Hipsters. Whether you love them or hate them, you all know them. But what even is a hipster? Is there a real, concrete definition somewhere? Or do hipsters fall into the vague "I-know-it-when-I-see-it" category? Some definitions are directly contradictory to one another. For example, here are two definitions of hipster, both taken from Merriam-Webster:
1. A person who follows the latest styles, fashions, etc.; a hip person.
2. A person who is unusually aware of and interested in unconventional patterns.
The first definition is talking about the mainstream, and the second is referring to the down-low. Aren't those the opposite of one another?
Here are just a few things that may or may not be components of your personal definition of a hipster.
They are typically white and typically wealthy.
They dress like grandparents and sometimes act like them.
They have a particular fondness for irony (often without knowing what irony actually means.) Hipsters have become so mainstream that their very existence is, in fact, rather ironic.
They frequently have facial hair (ranging anywhere from Salvador Dali to Charles Darwin).
They like music you've probably never heard of (which sounds much better on vinyl).
They wear glasses regardless of an actual visual impairment.
They (pretend to) like reading books.
Some of these things may be true and some may not. Like most human beings, hipsters are actually difficult to put into a box.
But here's the good part: when they're doing it right, hipsters can be some of the most sincere, earnest and passionate humans. They aren't afraid of sharing the things they love, and I think there's something good in that -- something we can all benefit from.
Example time. I've liked to play video games since I was a kid, but it's only relatively recently I've been comfortable telling people how much I actually love them. Why? Maybe it's silly, but I was scared of the (generally false) stigmas surrounding video games, most of which persist today -- video games are only for boys, video games are only for children, video games are for actual dweebs, video games are for loafers and video games (somehow, magically) turn people into violent sociopaths. I now understand that video games are just as valid a form of art, entertainment and storytelling as television, literature and film -- and I own it.
OK, are you still confused? Let me try to sum it up another way. It doesn't matter if what you love is popular, underground, mainstream or "not cool." Unless your hobbies and passions are illegal and / or legitimately creepy, don't be afraid of sharing them with the rest of the world.
Do you genuinely love eating kale (even though it tastes gross)? Own it. Do you just love Nicolas Cage? Own it. Is your favorite genre of music wizard rock (it's real, look it up)? Own it. Do you love to watch "My Little Pony" as a grown man or woman? Own it. Do you enjoy drawing pictures of animals dressed like humans? Own it. Do you love Britney Spears? Own it. Do you like to wear skirts that look like they were made from '90s upholstery? Own it.
Be you and be bold about it.
