12-12-19
Have you stumbled across someone like this in Hong Kong? He or she is ‘non-mainstream’, belonging to a subculture of men and women that hate to follow the trends such as ostentatious fashion brands and wild indulgence. They value independent thinking, enjoy books, music, art and travel, support reformistic politics and are fond of intelligent and creative conversations. Some like ‘vegan’ recipes but almost none are crazy about ‘show off’ restaurants. They have hesitation about Facebook, WeChat or Instagram—any form of mainstream social media outlets which will induce them to agree or disagree in a shallow way. They post on their low-key blog only because of their urge for intellectual bragging. Most avoid anything that can track down much of their lives. Being individualistic and personal is important. Every message he or she delivers to you has a purpose that you should be yourself and not just a ‘carton copy’ of somebody else. He or she may look ordinary but they are not computer nerds. They have a lot inside themselves.
In Hong Kong, we call them ‘文青’(‘word for word’ is cultural youth). The closest translation may be ‘hipster’ or ‘art buff’ but such people really do not care about what is ‘hip’ or cool. Any focus on art is too narrow for them. The best term should be ‘non-mainstream buff’.
My friend Tinny Cheng is a persuasive example. She studied journalism and has been crazy about reading since girlhood. Bookshops are her second home and books are her babies. After university, she became a reporter and wrote wonderfully on art and culture. She possesses extraordinary traits imparting a charming power. She has a critical brain of her own, uses it and changes herself and others. Ignorance and irrationalism are probably what she dislikes.
In 2019, she bought up an old art bookstore called Tai Yip Company which had been in Stanley Street, Central since the 1970s. Tinny took it over because the former owner wanted to retire and she did not wish the place to vanish like a spiritual degeneration. Running a bookstore without any experience is not easy but she dwells in the belief that Hong Kong does need art and culture.
Very often, we classified culture into 4 kinds: high culture(considered to be of supreme philosophical or aesthetic value and enjoyed by an elite class), popular culture(also called ‘mass culture’ and they are the beliefs and tastes that are dominant in a society) and subculture(culture of a group of people that differentiates itself from the mass culture. Examples of subcultures include environmentalists and yuppies). Counterculture is a subculture values and norms of which are different from those of a ‘mainstream society’ such as an anti-materialistic lifestyle. The characteristics of a ‘non-mainstream buff’ hover and range themselves between subculture and counterculture.
The author Philip Yancey said, “Our confused society badly needs community of contrast, a counterculture of ordinary pilgrims who insist on living a different way. Unlike popular culture, we will lavish attention on the least ‘deserving’, in direct opposition to our celebrity culture’s emphasis on success, wealth and beauty.”
I ask Tinny, “I think you are a ‘文青’. In your words, what is a ‘non-mainstream buff’?” Tinny laughed and organized her thoughts, “He or she must read a lot and read real books, paperback, hardback or even board books. Reading on a computer or mobile phone is not reading at all. The machine has no ‘temperature’ but a book has. Books look good. They smell good. All the stuff on a computer or mobile is just digital text. The artificial intelligence these days actually causes more human stupidity.”
Tinny paused and said, “The 2nd thing is ‘independent thinking’. It is sad that most people nowadays do not think and just go along with the thoughts of others especially the peer groups in the social media.” I supported, “Independent thinking should have 2 steps: an analytical process of collecting/evaluating the information related to a topic and secondly a judgmental process of forming your reasonable and fair opinion on the topic. Many people skip such painstaking processes and simply jump to easy conclusions. An opinion without wisdom is like a hurtful axe without a sharp edge. Opposition to whatever the others said is convenient but it is surely not a real kind of wisdom.”
Tinny continued, “The 3rd quality is a determined pursuit of non-materialistic values. The material things that you desire to own will end up owing you. You will not be at liberty to lead a free life or at least a stress-free one.”
“Finally, it is the attribute of tolerance. In the internet age, intolerance is the source of disorder and hate. Information, particularly the biased and insidious information, barges into your mobile ruthlessly each day and you will start to dislike or loathe those whose views or ideas not aligning yours. This is a big problem in Hong Kong.” Tinny concluded.
After the enjoyable interview with Tinny Cheng. I however walked frightfully in Pedder Street of Central after a violent demonstration by others. In the hustle and bustle, I cannot tell who in Central is truly wise, clever, smart or simply sassy! Hong Kong is now a conflicting mess with a wide spectrum of human prejudices. Can more independent-thinking ‘non-mainstream’ countercultures enhance our social harmony?
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