What's REALLY Cool?

Walking through campus letting the breeze hit my face, my eyes graze some pretty unique things. I see hair colored like spring tulips, clothes fit for a Parisian model, piercings that make a slide show actor look like an amateur. I used to judge these sorts of things, but now--I understand that it's just one's desire to be "cool."

In class we learned much about the Culture Of Cool. The desire to be cool is something that people not even intentionally do. You try to be "you" while trying to be socially accepted. It is almost like a cycle. You want to be yourself, but you want to be cool. The only way to be cool is if others think you're cool. Therefore, you dress outlandishly or do something drastic with your appearance; a hipster. We see hipsters each day. However, are they actually hipsters? Or...are they just being "them" ? It's hard to decide now-a-days.

I never really wonder anymore, if people think I'm cool or not. I do however contribute to being a merchant of this "cool." I dress like the media somewhat says I should, but I do not dress with the intention to be like who I see on television; I dress to please myself. I don't question if I'm cool, I just make sure that I look presentable.

What's cool you ask? Well, to sum it up--cool is what you think is well, cool. It doesn't matter if you're trying to stand out or appeal to the mirror reflecting you, cool is what you make it. However, we must realize that cool doesn't last for long. As you chase this image or particular thing that makes you "cool," its value will diminish in time.