By Shane Goodman Publisher/Editor

Hipsters are defined as a subculture of young people who value “independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence and witty banter.” But you already knew that.

Urbandictionary.com claims the greatest concentrations of hipsters live in the “Williamsburg, Wicker Park and Mission District neighborhoods of major cosmopolitan centers such as New York, Chicago and San Francisco,” although one doesn’t have to look far to find hipsters in the Des Moines metro as well.

The site says hipsters are fashion focused, often seen wearing “vintage and thrift store inspired clothes.” You know, the “tight-fitting jeans, old-school sneakers and thick-rimmed glasses.” And don’t forget the hair, as both hipster men and women sport “similar androgynous hair styles with combinations of messy shag cuts and asymmetric side-swept bangs.”

You either love them or you hate them, but there’s no denying the hipster scene. Regardless of how you feel, you will enjoy Sean Cirone’s humorous essay on how to “unhip” your hipster friends in this week’s cover story.

Thanks for reading. CV