A Functional Analysis of Coolness

In this essay, I’ll describe the aspects and dynamics of coolness, with the goal of transforming dweebs into cool people. We’ll discuss the difference between Dweebs and Nerds, the difficulty of talking about coolness, the two types of coolness, and the status gains from respecting the 7 Rules of Coolness.

The Dynamics: comparative, rivalrous, & relative.

Coolness is a comparative term — the opposite of lameness. It’s also rivalrous — if something is cool, it can’t also be lame. Lastly, coolness is relative — if everything’s cool, then nothing is.

By extension, not everyone can be cool, causing an arms race for this valuable and mysterious asset. Coolness is also a social dynamic. Coolness isn’t some airy abstraction — it’s fully embodied in the interactions of people with the quality. Coolness is very hard to fake, making it an expensive and complex signal of many other desirable traits.

The “Virgin” Dweeb VS the “Chad” Nerd

As recently as the 1980’s and 90’s, coolness opposed both nerdiness and dweebiness.