Posted by cav on May 28, 2005 at 02:46:45:
In Reply to: Re: the cool factor posted by Tim O on May 27, 2005 at 18:24:38:
I think confidence may cut both ways. Because the goofy guy was extremely confident, and it made him look even sillier, like he was so confident that he looked good but didn't...the old Offspring song, you know? But then the other guy was just as confident, so I guess that factor cancels itself out. But I think you may be onto something with the way he carries himself. That had to be a lot of it...of course people disagree on fashion, etc, but then anything can look stylish if carried right...I mean that's the whole thrift store bit isn't it, many people can take anything and make it look good.
Then maybe it has to do with WHAT he did. While it may have taken some skill to do that flag whipping, what's the point really. It didn't serve any purpose but to draw attention to himself and his jaunty gait. Whereas the other guy was accomplishing something efficiently and quickly so his equally skilled and energetic motions served an obvious purpose...I think that may be it...I can think of lots of examples where people learn to do something well that really only serves to beg attention for themselves. The ones who look cool, aren't trying to show off, their just doing their thing.
...but then what about performers, I mean aren't they trying to draw attention to themselves too? But they look good. I bet it's more basic than that. I bet it is rooted in our biology somewhere. Like all humans call big eyes, large heads, soft features, etc, "cute". It is genetic to engender a feeling of attraction and protection. That's even why other mammals often won't harm small children. I wonder if there is some sort of universal commonality for what we call "silly". Like round shapes, bouncy movements, nonsequiter expressions (i.e. he looked so serious doing the flourish, but if he had looked like he was being silly, we wouldn't have thought HIM goofy, only that he was ACTING goofy).
...and then by my own definition I'll seem very silly if I hound this thing too far, right?
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: maybe it has something to do with confidence, or it might ahve something with the way someone carries oneself. it seems like any doughy person who carries themself on their toes with a "jaunty gait" is going to look a little goofy, no matter what their doing.