By John F. Sase
These two groups, beatniks and hippies, have endured and/or have become resurrected! Then again, maybe they have never died out. Though these names have become faded in current literature, their essences remain embraced. From informal chats, I have recognized that the two traits live onward. However, they have maintained levels of higher education. Many have re-emerged as attorneys and economists, perhaps with greater subtlety in dress and hairstyle. Let us review and, to some degree, contrast these two identities.
Beatniks were more focused on artistic expression and intellectualism while hippies were more focused on peace, love, and communal living. While both groups have challenged the status quo in their own ways, hippies became much more of a cultural phenomenon than beatniks ever did.
—————
The history of beatniks
The term “beatnik” was first coined by journalist Herb Caen in 1958. He used it to describe the young bohemians of San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood. These folks were often viewed as “rebels” and “nonconformists.” Beatniks tended to react in contrary to the somewhat jaded conformist culture of the 1950s. They tended to reject materialism to some degree while embracing alternative lifestyles that focused upon creativity, art, and music. Furthermore, many Beatniks embraced an interest in the philosophy and religion of the Eastern world. Though the beatnik “movement” was short-lived, it helped pave the way for the counterculture of the 1960s.
—————
The history of hippies
The so-named hippie subculture emerged in the United States during the early 1960s when many of us were entering secondary school. The word “hippie” came from hipster as it originally described beatniks in the San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district. At that time, they were recognized for an unconventional lifestyle, while advocating “peace, love, and harmony.”
This group enhanced an ability to experience a more intense spiritual connection with our universe. Some of this group formed communes where they lived together and shared everything equally, while others travelled as so-called nomads, travelling throughout America and beyond in search of new experiences.
This movement peaked in America with the “Summer of Love.” However, by the early 1970s, this dream began to fade as the counterculture became disillusioned during the war in Vietnam.
—————
Similarities between beatniks and hippies
Though beatniks of the 1950s and hippies of the 1960s seemed to be worlds apart, they shared quite a few similarities, such that the two groups identified themselves as countercultural, rejecting the mainstream values of their time. Both groups valued creative expression, experimentation, and rejection of materialism.
Beatniks and hippies both rejected much of mainstream society and its values. They preferred to embrace non-traditional lifestyles and creative expression. Both movements valued artistic expression, and their members often participated in creative activities such as writing, painting, and music-making. Furthermore, many in these groups began to openly reject conventional gender roles and sexual norms.
We may note that beatniks significantly influenced the later hippie movement. This led to an increase in creative expression, individuality, and rejection of many of the then current mainstream values.
While the beatniks and hippies each embraced some different aesthetics and philosophies, they both shared common desires to create alternative lifestyles and ways of thinking. Both groups represented rejection of mainstream society along with their search for new forms of self-expression and freedom.
This culture of the 1960s and beyond represented both social and cultural movements that were largely driven by desire for change, freedom, and self-expression by a younger generation.
—————
Counterculture mainstreamed
Both the beatnik and the hippie movement grew in popularity, attracting increased attention through mainstream media along with the public in general. This mainstream culture embraced many counterculture ideas, music, and fashion. As a result, the hippie culture began to lose its somewhat unique identity. This led to a culture shift by many embracing its radical and subversive nature.
—————
Vietnam
Disillusionment followed the optimism and idealism of the transcendental culture waned. Many feared that the world had failed to change into better place.
—————
Drug abuse
Drug use became identified with the hippie culture. Many of this subculture became addicted to drugs and involved with drug-related crimes.
—————
Economic changes
In the late 1970s, the global economy experienced a significant downturn that led to high levels of unemployment and inflation. Many young people who had embraced the hippie culture found themselves struggling to find work or to afford the basics of life.
—————
Aging of the movement
As the hippie culture aged, many of its members began to move on and embrace other lifestyles. They became less interested in the counterculture and its ideals and began to focus on other aspects of their lives.
The movement did not achieve all of its goals. However, it did significantly impact American society through an influence upon fashion, music, politics, and generally social norms.
—————
General definitions
Beatniks: 1950s; American writers and artists rejecting many mainstream values while embracing a counter-cultural lifestyle. The term Beatnik refers to specific groups of writers and artists. As a more general term for those embracing non-conformity while rejecting mainstream culture and lifestyle.
Bohemian: Historically, this class originated in France during the early 1800s. It refers to those choosing to live unconventional and artistic lifestyles.
Bohemians, were/are a group of artists, musicians, and writers who have rejected traditional social norms to embrace a free-spirited lifestyle. They were/are known for their colorful clothing, flowing fabrics, and eclectic accessories, and were associated with the Bohemianism movement.
Generally, we use this term to describe persons who live somewhat unconventional and a somewhat artistic lifestyle. (Originally, the term described the Romani people, believed to have come from Bohemia, in the Czech Republic). In current years, bohemian continues to be associated with artists, writers, and musicians who might reject societal norms, quietly or loudly.
Typically, by this definition, they have become known through their free-spirited nature and focus on creativity and self-expression. In society, they may favor a simpler, authentic way of living. Generally, they have again become known for love of art, music, and literature, and other creativity.
Beatnik: More recently, a term originating in the 1950s that tends to describe counterculture intellectuals who reject ordinary societal norms and values. In our current age, they are known for unconventional lifestyles, which may include experimentation with jazz music, Eastern spirituality, and certain drugs. In 1958, Herb Caen, columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, coined the term “beatnik” as a play on the word “Sputnik,” the name of the first artificial satellite.
The beat movement expressed a rejection of materialism and conformity, along with an embrace of individualism and creativity. Beatniks have been often associated with the Beat Generation of writers that included Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and William S. Burroughs.
The beatniks were known for their unconventional fashion sense and love of jazz music, and many people credit the beatniks with paving the way for the hippie movement of the 1960s.
Generally, beatniks were a group of poets, writers, and artists who rejected mainstream culture and embraced non-conformity. They were known for their black turtlenecks, berets, and sunglasses, and were associated with the Beat Generation literary movement.
Confusing these two distinct subcultures can lead to misrepresentation and a lack of understanding of their unique histories and values.
————————
Dr. John F. Sase teaches Economics at Wayne State University and has practiced Forensic and Investigative Economics for twenty years. He earned a combined M.A. in Economics and an MBA at the University of Detroit, followed by a Ph.D. in Economics from Wayne State University. He is a graduate of the University of Detroit Jesuit High School (www.saseassociates.com).
These two groups, beatniks and hippies, have endured and/or have become resurrected! Then again, maybe they have never died out. Though these names have become faded in current literature, their essences remain embraced. From informal chats, I have recognized that the two traits live onward. However, they have maintained levels of higher education. Many have re-emerged as attorneys and economists, perhaps with greater subtlety in dress and hairstyle. Let us review and, to some degree, contrast these two identities.
Beatniks were more focused on artistic expression and intellectualism while hippies were more focused on peace, love, and communal living. While both groups have challenged the status quo in their own ways, hippies became much more of a cultural phenomenon than beatniks ever did.
—————
The history of beatniks
The term “beatnik” was first coined by journalist Herb Caen in 1958. He used it to describe the young bohemians of San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood. These folks were often viewed as “rebels” and “nonconformists.” Beatniks tended to react in contrary to the somewhat jaded conformist culture of the 1950s. They tended to reject materialism to some degree while embracing alternative lifestyles that focused upon creativity, art, and music. Furthermore, many Beatniks embraced an interest in the philosophy and religion of the Eastern world. Though the beatnik “movement” was short-lived, it helped pave the way for the counterculture of the 1960s.
—————
The history of hippies
The so-named hippie subculture emerged in the United States during the early 1960s when many of us were entering secondary school. The word “hippie” came from hipster as it originally described beatniks in the San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district. At that time, they were recognized for an unconventional lifestyle, while advocating “peace, love, and harmony.”
This group enhanced an ability to experience a more intense spiritual connection with our universe. Some of this group formed communes where they lived together and shared everything equally, while others travelled as so-called nomads, travelling throughout America and beyond in search of new experiences.
This movement peaked in America with the “Summer of Love.” However, by the early 1970s, this dream began to fade as the counterculture became disillusioned during the war in Vietnam.
—————
Similarities between beatniks and hippies
Though beatniks of the 1950s and hippies of the 1960s seemed to be worlds apart, they shared quite a few similarities, such that the two groups identified themselves as countercultural, rejecting the mainstream values of their time. Both groups valued creative expression, experimentation, and rejection of materialism.
Beatniks and hippies both rejected much of mainstream society and its values. They preferred to embrace non-traditional lifestyles and creative expression. Both movements valued artistic expression, and their members often participated in creative activities such as writing, painting, and music-making. Furthermore, many in these groups began to openly reject conventional gender roles and sexual norms.
We may note that beatniks significantly influenced the later hippie movement. This led to an increase in creative expression, individuality, and rejection of many of the then current mainstream values.
While the beatniks and hippies each embraced some different aesthetics and philosophies, they both shared common desires to create alternative lifestyles and ways of thinking. Both groups represented rejection of mainstream society along with their search for new forms of self-expression and freedom.
This culture of the 1960s and beyond represented both social and cultural movements that were largely driven by desire for change, freedom, and self-expression by a younger generation.
—————
Counterculture mainstreamed
Both the beatnik and the hippie movement grew in popularity, attracting increased attention through mainstream media along with the public in general. This mainstream culture embraced many counterculture ideas, music, and fashion. As a result, the hippie culture began to lose its somewhat unique identity. This led to a culture shift by many embracing its radical and subversive nature.
—————
Vietnam
Disillusionment followed the optimism and idealism of the transcendental culture waned. Many feared that the world had failed to change into better place.
—————
Drug abuse
Drug use became identified with the hippie culture. Many of this subculture became addicted to drugs and involved with drug-related crimes.
—————
Economic changes
In the late 1970s, the global economy experienced a significant downturn that led to high levels of unemployment and inflation. Many young people who had embraced the hippie culture found themselves struggling to find work or to afford the basics of life.
—————
Aging of the movement
As the hippie culture aged, many of its members began to move on and embrace other lifestyles. They became less interested in the counterculture and its ideals and began to focus on other aspects of their lives.
The movement did not achieve all of its goals. However, it did significantly impact American society through an influence upon fashion, music, politics, and generally social norms.
—————
General definitions
Beatniks: 1950s; American writers and artists rejecting many mainstream values while embracing a counter-cultural lifestyle. The term Beatnik refers to specific groups of writers and artists. As a more general term for those embracing non-conformity while rejecting mainstream culture and lifestyle.
Bohemian: Historically, this class originated in France during the early 1800s. It refers to those choosing to live unconventional and artistic lifestyles.
Bohemians, were/are a group of artists, musicians, and writers who have rejected traditional social norms to embrace a free-spirited lifestyle. They were/are known for their colorful clothing, flowing fabrics, and eclectic accessories, and were associated with the Bohemianism movement.
Generally, we use this term to describe persons who live somewhat unconventional and a somewhat artistic lifestyle. (Originally, the term described the Romani people, believed to have come from Bohemia, in the Czech Republic). In current years, bohemian continues to be associated with artists, writers, and musicians who might reject societal norms, quietly or loudly.
Typically, by this definition, they have become known through their free-spirited nature and focus on creativity and self-expression. In society, they may favor a simpler, authentic way of living. Generally, they have again become known for love of art, music, and literature, and other creativity.
Beatnik: More recently, a term originating in the 1950s that tends to describe counterculture intellectuals who reject ordinary societal norms and values. In our current age, they are known for unconventional lifestyles, which may include experimentation with jazz music, Eastern spirituality, and certain drugs. In 1958, Herb Caen, columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, coined the term “beatnik” as a play on the word “Sputnik,” the name of the first artificial satellite.
The beat movement expressed a rejection of materialism and conformity, along with an embrace of individualism and creativity. Beatniks have been often associated with the Beat Generation of writers that included Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and William S. Burroughs.
The beatniks were known for their unconventional fashion sense and love of jazz music, and many people credit the beatniks with paving the way for the hippie movement of the 1960s.
Generally, beatniks were a group of poets, writers, and artists who rejected mainstream culture and embraced non-conformity. They were known for their black turtlenecks, berets, and sunglasses, and were associated with the Beat Generation literary movement.
Confusing these two distinct subcultures can lead to misrepresentation and a lack of understanding of their unique histories and values.
————————
Dr. John F. Sase teaches Economics at Wayne State University and has practiced Forensic and Investigative Economics for twenty years. He earned a combined M.A. in Economics and an MBA at the University of Detroit, followed by a Ph.D. in Economics from Wayne State University. He is a graduate of the University of Detroit Jesuit High School (www.saseassociates.com).
