I suppose I like the idea that random people from all over the world can meet and share experiences for free. Also, if I'm visiting a new city it's difficult to find out about local things happening if you only hang out with tourists from hostels (as fun as that can be too).

Books like Huxley, Orwell, Hesse, Onstad... Generally art house kind of films like Wes Anderson, Paul Thomas Anderson, Aronofsky, Jodorowsky.... Things which make me laugh a lot like Arrested Development, King of the Hill, Adventure Time, Alan Partridge, Peep Show... Guitary/electronic things like Radiohead, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Beach House, the Velvet Underground, Leonard Cohen, Caribou, Nicolas Jaar, Blonde Redhead, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Modeselektor, Nirvana...