"Helpsters" Are The New "Hipsters"

Taffey Dollar wrote:

> Hey helpsters, here's an issue for you!

If you read far enough into the original NY Press article that sparked all this (as opposed to this comparatively vacuous blog post), you'll read that many of the organizations mentioned have been consistently fighting and pushing back against Big Real Estate for years now. Sucks that NYPress had to invent such a dumb, link-baiting label and then apply it towards the folks mentioned.

They could really use your help! It's all about organizing and working towards shared goals. It's up to you to get involved. The folks mentioned in the article that I know personally are normal, hard-working people who decided to get organized in their community. I don't know a single "trustafarian" among them, and contrary to the NY Press article, I don't know any of them who works in the community to absolve some sense of guilt for existing, for deciding to take up residence here.

Anyway, I would rather think, based on the tone of your comment, that you ought to encourage such activity. It's groups like these that build the kind of true grassroots organizations you need to take on entrenched issues (or state-wide office holders).

Wow, this comment thread really makes me hate people.

I thought about that too, Griz. But then, I read about the Wall St. bonuses and figured just one of those bonusus could probably fund our fair city for years. And also don't forget about all the Bloomberg campaign money coming in. Compared to that, hipster money is just a drop in the bucket :)

Seriously though, I don't have much trust in trickle down economics. I get that Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Park Slope, LES are the bait big real estate uses to attract suburban $$, but the $$ trickle down to those communites and greater NYC is disproportionate to the damage it does. I'd be more comfortable if the "helpsters" would organize for some kind of tax on big RE and the money used for rent stabilization, low income housing, more tenant protections etc. No one seems to want to address the displacement and landlord/tenant law abuses that follow this kind of money grubbing. Its also sad when our attorney general and gubernatorial candidate is so obviously in the pocket of big RE. Hey helpsters, here's an issue for you!

I'm a fool for getting into this, but I think that in all the cultural backlash surrounding New York's "cool" we're perhaps forgetting that contemporary hip culture - of which hipsters are certainly a successful (in the Darwinian sense of the word; they have reproduced prolifically) part - drives the NYC economy in a big way. While there are certainly downsides and trade-offs (gentrification, a manhattan-centric culture, etc) all of the income, taxes and jobs created by galleries, bike shops, brunch places, and tight jean distribution centers does help to fund maintenance of parks, roads, social services, etc. citywide. So if we're going to tell all the kids to go back to Ohio, they're going to take their parents' money with them. I can't say whether the net result will be a more authentic city or a poorer one, but I do suspect that these folks who we so casually deride and tell to go home throw more money into the city than they, on average, get get back in services. TLDR: Hipsters are good for the economy and their cash is used to benefit parts of the city they don't live in.

+1 for "tight jean distribution centers" :D

It's my hypothesis that the average pressure (in PSI) of the the male thigh (as a result of pants squeezing) increases in direct proportion to the concentration of brunch eateries in a given area, but my study is currently stalled in ethics review dependent on finding a humane way to get objective data.

I am an oldster.

How the heck, born in the 1930's did I

ever do without TV, the Telephone and drugs

and read newspapers, wow!

aww man, you must have been kicking yourself for not being born a few years earlier and missing out on legal coke and weed. coca cola, can't drink just one, right? I do have a legit question though, were you employed at any point as a newsie? i've just always wondered if they all really wore those hats like in that disney musical newsies. that's what the williamsburg kids should go for next, forget the flannel, waxed mustache, and confederate cap civil war lumberjack mashup, youse guys should be rocking the knickers, suspenders, and newsie hat getup, you could run up and down bedford screamin' "extry extry, read all about it, animal collective too fat for tight jeans, dash snow dead from overexposure, trust funds shrink by 30% in stagnant economy, bike lane protest at pete's candy store" you could carry a real deal newspaper around every where you go, and read it at starbucks and make fun of all the hipsters on their macs and ipads, and just when it starts to become a little tiresome, zoot suits. again!

i don't really know where i'm going with this or why i started, so... apologies.

I don't know where you're going with this either, but I know I like it!

You had no drugs? You didn't know the right hepsters!

Tip 'o the hat to ya, grandpa ;)

im not a hipster but i certainly HELP.

i donate my used trucker caps to the salvation army.

i buy my elvis glasses at thrift stores to help the environment.

i joined a facebook group, so my click counts.

i help save cats by trolling the cacc website and forwarding pictures of cute kittens to my friends asking them to adopt.

i give homeless people change, after all i voted for obama and his slogan is change.

i read on wikipedia that guilliani saved nyc on 911 and i tell all my friends how safe times square is.

If they wanna help someone, send them all to Haiti and see how helpful they can be there... and see how fast they get Mommy and Daddy to fly them back safe to their Williamsburg.

By the way, someone should tell Ben Muessig that Jen Carlson hacked into his account and began posting horse shit

frequent gothamist reader zing of the day!

the ny press is still around?? why?

this article is ridiculous. i don't care what they're called, sick of the hype. when is gothamist ever going to write about trends among Brighton Beach Russians, or Tibetan restaurant owners, or 2nd generation Mexicans in NYC, god SOMETHING other than the wburg/greenpt/bushwick community.

I'll help you score some coke, if I can get a bump.

"helpster" sounds pretty cool, i hope that sticks

"Yessir, these young people aren't just following trends anymore. Their newest trend is to try to help their respective communities."

I'll try to sound like so many others here: "Phuck philanthropy! Baaaah benevolence!"

I'm all for benevolence. What I'm not for is moronic journalism that has to anthropologize every development in the northern parts of Brooklyn as some kind of hipster trend.

Yep. Categories, at least as used here, are useless.

What's the percentage in hating helping? Ahhh, I'm sure someone's figgered it out.

Typical guilt-filled neo-colonialist douchebaggery. They come here, suck the city dry of its true culture and colorful neighborhoods, then feel a sudden urge to 'give back'. However, they're not exactly "giving back" - they're simply creating more institutions to serve their own needs. Their motivations are likely more selfish than they are sincere. Sadly, this is like the movie Avatar. You come here, you take our shit, and then a few of you think you're "one of us", and then feel this urge to "save us". You f***ed us in the first place! We didn't ask you to donate bike lanes to us! Screw your composts! Why can't you do this kind of shit back in Ohiowadahosottoscin?

Well said. You'd probably like diehipster.com

These people are so out of place. They consume and pussify neighborhoods. Stick to and feed off each other not bothering to ever really relate with and bond with natives. That's beside the fact that they all look like starved for attention morons. I still can't figure out how a grown man can look at a guy with thick frames, beard, and some ironic hipster clothing and say "yep, im gonna start looking like that guy tomorrow". Effing sheep!

Yes! "Helping"=remaking NYC into the mind-numbing suburban hell they came from and craving that pat on the head for the "good deed"....Why?

I'm from New York. How bout you?

Actually, immigrated here in the early 70's. What's it to you?

And a lot of those cool people trying to make things better are not from New York. What the fuck is the problem with that?

(editors: you can also take this comment as my vote on the profanity controversy)---- :)

kudos for trying to reason with very stubborn, self-righteous comments!

It sounds more like they are more tired of their job being a doctor, more then they hate what you're doing. Criticizing you seems to be a way for them to feel "back on top", like they're more important than you are. Hey look, they can save a gunshot wound, but your stupid plants can't soak up blood!

I understand your point! Helping is helping! who the hell criticizes that?! who the f*ck cares if i don't go to medical school to help my community?! does that make me a hipster and therefore evil and delusional because i think a garden is helpful?! If i voted against bloomberg does that make me better? just because i can't change all the shitty things about politics does not mean im not doing my part.

that logic is so messed up. The way "Robin" comments I would hope that person wouldn't treat hipsters differently if they were to be treated at their hospital!

Why don't they go pick on gangsters the way they pick on hipsters or the evil yuppies and preps for making their life more difficult.

I say good for anyone who wants to make a positive impact in their neighborhood or in one persons life. Helpster is just another word for volunteer.

Suckaaaaaas!

xo

Born here in the mid 70s.

What's it to me?

I've always been around cool people trying to make things better. Your comments suggest that you have missed noticing these people. I don't like seeing them made fun of.

Somehow, I don't believe you. Seems like you've been contimated by too much "coolness".

The above comment was meant to go here: "Well, it's a good thing I don't need your approval to get disaster relief training from the Red Cross."

Sorry, but what does my approval have to do with red cross training?

Exactly my point. It doesn't matter if you "believe me" or not - I have my convictions.

I somehow submitted too soon, and I was going to add on this:

"The only crimes they commit are crimes of fashion."

When I was robbed at gunpoint, it wasn't by a hipster.

It's amazing how many people like to piss all over everything. Isn't it hard to wave your canes and type at the same time?

I'd take a million "hipsters" over all the frat boys and sorority girls that have colonized the EVill/Lower East Side any day.

To me they're all the same except only the outfits are different

Then you haven't been paying attention. Don't get me wrong, I'm no hipster lover, but they are not what this article is about. Categories are stupid. Some people who dress stylishly also dedicate their lives to giving back to the world. And not all of them have money.

Once again: try talking to people, in real life, whenever possible. This is New York, not only is it allowed, it's part of the city.

Shun nihilism, whether in the East Village, Williamsburg, or Wall St.

And what makes *you* think you have the monopoly on talking to people? Nihilism? You have no idea what that even means. Hipsters *are* the nihilists. Helpsters are just guilty nihilists. Why don't you shun assholism. Shun emotional consumerism.

People are talking to you right here if you'd only listen..hard to do when they express views criticizing your sacred POV.

I'm listening. And I'm responding. I don't think I have a monopoly on talking to people; hell I'm encouraging everyone who reads this to do it. On the street. Every day. That's (part of) what I do btw. And I notice that very few people do it anymore, and fewer every year.

"Off of the Nets and Into the Streets!" would make a good slogan.

"Helpsters are just guilty nihilists."

I say: "All generalizations are wrong."

Categories are useless, when used in this way.

cheers to that.

Nope, still hipsters. I prefer an economic classification. More money than sense/intelligence.

the anti-hipster sentiment is sounding more and more like "kids these days!"

the new generation of 30somethings just can't deal with today's youth, but the 30somethings work in NY media and have to take out their frustrations on somebody. just like every generation has never been able to deal with the generation behind it. the young ones are never as cool as we were, right gang?

right.

Not! Plus you really sound like that 20 year old, pro-hipster serial spammer who hangs out on CL. This is criticism. I know its hard to take, especially when mommy and daddy never taught you how.

hah hah hah. no, i'm too fat for skinny jeans and i've never heard an animal collective song. i just grow weary of the incessant pissing and moaning. hipster will fade away soon and something else equally or more annoying will rise up (return of cyber punk??? silver spandex and giant goggles!) and then the hipster will be like "kids these days... so annoying with their trends and noise music and gentrification of brownsville!"

I've said on this page that categories are useless. But perhaps their use is to create an artificial cultural bogeyman on whom people like Robin can take out their frustration.

i really don't get what's new here. haven't hipsters always held bike demonstrations and organized benefit shows?

Ah, there's no dudgeon quite so high as that of a conscientious young'un who's just finished his 2 hours at the local food coop.

i phased out a long time ago, when i saw this coming.

trying to come up with a name: hipster gen-x(next)? hippies the third? ... UFO?

help.

listen im gonna hit the can real quick and while im gone if someone could tell me some way that's ok to be i'd really appreciate it

I'll take a 'helpster' over a 'gangster' any day.

+1

Racist. Hipsters are white and gangsters are black. What, you're a Republican now?

ahh, sure-in s'your born the black eye-rish gangstars are waitin fer ya in a darrrrrk alley. Straight from the ships of the spanish armada came they.

You laugh, but I've been beaten up by Irish gangsters.

that's the stereotype. there are plenty of black hipsters and white gangsters.

and as we all know, white gangsters build hospitals for orphans and bake cookies for the homeless, while black hipsters grafitti tag priceless art and smuggle illegal handguns from los angeles in hijacked american apparel shipments.

Oh no, here comes a "TrustaSamaritan".

Snark has it's place, but why not go after Ratner? You don't think I can do more damage than him, do you?

Oh, and did you miss what I wrote in the Ratner "citizen arrest" thread? About someone losing their walkie talkie up his ass?

Yes. It was a nihilistic comment.

On second thought, Three cheers for Bruce Ratner!!

Apologies. I thought it was a pro-Ratner comment (confusing use of pronouns "they" and "his".

But I still don't see the percentage in making fun of people who try to be helpful. And what did you mean by "here comes a Trustasamaritin?" Because you think there's only one young person who cares about helping people? Or because you meant me? Well fee free to make fun regardless. I grew up around Irish gangsters, I don't think you can do worse.

Ok, go ahead and make snarky comments about everyday people if that makes you feel interesting. That's kind of like those blogs about questionable subway behavior.

Grouchy much? I wasn't replying to you. And no, I didn't read what you wrote. I commented blind out of my tragically ingrained hipster revulsion.

Did you read what I wrote? I've earned every penny I've made since I was 13 years old (20 years ago). My parents were factory workers and now are nurses.

TrustaSamaritan my ass.

Seriously? People have a problem with people who make others' lives better, and enrich their own lives in the process. Some of us even find a way to make it economically possible to do full time.

I decided when I was 12 and found out college exists that it isn't for me. I started working when I was 13. I volunteer, I've been politically active, and now I do what I love every day and act, interact and observe in public space. My physical and mental needs are satisfied by my job and other activities, and I support myself and those who depend on me in the process.

And yet, I'm a skinny, youngish white guy who doesn't like to shave much; so most of these haters will mistake me on the street for a hipster.

There's a lot more to a person than what you can see in them. A lot of people who don't work in offices do much more valuable work. Try to talking to strangers sometimes, in real life. This is New York, it's allowed.

Shun nihilism.

Really? No one is on their case cuz of their age. The criticism stems from *behaviors* that are distasteful to some people. And people have a legitimate right to criticize that behavior in a public forum. If you're not acting in that negative way, then its not directed at ya, so what's the problem?

The problem, as al oof eloquently puts it, is that this kind of coverage conflates the two.

No. This article is about the hypocracy of the "helpsters" It has nothing to do with 20 somethings. Also, I am sick of the media cream everytime someone cuts a fart over there.

I'm sick of such media coverage too. Positive stories don't sell, so they have to find a way to make something like volunteering look bad.

The perceived hypocrisy of the perceived "helpsters," a name no one where I come from would self-apply.

They are all amorphous groups, but the media knows what is sensational so they create these new subcultures to attact. And then a 25 year old can't start a community garden without being attacked. Meanwhile Bloomberg can build Yankee Stadium no problem. And people like you fall for it hook, line and sinker.

Go 'head. Beat up on the little guy; you wouldn't want to challenge yourself.

"And then a 25 year old can't start a community garden without being attacked."

Actually, you get criticized because you are out of touch and the community garden is self-serving and it comes across as insincere and pandering to a city that resents the all the carpet bagging.

Please share how the "community" garden addresses the 45% increase in homelessness under King Bloomberg, and also his 3rd term? Also something more disturbing I read today in NYT where Andrew Cuomo is prosecuting a big landlord for harassment while another article describes large contributions $$$$ he receives from big real estate? Should all the displaced people sleep in the bike lanes or community gardens? How does the "community" center plan to address police brutality and racist stop and frisk policies? Rising HIV infection rates? Hospital closings? Huge budget cuts we face?

"Meanwhile Bloomberg can build Yankee Stadium no problem. And people like you fall for it hook, line and sinker."

Uh, thought we weren't categorizing. You have no idea *what* my politics are, junior.

"Go 'head. Beat up on the little guy; you wouldn't want to challenge yourself"

No one's beating you up. Why does criticism feel like an attack to you? These are legitimate concerns that no amount of fairy dust will fix.

If you opened your eyes and extended your hand to issues affecting the majority of people in this city, we would take you more seriously. I think (hope) your heart's in the right place...it just your view that is distorted.

What you fell for hook line and sinker is this simplified media characterization of young people as being only interested in their image, and applying a ginned-up moniker to a nonexistent group.

It's true, I don't know your politics, but as for the community gardens: people love them. They replaced empty lots and DO contribute to places like Bed Stuy, where I live. How do I know? Because I see all manner of people using them, and I talk to people.

And no, no one's beating me up, but this kind of media coverage (making fun of young people who volunteer and creating a ridiculous subculture moniker for us) is offensive to me. And discourages others from doing good. And you're encouraging it. How does that solve any of the real problems facing this city?

Your response is disappointing and evasive.

Oh, please, tell me how I can impress you. On second thought you seem to have your mind made up. But you didn't answer my question. You say community gardens don't make anyone's lives better (I guess empty lots for crackheads to smoke in are better?), but how does your criticism of "helpsters" improve our neighborhoods?

Oh yeah, only last thing. See here's the difference between us. "I guess empty lots for crackheads to smoke in are better" I say address the causes of crack addiction and stop it. I even treat crack addicts. You on the other hand would just cover it up with a garden. Get it now?

Bye

As for when I said, "You might be a helpster too!"

I think the term is meaningless, except that it's another category the media is inventing to divide us instead of unite us. And you may be as likely to be mistaken for one as I am.

Lets not make being helpful a reason to make fun of someone, shall we?

Here's the thing. You don't get to end a dialogue on the internet just by saying "Bye." And using terms like "son," "junior" and "fairy dust" are insulting whether you realize it or not. But nice job adding three more digs after I said I was leaving for work.

Here's another thing. I have great respect for what you say you do. But I don't understand why you have to denigrate efforts that might not go as far. It's wonderful that you help to reduce crack addiction (I've done work with addicts too - and I've been one!), but we'll never eliminate it completely. It helps to create spaces that are safe for the whole neighborhood and discourage unsafe behavior. We can't all be doctors, and that relates to why I respect what you do: I watched my father (an ER nurse who mostly worked night shift) start shrinking in his mid-50s. I see my partner (an ICU nurse) come home from work a nearly beaten man. It's a very highly stressful job, and I couldn't do it. But I do what I can.

As for your comment on my ancestors (thanks for that by the way!): My family realized something in the '70s, when we "failed to overthrow the government" (*hyperbole alert!*). We realized that "real" solutions come in all sizes. I grew up converting empty lots to playgrounds, creating bird sanctuaries and being adopted by a pack of stray dogs. As an adult I've focused on a similarly small scale. I don't think any of my ancestors are or would be ashamed of me, regardless of your conclusion from reading some words I wrote.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz wake me when you put the fairy dust away and are able to demonstrate an understanding of social justice.

"but how does your criticism of "helpsters" improve our neighborhoods?"

As a old and tired medical doctor in a Brooklyn ghetto, Im more concerned with keeping people alive. And yes, HIV, Cancer, gunshot deaths, child abuse, a living wage, better healthcare, reasonable rents,fighting racism and really improving education for children of color, drug addiction, gun control are infinitely more important to me than a community garden. But who says the two are mutually exclusive. I'd like to see the same tenacity applied to these issues.

Gardens are easy, man.

Oh, and "understanding of social justice"? I've organized a union where I worked, negotiated a contract which improved hundreds of families lives for over a decade, volunteered for living wage campaigns, and more. I have roots (and education) which go back to the Lincoln Brigade and the great Paterson Workers' Pageant of 1913.

Do you have some sort of vested interest in making sure that you are of the last generation that gave a shit?

Son, if all that is true then, you can surely understand the need for *real* solutions and your ancestors must be turning over in their graves at how you are carrying on here.

And now I'm going to work. I'll try to respond to any more insults you come up with when I return.

I am not insulting you. Rather I am trying to have a discussion. You may not agree with me, but don't mistake my disagreement or critique with insulting you. Anyway please don't bother responding Im losing interest.

Indeed, they are not mutually exclusive. But you didn't answer my question: how does your criticism of these so-called "helpsters" improve anything? Does it improve efforts to do the things you mentioned (all quite honorable)? Are you sure that young people who you might think dress "cool" aren't involved in these efforts too?

You might be a helpster yourself!

When you take my questions seriously, I will yours. Please be respectful and do not refer to me as a "helpster" I have not disrespected you. Again, you seem to confuse someone's age with hipsterism/helpsterism. I am not doing this: The young people I have the privilege of knowing, have trained and work with presently could care less about eco-art and community gardens. They incurred huge debt and spent all their time working hard to get their scientific training and are not hanging out on the internet, begging for a gold star either. And I've *talked to* helpsters and know the difference between helpsters and these kids.

The young people I know and highly regard are more concerned with curing cancer and saving lives and could hardly tell you the cool bands. They are extremely serious, bright and capable people and have already made huge contributions. They are more concerned with making the world and this city a better place than ensuring the status quo of newly gentrified colonies, no matter how "cool" or fashionable that is. Also, I will add that my daughter is a staff attorney with Southern Poverty Law Center and both of my sons have gone to Haiti to treat earthquke survivors I am very proud of them, but they, (nor I) would characterize themselves as helpsters.

I invite you to attend medical school we really need doctors. You can start at Hunter College, thats where my kids went to school it has a great affordable science program. Also law school is good because someone needs to find out where the Bush admin hid our civil rights.

That guy who was killed by an 18-wheeler on Union Ave a couple years ago? Who was active on (ugh!) williamsbord?

He tutored children in Harlem. And commuted on bike there everyday.

look everyone here is like 60, relax

More 60 year olds know the meaning of work than the office drones who pretend to work while their on gothamist.

God, the more people try not to sound like something, the more they sound exactly like it. Is "Beka" the single most common female hipster name? And when will the rhetorical construction "doesn't suck" be retired as something that was already tiresome the day it was coined.

No, Josh is the most common hipster name

beka economopoulos has been an actual activist for at least 10 years. that doesn't answer your question, but this whole post is a little ridiculous as the people doing activism are not the -same- people who are disaffected uncaring "hipsters". there've been cool kid activists as long as there have been cool kids.

of course that doesn't mean they don't play a role in gentrification too, but if only activists moved into neighborhoods ripe for gentrification, the gentrification wouldn't get very far.

Sorry I just don't buy it. Also how long has St. Beka been in NYC? It seems like she's focused on a colonial agenda. Please tell me how the "art" / multipurpose space addresses our *real* problems. Enough with the fairy dust.

Well, it's a good thing I don't need your approval to get disaster relief training from the Red Cross.

al oof actually gets it. The rest of you could learn from him/her.

I'm sort of tired of the characterizing of all twentysomethings from out of state as being trust-funded.

The majority of the non-self-supported rich kids I meet here are from NYC, the out of towners are largely scraping by and just trying to make it happen in the city

Plenty of us local young'uns struggle to make it too. By "NYCer," do you mean UWS born and bred?

Good point.

There is nothing wrong with having a beer or three.

Or is it the expense? I doubt anyone would mind a byo.

Helpsters: Def. not republicans!

Socially conscious VS Individualistic Greedy, that's the divide.

Which republican cut up your parents, raped your sister, set your house on fire and drowned you? Do you ever comment on anything other than hating republicans (that Abe Lincoln was such apiece of shit, right?!). You should put as much energy into being interesting as you do into hating people that aren't you.