The hipster in all of us

I liked this article at the gospel coalition about the hipster in all of us (which includes some fascinating observations on television from David Forster Wallace). I live in one of the hipster capitals of the country, and while I don’t call myself a hipster, there is a lot to like about this part of the world. From my observations, I reckon the weirdest people on the continent walk down King St, Newtown, and that’s OK. I’m pretty sure some of them dress up just to parade down the street being a spectacle, but many are genuinely just a little bit different. There’s an earthiness and social conscience in the atmosphere, with a culture of recycling and fresh produce that can remember where it came from (you can go into Alfalfa House and buy ingredients most people have forgotten about) and buying local and, OK, so I know vintage bikes and fixies are hipsterish, but people are riding bikes! There’s something of a revolt against materialism and here it’s cool to buy your clothes at the op shop (this is not so cool on the lower North Shore); there are more independent shops along the street (though the franchises are encroaching), at least five book shops, and is an appreciation for handmade and homespun items and living in smaller spaces - the real estate costs a fortune, but that is forcing people to live smaller, and I see this as a good thing. (Australia has one of the highest housing footprints in the world, but it’s not coming from here. I have friends who have three kids in a small two-bedroom terrace, and good for them.)

All, the same, there are some good criticisms made in the article, about the cynicism that can infect hipsters (though it sounds to me like American hipsters are slightly different breed), and their exclusiveness and scorn. I consciously try to avoid such things as coffee snobbery (because I do think it’s a little bit ridiculous -- though I’ll have a teabag thanks if you’re offering instant). Here’s a quote:

Christian participation in culture should be warm, generous, and sincere. We worship a God who made the world and made it profoundly good. Our God is not a cynic; he takes pleasure in his creation (Genesis 1), and he invites us to share in his joy.

Embracing mere goodness in the world around us---good food, good conversation, and good leisure---could be transformative. By that I mean mere goodness. Life doesn't have to be full of the best of everything, and good can certainly be good enough. Especially if we lower our grandiose and idealized expectations and simply determine to enjoy what God puts before us.