We all like to think that we don't care about being cool, but really there's no way of getting away from the influencing factors all around us. So we ask, in today's society, who really gets to decide what's cool?
The media
Undeniably the biggest influencing factor of them all, the media bombards us day-in, day-out with images projecting what is and is not cool. The television, magazines, films, Internet; they all dictate to us what is cool instead of reporting what society really finds cool. But the media does not just focus on the popular; they also cleverly market unique or even controversial trends to people less mainstream who are after something different as a way of being cool. Lady Gaga's appearance in the media is a fine example of wackiness turned cool.
Celebrities
All day, everyday, children and adults are bombarded by images of celebrities by the media who tell us that what they are wearing or doing is cool. We can't deny that most of us (especially women) turn to celebrities for the latest fashion trends, but a singer, actor, presenter, sports person or even a politician only has to start wearing, going to or doing something new for it to automatically become cool.
Retail and advertising
When it comes to keeping up with what is cool, the shops and their adverts are the biggest providers. After all, we can't 'be' cool if the shops don't stock what 'is' cool. Whether shops stock what is already perceived as cool, or they themselves create what is cool through careful advertising, the retail industry has one of the biggest parts to play in maintaining cool trends.
There are always pockets of people that don't buy into what is cool, instead sticking to their own unique styles or attitudes. But even trends that are not cool can suddenly become cool through careful advertising and product placement, and likewise, people can suddenly turn on what is cool, instantly rejecting it.
The media
Undeniably the biggest influencing factor of them all, the media bombards us day-in, day-out with images projecting what is and is not cool. The television, magazines, films, Internet; they all dictate to us what is cool instead of reporting what society really finds cool. But the media does not just focus on the popular; they also cleverly market unique or even controversial trends to people less mainstream who are after something different as a way of being cool. Lady Gaga's appearance in the media is a fine example of wackiness turned cool.
Celebrities
All day, everyday, children and adults are bombarded by images of celebrities by the media who tell us that what they are wearing or doing is cool. We can't deny that most of us (especially women) turn to celebrities for the latest fashion trends, but a singer, actor, presenter, sports person or even a politician only has to start wearing, going to or doing something new for it to automatically become cool.
Retail and advertising
When it comes to keeping up with what is cool, the shops and their adverts are the biggest providers. After all, we can't 'be' cool if the shops don't stock what 'is' cool. Whether shops stock what is already perceived as cool, or they themselves create what is cool through careful advertising, the retail industry has one of the biggest parts to play in maintaining cool trends.
There are always pockets of people that don't buy into what is cool, instead sticking to their own unique styles or attitudes. But even trends that are not cool can suddenly become cool through careful advertising and product placement, and likewise, people can suddenly turn on what is cool, instantly rejecting it.
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