the (near) tragic emptiness of (hipster) critique(s)

[badinfluence]

marginal utility is depressing because horning complains about the effects of consumer(ist) culture without questioning any of its (psychological or sociological, let alone ontological or metaphysical) underpinnings and hence being unable to imagine any (and i mean any) alternatives to it--and thereby he succumbs to the very hipsterish elitism he so despises. this is most evident in his criticisms of cultural criticism, where he dismisses any glimmer of enthusiasm as "hype" and assents gravely but whole-(heavy)-heartedly to the most pessimistic pronouncements. this is the essence of hipster elitism, wherein one's value (one's status either within the community or as outside (above) the community) is determined not by what (and how thoughtfully) one affirms or praises but by what (and how brutally) one is willing to deny or reject. no, meaningful identity cannot be built up with product choices and cultural preferences, but neither can it be carved out with their inversion. negation is no more intrinsically authentic than affirmation.

but i guess it's easier to say what's wrong with someone else's opinions than what's right about yours, huh, rob?

god, i suck.