What Is Cool?
The Tortured Rise of the All-American Bro
The misogynist portrait of modern American masculinity may be a historical accident. Here’s how to fix it.
Taking From Hip-Hop and Giving to White Kids: Girl Talk's Music
The DJ, whose mixes of rap and pop music crossed some racial and ethical lines, is now making his own hip-hop.
Future Islands, Emo, and How Honesty Became Cool
Or: Earnestness is the new black.
President Obama Is Cool
The president's appearance on Between Two Ferns is just another part of a well-crafted and ever-present image.
Why Isn't 'The Americans' More Popular?
Although it's not necessarily lacking in viewership, FX's best show still isn't talked about in the same way as Game of Thrones or Mad Men.
How a 47-Year-Old's Album About His Own Mortality Became Cool
By turning a memoir into self-aware record, Mark Kozelek, a.k.a. Sun Kil Moon, has managed to captivate the early-2014 music world.
Matthew McConaughey: Coolest Man in America?
With a new series on HBO and a starring role in an upcoming Christopher Nolan movie, everything's in place for the former Fool's Gold star.
Why 'The Wolf of Wall Street' Exists
If a movie walks you through hell, that doesn't mean it actually wants you to go there.
The Self-Fulfilling Oscar Calendar
How the Academy Awards shrink the year in movies to down to no more than a few months.
How 'The Hunger Games' Got Cool
In just over a year, the young-adult book series has become a widespread cultural touchstone.
What Is Cool? Shia LaBeouf and the Almost Movie Star
Whatever Shia LaBeouf is, it's not cool. At least not yet.
What Is Cool? Lorde and the Trouble With Talented Teenagers
A 16-year-old from New Zealand might've just released the best pop album of the year. For some people, and for some reason, that's a problem.
What Is Cool? 'Grand Theft Auto V'
The latest offering from Rockstar Games seemed to capture the public's attention—but something vital remains missing.
What Will Be 2013's Coolest Movie?
In what's been a weird year for movies, could Sandra Bullock be the star of 2013's coolest film?
What Is Cool? Gosling, Jake Johnson, and the Not-Dead Movie Star
Long live Ryan Gosling and Jake Johnson.
What Is Cool?: Kanye, Jay-Z, J. Cole, Killer Mike, and El-P
With the American rock star falling by the wayside, rappers have become the ultimate arbiters of cool. Some, though, do it better than others.