Akin to the Wolfe quote I wrote about last class, what defines “cool” is defined by the individual or cohort of individuals who belong to a certain group. For example, what might be considered “cool” for a group of scientists (who are, to reference the Boswell quote, usually constantly thinking of the future and, as a result, are likely ahead of their epoch) may not be considered “cool” for a group of French literature majors, who may focus more on literature of the past or anthropology of the present. To essentialize, what defines “cool” is defined by what the cohort an individual is part of believes is cool, because, though we are all complex in our own ways, what comes off as cool with a certain group of people will always remain relatively non-individual because it is appealing to a greater number of people. This is the great maxim of society and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
- Josie Raccuia
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