Cool (African aesthetic): Difference between revisions
Deeceevoice (talk | contribs) Moved from Cool (which should become a diambiguation page or dropped) |
Deeceevoice (talk | contribs) Moved from Cool (which should become a diambiguation page or dropped) |
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'''Cool''' is a complex [[aesthetic]] of motion and interval, of tension and tranquility, of juxtaposition and coexistence, that has its roots in various [[West Africa|West African]] cultures. The cool aesthetic permeates [[African-American]] culture, in [[Blacks|black]] artistic and musical expression, in the hitch in the " |
'''Cool''' is a complex [[aesthetic]] of motion and interval, of tension and tranquility, of juxtaposition and coexistence, that has its roots in various [[West Africa|West African]] cultures. The cool aesthetic permeates [[African-American]] culture, in [[Blacks|black]] artistic and musical expression, in the hitch in the "pimp" strut of urban black men, in dress, demeanor and speech. Over time, "cool" has been appropriated by American and world popular culture, generally, especially among youth. |
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The word |
The word itself, even in its original West African context, has a range of related adjectival meanings which have parallels in English slang usage: "cool" can describe a state of wellness, calm or general well-being; an absence of conflict, or something aesthetically appealing. |
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In pop culture, "cool" sometimes is associated with an element of arrogant self-awareness. Yet, within the boundaries of a mutually reinforcing cultural group, such as a high school |
In pop culture, "cool" sometimes is associated with an element of arrogant self-awareness. Yet, within the boundaries of a mutually reinforcing cultural group, such as a high school clique, this trait can be viewed positively. Within such a group, shame can become a tool of control and conformity. Those deemed "uncool" by the group are marked as unworthy outsiders. Likewise, outsiders often may deride the "cool" group as merely self-centered or conceited. In youth culture, "cool" often is used to describe someone or something conforming to a set of social values which are seen as countercultural, i.e., which challenge norms or traditional mores of the dominant, or adult, culture. |
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Cool can also be: |
Cool can also be: |
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A temperature |
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An alternative name for Cumhail |
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Cool, a manga |
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*[[Concurrent Object-Oriented Language]] |
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Revision as of 18:13, 6 March 2005
Cool is a complex aesthetic of motion and interval, of tension and tranquility, of juxtaposition and coexistence, that has its roots in various West African cultures. The cool aesthetic permeates African-American culture, in black artistic and musical expression, in the hitch in the "pimp" strut of urban black men, in dress, demeanor and speech. Over time, "cool" has been appropriated by American and world popular culture, generally, especially among youth.
The word itself, even in its original West African context, has a range of related adjectival meanings which have parallels in English slang usage: "cool" can describe a state of wellness, calm or general well-being; an absence of conflict, or something aesthetically appealing.
In pop culture, "cool" sometimes is associated with an element of arrogant self-awareness. Yet, within the boundaries of a mutually reinforcing cultural group, such as a high school clique, this trait can be viewed positively. Within such a group, shame can become a tool of control and conformity. Those deemed "uncool" by the group are marked as unworthy outsiders. Likewise, outsiders often may deride the "cool" group as merely self-centered or conceited. In youth culture, "cool" often is used to describe someone or something conforming to a set of social values which are seen as countercultural, i.e., which challenge norms or traditional mores of the dominant, or adult, culture.
References
Lewis MacAdams, Birth of the Cool. Beat, Bebop and the American Avant-Garde, Free Press, 2001. The title of the book comes from Miles Davis's 1949-1950 jazz recording sessions. This is not intended as a scholarly work, and is reported to have many (relatively minor) inaccuracies.
Cool can also be:
A temperature An alternative name for Cumhail Cool, a manga