Just a thought about keeping your youthfull ideals. I've noticed that most of the beatniks, actually i'm mainly talking about the beat writers, kerouac ginsberg corso burroughs and all. they all lived there entire lives as beatniks, i mean by the 60s they were already at least in the 40's and up and alot of them were big in the movement. they lived that lifestyle till the day they died, unlike the hippies who lived it for about 5-10 years in the 60's and 70's then grew up and changed. you can say kerouac changed, but i'd say that was more of him not being able to deal with the fame and just drinking himself to death.
From the close-out of WWII it was one big victory party in The US. The party lasted untill approximately the late 70's You could get a decent job anytime. Things were relaxed. Several things working together helped to kill the victory party. and lots of hippies conformed. By the late 70's the Beats were well on and unable to change.
lots of beats around where i live in woodstock firmly have their hand in the arts... have artistic passions they persue... their life is their passion
beatz were rich kid semilong hairz, revoltin against their soon 2 be short hair reality. hippyz were longer haired same shit, now it'z only me, the one an only, Last uv teh HIPPYZ.
