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Oh, those hucking fipsters...

It's important to remember that the abomination known as "hipster" today bears no relation to the hipster of yesteryear, and it has nothing to do with what's "hip."

The main distinction is that the modern day hipster cultivates a fake quirkiness through the ironic consumption of product. And product here doesn't just mean a commercial item; it can refer to any object, substance, style, philosphy, posture etc. conceived of by others. The operative word being "ironic" i.e., not motivated by quality or merit, but instead by irony or sarcasm. Of course this means that usually the product being consumed is bad or results in something bad (because that's what usually happens when you choose something based on irony and not quality or merit).

Unfortunately, many non-hipsters are mistaken for hipsters by those who don't understand this. And often many genuinely quirky or individualistic people who don't undertsand this either often take offense at the term "hipster" being bandied about, because they think that it is them being referred to with contempt when in actuality it is not.

A few easy examples of differences between a quirky non-hipster (NH) and a fake quirky hipster (H):

H: Will deliberately drink bad beer like Pabst ironically, doesn't care how it tastes, the point isn't to enjoy the taste, it's to maintain "ironic credibility" and fit in with the hipster crowd for as little $ as possible
NH: Might be seen drinking a non-mainstream beer, but it will probably be because it's really strong and delicious; doesn't mind spending a bit more $ on something that actually tastes good as it gets warm and provides intoxication much more easily/quickly (and will usually love to share in the joy with others and try new things based on the raves of others)

H: Will sport bad facial hair ironically, and/or a poorly conceived and executed "indie" haircut
NH: Would never be caught dead with ironic bad facial hair, and any uncommon hairstyle will be chosen with consideration of how it suits their features, whether it actually looks good, etc.

H: Wears ill-fitting, mismatched thrift store clothing, for maximum "ironic appeal" and hipster credibility.
NH: May wear thrift store clothing, but carefully chosen with consideration to proper fit and style coordination. Often is what hipsters seek to emulate (sometimes mistaken for a hipster who accidentally [of course] picked an outfit that matches and fits), but because hipsters don't possess the same motivations and concerns about fashion choice, the hipsters usually fail miserably.

H: Will deliberately watch bad TV/movies and listen to bad music, and will try to stay current on all the happenings and gossip concerning commercial trash for the sake of engaging in ironic/sarcastic humor with their hipster friends. Has no concern for the actual craft/quality or lack thereof in the entertainment product they consume.
NH: Would rather spend their time and effort seeking out, learning about, and watching/listening to good stuff for the actual sheer joy of it, without concern for its commmerciality, popularity, etc. Doesn't seek to impress with deliberately "obscure" tastes, acquires "obscure" tastes naturally.
 
I am the only one confused at how unhappy hipster relates to hipster lifestyle in any way? They throw in a pic here and there that works, but for the most part they add non sequitur commentary on, for the most part, beautiful homes.
 
It's important to remember that the abomination known as "hipster" today bears no relation to the hipster of yesteryear, and it has nothing to do with what's "hip."

The main distinction is that the modern day hipster cultivates a fake quirkiness through the ironic consumption of product. And product here doesn't just mean a commercial item; it can refer to any object, substance, style, philosphy, posture etc. conceived of by others. The operative word being "ironic" i.e., not motivated by quality or merit, but instead by irony or sarcasm. Of course this means that usually the product being consumed is bad or results in something bad (because that's what usually happens when you choose something based on irony and not quality or merit).

Unfortunately, many non-hipsters are mistaken for hipsters by those who don't understand this. And often many genuinely quirky or individualistic people who don't undertsand this either often take offense at the term "hipster" being bandied about, because they think that it is them being referred to with contempt when in actuality it is not.

A few easy examples of differences between a quirky non-hipster (NH) and a fake quirky hipster (H):

H: Will deliberately drink bad beer like Pabst ironically, doesn't care how it tastes, the point isn't to enjoy the taste, it's to maintain "ironic credibility" and fit in with the hipster crowd for as little $ as possible
NH: Might be seen drinking a non-mainstream beer, but it will probably be because it's really strong and delicious; doesn't mind spending a bit more $ on something that actually tastes good as it gets warm and provides intoxication much more easily/quickly (and will usually love to share in the joy with others and try new things based on the raves of others)

H: Will sport bad facial hair ironically, and/or a poorly conceived and executed "indie" haircut
NH: Would never be caught dead with ironic bad facial hair, and any uncommon hairstyle will be chosen with consideration of how it suits their features, whether it actually looks good, etc.

H: Wears ill-fitting, mismatched thrift store clothing, for maximum "ironic appeal" and hipster credibility.
NH: May wear thrift store clothing, but carefully chosen with consideration to proper fit and style coordination. Often is what hipsters seek to emulate (sometimes mistaken for a hipster who accidentally [of course] picked an outfit that matches and fits), but because hipsters don't possess the same motivations and concerns about fashion choice, the hipsters usually fail miserably.

H: Will deliberately watch bad TV/movies and listen to bad music, and will try to stay current on all the happenings and gossip concerning commercial trash for the sake of engaging in ironic/sarcastic humor with their hipster friends. Has no concern for the actual craft/quality or lack thereof in the entertainment product they consume.
NH: Would rather spend their time and effort seeking out, learning about, and watching/listening to good stuff for the actual sheer joy of it, without concern for its commmerciality, popularity, etc. Doesn't seek to impress with deliberately "obscure" tastes, acquires "obscure" tastes naturally.

Well, you certainly have it figured out doncha?

Like anything else, blanket statements = fail.
 
Cool a retro IPad :p

Hipsters? Whaddaya think these young punks know anyway. Why the whole lot of them probably couldn't figure out how to change channels without a remote. I tell ya the world is going to Poughkeepsie in a Justin Beber lunchbox. MY GENERATION IS THE ONLY THAT COUNTS AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT. Anyone who came before us is a useless old fart and anyone who came after is a namby pamby punk.
AND GET OFF MY LAWN ! I tell ya it's pathetic.
 
Cool a retro IPad :p

Hipsters? Whaddaya think these young punks know anyway. Why the whole lot of them probably couldn't figure out how to change channels without a remote. I tell ya the world is going to Poughkeepsie in a Justin Beber lunchbox. MY GENERATION IS THE ONLY THAT COUNTS AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT. Anyone who came before us is a useless old fart and anyone who came after is a namby pamby punk.
AND GET OFF MY LAWN ! I tell ya it's pathetic.

^ Hipster
 

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