This is a very strange scene. It is a segment from David Silver’s 1967 experimental National television program that pushed the boundaries of TV. In this scene David engages with hippies like Abbie Hoffman mixed with political and artistic radicals.

I admire David Silver for diving in and trying to understand what was going on. To many in the 60s generation this stuff was exciting and fun. It separated them from their parents generation who were seen as square and uptight. What you see in this clip is an expression of what was called The Generation Gap.

Attendees included Abbie Hoffman, an American social and political activist, Jim Fouret, an active member of the San Francisco Mime Troupe and Linn House, a founder and editor of Innerspace Magazine.

Abbie Hoffman gained national attention for his involvement in several high-profile events and protests including The Youth International Party (Yippies), an anti-establishment and anti-war political party that combined activism with theatricality and humor. Hoffman had a charismatic personality, was dedicated to political activism, and had a unique ability to blend humor, theatrics, and social critiques.

Jim Fouratt was a co-founder of the San Francisco Mime Troupe, a political theater group. The troupe was known for their satirical and provocative performances which often tackled social and political issues.

Linn House was the editor of Inner Space Magazine, a relatively obscure counterculture publication that was part of the underground press movement that emerged during the 1960s. These underground publications championed counterculture values such as anti-war sentiment, civil rights, drug culture, alternative lifestyles and artistic expression.

In 1967 there were distinct differences between these men, some hippies who were not politically involved & others political radicals. They appeared similar in terms of clothing & hairstyles but they were not.

Hippies focused on inner growth, self-discovery and spiritual exploration. They believed that individual transformation would eventually lead to a collective shift in societal values.

Hippies created alternative ways of living that challenged mainstream norms such as communal living, vegetarianism and unconventional relationships.

Hippies embraced a philosophy of peace, love, and harmony, promoting nonviolence and understanding as key principles for a better society.

Political radicals:
Political radicals engaged in direct political action, organizing protests, demonstrations and other actions aimed at challenging the status quo.

Political radicals had a more comprehensive critique of the American political, economic, and social systems focusing on issues like capitalism, imperialism, racism and sexism.

Political radicals were involved in organized political movements such as the anti-war movement, civil rights movement, women's liberation movement or environmental movement.

Political radicals advocated for more radical, structural changes in American society through revolutionary means. They believed that incremental reforms were insufficient and that a dramatic transformation was necessary to achieve lasting change.

One thing clearly evident in this clip is what was called The Generation Gap that was characterized by significant differences in values, beliefs, and attitudes between the older and younger generations. This rift can be attributed to various social, political, and cultural factors. Some key factors contributing to the generation gap during this time included:

The younger generation, the 60s generation was likely to question authority and reject traditional norms. This contrasted with the older generation, who generally respected and adhered to established institutions and hierarchical structures.

Young Americans were particularly active in the civil rights movement, anti-war protests, and the push for women's rights, which created tension with the older generation that tended to be more conservative on these issues.

The advent of the birth control pill and changing societal attitudes towards sex led to greater acceptance of premarital sex and alternative family structures among the younger generation.

The use of recreational drugs such as marijuana and psychedelics like lSD became widespread among young people driven in part by the counterculture movement.

The rise of rock & roll as well as the adoption of unconventional clothing styles alienated the older generation who found it difficult to identify with these new cultural expressions.

The younger generation placed a great emphasis on personal freedom, self-discovery and individuality that contrasted with the older generation's focus on conformity, duty and traditional family and societal roles.

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David Hoffman

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