Against the Grain How Hipsterism Led to Trumpism
Dec 1, 2025
The discussion explores how hipsterism, with its organic food obsessions and nostalgia for rural white aesthetics, anticipated the rise of Trumpism. Jim Goad’s influence is examined, revealing his provocative style and controversial background. From the evolution of hipsters borrowing marginalized aesthetics to the transition of rebellious energies from left to right, the hosts link masculine, white markers celebrated by hipsters to contemporary populist movements. They also trace artisanal food culture's crossover into right-wing ideologies, showcasing the complex interplay of subcultures and politics.
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Hipsterism's Racial Shift To White Authenticity
- Hipsterism evolved from a Black-origin counterculture into a white-coded search for authenticity.
- That shift made markers of downscale white culture into badges of transgressive credibility.
Origin Story Of Answer Me Zine
- Jim Goad and his wife Debbie launched the zine Answer Me in 1991 as a confrontational underground magazine.
- The zine celebrated extreme offensiveness and quickly sparked controversy beyond the zine scene.
Controversies Tied To Answer Me
- Answer Me was linked to real-world violence, including a 1994 White House shooter quoting the zine.
- Goad insisted on free speech but downplayed the consequences of his rhetoric.