Hunter S. Thompson contrasts student radicals with the Hell's Angels, highlighting their differing motivations. The student activists are focused on challenging and rejecting the past, aiming to create a new future. In contrast, the Hell's Angels represent a rebellious force resisting changes that the future may bring, seeking to defend their way of life against evolving societal norms.

Despite their opposing stances, both groups share a common frustration with the current state of affairs. They are united in their discontent with the status quo, illustrating how different forms of rebellion can stem from a similar sense of dissatisfaction with contemporary society.