It's cool to be uncool

In today's class and for the reading, Frank discussed how there is an obvious dichotomy between what we know as mainstream culture and what is counter culture.  In class, it was brought up that mainstream culture causes us to seek a counter culture, which then turns back into mainstream culture which then turns into a vicious cycle of what is to be known as mainstream cool and uncool.

The class discussion forced me contemplate in and outside of class what exactly it means to be a part of the mainstream or counter culture.  It seems as though the current style of our society is that mainstream culture relies on everyone feeling as though they are apart of an individualized, unique, group that rebels against "the man."  When thinking about things that seem to be "cool" and in style right now, images of hipsters in horn-rimmed glasses, girls in frumpy clothing knitting beside a cat, and nerdy chic come into mind.  I am sure that these individuals are not doing these things to be mainstream, but rather because it places them in an elitist group within the counter culture, or they just simply enjoy the style (the difference between which can be easily spotted).

When leaving class today, I giggled to myself as I saw so many students walking around campus in their skinny jeans, Toms, and edgy haircuts.  Until reading this article and thinking critically about what it means to be mainstream, I never noticed these students were anything out of the ordinary from what I generally see throughout my day.  However today it seemed that nearly everyone was doing their part to "stick it to the man" by wearing their own indie style of clothing or seemingly not caring what others thought.

In an age where it's hip to be square, these people are simply feeding into the mainstream culture and more importantly the corporations who are capitalizing on these articles of clothing and style.  These people who are trying to define themselves as unique and undefined are the people that are creating this mainstream culture that is to be "hipsters."  Already we are seeing these kinds of styles in all different department stores for all different ages.  It will only be a matter of time before mothers will be seen wearing "Bobs" and skinny jeans, when in which the fad of being a "hipster" will decline again back into something uncool.