible for us to focus so much on the individual: technology. It appears to be the one equalizer in terms of providing access to culture and the one equalizer in making individuals come together as a whole entity.
Britticisms is a Tumblr that I particularly enjoy following, not only because of her impeccable taste in music and style, but because of her knowledge and commentary on social issues defining our generation. Here are a few excerpts that I found insightful from one of her recent posts, “On my generation, continued.” If you’re not following her, you probably should be.
