Week 3: What does it mean to be 'cool'

What Does It Mean To Be Cool?
by Thorsten Botz-Bornstein

C.A-

The true meaning of cool is to have self- control because ‘cool represents a paradoxical fusion of submission and subversion.’

According to Botz- Bornstein, there is now a global culture of cool even though, there are many who do not understand the true meaning of cool. In order to explain his understanding of global culture of cool he uses stoicism and hip- hop. With the help of these examples that is used in the article he concludes that cool is control; moreover cool is a paradoxical fusion of submission and subversion.  It is controlling oneself so that one allows another to oppose one at the same time to subvert the rule. I agree with Botz- Bornstein’s argument with help of The Bible, African- American slavery, and Gandhi.

            According to Jesus a true way to win over another is to turn the other cheek. Although it is a famous saying that many people know about, not many think that this actions is cool. However, according to Botz- Bornstein’s definition of cool this action that Jesus called for is the true coolness. By letting one person to slap you again you are, on the surface, letting them to oppress you, but one the deeper  side you are undermining one’s power over you. Thus, with this example I agree with Botz- Bormstein of coolness.

            This can also be shown with African- Americans while they were in the time of slavery in America. When they were under slavery, they would not fight against the while people. For example, if the African- American was walking in the street not harming anyone and a white man come along in a gang and spit on African- American’s face. Although some might have thought it is cause of the social circumstances that they were under, it was actually the coolness that they had. Though at first it might look like white man had a lot of power, if one take a deeper look they will realize that through this action African- American took the power to mock them from the white people. This coolness that they showed eventually got them the equality that they longed for.

            This self- control action can also be shown with Gandhi. Gandhi has name such as father of India, founder of non- violence and many more. However, one key factor that made Gandhi who he was his coolness. Gandhi is famous for weaving cotton clothes, for the British made an unfair law regarding the tax on the cloth made from India. Thus, to resolve this problem Gandhi started weaving his own clothes. This action of his allowed the British rule over him, however, at the same time showed the British that the law that was imposed meant nothing to Gandhi. This is the cool action of his later lead India to be free from British rules.

I agree with to Botz- Bornstein’s definition of cool, paradoxical fusion of submission and subversion, with the help of The Bible, African- American slavery, and Gandhi. All three actions allowed the system to oppress them, but mock the system. These cool actions could only be possible with self- control that one had. This is the exact point that Botz- Bornstein said. I also think that cool wins over hot, as two historical example won over the system by being cool.