As you are probably aware (made obvious by my web address), I have a small fascination with the Beat Generation. I love the writing styles of Jack Kerouac and Alan Ginsberg. I crave bebop and cool jazz daily. I love my black turtle neck and, admittedly, own more than a couple of beret's. I've often wondered what led me to be so enthralled in this strange era of American History. Is it the stereotyped clothing style of the seudo French-Goth persuasion? Is it the attitude of reckless ambandon that is so delicious to my adolescent pallet--or perhaps the patriotic idea of hitch-hiking across the United States? It could definately be that this generation adored the style of music that I love and study full time. These all may be valid and accurate, but I think the most appealling aspect of these rag-tag, irresponsible youths is this: they valued and lived for creativity. Not only this, it didn't even have to be "good" creativity, it just had to be creative. I look at poetry/writings/art from this genre and half the time it's just ridiculous, stream-of-thought ramblings. Sometimes it's more fun to laugh at than analyze. THIS is the appeal: I can write! I can draw. I can paint/sing/play/create. I don't have to be a scholar or professional. I may not be able to do all of it well, but that's not the point. The point is that I'm trying to create something unique and new. ANYONE can be an artist and EVERYONE deserves to be. We shouldn't have to worry about how "good" our art is and we definately shouldn't have to worry about if other people think it's good. Your art is just that...it's YOURS; it's for you, by you, given to you. The more we create, the better we get at it and if we worry about how it's going to be received, we'll most likely give up early. Nobody starts off exceptional. 
The Beat Generation seemed to understand this (at least the way I view it). When thoughts of these beret wearing hipsters enter into our imagination we tend to think of a smoky coffee shop where everyone, dressed in black, are sitting around listening to poetry and jazz. They are listening to creation...and supporting it.
