Thoughts on Cool

I have noticed, through my interactions with other young people, the intense preoccupation with being perceived as cool. When we declare a major in college, for example, we do not let ourselves become wrapped up in our discipline.We keep it at a distance and treat it as our means to an end. Our Passport to Privilege (Steve Garber).

We declare a major because the undecided student looks indecisive and uncool. Instead we enter into work that does not resonate with us. In regard to our public life, we keep our options open, never letting on that we are passionate about any one thing, lest we be considered a nerd.

Consequently, we do not engage, we do net enter into community. Somewhere along the line apathy has become cool. The apathetic person is often guarding their heart never letting on that they are committed to anything and thus never saitisfied by the full realization of a passion. And sadly they may never become committed to any cause greater than themselves.