From my observations in Golden Gate Park, the original ideals of the hippie movement have been lost to most of the people you find there today. Instead of peace, love and sharing, I found many of the people who I met down there to be belligerent, selfish and ignorant. This old documentary features an interview with some of the original members of The Grateful Dead, and includes footage of a free concert which they gave at Hippy Hill. In the interview the band talks about some of their ideals and their hopes for a brighter future. Implicit is the hope of ending war by enlightening people with LSD, music and love. You can see a more contemporary video of the Hippy Hill area of Golden Gate Park, which I filmed myself on April 20, 2010, at the annual 420 celebration by clicking this link: 420 AT HIPPIE HILL. In my video a popular band performs near the hill; their message echoes that of The Grateful Dead, but I fear that their positive message is lost to most of the crowd.
I was sorry to find that the original hippie culture I was brought up in has degenerated to such a pathetic and hopeless state in the area where it had its beginnings. If we can't derive hope from our subculture then where will the change we so desperately need come from? Certainly not our mainstream society, which is far more preoccupied with religious intolerance, war and greed.
I welcome any comments below.
I was sorry to find that the original hippie culture I was brought up in has degenerated to such a pathetic and hopeless state in the area where it had its beginnings. If we can't derive hope from our subculture then where will the change we so desperately need come from? Certainly not our mainstream society, which is far more preoccupied with religious intolerance, war and greed.
I welcome any comments below.