Are you a power hippy?

A bit cheeky, I know, but this is my attempt to put a label on a fledgling culture I've identified, and been involved with over the past four years. I'm no sociologist and this is not intended to be academically rigorous. Just a kinda portrait, if you like, compiled from my own observations and in-no-way unbiased perceptions. No doubt it will generate some debate and certain resentment but maybe also a hint of self-recognition. Go on, say what you really think via the comments.

Power hippies: an emerging culture of socially aware, mobile, connected individuals who value creativity and lifestyle over commerce and making a living.

They are typically in the 20 to 50 age range, they are educated, well-travelled and, as a group, have economic clout. They work as artists, journalists, photographers, IT professionals, DJs, musicians, health professionals, documentary makers and arts/event managers. Many of them are contractors or work for themselves because they like the flexibility that this offers.

Often they live and work outside their country of birth. Typically urban-dwelling, they swarm to international cities such as London, Paris, Madrid, San Francisco and New York.

Many of them revere the beat generation writers - Tom Wolfe, Jack Kerouac and Hunter S Thompson - but they are in many ways wiser and more cynical than the beatniks and hippies before them. Their music tastes span many genres. Their art is rich in cultural references, fond cynicism and intertextuality. They are often spiritual but rarely religious, although they respect different religions and beliefs.

Informed and socially active, they are critical consumers of media. They give to carefully-chosen charities, belong to interest-based communities and try to 'do their bit' as part of society. They vote, they recycle and they use their buying power to support fair trade and socially-responsible business practices. They believe in self-expression, self-reliance, participation and 'leave no trace'.

Politically they are opinion-formers and persauders. They are petition-signers, e-campaigners and occasional demonstrators. They distrust politicians, dislike beauracracy and test hierarchy. Respectful of knowledge and practical know-how, they share skills and practise self-development.

Power hippies are dedicated festival-goers, typically attending several music and/or art festivals each year and often travelling vast distances to do so. They identify with the philosophies of festivals such as Burning Man in the US and Glastonbury in the UK (before it became too commercial, of course) and belong to festival-going tribes, eg, Burning Man participants identify themselves and eachother as 'burners'. This badge comes with a set of expectations and responsibilities.

The magpies of the fashion world, power hippies will incorporate anything blinky, shiny, stripy, soft or fluffy into their look. There's also the survival aspect, born of necessity at desert festivals. Big hats, bandanas, sunglasses or goggles, camel baks or customised hydration packs, chunky boots and comfortable clothing, with a twist. Other influences include gothic, punk, gangster, oh there's too many to name without offending people.

Sex - sexual freedom and experimentation is an element of this culture. Gay, straight, bi, transexual, transgender, monogomous, polyamorous, celibate all have a part. Whatever gets you excited and makes you feel good is OK.

Drugs - pretty much everything is on offer for those who want to do it. Poppers and ketamine, pot and mushrooms, acid, cocaine, ecstasy and MDMA. People tend to look after eachother and respect individual boundaries.

Society - they recognise the role of commerce and the need to make a living and usually participate in society, at least part-time. But they have also created a parallel society. A part-time escape from what they term the 'default world'. For a brief time, commerce and what you do for a living don't matter. Networking is an important enabler for this - Facebook, Tribe, Couchsurfing and similar sites facilitate this.

Creativity - they cultivate environments where they can do and be anything. Stretching the limits of creativity, imagination, physical and mental abilities. What matters is participation. Giving and receiving, taking responsibility for yourself and leaving no trace on your environment.

There's no entry criteria, no age range, no preferred ethnicity, gender, education, employment status, financial, physical or mental capacity. Power hippies tend to be self-filtering.

Are you a power hippy?