Are We Witnessing a Return to the Bohemian Counterculture?

The question of whether a return to the bohemian counterculture of the 1960s is imminent or even desirable is a topic that often sparks debate. As someone who witnessed the full extent of hippie culture during high school in 1960, I can confidently say that I don't see a return to the "smelly hippies" that were part of that era. The best definition for a hippie is someone who has achieved the bottom and continues on a downward path, a description that rings true to many who remember that time period.

History and Legacy

Those who lived through the hippie counterculture, like myself, often look back on it with a mix of nostalgia and regret. The movement was characterized by protests, occupation of college buildings, and the desecration of public spaces like the Capitol lawn in Madison, Wisconsin. Many refer to this counterculture movement as tumultuous and disruptive, with hippies often viewed as irresponsible and uncouth.

Compared to the present, many factors have changed, making a repeat of the hippie counterculture unlikely. Revolutions throughout history, such as those that shook Europe in 1848, occurred and then people moved on. Similarly, the hippie movement had its moment and then faded, leaving a complex legacy that is still felt in various cultural and social dimensions.

Surviving the Counterculture

I, too, survived that counterculture era, and it left a lasting impact on my life. Bohemian movements, like the hippies, are reactions against dominant conservative cultures. These movements can and do resurface in various forms, each with its unique interests and goals. Today, we can observe the resurgence of bohemianism, though in different guises and forms than those of the 1960s.

The Legacy of Idealism

Though I have ideals and hold a fundamentally optimistic view of humanity, the challenge today is that we have become more dispersed and less cohesive due to digital communication. While we are more connected than ever, physical gatherings require financial resources, except for gatherings like Rainbow Gatherings. This has made it more challenging to come together and form communities.

Living in Hawaii, among the soft and warm climate that supposedly softens people, I have seen a glimmer of the kindred spirits I sought. However, I don't envision a return to the bohemian counterculture of the 1960s. The demographics are skewed towards older generations; fewer young people share the same idealism as those who once made up the hippie generation.

It's a sad reflection on our current culture that think-tanks and governments decide our cultural direction, often keeping us as dependent consumers and wage slaves. This makes us manipulable. The hippies of the past, despite their efforts, ultimately shifted into a more material and privilege-based culture like disco, which is a stark reminder that those in power have mechanisms to maintain their control.

Legislative Solutions

To address the problem of inequality and power, some argue that measures like making it illegal to own over one million should be considered. This would ensure that no one has a motive to oppress others. The legal framework plays a critical role in shaping societal norms and reducing economic disparities.

While it may seem impossible to revert to the hippie counterculture of the past, there is value in understanding its legacy and the principles it represented. By learning from the successes and failures of the past, we can strive to create a more inclusive and idealistic future.