Hot or cool?

It is often said that 'hot' and 'cool', in the context of Zeitgeist, mean the same thing. This is not at all the case.

Cool is so-laid-back-it's-almost-horizontal. Cool is aloof and arrogant: it is dismissive puff of the late-night cigarette under the dim streetlamp, the slight twist of the eyebrow, the stifled yawn and the curl of the lip. Cool, you can say with a sneer, just is, and always will be. Cool is dismissive. It is tangible, it is heavenly, but it so terribly calm.

Hot is another game entirely. Hot is a lustful spark that ignites; it burns swiftly, brightly, and then is gone. Hot is in the moment, of the moment, blink-and-you-missed-it; it takes you by surprise and turns your life upside down: you'd better jump on board or you'll be left trailing in its fiery wake. Hot is bright lights and absinthe and pumping adrenaline. Hot makes you want to stand on rooftops and shout into the red-hot night.

Cool is admired. Envied, even. But hot is a love affair.

GQ 9.11