Of course there’s more that can be said or nuanced on this topic. I was pleased to get a note from a younger-generation friend (now in his 30s) calling into question my hypothesis that the cool is less a matter of temperature than is the hot. He makes a good argument.

Haha! Love it. But based on my understanding of the term “cool”, l think a “cool” person does cool people’s spirits the same way a “hot” person excites them. I think it’s still more about the observer. A heterosexual man might refer to another man as “cool” because he’s laid back and generally cools the vibe. A heterosexual woman might refer to the same man as “hot” because he heats her up? Not sure, just a thought.

Well noted. More rumination may be required.