Our team of researchers recently dove into these cultural icons. In the process, they pinpointed six basic personality factors that lead someone to be seen as “cool.” The research is poorly publicized, presenting figures from fields such as top athletes, musicians and actors. It shows how these people command attention and engage their audiences. By examining the lives and legacies of notable personalities like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Beyoncé, and Albert Einstein, the research sheds light on what it means to be cool in today’s society.
Multifaceted Connections
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson deserves special mention as an exemplar of this new style of charisma. Importantly, he connects instantly with disparate constituencies—connecting the dots between athletes and Disney princesses. His uncanny knack for linking disparate realms speaks to his versatility. It proves the power of relatability in helping to craft a successful public image.
In much the same way, Beyoncé checks every box because she’s done not just reshape music and fashion, but the entire social discourse over the last 20 years. Her influence transcends entertainment, as she has emerged as one of America’s most important voices for feminism and empowerment. This layered strategy cements her place in pop artifact, which we’ll now get into, cultural icon status.
Albert Einstein Perhaps best known in popular culture for his scientific genius, Albert Einstein invented a radical new way of understanding the world around us. His ability to look ahead, inspire others to push the limits of tradition, and willingness to be different only adds to his cool factor. These numbers paint a picture of how deeply connected efforts across several spheres can have a meaningful, long-lasting impact.
Challenging Norms
Muhammad Ali changed the worlds of both sports and civil rights with his unparalleled swagger and superiority. He was still a gifted athlete in the ring but transitioned into an often controversial voice for equality and civil rights. Ali’s deep-seated conviction and courage to defy conventions led him to become the epitome of courage and coolness for generations to come.
In this second version of the story, Robin Hood acts outside the law rule-breaking in a way that’s seen as morally right. His legendary act of stealing from the rich to feed the poor resonates with ideals of heroism and rebellion against inequality. First, this narrative breeds the idea that questioning the status quo, as long as your heart is in the right place, can create an aura of edginess.
Dean Moriarity, the protagonist of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road,” is the archetype of the restless spirit in search of new adventures. His travels around America reveal a curiosity and fire that I think anyone would quickly agree is at the heart of what it means to be cool. Anthony Bourdain was definitely Explore’s spirit animal. He helped change that by crisscrossing the globe to track down cool under-the-radar masterpieces that raised the bar for culinary cool.
The Mythos of Fast-Living
Many artists, as you know, have achieved legendary status by living life in the fast lane and leaving a legendary corpse in their wake. Janis Joplin, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Tupac Shakur are prime examples of individuals whose tumultuous lives added layers to their artistry. It’s no wonder their tales of passion and struggle turn audiences into rabid fans, further entrenching them as icons of cool.
Steve Jobs revolutionized the technology industry by ignoring all the usual rules. That vision resulted in the development of revolutionary products that changed the world and passed the iWork, Macintosh, iTunes and the iPhone. Jobs’s innovative spirit continues to be an inspiration for entrepreneurs and creatives across the globe.
The Fonz from Happy Days represents the old-school social charisma ideal. His coolness, self-confidence and chill attitude made him magnetic. His character, Fonzarelli, is still widely recognized as a symbol of coolness in American pop culture, proving that the power of charisma can have an eternal impact.
Billie Eilish embodies that new school of cool, as she and her badass pals soar into the 21st century’s second decade. Her courage to stretch the boundaries of musical genres and defy the rules of the industry has brought her critical recognition and popular following. Eilish’s authenticity and originality connects her to a younger audience, making her one of the most interesting and groundbreaking artists in the world right now.
Academic Perspectives
Caleb Warren, an associate professor at the University of Arizona, helps decipher these cultural undercurrents with his recent academic research. His thoughts are hugely helpful to have as context for figuring out what characteristics help someone become seen as cool in the first place.