Mostly because everyone is constructing an identity at all times, whether or not they even realize it. Mostly because you can sweat almost anything down to this basic biological truth: Culture is a mating ritual. We are looking for ways to differentiate ourselves so as to attract one another. That is the deep dark secret of everything we do.”

— Nick Sylvester, who tears apart Hipster Runoff so eloquently and efficiently that I just had one of those “shucks, I wish I were this smart” moments (and there’s a wonderful, over-arching message—separate from, or at least elevated above, the HRO critique—that makes this a must-read)