This is a bit of a late comment but just wanted to say I find this fascinating in a way. I may have misread it now that I'm seeing other comments, but I didn't take this as an actual argument for or against punks and hippies, but rather poking a little fun at an entire generation, almost satirically showing the actual progress and positive attributes of both hippies and punks, and thus highlighting the superficiality we assign to groups like this when we are younger (which, inevitably, follows us into adulthood, though we can look back at it with a sort of scathing and humorous self-awareness. But in full honesty, the attitude follows, lightheartedly.)

I'm a 90's kid, and was in my youthful prime during the earlier 2000's. This reminds me so much of the emo vs. scene vs. goth subcultures of that era. I was cringe-worthy emo, and part of me still has traces at 33. Our problems then were largely invented (full admission), but I think it was a response to our parents' generation who sort of put mental health on the back burner. It was liberating to be able to express sadness and angst (however unwarranted, lol)

But I can see a striking similarity between your comparison here, as I still admittedly hold a bit of a (lighthearted) disdain for scene kids (I mean, why the neon hair? Why so happy?) and goth kids (Why so angry y'all? Why are trench coats a thing?) Meanwhile we just wanted to sit around in a permanent state of existential despair and listen to Bright Eyes and songs like "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" and post sad quotes about being misunderstood on MySpace and AIM. Culture is funny. People are funny. I'd be lying if I said I don't miss it some days <3