The Beat Generation/or the Beat Generation was a loosely knit group of young poets and writers who emerged in the United States after World War II. The name was first proposed by writer Jack Kerouac around 1948.

Although the "Beat" is basically a pure literary genre, its influence on the entire Western culture is powerful and far-reaching, and its influence is not only reflected in a few writers or works. superior.

From many perspectives, the "Beat Generation" can be regarded as the first "subculture" in the history of American culture. The "Beat" literati were the most important force in questioning and denying traditional cultural values ??after World War II. Their attitudes and views on mainstream culture influenced later generations' understanding of culture.

The "Beat" literati had a strong interest in experiencing various extreme lifestyles (such as indulgent sex and drug abuse, etc.). They are also the most fierce challengers to authority and mainstream culture among the American intelligentsia. Many "Beat" literati were interested in Eastern civilization, and they spread knowledge about Zen and Buddhism in the West.

The following are some quotes from Allen Ginsberg's "What is the Beat Generation" published in the winter of 1982:

For the "Beats" in art The main actions can be described as follows:

Supporting spiritual freedom and sexual liberation (or sexual freedom). For example, the freedom of gay rights, gender equality, black rights, the "Gray Panther Movement" against age discrimination, etc.

Support the freedom of literary works from censorship.

Support the legalization of marijuana and other drugs.

Support rock music to absorb blues elements and implement rhythm revolution. In fact, some American rock stars in the 1950s and 1960s, such as The Beatles and Bob Dylan, were deeply influenced by the writers and works of the Beats.

Advocate the popularization of ecological protection awareness. The first people to propose this idea were Gary Schneider and Michael McClure, who proposed the concept of a "clean planet".

Oppose military-industrial civilization. The works of Burrows, Hanke, Ginsberg, and Kerouac all showed varying degrees of distaste for this type of civilization.

Kruac proposed the concept of "second faith".

Oppose national government authority and safeguard local culture.

Respect local culture and indigenous residents. Kerouac once proposed the slogan "This earth belongs to the Indians" in "On the Road".

The core concept of the "Beat Generation" can be explained by a famous saying in "On the Road": "Because I am poor, I have everything."