(HW 35) first draft COOL paper...

What is the definition of cool? How does it differ from now?
Cool: laid back, relaxed, not freaked out, knows what's going on, never goes out of style (urban dictionary) socially adept, not excited; calm; composed; under control. All these definitions, have been true one time or another. We use cool in different ways. Cool can be relaxing and calm but also cool can be someone who knows whats going on and never goes out of style. Today cool is used as in popularity. Your not "cool" if you don't have the latest clothes, sneakers or electronics. If an ipod came out 2 months ago and now there is a new one that one is "cooler" than the other one meanwhile the other one is fairly new. I think teenagers now think its cool to drink, smoke and have the latest gear. I feel like no one can say they don't care about what others think or don't care if they are cool or not because the way you present yourself or even dress can separate you from being cool or not. This relates back to how digital and society shape who we are because they feed us with all the magazine ads making us want it more to make us feel "cool". In one way or another we have tried to be "cool" without noticing. We are quick to read magazines and follow up on celebrities to see the new "cool" trend but then we say we are unique.

On a walking class trip, Andy told us to interview strangers and ask them what is cool to them etc. Chloe and I interviewed a lady that was at seven11 making a cup of coffee. She told us her definition of cool was President Obama because he is multiracial, he's really into politics and for a black president to be in the highest office which is cool.


Back to your high school days what was cool defined as?
The latest actor or actress was cool. If someone was popular like influenced by the media they were cool.
What is the coolest part of your outfit?
Well I'm dressed old fashion but for the younger ones its whatever the trend is. If plaid is in that what they wear. Personally, I don't like plaid so I wouldn't wear it.

Random man next to seven 11 smoking a cigarette.
Who is the coolest person to you and why?
I would say my boyfriend because he is successful at what he does and he dresses nice.
What is the coolest trend to you and why?
**Farm to table restaurants** because it is fresh food and locally sustainable.
What would you say the latest fashion trend is?
Vintage and fur looks really nice and is practical.

Now as for family, we love to shop so when we see something we like its an automatic buy it even though we don't necessarily need it which is a bad habit. One person I would say I like her style would be my older cousin. Shes young and vibrant and expresses herself through clothes and accessories. She puts a lot of outfits together that look stunning yet they are so cheap. She really knows how to dress. My family calls her a model for her looks. I have shopped in the past with her and i must say it was the longest day of my life. From rack to rack she looks until every shelve and rack is covered which I guess is why she gets the bargains.

These interviews made me realize how much fashion, friends and family is a priority and accessory to being cool. Without us knowing we try to be cool so that we can be better than the next person. It is simply a competition an race to be the coolest person. What can I have that another person wont or just make it my own. Why is the main necessity to be cool in most of our lives even though it comes and goes?

Cool changes ever so often. I remember when having short hair was in. Personally, I cut my hair mid way into the spring because it starts to get warmer and short hair is the best. But when short hair came in style it was way before spring yet I still did it. Not once did I think that it wouldn't be cool later on. I was fixated on NOW and being cool that moment, I didn't think about months later. There were videos that andy posted on cool which tried to grasp cool and what are so aspects of cool. While watching the videos all I could think of was the memories of the baggy pants, big chains and how it was "in".

After watching the videos posted I realized that a few things in the video have changed. The main aspect of cool in the videos were targeting teenagers and showing what "cool" was. In the video they had a boys group and the boys were explaining what cool was and wasn't. I feel like depending on the person cool is different to others. Of course there are common things that are cool between different people but in general cool is whatever you think it is. The media affects us and shows us what "cool" is and I think that is where most of us get the ideas of what to wear and or buy. We look and listen to the media whether we think we do or not. Everyone is affected by the media and advertisements which shape our cool definitions. If these videos were recent you would be able to see the difference from back in the day and now. As for brittany spears and the media it can be bad for the younger girls who watch and listen to her. But these girls have a choice and so do there parents. They don't have to watch and follow every moment of what she is doing. I think they are like this because they don't support at home or are not monitored. In conclusion, there is still no solid definition of cool. Cool changes like the weather changes.

Within trying to be cool their can be a period of time where....