HIPSTER RUNOFF

I recently read a story about a group of 50 bros dressed in all black who 'caused mayhem' on some street, then threw some rocks/beat in the windows of an American Apparel store. This indicates that 'retail terrorism' might be recycled into a relevant alt trend.  I feel scared because I was sorta getting behind the concept of buying stuff from trusted brands to express who I am. Like the concept of 'consumerism' has sort of become 'chill' these days, as opposed to something that we are supposed 2 h8.

Recently, another bro crashed a small airplane into an Internal Revenue Service building in Austin, Texas.

It seemed like he was sort of trying to promote a similar brand, like 'money is bullshit' or something, or maybe that 'the government enables this bull shit society in which we are trapped.'

I feel shaken up by these recent acts of consumer + retail terrorism, like the idea of being anti-government + anti-consumerism is 'back', and I might have to ride that wave in order to be considered an 'interesting person with a relevant opinion.' I like the way things are now, where I just have to keep up to date on buzzbands to be interesting. I think being a self-aware American is fun and chill, since we sort of just get to 'cope' with other ppl abt how we are trapped, but then just watch viral videos and forget about it.

Worried I might have to 'backpack bomb' a local suburban mall or something in order to be alt + authentic.

Sorta wonder if the post-1990s vibe of 'Fight Club' is 'coming back.' Like we 'hate consumerism', and we need to perform snarky acts of chill / metaphorical terrorism to free ourselves'. Miss u Project Mayhem / Fight Club.

Did Fight Club help us 2 become more authentic consumers, or did it 'set back the anti-consumerism' movement 20 years?
Seems like formative alternative bros probably chilled with Fight Club posters in their rooms. Miss u Ed Norton + Brad Pitt.

Sorta miss the days Ed Norton's career when he was 'budding into a relevant alt actor' and it was 'kewl' to say he was ur fave actor. I remember in American History X when he committed an act of retail terrorism against a local market that was hiring illegal immigrant workers.

I feel confused, since terrorism is 'violence', but maybe 'standing up for something' in the real world will become a more popular trend. There will be backlash against 'cowards who only exist on blogs / the comment forms of blogs.'

Is 'retail' bullshit?
Is eCommerce the future/the past?
Should we blow up all of the credit card company buildings across the world?
Should we start regional Fight Clubs with our bros?

If u had a relevant chain of branded clothes + apparel, what type of mall would u put it in? Maybe a safe indoor mall.

Maybe outdoor malls with security guards seem 'safe', since they are tucked away in suburbia

do yall trust 'mall cops' 2 protect ur merch, or is retail inventory 'so cheap' that it doesn't even matter?

R u gonna keep buying stuff from retail outlets or commit metaphorical terrorist acts on them?
Should Am Appy use more animal fur to attract a new demographic of protesters?
How can I perform an act of 'retail terrorism' on Amazon.com?
Should I get a summer job at Hot Topic, then set it on fire?
As tweens grow into their teen years, will they experience a consumer backlash against Jonas Brotherian/Hannah Montanian ideals which they once 'bought in to'?
Will Brad Pitt's most memorable role always be _________?

'There's no such thing as home.'
- Zacharias Braff, The Garden State of Friendship movie film

This is the story of how Carles gave up his prestigious position at a leading architecture firm and eventually ended up living in this temporary cardboard structure attached to a wall in the subway. A story about giving up everything 2 find urself.

Photo via Ivan Rodic

I went away to the city. After I finished the 5 year architecture program at Rhode Island Institute of Design, I got a job with one of the most prestigious architecture firms in the world. They were known for their innovation, 'kewl looking buildings' and sometimes downright zany/dangerous design decisions. I was the understudy to one of the most respected architects in the world, and he really taught me a lot--how to challenge norms and how 2 transcend society. How 2 value public space and how not 2 care about material things. He taught me about how to use the Adobe Creative Suite, as well as how to use 'actual Adobe' to create a shelter. The truth is, when u architectify a beautiful building, it doesn't need to stand out--it needs to be functional and cheap. This is the beauty behind architecture.

After I 'matured' into a true designer, I resigned from my position, and decided to go to a suburban construction company who designed 'shitty buildings' that people take for granted. I made a lot of structures that I was very proud of. I did not make as much money as I could of, nor did I design museums or investment banking facilities, but I was truly happie.

Here is a strip mall that I designed.

I redesigned the space within 24% of Subways in the USA

I designed a space in which Chicken and Tacos could be served.

Here is a concept Chinese restaurant that I embedded within a now defunct mall.

I even revolutionized the storage industry by inventing something called 'Portable On Demand Storage' (PODS), where people can put all of their shit in a huge box.

As you can see, I designed things that real people use on a daily basis. It was as if I had 'mastered' architecture, and there was nothing else to achieve. I felt like I was on top of the world, much like after most architects build their 'master building.' I was truly on top of my game.

This was when I decided to challenge norms for the rest of my own life.

I created a temporary structure within the local subway system. It was made out of cardboard and duct tape. The purpose of this structure is to promote 'sustainability' and 'portability.' One of the walls of my new home was 'already built' and I could theoretically live any where in the world, just as long as there was some sort of 'wall' where my home could be attached. I did not need multiple rooms, a restroom, or even many furnishings beyond a bundle of cloth to sleep upon.

No longer do I need to be 'connected to a world' so I no longer require television, internet, nor radio. I am truly free. I have formed a small bartering community with other 'underlings' and we trade essential goods and services.

I am finally home. This is my structure. It took me 20 years of being an architect to finally realize what it means to feel 'at home' within a structure. After years of searching for a place where I belong after the death of my mother, I finally felt 'free.' While many people within society would thing that I am 'a piece of shit', they don't realize that until you have learned what it takes to create+alter space, u don't truly understand how 'structures', 'buildings', and miscellaneous portals of space have changed U as a person.

U R Where U Live.
This Bro Is Me.

Previous homelessness coverage
http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/2008/12/homelessness-big-in-2k9.html
http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/2009/06/my-parents-kicked-me-out-of-the-house.html