Neurologist creates math formula to reveal why hipsters look the same

Why do hipsters all look alike? This question has troubled great thinkers, as well as some less-great thinkers, the world over. Jonathan Touboul, a mathematical neuroscienctist at the Collège de France, may finally have the answer. His latest scientific paper is called "The hipster effect: When anti-conformists all look the same."

In his paper, Touboul developed a formula that reveals an ironic paradox to the hipster lifestyle. According to his math, a true hipster needs to anticipate trends to oppose, but eventually the effort involved in staying "hip" is impossible to maintain.

"If they take too long to detect the trend, what will happen is that they will all be within the majority," Touboul tells As It Happens host Carol Off. "They will all do the same. Just because they are not able to detect the trends fast enough."

So if they're looking for trends, how are they rebels? Perhaps it's better to label them trendsters.

"Each individual [hipster] just wants to oppose, but by doing so, it contributes to create a new trend."