I’ve been thinking a lot about the 1960s lately. Specifically this idea of the resurgence of the 60s: The sense of idealism and change. The return to community. The hopefulness.  Is our culture really changing or are Crocs simply the new Manolo Blahniks?

A recent Times article “Kickin’ Down Madison Ave., Feelin’ Groovy” cited the election of Barack Obama as the driving force behind the shifting of the cultural tide (they also cited the musical Hair??).The piece quoted several marketing executives and advertisers who said things like “The ’60s era embodies the culture of thinking for yourself and taking a stand.” This made me smile. And, lo and behold, companies like Proctor & Gamble, Macy’s and General Mills all have 60s oriented campaigns -and let’s not forget this year’s Barney’s Holiday catalog!

That same day I read an amazing Esquire feature by Colby Buzzell that was evocative of the 60s in a very different way. (Colby is writing a book for us called OFF THE ROAD in which he travels across America and documents his experience.) His cover story, “Down & Out in Fresno and San Francisco” is a Kerouac-esque portrait of the crack filled Tenderloin district in San Francisco, a neighborhood he calls “the pot of shit at the end of the rainbow.” The article is dark and dizzying. I have no doubt that Colby’s book will reveal some deeper truths about contemporary America, because that’s what he does. And that is why I’m excited to publish him. But this Times article made me realize something: At the end of the day, I guess I’ll be selling the 60s, too.