A “manifesto” for slackers?

I recoil from Facebook platitudes. You know, those new-agey, pseudo-spiritual/lifestyle tips for correct living, commonly grafted onto a cute photo. If you “share” those things, please stop.

It’s not that I’m averse to the wisdom of the sages. Call me an elitist, but I draw distinct lines between Krishnamurti and Kahil Gibran; Rumi and Louise Hay; the salutary and the sacharine.

So I readied myself to be unimpressed when I recently ran into something called the “The Holstee Manifesto,” from a New York startup flogging cool clothing and wallets. Another hipster branding campaign, I thought. Reading its appeal “to live a life full of intention, creativity, passion, and community,” I interpreted as a 21st century version of the ’60s call to “do your own thing.”

Then I watched the embedded video. It has bikes. And maxims to live by, such as: “If you don’t like your job, quit!”

Now, as you may have noticed, I like bicycles, and I’ve quit plenty of jobs I didn’t like, including a few in the bike industry. Now that latter confession might just point to my obstinacy and failure as a “team player.” However, my dedication to obstreperousness has had its rewards, if not in the pecuniary realm.

“Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.” ~Aleister Crowley

Free will (or “self-indulgence” as it is regarded by boring establishment types) was not an idea born from Boomer youth, but it was embraced by youthful Boomers. Now the idea has caught on again in post-boom America.

Anyway, these Holstee folks, going on their mission statement, seem to be trying to make a living at the same time as honouring the environment and personal creative freedom—laudable goals. Plus, they made a neat film.

I might even buy the teeshirt.

Tagged as: bikes, cinema, new york, social media