I don't know who can really relate to being cool. Even people who

In the quest for identity, the concept of coolness has often been a perplexing and elusive pursuit. Jacob Anderson's reflection on this is profound: "I don't know who can really relate to being cool. Even people who you think are cool, they are trying to be cool. Nobody can understand the feeling of being cool, really." His words speak to the insecurities and unspoken truths that lie beneath the surface of the human desire for approval and status. Coolness, it seems, is not something inherent, but a social construct that everyone is perpetually chasing, yet no one ever truly understands.

The ancients understood that the pursuit of social status and respect is a part of the human condition, but they also recognized the futility of seeking approval from others. In Greek philosophy, Socrates famously said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." This statement suggests that true fulfillment comes not from external validation, such as the praise of others or the pursuit of coolness, but from a deeper understanding of oneself. For Socrates, the key to true wisdom and fulfillment lay in self-awareness—not in the fickle judgments of society. Anderson's insight that even the "cool" are trying to be cool reflects this ancient truth: no one is immune to the pressures of external judgment, and the illusion of being cool is, in reality, just another layer of self-doubt.

Consider the example of Alexander the Great, a figure who sought the adulation of the world and strove to build a legacy of unmatched greatness. In his conquests, Alexander was often seen as the epitome of coolness—a leader of immense power, a conqueror whose name would echo through history. Yet, beneath the surface of his success, Alexander was constantly battling insecurities. He surrounded himself with intellectuals and sought the approval of his tutors and companions, often questioning his own greatness. His struggle to find peace in his identity, despite his vast empire, mirrors Anderson’s words—Alexander was, in many ways, no different from those who sought to be seen as cool in their time. His story is a reminder that even the most celebrated figures in history are often grappling with the same human need for acceptance and understanding.

In more modern history, we see this same struggle in the lives of figures like Marilyn Monroe, who, despite being an icon of beauty and coolness, was deeply haunted by her own feelings of insecurity and self-doubt. Monroe’s fame and the persona she created were symbols of desire and status, yet beneath the glossy surface, she was constantly trying to fit into the mold of what society deemed cool. Her life, though filled with admiration and attention, was marked by an internal battle between her public image and her private struggles. Monroe’s story illustrates the eternal truth that even those who seem to embody coolness are often searching for something deeper—a sense of self-worth that can never be fully realized through external praise or validation.

The lesson in Anderson’s words is that coolness is an illusion—an ideal that we constantly strive for but never fully attain. The pursuit of coolness, like the pursuit of fame or wealth, is ultimately hollow unless it is grounded in authenticity and self-understanding. True strength, true peace, and true confidence come from within, not from the way others perceive us. In the end, what makes a person truly "cool" is their ability to be true to themselves, to embrace their imperfections, and to stand firm in their own identity, free from the need for external approval.

In our own lives, we must ask: What are we chasing when we seek to be cool? Are we trying to meet society’s expectations, or are we striving to understand and embrace who we are at our core? The ancients teach us that the path to inner peace and true fulfillment lies in self-examination—in knowing who we are, independent of the judgments of others. Like Socrates, we must turn inward and ask ourselves the difficult questions: What is it that we truly seek? Is it approval, or is it something deeper—something that speaks to our authenticity?

The wisdom in Anderson's words is a call to freedom from the constraints of external validation. Instead of chasing the ever-elusive idea of being cool, we should focus on self-discovery, self-love, and inner peace. When we let go of the need to conform to others’ expectations, we free ourselves to embrace the unique qualities that make us who we are. In doing so, we will find that the pursuit of coolness is not about fitting into a mold, but about creating our own path—one that is true to our values and beliefs, unshaken by the fleeting judgments of the world around us. In the end, true coolness comes not from outward appearance, but from the strength to stand firmly in our own skin, confident in who we are, and who we are becoming.