In Jonathan Lethem's "The Ecstasy of Influence: Nonfictions, Etc.," the author reflects on the counterculture of the Hippie era, acknowledging the chaotic lifestyle of Hippie parents. Their lives were marked by distractions, unconventional relationships, and political activism, contributing to a perception of them as somewhat misguided or illiterate. Yet, amidst this apparent disorder, there was a profound love for literature and sharing knowledge.

Books became a means of connection within the hippie community, found in intimate spaces like bathrooms or on nightstands. They served as gifts, representing treasured ideas passed along in a manner akin to sharing a joint. This suggests that while the hippie lifestyle might have seemed erratic, it was also deeply rooted in a culture of learning and communal exploration.