HW 31 - Exploring Methods of M,M,C,A, & Aggrandizing the Self

Part A

For this assignment, I decided to ask my sister because she is the only one who did ear piercing, which I think it would be interesting to write about. Since she is my sister, I did not really have to talk to her in any typical ways. But she is very easy to get annoyed when I asked her too many questions, so I decided to make this more informal, like a random chatting.

I first asked her does this two little ear holes make her feels like above all of the other family member and she said, “No, I just think it will make me look prettier.” Then I asked her to describe her experience and what makes her to have the courage to do something like that (a mark on yourself) since neither my mom nor me did piercing before. She said, “Ear piercing is different than tattoo because if you don’t keep the earring on after you punch a hole then it’ll grow back soon, so even though you regret for doing it, you still have a chance to go back. Also, you and your mom do not really value this kind of prettiness, like putting make up and stuff then it is up to you guys. I did it because I think by doing it, I can put more accessories on me, is like a way to decorate yourself other than just putting on clothes.” So I asked how was it when the moment that person punch a hole on your ear? She said, “Well, nothing special. But weird, because once you get there and you told them you want one, they’ll ask you to sit down and do it in a sec. I was surprised at the moment, because she did not tell me before doing it. She just did it.” I replied, “Wow, so are you regret for having them at that moment? And by the way how much does it cost to do one of those?” She said, “Cheap, is less than a U.S. dollar. Oh, and I don’t regret for having it because I wanted one.” Then I replied something that I considered defensive but she didn’t take it that way. I said, “Damn, that is CHEAP! Doesn’t it make yourself a little worthless instead of being ‘special’ kind of, in the family?” My sister said, “No, it doesn’t matter, I just wanted one, and I got one. And also, I don’t think it is really that ‘special’” “Oh, okay, would you get another one?” “No, one on each side is enough for me.” “Okay, I think the earrings that you have right now fits you.” “Thanks…” (The tone might sound very defensive between me and my sister, but that's the way we communicate with each other.)

I think my sister’s answer is kind of unexpected, and pretty interesting. As I asked more detail question, I think I really did get some answers that are worth to talk about. Especially when she said it costs less than a U.S. dollar, I think it is interesting. It’s almost like the ear holes itself on the ear worth more than the moment. You can simply pay certain amount for the piercing, but not for that typical moment of your life that has changed. In one way, it seems like people’s value has been twisted. In another, it seems acceptable, because the hole is the ultimate mark that is worth to remember other than the cost. In addition to that, I think my sister’s differentiation between tattoo and ear piercing is pretty interesting. In one hand, tattoo is a bigger project to be aware of and it is a typical image. But in the other, ear piercing could be seemed the same thing, if the person make a mistake, it could ruined your body also. Which it raised a question to me was that, what makes people to be more aware of, or thoughtful to decide to have a tattoo than a small ear hole on the ear? Aren’t both having the same amount of chance to ruin your body? Why rely on an ear (less meaning) piercer more than a tattoo (more meaning) piercer? Overall, when my sister gave me these answers, she really seems careless for having the ear holes and I never saw her showing off of her earring or the piercing. So perhaps, sometimes leaving a mark on your body like this is not necessary trying to make yourself special in the group, but just a way to live cool.

The answer of “because I like it, it’s for me, not for the others”, or like my sister, “because I wanted one, so I get one”, both are kind of the same attitude, the kind of “I do whatever I want, I don’t really care what others think”. All these answers are ego speaking, very insecure about the self. It’s like a way to protect the self or a way to tell the other that you are confident of whom you are. But after all, where is the self? If you are really doing something for yourself, it doesn’t mean it does not affect the others although you did not intended to, all it means is that you do not care about the consequence of your own action (irresponsible). (Like my sister, perhaps to her, having the ear hole does not really seem to be affecting anybody. But simultaneously, she is supporting the ‘group/trend’, which it does affect the outcome of making more people to do body piercing.)

Part B

As for myself, I always bring my camera with me wherever I go other than at school. It is almost like a symbol to me or to the others that I am a fan of photography. I personally think that is ‘cool’ because the meaning of taking photos is to remember certain things in my life. The way I see it, is that I appreciate things around me more than the others, because I do certain things to prove so. Not only taking pictures, I also upload them when I get home. The process of sharing these photos, I often put a name that I create on the photos, but not my real name. It’s could be seem as a nickname, so when people view my photos, it is easier for them to recognize and remember that’s my work. My purpose of taking photos is because I got compliments on my works from the others. This does not only help me find the sense of self importance, it also gives me a reason to continue doing what I am doing. Everything that people choose to do or act towards it, it requires a response (external approval) in order for the person who done the work to feel their existence. In other words, everything needs attention from the others to be existed. Therefore, when someone finds their interests, or certain things in themselves that are accepted by the others, they will keep doing the same thing, or keep them. That’s the only way for a person to live on.

Connect this back to what I mentioned in Part A, everything that we have done we tempt to receive it in a way that it seems to be ours. It could be the ear holes, photos that I took, nicknames, all these things we have the temptation to make it personal, and just for our own, and to make it seems like a legacy of us. By doing that, we have values to live on even when we die. Often times, people will get offended when someone cross the line and say “No, you are not doing that for yourself” because it challenge that person’s personal value. I believe a lot of us do know that it is not just for ourselves because we do it to get external approval from the others. How could it simply be our own? But people put it that way, or propose it with that type of attitude because they want to reveal their values in a secure way. They don’t want people to say bad things to their values that will challenge the worth of that method. It is not that they do not know it is not only for themselves, is just that they want to protect their self values to keep it to their own. So when they said, “I do this for myself, not the others”, people can’t really trash it because it has nothing to do with them. To conclude my point, I think people are aware of what they are doing (I do it for myself), but they just have the temptation to defense their methods because that is their meaning to live.

HW 30 - Psychological and Philosophical Theorizing of Cool [revised]

“‘How things really are’ is described in Buddhist philosophy as Emptiness (shunyata). Emptiness is often mis-understood in the West to mean ‘nothingness’, as if to say that nothing exists. This extreme view is known as ‘nihilism’, and it is a great obstacle to Buddhist practice. If you cling to the idea that nothing exists, then you may behave in ways that only solidify your own ego and cause harm to yourself and others.”

Based on the passage above, it seems that emptiness does not parallel with the word nothingness. But if the western culture really did misinterpret the word emptiness, then the passage does make some sort of sense. We “behave in ways that only solidify” our “own ego”. In other words, because we view emptiness as the meaning of nothingness, therefore, we only reacts to our own perception of the world of what it actually exists. This explains the reason why human are obsessed with the task of giving meaning to life to have a sense of importance to prove they once existed on this planet. Because we identify what we see is consider what it actually exists, thus we only see our own ego and fulfill it as much as we can by doing varies of acts such as “be cool” to satisfied our own desire.

But if the western culture really did mis-understood the word emptiness, then what does it mean in Buddhism?

“On the other hand, emptiness does mean that things don't exist the way we think they do. Things seem real and solid and permanent to us, but when we analyze closely, we see that everything is impermanent and constantly changing. In other words, they are "empty" of our confused projections. Recognizing this not just intellectually but experientially removes our ignorance and confusion, and creates a tremendous sense of space in our lives.”

An analogy for the passage above would be a pen that we perceive as a pen that is make of a plastic tube with ink inside of it that we can write with, therefore it is a PEN to us (real and solid- permanent). But this does mean the pen exists inherently because things are constantly changing. With this being said, emptiness means something does exist but not in the way we view things, and “nothing exists inherently”, in order for something to exist, there must be a cause or a relation with other things.

Following the path of what emptiness is in the vision of Buddhism, it seems we are trying to be cool because we view things as solid and real while they are “impermanent”. We are just fools of our life fulfilling something that is not there, because we barely can visualize what “emptiness” really is. If nothing exists inherently, nothing really has ever existed. In order for something to consider exist, is something that appears on earth with no cause, which is impossible because every effect there is a cause. To conclude all the above, emptiness does not exist, and yet, “all things are totally empty of any defining essence”.

Side Note:
I am interning in the Rubin Museum of Art, and I have the chance to talk to a Buddhist practitioner, who gave me some insights of emptiness in a Buddhist vision. As to summarize what emptiness really mean based on my own understanding of Buddhism was to imagine there are mud in a cup. If we were to stir the cup, it will be muddy and we will never get to see a clear cup of water. Just like our everyday life functioning back and forth non-stop, (fulfilling our desire, busy with the task of being cool), therefore, we thought to ourselves that we never see the empty part of ourselves. But if we stop stirring the cup (does not mean stop functioning, we are still living), we let the mud to settle and sink to the bottom of the cup – emptiness as following the task of meditation. With the explanation of emptiness being said, a clear empty mind does not mean it is completely empty, it is still there but we just let it be and not let it bother. By understanding the meaning of emptiness and knowing that everything is constantly changing and nothing really does exist inherently, we soon recognize the relationship of all things. Everything is connected, and we all are part of the other and they are the proof of our existence. In Buddhism, they believe that by practicing this belief, people will soon remove ignorance and getting closer to be enlightened. Emptiness means compassion, realizing everything is changing and connected, and soon we won’t try to compete over the others but to offer help for the others because we need others to help us to see our own existence.

Through the research of Nagarjuna, he believed that emptiness aren’t something bad that “leave us with a sense of metaphysical or existential privation, a loss of some hoped-for independence and freedom”, but “a sense of liberation through demonstrating the interconnectedness of all things, including human beings and the manner in which human life unfolds in the natural and social worlds.” If we realized the real meaning of emptiness, we soon notice that after all emptiness does not mean anything or have even existed. It is just a word that we give meaning to, therefore it exists somehow in our lives. By knowing we are all connected, and every effect has to encounter a cause, we will soon know that there is no need of covering or filling the hole of emptiness. Because emptiness does not really exist and there is no need of doing all different kinds of acts (live cool/methods discussed in class) to make ourselves to feel satisfied (external approval). We need the others to make ourselves exist, why competitions?

P.S. : I do not fully understand the concept of Buddhism and their definition of emptiness, therefore, all above is based on my own understanding of the research. If there are any misinterpretation, welcome to correct my mistakes.

Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness

Sunyata - Emptiness of All Things

Buddhist Philosophy

Nagarjuna

Buddhism and Emptiness - seeing our relationship with the Universe

HW 29 - Merchants of Cool

Do the teenagers know what is going on in their lives? So what if the corporations sell absolute nothing to the “victims”, would they be able to come up with something on their own to live a “meaningful life”? Watching the “Merchants of Cool”, it seems like the corporations are so wicked that they are trying to sell the teens tons of things and manipulate them as puppets. But we are puppets in many ways; the strings are infinite to cut off from. If the advertisements or commercials are not sending out any manipulated messages, the parents or teachers or friends, might be offering some messages also. It is nearly impossible to have your own identities without the ideas from the others. We are all connected somehow living on this earth, and we are not just individual bodies like what Banach claimed. By saying that, I am arguing that we cannot blame the corporations for selling “cool” to us, and advertising do not have to be banned from young people.

If we are smart enough to come up with our own ideas of what “cool” is, then the corporations would not even be able to enter the teens mind and manipulate it. It is because we are not smart enough to be aware of what the corporations are doing to us, that’s why we are just puppets that re following the trends created by companies. Are we really the victims after all? Did we born with no freedom to think, or to decide who we want to be and what we want to do with our lives? It sounds like we walk to this world like prisoners and we have no right to do what we wanted. It is true that we all have the temptations to fit in to this society, and it is extremely important to keep up with the flow. But after all, everything in life is about choices that we make. If the teenagers were smart or conscious enough to make choices in their life, the corporations would not be able to enter their world so easily. It is not really the ads that are brainwashing our minds and shape us to think in certain ways of what “cool” is, it is us who gives permission for these “monsters” to take advantages from us.

From the clips from 2001, the experts reported that we saw 3,000 ads a day. It seems like a massive amount of ideas are flowing out there every day in our life that we will be able to choose from. It could be seen in both ways, either we could consider it as a manipulator that shapes our lives, or we could see it as massive choices that we could choose from. If one claimed that ads should be banned from the young people, then it should be banned from everybody. It is definitely possible that adults do not know how to make smart choices also, or even be aware of in the first place. If they were aware enough of what the corporations are doing to the juveniles, then it doesn’t even matter whether these ads exist or not. The parents should be able to control what their children should perceive at a young age. They should be able to know what is best for their child. If nobody consumes or buys the message from the ads, so what if they took these ideas from the teens and sell it back to them? I believe we do or should have the knowledge to be aware of what is going on to us, and it is totally two different issues to consider between the ads fault or the parents’ fault Furthermore, we should at the very least have the power to shape our lives when there are so many choices that we could choose from.

From the “Merchants of Cool”, there was a part talking about how market researchers are following a task called “hunting for the cool”, it is basically going into the teens’ mind and “speak their language” to understand what they want and sell it back to them. Although it might seem the corporations are evils that are controlling the teenagers mind, nevertheless, these ideas are from the teens themselves. If what the “experts” are saying is true, that they took the ideas of cool from the teens, then that is the life that teens want to live. Other than they are paying for it for losing their money, I don’t see the problem of living off your own ideas of cool or what most teens are consider “cool”. If that is the trends that most teens has created and goes back to the corporations, and selling back to them, then in some levels, I would say it is the trend that the teens wanted. Therefore, you can’t really argue that the teens are manipulated by the ads from corporations. Some point, these ideas of creating new trends are from the teens themselves.

Additionally, on Tuesday Matt Fried said that we all have the tendency to feel “good” and we often look for that feelings from somebody else instead of ourselves, which it makes us “vulnerable”, because we letting the others to control how we feel. If we learn how to get the feeling of satisfying or good within, then we won’t try so hard to be cool and get the acceptance from outside to make ourselves to feel better. I do agreed with him that looking for the sense of acceptance from the others will make us “vulnerable” and it is true that having control over ourselves is better than letting the others to control who you are. Just as what I previously mention, some of the ideas are from the teens although they got amended by the corporations. Thus, at some levels they are our “own”, ideas of what cool is. If that is true, why do we still look for something to fulfill the hole? Regardless of the corporation’s fault, I think the roots of each person; their parents should be another factor to be considered of this issue.

Are all messages from the commercial or ads are considered bad? I don’t think every single company are trying to harm the youngsters, and just trying to make a profit off of them regardless of the consequences. I think there are some valuable messages that might worth to follow. Thus, advertising should not be banned from the teens. It is all up to the teens to make the decisions of what they want to do. It is a choice, not something that is mandatory to do in lives. The reason that the teens opened up the doors for the “wolf” is because they look at the world in the simplest way although it is so much more complex than they think it is. They nearly have any idea what the “truths” are behind the simplest things, and neither do any of us know what the ultimate truth is also. Perhaps, truths do not even exist or it is impossible to know, but teens are just too lazy to learn how to realize it and be aware of it by themselves. Or they do not want to know and just wanted to live in the world of fantasy. There are many possibilities why teens are being shaped the way they are and corporations are not the ultimate fault why the teens act the way they are. I believe there are good ads out there that send out “cool” messages that is relevant to the reviewers and they are for our own good.

Imagination Whale Japan Ad Council - Watch more funny videos here

HW 28 - Informal Research - Internet, Magazines, and TV Shows

This website called “Wordnik”, is a place where people can make a list of words that has the similar meaning or just related to that particular word. Then the others can add more words on the same list or just give comments on those words. Basically, it is a place for people to share their own opinions on a particular word by providing examples, own definitions, pronunciations, comments, photos from Flickr, topic related from Twitter, and etymologies.

Looking down on the list of “The History of Cool”, it is obvious that the word “cool” is not simply just a word that defines it all. Everybody views it differently, and uses it for different meanings. It could mean “a beauty”, and some use it to mean “brutal”. It turned out that the word “cool” doesn’t seem to have a specific meaning that people can define like the “one”. I draw the conclusion that often times these adjectives are very subjective. Nobody can truly know what it means when others use it to comment on them, but all they know is either something that is good/bad. For example, the word “beautiful” could mean “cool” also, although nobody clearly know the meaning of it, we categorize it in our mind that it must be something “positive/good”. In the other hand, if people say “ugly”, we automatically know is something “bad”. So this list really reflects on how a word can mean so many things as time goes by, and how people define it as a category, not by the word itself.

“The History of Cool” Parker Smith. Wordnik.com. Wordnik, 2009. Web. 8 Dec 2009.

“The Johns Hopkins News-Letter” is an independent student newspaper of the Johns Hopkins University, and it has been published since 1896. Basically it is a place where people posted articles about any topics from sport, science, news, art to entertainment, and then everybody can comment on it. Of course, when I said people, I mean, people from this university. The article that I am reading is called “Dealing with the Consequence of being Cool” by Emma Brodie, it defines what cool is in her perspective, and she offers some tip to deal with competitions, in other words, trying too hard to be cool.

Right in the beginning of the article, she proposes the idea of cool is like a “game”, and you have “to be on top while acting as if it takes as little effort as possible”. Although she stated that cool is “an elusive term”, she draws the conclusion that everybody is “competitive”, and even if you are trying to avoid hanging out with the “competitive ones”, it reflects that you are secretly competitive inside of yourself. So, with that being said, she is saying that everybody is trying hard to be cool, and it is human nature, we are all competitive in many ways. But then she talks about how no matter how hard you try, “you can never win”. The solution to this is to “bringing it back to the cavemen”, accept the fact that “we’re genetically programmed to be competitive: competitiveness isn't something you can ignore and it's not something that's going to go away”. Then from there, don’t take anybody more serious than yourself, love yourself more. In my opinion, not only the author is contradicting herself by saying we are all cool, but actually nobody is. She is telling the others to be true to themselves, while they are actually lying to themselves that the only way to win the competition is to tell yourself that you are the only one who is cool.

“Dealing with the Consequences of being Cool” Emma Brodie. jhunewsletter.com. The John Hopkins News-Letter. 24 Sept 2009. Web. 8 Dec 2009.

This blog post is by a member of the Fast Company, who wrote about “cool” and his own definition of what “coolness” is all about. What is unusual is that only members are allowed to comment, which is not what I normally see. But overall, I think the website is pretty eye-catching, and it focuses on technology, design, ethonomics, leadership, and magazine/newsletters.

I find this article pretty amazing because this person actually creates a formula for coolness, and he claimed that he is cooler than lots of people. While claiming that, he also notices and aware of what the readers will say about him. Then he explains his definition of cool, which is all about your own “perception of the world”. He meant, “Our own little worlds”, and there are no one who really decides what cool is. Therefore, who are just individuals in this world and cool is all about “what you think it is”. In other words, the competition does not even exist. In my own opinion based on what this person wrote, I think he did make a good argument, and I mostly agreed with what he said. But is cool really just about “how you perceive your world”? I highly doubt about his hypothesis although he does make a good point.

“You’re not cool – I am. What is cool & finding the cool factor”. Doyle Buehler. Fastcompany.com. The Fast Company. 24 Jul 2008. Web. 9 Dec 2009.

This article is very short and is also from the Fast Company, called “The Nine Coolest Subway Stations in the World”. I think this article clearly defines “cool” as better than the others, putting others down in a competition of certain things. But one thing that I disagree with this article was that the subway in United States wasn’t as bad as they describes. Although what is more creative, and new is usually seem as the cooler ones, I think the subway in the U.S. still has its own taste in it. Of course, it is not the best, and is old and loud. But I think its design still has its typical recognition in it that people can easily know where it is from. If being creative and artistic about architecture is consider “cool” in this case, why aren’t the ones in New York is “cool” also?

“The Nine Coolest Subway Stations in the World”. Cliff Kuang. Fastcompany.com. The Fast Company. 24 Jul 2008. Web. 9 Dec 2009.

The song is from the album called "The Best of Sweetbox 1995-2005" by Sweetbox. I don't exactly know who they are, but I think the song gives a pretty different perspective of cool.

It is actually the first time I listen to this song called “Life is Cool” by the Sweetbox. Anyway, I think the definition of cool from this song is to appreciate life, and look at life from a positive side instead of complaining about the bad. I like the lyrics a lot, especially the lines “we’re all so busy tryin’ to get ahead…never satisfied, the grass is greener on the other side”. I think it basically sums up what “cool” is all about, to reach for the better, and never satisfied with what we already have. I personally agree with what this song mostly said, and I think it did provide a different perspective of what “cool” is all about.

“Life is Cool”. Sweetbox. Lyricsdownload.com. Lyrics Download. Web. 9 Dec 2009

HW 27 - Informal Research - Interviews and Surveys

Family Interview:

I choose my brother to interview because I think he is consider “cool” by his friends, lots of family members including myself, and sometimes strangers. [People want to be his friends because he is tall and nice looking, strangers think he is cool because often times people asked where you get that can we trade? My family likes to shop with him, because he has a typical good taste, often trying to be buy the piece that he brought. But my reaction of him was that it is not really because of the things that he brought, it is more of his original potential that brings it out,makes the "product" as attractive as they are to the others. He is always good at that, I don't know how.] I first asked him what is cool, and his definitions are different from most of the people that I asked or interviewed. Since both of us including our family did not really live under the American culture of “coolness”, my brother did not really used the word “cool” to mean attention, special…etc. “Cool” to him is just to describe a person’s who doesn’t talk a lot, and is hard to approach to. I would say his definition of “cool” lies more on the Chinese culture of cool, and that is what the dominant Chinese culture will define “cool”. But as I keep asking him, he said he is aware of how Americans used this term, consider a "nice/positive term to use", but he would never used that to categorize people. To him, if a person is wearing something typical or having a strong fashion sense, he will just call that person has taste, but he would not say “cool” as a response.

I noticed my brother is a very talkative when he feels like to be in a conversation, so I keep on going more in depth into the topic. I asked “is it possible to be true to yourself or does it even exists?” His answers are pretty neutral and as I said, he is aware of it. He never tries to stand on an extreme side, but talk about the possibilities and what he knows about different answers. For example, he will say “it depends; you can say I did copy somebody’s style or I didn’t, it is very inarguable”. He said he knew his style is not the one and only, but he is not trying to be anyone or his icon. He is just following certain style, not a specific person. Whether you think he is copying or not, to him, it is just depending on how you view it. Then I asked a follow up question, “what about you get a piece from this store, and another from a different store, and it matches perfectly, is that your style?” He said, “you can say it is, but again it is designed by varies of designers, so you can’t really say it is mine.”

Our conversation went pretty far, and somehow we talked about life and our dreams and who we want to be. Especially how we view the society and how fast things are changing every single day. I believed we did hit many of the insightful points, and I do believed we are aware of who we are and what we are doing although none of us end up with any solutions or conclusions. To end our conversation, I summarize his perspective and confirmed with him, “so it is possible to be yourself, and even you are trying to be certain ones that you look up to, as your example, Michael Jackson has someone that he looked up to even though he is the king of pop (is not about who starts it, is all about who does it better), you are being yourself, because that’s who you want to be, instead, if you are not trying to be the person you want to be because of others’ distraction, that seems more of not being true to yourself because you change your goal for the others. Is that right?” “Yeah, I do believe people can be themselves, the phrase, ‘we are the same, but we are different.’ Ad nauseum…”

Street Interview:

As I walked out of the school front door, I make a left and walk straight. The first person that I walked up to is a college student who said she is “rushing to class”, but I stopped her anyway since I knew she is not really “rushing”, she is just like any other person including myself, doesn’t like to get stop by strangers while walking. Anyway, so my first question to drag her into the conversation is “who is the coolest person that you look up to?” She looked kind of blank, so I gave her suggestion to guide her and said, “like any celebrities or characteristics of cool…”, then she said, “a person who is rich and have a lot of money is cool”. I was a little surprised by her answer, but to keep up with the conversation I asked, “where does that come from?”, she replied, “errr…I guess the media.” I saw looking at her watch, so I just asked her the last question, “do you think being cool is the most important thing in life?”, and she said, “no, there are more out there.” Then I let her go, and thanked her for the interview.

The second person that I walked up to is an old lady who is walking with her dog. I thought she would be nice enough to do a short interview, but she rejected and I don’t know why.

The third person that I get to interview is a guy around 20ish, just waiting to cross the street. So I walked up to him and asked, “hey, what is cool to you?”. He smiled a little and said, “oh, cook is a person who wears nice clothes, looking fresh.” Since he seems to be interested, I asked a follow up question, “where did all these ideas come from?”, he replied, “the media, magazines, big stars…etc.” I noticed he was aware of this topic, but the traffic light is about to turn so I asked, “do you mind answering the question whether you are cool or not?”, he is being really nice and said, “yeah, I think I am cool.” Then I thanked him, and he walked across the street.

The fourth person that I get to interview is a man walking with his dog, he looked pretty free so I walked up to him and asked him questions about coolness. My first question was “what do you think of cool?”, and he said, “I don’t know.” In order to continue the interview, I asked, “what about the newest things like the iphone, computer…etc.?” He seems annoyed and said, “I don’t care, I don’t value those things.” Then I said, “so you never try to be cool at all?” trying to make him to think of himself a little, and he said, “no, I am just trying to be myself.” From there, I said, “aren’t being yourself is cool?” His seems to be little surprised and said, “Well… I guess if that is the definition.” and walked away.

I realized people on the street often just don’t want to be bother and mostly refused to think and provide insightful answers, so I walked to a lady who walks very slow and thought she wasn’t rushing, and is possible to offer some cool answer with her red lip stick. But she immediately say “No, not right now!”. So I leave her alone.

The last person that I interview is a person who sits on the bench smoking. She saw me walking towards her and she didn’t go away, so I thought she doesn’t mind to be interviewed. Then I start asking, “What do you think of cool?”, and she said, “is to be yourself, and gets attention, just like a main character in the book.” I am amazed by her answer by putting it as a metaphor so I kept asking. “Oh, is it possible to be absolute yourself?” “Yes, of course we took it from the others or from different places, but then we somehow changed it make it our own.” I told her I agreed with her, and asked her one last question, “so it is not the original?”, and she said, “yeah, I guess you are right.” Then I thanked her saying “nice talking with you today” and told her it is time for me to go back to school and we smiled back to each other.

Friend Interview:

I consider this friend of mine normal, and when I said that, I mean she is just like any other 12th grader, who follows trends, has someone that she looked up to…etc. However, since she is not in this course, I choose to interview her and see what she thinks cool is. She replied, someone who is skinny, nice looking, and has a lot of money to spend on brands. Within my expectation, I asked her a follow up question, “what about being yourself? Is that cool?” She thought about it, and say, “Yes, trying to be unique and all…, but is not always cool. Sometimes people will get too self center, and that’s not cool.” “So cool is not all about being who you want to be but having nice clothes and appearance? You mean?” “Well, it depends. I would say both, people who dress in certain way because they wanted to be that way, whether they are being themselves or imitating, it is pointless to argue. Especially now a day, it is not about who is following who, it is about what group or style that you are in.” I am a little surprised by her answer, and since she seems to be interested, I keep asking. “Wow, it seems like you did think about this topic. Do you believe in such thing ‘to be true to yourself’?” “Yes, I do. We all know we are the same, but very different like DNA, identities…etc., but I do believe there is such thing call ‘yourself’. I know that exists, but whether you can find it or not, is all up to people.” “Right, before you find yourself, you must lose it first.” “Yeah, I agreed with what you say and I do believe most of us do feel that sometimes.” “Cool, thanks for the interview.”

HW 26 - Photos & Questions

1. Do you think you are cool? If yes, do you think you can be cooler?

Yes, I do think I am cool but of course not the coolest one.

2. What do you think cool is in terms of the way you dress?

Before I am very into fashion, I always think the most expensive clothes or brands are consider very cool. But as I know more about it, I notice that sometimes the small stores have some cool clothes also as long as you know how to mix and match them. Like the suit that I am wearing it right now, is just $70. I have few passerby asking me where I got that also...same for the shoes that I am wearing.

3. Where does your idea of cool come from?

hm...some from the people that I look up to like celebrities, and often times fashion magazines. But of course, I have to make sure their styles fits me or not, sometimes it looks good, but it is not necessary fits. So I have to revise the idea a little and make it my own.

4. How much time do you spend per day to make yourself cool?

At least 2 hours.

1. Do you think you are cool? If yes, do you think you can be cooler?

Instead of saying yes or no, can I say I am ok?

2. What do you think cool is in terms of the way you dress?

I think cool in a fashion view is to dress up with your own style, and when others look at you, they think you look acceptable or comfortable in a way.

3. Where does your idea of cool come from?

Some is my own style, and some are inspired by the trendy ones.

4. How much time do you spend per day to make yourself cool?

Around an hour.

1. Do you think you are cool? If yes, do you think you can be cooler?

Sometimes.

2. What do you think cool is in terms of the way you dress?

be classic, high fashion and a little edge

3. Where does your idea of cool come from?

magazines，TVshows，famous photographers,friends around me

4. How much time do you spend per day to make yourself cool?

if i am going to meet someone important or attend a party, i will spend 30mins to choose my dress and about 40mins to hair and make up and 5 mins to check all my cloth,shoes,bag,hair and make up to ensure everything is prefect