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Comment by onewaystreet | Hacker News Reader

> I find these types of criticisms of photography just part of the hipster "backpacker mentality"

You should actually read the article because the author isn't one of those people.

"But as I stood there in Cambodia, swatted by selfie sticks, bruised by elbows, perfumed by the body odor of my fellow photogs, I realized the irony of being at a temple in which no one was really present. Was Instagram ruining travel?" ... "But here’s to hoping that before clicking “share,” there’s a moment to enjoy the view and a sip of instant coffee. Without getting elbowed. Or poked with a selfie stick. Or tagging that photo #Instabruise."

"So, whether at Angkor Wat, Times Square, or my breakfast table, I will continue to pay homage to the melt. But here’s to hoping that before clicking “share,” there’s a moment to enjoy the view and a sip of instant coffee. Without getting elbowed. Or poked with a selfie stick. Or tagging that photo #Instabruise."

Still don't really see what is "hipster" about these quotes from the article. They're pretty fair criticisms of what mainstream tourism is like today.

While it's a bit much to say that Instagram is ruining vacations, it's also a touch naive to say that the product is facilitating "memories and being able to share our awesome travel experiences with friends and family is". Social media is, for the most parts, a tool to elevate your perceived social status. So saying "It isn't ruining vacations, its redefining them" in the context of Instagram just reads like a Zuckerberg pull-quote.

Aren't Medium posts repeating cliched arguments contrasting the author with the supposed superficiality of the masses a pretty clear example of "a tool to elevate your perceived social status"?

I guess the lesson is, if you can't distinguish yourself by doing X, instead try distinguishing yourself by criticizing doing X.

I've always thought about it as a trait of the young, because I remember feeling this way myself. As I searched for identity one of the ways I found it was by not identifying as something. It's a totally understandable, if slightly immature attitude. I still find myself doing it, however, especially when talking about politics.

It can be a bit toxic, however, and it's probably the major reason I drifted away from "mainstream" reddit. It seemed dominated by young men complaining about tumblr, which was dominated by young women complaining about reddit.

Of course, just reading that sentence, I see I've fallen into the trap.

> Of course, just reading that sentence, I see I've fallen into the trap.

See https://xkcd.com/774/ :-)

In all honestly, though, I wouldn't worry about it too much. People are just doing what they do to find their identity, and as long as you don't look down on them for not finding the best solution (because who has?) then keep looking for what works best for you. And recognize that it'll change over time. Embrace the changes, but don't dismiss those who haven't made the same changes as you.

> Social media is, for the most parts, a tool to elevate your perceived social status.

That premise is what's hipster about these quotes.

I can't say that I experienced (or saw) many selfie sticks myself. The moments before sunrise at Angkor tend to be dark enough to render selfie sticks pretty useless.

Sorry, Ms. Pilon, but this is par for course at any major tourist attraction, and has been for a very long time.

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