I get that there are no self-proclaimed hipsters. But Gawker--a site for and by hipsters if there ever was one--takes it to a new level, mocking some girl for being... a family-money having hipster living in a Williamsburg loft. Who exactly is Gawker's target audience? From what Nebraskan exurb (or, for that matter, strenuous job) are they commenting on Gawker all day long?
Of course, the commenters have the whole 'I'm not a hipster' hipster act down perfectly, including one who claims to have lived in Williamsburg before it was cool; one hipster-hating hipster; one who lives in Williamsburg so as to make fun of (other) hipsters; and, because such a comment is always needed, one who faults the hipster-target for thinking she's hardcore.
"I get that there are no self-proclaimed hipsters. But Gawker--a site for and by hipsters if there ever was one--takes it to a new level, mocking some girl for being... a family-money having hipster living in a Williamsburg loft. Who exactly is Gawker's target audience?"
ReplyDeleteGawker's target audience are cubicle slaves.
Is this really so complicated?
Gawker is a site for and by hipsters in the same sense that Page Six is for and by socialites - aka not in any real sense whatsoever.
I like the bold "really". It confirms my utter cluelessness. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't a hipster also work in a cubicle? Doesn't it depend on what field the job is in?
Can we compromise and say that the target audience/projected authorial voice is that of someone who fancies himself a hipster? And I'd say that's all it takes to be one, i.e. not the same situation as for socialites.
"Why can't a hipster also work in a cubicle?"
ReplyDeleteUnion work rules.
Please refer to the contract negotiated by Local 437 of the International Hipsters Union. Don't hesitate to talk to your shop steward if you have further questions.
Remember, the union works for you.
-----
"Can we compromise and say that the target audience/projected authorial voice is that of someone who fancies himself a hipster?"
I'd suggest taking the "Gawker" moniker a bit more seriously. The DNA of the site seems to be all about making Page Six style fun of the Peaches Geldorfs of the world, no? After all, Elizabeth Speirs got the whole thing going by being obsessed with Paris Hilton back when she was a niche commodity.
I mean, it's not as if Jeremy Piven's mercury poisoning situation is exactly hipster bait...
I have seen way too many violence lately from hipsters in Brooklyn. I saw one girl spit on an elderly homeless guy at a stop on the 456 and her hipster friends just laughed! Utter disrespect. Then I saw a hipster girl on the green line with bruises on her face and neck, and a old lady asked her what it was and she said it's make up and that is the new style or something. Hipster guys abusing hipster girls and getting away with because it is fashionable? It sucks to see this. And the other day i was being heckled by two hipsters in the east village, i was getting out of my karate class and my pants were and they were making fun of my pants, on drugs or something, and egging me on, mocking Oriental languanges until the girl told the hipster guy "he's not going to attack you"... it seems any time I come into contact with hipsters it is something abusive.
ReplyDelete