At 3/26/13 08:09 PM, Dr-Worm wrote: On the one hand, I agree in that I really don't like the anti-intellectual bent that "anti-hipsterism" often takes on. Automatically writing off activities and cultural works that are weird or esoteric or just fall outside the mainstream as "pretentious" and dismissing anyone who likes those things as a "hipster" just belies a total lack of curiosity and open-mindedness.
I can agree to a certain point, because certain works or activities were only meant and fully understood by a select group of people to begin with. It's mostly due to the old "one man's xxx is another man's xxx" line of thinking that people have, and considering that some people are so set in their ways, it's impossible to change their minds on anything, even if it is for the better.
The problem is that when hipsters attract themselves to anything, the reputation becomes tarnished in one way or another, either because something they like is becoming "mainstream" and they can't seem to handle the thought of being "sheep", or it simply creates a culture of exclusivity in which the average Joe can't get into for whatever reason.
On the other hand, the detached, ironic attitude of actual hipsters can be pretty horrible, too, in that it fosters an environment where it's no longer cool to sincerely enjoy anything.
As I said, the culture of exclusivity that most hipsters seem to have a negative reaction with the average person and that is why they stay away from certain things, and have such a deep seated resentment towards them. Exclusivity can be a pretty messy thing to deal with, especially from the hypocritical hipsters who feel like they are shunned by society for standing out, and yet shun others who want to be a part of them.
Really, I'd prefer it if people didn't put stupid pop-cultural labels on themselves and just liked the shit they liked.
I don't mind hipsters per se, {Starbucks cup, tight pants, MLP gear, etc.} it's just the attitude that most have is nothing more than either arrogance or pretending to be more intellectual than they really are because they hate something like Call of Duty or The Who, {or whatever else for that matter} just because it's popular, and happen to like indie bands, games etc. even if they are shit.
Just stop worrying, and love the bomb.