After this unit I learnt even more how meaningful our own words are to us. We live up to them and act accordingly to their meaning. One of the words that affects us the most is "Cool", and although there and hundreds of different definitions of it each individual narrows to one single idea of what is cool and categorizes everyone including himself to that single idea. There are many different factors to consider when talking about Cool. First, some people are desperate to be recognized as cool and others simply do "not care" about this term at all. In other words people do not consider this term equally, therefore those who are greatly involved with this term are either seen as superior beings for being cool or as confused and lonely beings trying to become something they are not, Cool. Which leads me to my main question of this paper: Why is it that BECOMING cool is so shameful but BEING cool isn't?
Most people think that when referring to Cool they are targeting two different types of people, the "naturally cool people" and "the wanna be cool people". And as we live under this society it is inevitable to be considered as one of this two different categories by the rest. Because uncool people want to become cool is seen as something negative, people who do this feel ashamed of it. Therefore, their attemption to become cool is carried out as secretly and subtle as possible, as if that was their natural way of being. In the other hand being cool from the start is seen as the opposite. People who are seen as cool are people who are followed, respected and admired. Therefore, being cool is not something to be ashamed of, but actually be proud of. In our society, becoming cool is something to be ashamed of because it is becoming something a person is not, in other words it is deceiving others and one self. But being cool is seen as some one's natural way of being that attracts positive attention and represents an ideal model to live and behave.
Arguments
1. Constructivist Exploration of Cool
Define the term "CooL" and based on this definition (s) where, what and to who does it apply?
Who decides what is cool and what is not?
Labeling people based on their behavior, words, style, etc.
2. Informal Research - Interviews and Surveys
What do people think is cool?
How is their definition of cool connected to the main theme of this paper?
3.Cultural sources of insight into Cool.
what does the media communicate is cool and what is not? Considering that these are shown everywhere everyday it is inevitable for us not to develop a one solid general definition of what is cool. When labeling people as cool or uncool, these messages greatly influence our perspective.
4. Merchants of Cool
Can cool be simply something you buy as opposed to become someone else? Or does that merchandise automatically make you someone else, so regardless a person is trying to become cool by purchasing what is cool. How can the cool people cope with things that suggest would make them cool?
5. Methods to aggrandize one self and Presentation of the self
What do people do in order to be cool? What are some of the ways people can achieve being cool efficiently? e.g. Plastic surgery, tattoos, piercings, etc. What is the ultimate price of this?
Importance
Perhaps becoming cool or being cool IS our natural self. We do not understand who we are therefore we try different methods and practice different ideas that would help us know who we are. Being recognized as cool or not depends on how we see ourselves based on our knowledge on what is cool and what is not. Other people's opinions will undoubtedly influence how we think of ourselves. But is being aware of this enough to change our lives and our expectations?Connect to...
*Thanissaro Bhikkhu's idea
*Bikkhu Amaru's theory on cool
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