> *For the purpose of this writing, I’m defining “cool” as
> those who don’t conform, who don’t always fit in nor do
> they try to, and who follow their own path; and “uncool”
> as those who dress, act, and have the same tastes as the
> masses and are vulnerable to corporate influences.<p>This is total bollocks. "Cool" is not, and has never been, about not fitting in, or following your own path. It's about following the same path as everyone else, but being on the outside edge of the herd - just ahead of everyone else it best, but just the right distance behind works too. Best of all is to be just ahead of a small herd that is itself just ahead of the mainstream.<p>David Bowie was cool. Daniel Johnston was just an oddball.<p>There are dozens if not hundreds of people who frequent HN who have never taken an interest in conforming, and who follow their own noses. I'm one of them, and no-one has EVER considered me to be "cool".