"The hippie movement of the 1960s was more about self-indulgence and escapism than genuine

activism, ultimately contributing to societal decay rather than progress.”

In the sixties, hippies were known as “rebels against society”, probably because they sought freedom
from the idea of the American Dream and the mainstream society. Some people considered them as lazy
people who didn´t care about the world, contributing to societal decay. However, they had a huge
influence on society's development and on who we are today.

I strongly believe that Hippies improved society, as they tried to get away from all the consumerism
associated with the American Dream idea. They lived in the suborns, shared their possessions with each
other, including their houses and bills, and so they didn´t care about having expensive belongings like a
big house or a big car, for example. They practiced sustainable living before it even became a concern to
our world.

All what they wanted was a simple life, by living in communes without any kind of competition between
them, contributing to a more connected society. Hippies didn´t think about war, revolutions or violence.
They pursued a life of love by protecting and loving unconditionally every member of their community.
After all, they needed each other to survive.

I have no doubts that they represented the opposite of commodity. Hippies rejected the values from
mainstream society, like “having” to dress in a certain way, adopt traditional careers, or follow cultural
norms. This rejection of conformity led them to reject the mainstream consumer culture. They believed
in building strong connections based on shared ideals rather than on material possessions.

To conclude, the hippie movement was not just a cultural phenomenon but also a significant
contribution to activism and social change. Hippies advocated for civil rights, protested against war,
promoted alternative lifestyles, and believed in the power of peace. So, I think it´s fair to say that hippies
made a symbolic progress in society.