Cool isn’t so easy nor is that simple to achieve. There are a lot of different parts to this desire that people have for coolness. One of them being that we are a part of socialization, where our society imposes on us what is or isn’t cool. We in return try to follow and become those things, in order to matter and feel some sense of self. We can’t ignore the norms of society which therefore lead us to create and play different roles in our lives to suit them.
Cool over time
It's no question that what’s "cool" has changed over the years and people have changed with it. What's cool today certainly wasn't cool 20 years ago. Cool is something that is forever changing and evolving. Like the latest trends, what's cool today might not be so cool tomorrow. We as individuals and as a society also change along with it. “ If cool is inherent in people rather than objects ,then what is seen as cool will change from place to place, from time to time, from generation to generation.” (Pountain, Dick, and David Robins. Cool rules: anatomy of an attitude. London : 2000. 12-33. Print. ). For example the different style eras, from the 196o’s, when the whole hippie look and lifestyle was in because at the time there was a drug-induced revolution against traditional American values happening in society. To the 1970’s- 1980’s when the punk look was in to rebel against the other mainstream trends that were out and to go along with the anti-government theme. These style eras are evidence of what’s seen as “cool” changing over a period of time with society and people following it. Every generation has their own idea of cool based on how they were brought up during their time but regardless will need to change to fit into the “new” cool societies and generations.
Others perspective on Cool
There are many different perspectives on what cool is and how it is defined. A major difference between people’s ideas of cool is either being “authentically” cool or being “fake” cool. “Cool is an attitude or personality type that has emerged in many different societies.” (Pountain, Dick, and David Robins. Cool rules: anatomy of an attitude. London: 2000. 12-33. Print.) Cool is a lifestyle and part of people’s culture. It’s a way of dressing, talking and acting. Cool is the individuals’ way of adapting to the ideas of society. The way people have described being authentically cool is “being you" or “being original”. Our identities have many different faces and some of them might be “fake”, being just products of the situation we are in. I don’t believe that anyone can ever be truly authentically cool because people are always going to be inspired by something or someone else around them. Like through the media, the media sells a lifestyle and a culture to societies. We are marketed what cool is through the media. From all the magazines, movies, music videos, etc. being watched and listened to and all the celebrities we look up to. We can’t help but be influenced by all that surrounds us.
Cool as a performance
We are constantly being watched by society. Therefore we concern ourselves with influencing the way others treat and look at us. In order to be cool or seem important we turn to playing different roles in our lives. I think that everyone wants that special recognition from others. We all want to be apart of "a group/tribe". We want others to acknowledge our importance and one way to do that is through being cool via the "characters" we choose to play. These "characters" enable us to get attention and approval from those around us. We turn to using various methods to execute these performances perfectly. By making the self seem different and much bigger as an attempt to matter. We turn to aggrandizing ourselves because we think it will make our performances seem more real from "getting tattoos, piercings, becoming buff, wearing make up; these are all things we do because we are told to do so. " (Amber). Constructing identities is evidence that we are controlled by the society we live in. Certain situations are all ready set up for us by the systems we live in. So we have to create these characters and put it along with a performance we have to pull off in response to the situation. Our characters and our performances are all "scripted" for the most part. In the sense that we sometimes arrange the situation we are in and set up the way we present ourselves to those watching us. It becomes a routine for us, everyday we wake up a play some type of role.
Conclusion:
The only reason cool exists is because people want to be somebody. People want a name for themselves, whether it be "the jock", "the beauty" or "the funny person". They want that certain recognition from society and the group they are trying to be apart of. We try to fit in and become what is cool in order to be and feel accepted, important, and special. We desire to be cool. People feel like they matter through being cool and being admired by others. But really we are just feeding into societies ideas, instead of creating our own. If we don't start thinking for ourselves and if we continue to worry about being cool, we 'll just end up following the society and systems we live in.
Work sited:
Pountain, Dick, and David Robins. Cool rules: anatomy of an attitude. London : 2000. 12-33. Print.
Amber Mujeeb , Triangle partner comments hw
Interviews
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
HW 36
Amber,
It sounds like your saying that we are constantly being watched and that we can't escape the pressure to be cool. Cool is taking over our lives, all we are focused on is being "cool".
No one is truly original because everything around us influences us in some way or another. We are always trying to set up the situations we are in so that we make ourselves look good or cool. Cool gives us the attention we crave. We try to get people to recognize us. Which makes us feel special in return. We become obsessed with presenting ourselves to our audience, whether it be real or fake.
Michelle,
Your saying that we create different identities for ourselves that aren't original but come from other sources.
We are constantly performing these roles that are shaped by many different things in our lives. So we aren't ever truly ourselves. But are trying to impress others and live up to our audiences expectations of cool all the time. We have many different identities and we get to pick which ones we want to play on a daily basis. With whichever group of people we want to get the approval of.
It sounds like your saying that we are constantly being watched and that we can't escape the pressure to be cool. Cool is taking over our lives, all we are focused on is being "cool".
No one is truly original because everything around us influences us in some way or another. We are always trying to set up the situations we are in so that we make ourselves look good or cool. Cool gives us the attention we crave. We try to get people to recognize us. Which makes us feel special in return. We become obsessed with presenting ourselves to our audience, whether it be real or fake.
Michelle,
Your saying that we create different identities for ourselves that aren't original but come from other sources.
We are constantly performing these roles that are shaped by many different things in our lives. So we aren't ever truly ourselves. But are trying to impress others and live up to our audiences expectations of cool all the time. We have many different identities and we get to pick which ones we want to play on a daily basis. With whichever group of people we want to get the approval of.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Cool paper draft
Cool isn’t so easy nor is that simple to achieve. There are a lot of different parts to this desire that people have for coolness. One of them being that we are a part of socialization, where our society imposes on us what is or isn’t cool. We in return try to follow and become those things, in order to matter and feel some sense of self. We can’t ignore the norms of society which therefore lead us to create and play different roles in our lives to suit them.
Cool over time
It's no question that what’s "cool" has changed over the years and people have changed with it. What's cool today certainly wasn't cool 20 years ago. Cool is something that is forever changing and evolving. Like the latest trends, what's cool today might not be so cool tomorrow. We as individuals and as a society also change along with it. “ If cool is inherent in people rather than objects ,then what is seen as cool will change from place to place, from time to time, from generation to generation.” (Pountain, Dick, and David Robins. Cool rules: anatomy of an attitude. London : 2000. 12-33. Print. ). For example the different style eras, from the 196o’s, when the whole hippie look and lifestyle was in because at the time there was a drug-induced revolution against traditional American values happening in society. To the 1970’s- 1980’s when the punk look was in to rebel against the other mainstream trends that were out and to go along with the anti-government theme. These style eras are evidence of what’s seen as “cool” changing over a period of time with society and people following it. Every generation has their own idea of cool based on how they were brought up during their time but regardless will need to change to fit into the “new” cool societies and generations.
Others perspective on Cool
There are many different perspectives on what cool is and how it is defined. A major difference between people’s ideas of cool is either being “authentically” cool or being “fake” cool. “Cool is an attitude or personality type that has emerged in many different societies.” (Pountain, Dick, and David Robins. Cool rules: anatomy of an attitude. London: 2000. 12-33. Print.) Cool is a lifestyle and part of people’s culture. It’s a way of dressing, talking and acting. Cool is the individuals’ way of adapting to the ideas of society. The way people have described being authentically cool is “being you" or “being original”. Our identities have many different faces and some of them might be “fake”, being just products of the situation we are in. I don’t believe that anyone can ever be truly authentically cool because people are always going to be inspired by something or someone else around them. Like through the media, the media sells a lifestyle and a culture to societies. We are marketed what cool is through the media. From all the magazines, movies, music videos, etc. being watched and listened to and all the celebrities we look up to. We can’t help but be influenced by all that surrounds us.
Cool over time
It's no question that what’s "cool" has changed over the years and people have changed with it. What's cool today certainly wasn't cool 20 years ago. Cool is something that is forever changing and evolving. Like the latest trends, what's cool today might not be so cool tomorrow. We as individuals and as a society also change along with it. “ If cool is inherent in people rather than objects ,then what is seen as cool will change from place to place, from time to time, from generation to generation.” (Pountain, Dick, and David Robins. Cool rules: anatomy of an attitude. London : 2000. 12-33. Print. ). For example the different style eras, from the 196o’s, when the whole hippie look and lifestyle was in because at the time there was a drug-induced revolution against traditional American values happening in society. To the 1970’s- 1980’s when the punk look was in to rebel against the other mainstream trends that were out and to go along with the anti-government theme. These style eras are evidence of what’s seen as “cool” changing over a period of time with society and people following it. Every generation has their own idea of cool based on how they were brought up during their time but regardless will need to change to fit into the “new” cool societies and generations.
Others perspective on Cool
There are many different perspectives on what cool is and how it is defined. A major difference between people’s ideas of cool is either being “authentically” cool or being “fake” cool. “Cool is an attitude or personality type that has emerged in many different societies.” (Pountain, Dick, and David Robins. Cool rules: anatomy of an attitude. London: 2000. 12-33. Print.) Cool is a lifestyle and part of people’s culture. It’s a way of dressing, talking and acting. Cool is the individuals’ way of adapting to the ideas of society. The way people have described being authentically cool is “being you" or “being original”. Our identities have many different faces and some of them might be “fake”, being just products of the situation we are in. I don’t believe that anyone can ever be truly authentically cool because people are always going to be inspired by something or someone else around them. Like through the media, the media sells a lifestyle and a culture to societies. We are marketed what cool is through the media. From all the magazines, movies, music videos, etc. being watched and listened to and all the celebrities we look up to. We can’t help but be influenced by all that surrounds us.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Hw 34
Cool is defined by popular culture which causes individuals to identify with what is defined by the masses to be in the "in crowd". The lines of race have been blurred with "cool". Nowadays white kids want to wear baggy jeans and listen to rap music because that is what is being put out by the rappers as cool. Another example is the skateboarding culture, before it used to be a "white thing" now it's evident in both white and black youth.
I think that "cool" is more of a middle and lower class mentality. I don't see rich people caring about being cool as much as they do about their careers, money , being smart or having the best opportunities. Cool is more of a concern to the middle and lower classes. For example in the show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Carlton whose rich and aspires to attend an Ivy League or so called "white school",and who is on his way to getting a good job would be considered uncool. Whereas his cousin Will who comes from a "ghetto" neighborhood, is "fresh", talks slang and has no interest in his academics is the cooler one.
I think that this type of mentality definitely relates to certain classes and races and their socioeconomic backgrounds. These factors end up having effects on culture and people's perceptions of it. I think it depends on the situation that the individual is in rather than the individual.
I think that "cool" is more of a middle and lower class mentality. I don't see rich people caring about being cool as much as they do about their careers, money , being smart or having the best opportunities. Cool is more of a concern to the middle and lower classes. For example in the show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Carlton whose rich and aspires to attend an Ivy League or so called "white school",and who is on his way to getting a good job would be considered uncool. Whereas his cousin Will who comes from a "ghetto" neighborhood, is "fresh", talks slang and has no interest in his academics is the cooler one.
I think that this type of mentality definitely relates to certain classes and races and their socioeconomic backgrounds. These factors end up having effects on culture and people's perceptions of it. I think it depends on the situation that the individual is in rather than the individual.
Monday, January 11, 2010
hw 33
1. Cool back then to now , how cool has changed over the generations. All generations define cool differently.
2. Others perception of cool (interviews, readings)
3. Cool as a performance and a presentation of the self
2. Others perception of cool (interviews, readings)
3. Cool as a performance and a presentation of the self
Monday, January 4, 2010
Hw 32 - Tattoos
Tattoo's used to be so taboo but now they have become so popular. Tattoos have become the latest must-have accessory. Just ask Rihanna or Lil Wayne , it seems like every other celebrity in Hollywood has branded themselves "cool" by getting one or many tattoos.From previous generations getting a tattoo was seen as bad or a rebellious act and according to some religions it's forbidden but that isn't stopping today's generation from partaking in the tattoo craze. Branding themselves for life with their own personal stamp(s) of "individuality".
Tattoos are now a "cool obsession". If it wasn't then there wouldn't be shows like LA Ink & Miami Ink which is all about tattooing people, how cool it is and what a big business it has become. It's become a trend, so many people are getting them and if your not one of them it's like 'what's the wait?". Like getting matching tattoos with your friends, getting tattoos similar to your favorite celebrities,etc.Tattoos give those who have them to the opportunity to project a "cool image" to their audience and gives them certain roles to play like the "rebel" or "badass".
People today see getting tattoos as a way of standing out, making a personal or political statement. Some claim the reason for getting a tattoo is a way to self express who they are. But is it really? or is there more to the reason. According to a study done "those with tattoos said that having a tattoo has made them feel more rebellious (29%) while others said a tattoo makes them feel more attractive (26%). But tattoos apparently won't do much for your intelligence or your physique, as few Americans reported that tattoos make them feel more intelligent (5%), more healthy (4%), or more athletic (3%)"(http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/tattoo_facts.htm). It seems like there are a multitude of reasons why people get tattoos but all of them seem to fall into the category of being cool and letting everyone know it.
The popularity of tattoos is on the rise because it's seen as expressing one's coolness and who they are as individuals and their life story through art. The popularity of tattoos is only going to increase over the next couple of years because it seems like everyone either has one or wants one and I don't see anything original about that.
Tattoos are now a "cool obsession". If it wasn't then there wouldn't be shows like LA Ink & Miami Ink which is all about tattooing people, how cool it is and what a big business it has become. It's become a trend, so many people are getting them and if your not one of them it's like 'what's the wait?". Like getting matching tattoos with your friends, getting tattoos similar to your favorite celebrities,etc.Tattoos give those who have them to the opportunity to project a "cool image" to their audience and gives them certain roles to play like the "rebel" or "badass".
People today see getting tattoos as a way of standing out, making a personal or political statement. Some claim the reason for getting a tattoo is a way to self express who they are. But is it really? or is there more to the reason. According to a study done "those with tattoos said that having a tattoo has made them feel more rebellious (29%) while others said a tattoo makes them feel more attractive (26%). But tattoos apparently won't do much for your intelligence or your physique, as few Americans reported that tattoos make them feel more intelligent (5%), more healthy (4%), or more athletic (3%)"(http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/tattoo_facts.htm). It seems like there are a multitude of reasons why people get tattoos but all of them seem to fall into the category of being cool and letting everyone know it.
The popularity of tattoos is on the rise because it's seen as expressing one's coolness and who they are as individuals and their life story through art. The popularity of tattoos is only going to increase over the next couple of years because it seems like everyone either has one or wants one and I don't see anything original about that.
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