To say that the Beat generation has influenced modern culture does not seem at first sight to be a great revelation; it is inevitable that any historical period influences the time that follows. The Beat generation is particularly significant, however, because of its lasting impact on American culture. Many aspects of modern American culture can be directly attributed to Beat writers, primarily Allen Ginsburg, William Burroughs, Neal Cassady, and Jack Kerouac. (Asher) Their influence changed American perceptions of obscenity, had profound effects on American music and literature, and changed public opinions on topics such as sex and drug use. The “Beat Generation” label was first publicized in a 1952 New York Times Magazine article titled “This is the Beat Generation.” In this article, author John Clellen Holmes states that “beat” means “more than mere tiredness,” implying “a kind of nakedness of the mind and, ultimately, of the soul; the feeling of being reduced to the foundation of consciousness. (Holmes) These feelings became the inspiration for the Beat writers and from them came ideas that permeated the whole society. The main interests among the Beats were freedom, self-expression and the rejection of traditional ideologies (such as those governing drugs, sex and spirituality). (Scheibach 213) Much of this new post-World War II thinking was poorly received by many Americans of the time. Popular Beat writer Allen Ginsburg recited his famous poetic work, "Howl," at the Six Gallery in San Francisco on October 13, 1955. This reading was followed by the publication of a book of his poems, including Howl, which was later seized by officials and led to an obscenity trial in 1957. (Howl)This momentous event marked a shift...at the heart of the paper...all aspects of American culture, and their influence can still be felt today. For better or worse, nothing has had as strong an impact on society as a whole as the Beat generation, which has been described as America's first true subculture. Works Cited Asher, Levi. Literary kicks: the Beat Generation. July 24, 1994. Holmes, John Clellon. "This is the Beat Generation." New York Times Magazine November 16, 1952. Scheibach, Micheal. “Atomic Narratives and American Youth.” McFarland, n.d. 213.WikiMedia Foundation, Inc. Beat Generation. December 15, 2008. .—. Scream. December 15, 2008. .—. Obscenity. December 15, 2008. .—. Sexual revolution. December 15th 2009. .