he has an anti-establishment shtick that I find trite and unconvincing
If you're immersed in a world of pro-establishment suckers, then his comedy provides some validation and relief. I remember what it's like to be a young kid and feel like my life is controlled by idiots, but I no longer feel that way. If you've been hanging around with worldly people who have read a little bit of history, or a little bit of anything really, then this kind of comedy just misses. I still know there are a lot of idiots in the world, but I no longer feel oppressed by them, so Bill Hicks seems beside the point.
If you're immersed in a world of pro-establishment suckers, then his comedy provides some validation and relief. I remember what it's like to be a young kid and feel like my life is controlled by idiots, but I no longer feel that way. If you've been hanging around with worldly people who have read a little bit of history, or a little bit of anything really, then this kind of comedy just misses. I still know there are a lot of idiots in the world, but I no longer feel oppressed by them, so Bill Hicks seems beside the point.