Self-Assessment: How Hip Are We?
Meeting self-assessment scales can be a fascinating technique to gauge where one stands within certain social or cultural niches. Take the question, 'On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being very hip, just how hip are you?'
Reflections from a 102-Year-Old Physicist
At 82, my pop culture expertise might seem like a relic from the past. After all, I was a physicist in my earlier days, and even then, I was a general nerd who found solace in playing golf. I laughed spontaneously when one of my students once asked, 'How come you are so popular?' I replied, 'What, I've never been popular in my life!' My late wife might have agreed with me and likely chuckled at the idea as well.
Today, I might even be more popular among all age groups, but my time on the golf course might limit my insights into current trends. My scale, if anything, is logarithmic, similar to the Richter scale, suggesting a minor number still carries significant weight.
A More Practical Insight
When we look at the term 'hip' itself, I'd rate myself a 7 or 8. I'm not overly swayed by trends but I do keep up with what's happening around me. I'm not dictated by them, but I am aware of what I like.
However, there are those who seem to be living in a world where everyone rates a 10. To those who gave themselves lower ratings, one could apply the same logic. Everyone has their own perspective and place in the grand scheme of things.
The Facilitator of the Hipster Club
At times, I have to stretch to maintain this hipster persona, especially in front of my colleagues and students. I claim to be the faculty adviser to the hipster club, a role that I laughingly explain as a joke. The yearbook once asked for pictures of clubs having meetings, so I sent them a picture of the hipster club, of which I am the faculty adviser.
As I see it, being hip is all about being up-to-date with pop culture, while being a hipster means staying current with counter-culture. Here, I confidently place myself at a 4.5, which a true hipster would ironically give themselves a 4.20. My journey is a mix of digital streaming and occasional outings to the cinema. This year was marked by Breaking Bad (I've seen three episodes) and Finders Diggers (among others).
I primarily enjoy music from the Pandora station curated by me, mostly ambient tunes by artists like Theivery Corporation and Antique Beats. My interactions with pop culture and counter-culture only touch the surface, yet I remain intrigued and engaged.