The Concept Of Cool

"Stardate 29263.8 - Mr Snuggles had a bad night's sleep..."

I was never one of the cool kids at school. I liked too much geeky stuff - heavy metal and computer games instead of smoking and fighting. I was never much good at smoking – the first time I tried I put the wrong end in my mouth and when I eventually got it the right way round, I inhaled so hard that I coughed my lungs inside out. I wasn’t much good at fighting either because I never really practiced – I only had two notable fights during my secondary school years, both with kids younger than me (look – I said I wasn’t very good, ok?), but I thankfully came out the better on both occasions (girls are pretty easy to beat).

I suppose I’m not so different now, but the concept of cool has shifted. It’s suddenly fashionable for a guy my age to have a PSP. I may no longer be into The ‘Maiden and Metallica, but I collect vinyl and because I mix it with a pair of oversized headphones, it makes me hip. I think this is something that happens with age – what was perceived to be cool during your school years i.e. being a dropout, suddenly isn’t quite so appealing when it means having to wear a uniform with a name badge (no disrespect to people who wear name badges by the way. I won’t judge you as long as you don’t judge me when I ask for extra large fries).

Sadly there are some people who will never snap out of the geek stereotype. Take sonny-jim with the teddy in the picture above. Let’s be honest – there was never really any hope for him. Destined for a life of conventions and seeking rare trading cards on eBay from the confines of his mother’s basement. But as long as it keeps him happy, eh? That and a steady supply of internet porn.

The concept of cool is a strange thing. All it’s really about is acceptance by our peers. And if your peers are a teddy called Mr Snuggles and a life-size cardboard Dalek, I guess you’ll always be cool to them.

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