Summer 2004
Hipsters and Squares
Part 10: Laugh-In
Of course, the Golden Age of the Hipster has long since passed from this
earth, and we will never see its like again. Morning in America dawned in
the 80's, and for a while it looked like the squares had taken it game,
set and match.
But things look different now. I can see definite advancements in the field of grooviness and relaxitude these days -- and I credit my soul brothers, the Hipsters of 70's Sesame, for paving the way.
As we bid ciao to these groovy heroes, let's take a look at an unexpected torch-bearer of the hipster philosophy. Harvey Kneeslapper is not a cat that you would ever think of as a hipster -- but when you think about it, his shtick is very similar to the Hipster/Square dynamic we've been looking at. Like the hipsters of old, Harvey delights in playing tricks on the squares. For instance:
"Ya got an A on ya?"
"Wanna C?"
"Would you mind if I take a picture of U?"
"X marks the spot!"
So he's not hip, by any stretch, and his gags aren't going to bring down the establishment in the way that, say, a peppy song about the bus stop could. But Harvey's continuing war against the squares teaches us one thing -- that no matter how dorky or uncool you are, there's a little bit of Hipster in all of us. It's all inside you, baby. Right on.