How do you define cool?

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

Culture

"Culture is the arts elevated to a set of beliefs." - Tom Wolfe

This quote reminds me of the term "cultural capital." Meaning, one cultural experience can be worth more in the cultural capital than another. Take the New York Philharmonic versus Justin Bieber. One is worth more than the other.

Though, is this really true? Who is to say what has "more" worth in cultural value? Typically we think that seeing Othello at the opera is cultured, but what about for those who grew up around cultural experiences akin to the finer things in life? Visiting the Florida panhandle could be just as "cultural." So, yes, culture is elevated to a set of beliefs, but this set is valued and determined upon what the individual considers "culture."

- Josie Raccuia

I refuse to have such little faith in humanity

“The floor of the white man’s failures is the ceiling of the black man’s expectations.”

I’m not entirely sure how to approach this quote, though this certainly denotes that black men either have a very self-deprecating sense of humor or have very little confidence in themselves. It is unfortunate to think that the color of one’s skin could inhibit one from becoming the greatest he/she can become. Everyone has the same amount or odds of potential when we are all put on an equal playing field. I find this quote to be a very unfair and, frankly, unorthodox because I find such self-deprecation frightening. To think that blacks could or would think of themselves like this – even in a humorous context – shows the opposite of how far society has come. Contrary, I’d like to have more faith in humanity in saying that we HAVE come far. Of course, there are still problematic issues in our society that are in dire need of recognition, but I refuse to believe that this is one of them.

I refuse to have such little faith in humanity.

- Josie Raccuia

Every generation needs a revolution

My mother always told me that a part of being young is having a yearning to save the world. As the new generation emerges we find ourselves wanting to make the world a better place. Revolutions are a part of this. We become Achillean, seeing it fit to bind a cohort of individuals together to “damn the man.” While some might see this type of revolt as revolting or barbaric, where would the world be without youthful optimism to change the world? The world would be a very dull, bleak place. It would be achromatic and prosaic. So, yes, every generation needs a revolution, because sometimes what others see as “barbaric” insanity is just what we need to keep the world sane.

- Josie Raccuia

Without ideas, writing does not exist.

"Writing is easy. You only need to stare at a piece of paper until your forehead bleeds." – Douglass Adams

Although though the act of writing itself may be easy, ideas conjured in order to produce said writing are not so easy to come by. Writing is not easy. I can attest to this and I’m sure Professor Jackson can as well given the essay (or non-essay) I submitted to him as a “first draft” the Wednesday before spring break. The paper was supposed to be a photo essay on Central Park, and I stared at my photo of choice on both Monday and Tuesday nights, not on a piece of paper, but sitting next to a blank word document on my screen saver until I felt the urge, not to make my forehead bleed, but throw a perfectly good piece of halibut out the window. Nevertheless, while my abilities were there, my ideas were not and despite the fact that I have been published, I have been published from writing about ideas (or subjects) that were given to me, not conjured up. Without ideas, writing does not exist.

- Josie Raccuia