Why do some ppl have a difficult time grasping the 'Cool Wall'?

[timbuktu]

Originally Posted by Dsemaj

The 911 is definitely not cool. Just think about the people who drive them - can you ever think of one cool person that has driven one? Everyone I've seen driving a 911 is a wanker

Richard Hammond drives one (a 997), I think he's pretty cool and definitely not a wanker. He also wears ostrich leather cowboy boots.

Steve McQueen drove a 911 in LeMans and bought one after the movie. But, I'm not sure if you meant *all* 911 drivers including pre 993.

[edkwon]

Originally Posted by timbuktu

Richard Hammond drives one (a 997), I think he's pretty cool and definitely not a wanker. He also wears ostrich leather cowboy boots.

Steve McQueen drove a 911 in LeMans and bought one after the movie. But, I'm not sure if you meant *all* 911 drivers including pre 993.

they maybe 2 individuals that aren't uncool and own 911s, but they do not represent the current image of the 911, its the legions of douchebag owners that do.

youre just giving examples of cool ppl who own an uncool car.

[skylock]

Originally Posted by Ottobon

First of all, if you call fast, powerful, and good looking a "shallow" set of values again I'll stick a pencil in your eye. Secondly most people are simply used to associating cool with anything they happen to like. We happen to be blessed with presenters that like using their vocabulary to the best extent possible. Personally i always liked the fact that the Cool Wall didn't completely make sense. I'm sure you could argue all day that it provides arelevant commentary on modern society, but to be honest i think its just a awesome excuse to bullshit about cars, and thats why i like it.


Disclaimer:I have no intentions to actually stab anybody with pencils, it called a joke, so don't neg rep me and whine to Quicky

+1 because your disclaimer made me laugh.

I know next to nothing about cars. I even have trouble finding my own in a crowded parking lot sometimes, but I still loved the cool wall.

[the infinite jar]

Originally Posted by edkwon

...(i.e. practicality, ease of driving, safety)

I kind of disagree with what you say here; I think that if a car has these things, but at the same time avoids being completely boring, it can be cool. It's a car that doesn't have anything to prove. It isn't trying to impress anyone, because that is the opposite of cool, trying to be cool. A good example would be the newer Volvos: they look good and are practical and safe, and I think they're cool.

Coolness can be quite subjective however, so I'm expecting someone will disagree with me.

[timbuktu]

Originally Posted by edkwon

they maybe 2 individuals that aren't uncool and own 911s, but they do not represent the current image of the 911, its the legions of douchebag owners that do.

youre just giving examples of cool ppl who own an uncool car.

Yeah, and that's exactly what Dsemaj asked for.
"can you ever think of one cool person that has driven one?"

He was using hyperbole, I was using hyperbole. Sheesh, get a grip. I even agreed with you that pre-993s are cool, and that I don't think 996 and 997s are cool.

[hansvonaxion]

The first problem is, "cool" is a subjective term.

The second problem is Jeremy Clarkson is doing the judging.

A middle-aged, overweight man who tucks his shirts into his jeans has no place judging what is or isn't "cool".

[Richmondgal]

I think IMO, cool is defined by what you think is cool, not by what everyone else thinks.

[Plissken]

Originally Posted by Richmondgal

I think IMO, cool is defined by what you think is cool, not by what everyone else thinks.

This.

Cool is in the eye of the beholder. Are 911s cool? The normal range, no. But the 911 Turbo, oh yes, cool on a stick.

Then again, I don't think Evos or Imprezas are cool - just trying a bit too hard, you know?

[TopGearDog]

Originally Posted by Richmondgal

I think IMO, cool is defined by what you think is cool, not by what everyone else thinks.

Bingo!

There are alot of cars that people think are cool that i dont like and cars that i like that people generally dont think are cool. And even if you pick a very popular car that alot of people like, there is always going to be someone who thinks it's not cool.

Cars are like music, there are so many artists and genres to choose from, but but you'd have a hard time finding something everyone likes.

[controlspecimen]

It took me a while to totally "get" what Clarkson was saying about good != cool, and bad could be cool. But...

I think the Cool Wall shows how Clarkson has evolved over the years. At first, he was opinioniated, but not so overbearing and had a quick wit as opposed to just name calling. He was also able to hold a civilized argument. I think the show's success has gone to his head and he must have some opinion just for the sake of annoying people. I liked the old Cool Wall segments when he went through the logic of how it worked, and Hammond actually agreed with most of his decisions. Later Clarkson started violating his own rules and Hammond tried in vain to uphold them, with Clarkson just making up excuses for every exception.

[La Chaton]

You know, I get how they don't think things like porches are cool just because they go fast, since it's so overdone, but then again, sometimes things are just timelessly cool. Like, personally, I think the Bugatti Veyron shouldn't be so uncool, I mean, it's just so fast and powerful, and it looks awesome.

I know, that does kind of go against it, but "cool" is all a matter of opinion. Just look at how much Hammond and Jeremy disagree when deciding where to put things.

[mclarensmps]

^ Hehehe I think the Veyron is supremely uncool, I also think it's supremely ugly.

[La Chaton]

Originally Posted by mclarensmps

^ Hehehe I think the Veyron is supremely uncool, I also think it's supremely ugly.

Aww? Really? I think it looks amazing. But then again I also think most mercs and bentleys(sp?) are hideous.

[BlaRo]

Originally Posted by katwalk

My car was cool before the wall burnt down

I'm sure it would be cool if YOU were driving it. If I was, I'd be below "Seriously Uncool", and a wormhole would open up below my feet to suck me into a yet-undiscovered 10th Circle of Hell.

Basically, you gotta be tongue-in-cheek and have a good sense of humor to appreciate coolness in the Cool Wall. It's why obvious things like the new 911, F430s, and Lamborghinis aren't as cool as, say, old Yank Tanks.

[La Chaton]

^ Yes, I definitely agree with that, but I really love Veyrons, so in my book, they're cool.

[Labcoatguy]

Interesting point you just raised....I get the feeling that it's cool for girls to be in the latest, fastest, angriest machinery (Evo, Corvette, maybe even 911), but quite the opposite for men, who end up just looking like cocks. Dis/agree?

Originally Posted by edkwon

I know what youre trying to say but think about what you just typed and you'll see youre actually agreeing with me. youre nitpicking details, but you cannot deny what i'm saying is basically true. How many times has something you perceived as 'cool' been devalued because your parents said 'i like that a lot'.

Perception of cool is partly a way of maintaining uniqueness and exclusivity and someone you perceive as 'uncool' (i.e. parents, ignorant car ppl, ppl you dislike, etc....) agreeing w you encroaches on your personal territory.

I was bringing up a special case to see just how far the "parents liking something=it's uncool" rule stretched. So yes, we do agree

[La Chaton]

Originally Posted by Labcoatguy

Interesting point you just raised....I get the feeling that it's cool for girls to be in the latest, fastest, angriest machinery (Evo, Corvette, maybe even 911), but quite the opposite for men, who end up just looking like cocks. Dis/agree?

You know, you may be on to something there. Because I know I do personally prefer edgier cars, like Lotuses and Koenisgseggs(sp?) whereas my dad likes things like classic Shelbies and old Feraries.

Haha, I just realized, you put 911s into a more feminine liked catagory, which I think many be true, and Hammy loves them.