Why are some people cool and others, well, not? The six traits that make you stand out from the crowd
A new study suggests that there are six specific traits that these people tend to have in common: Cool people are largely perceived to be extroverted, hedonistic, powerful, adventurous, open and autonomous.
The study, which was published on Monday in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, surveyed nearly 6,000 participants from 12 countries around the world. Their beliefs about what's 'cool' were similar regardless of where the study participants lived, and despite differences in age, income level, education or gender.
'What blew my mind was the fact that it was pretty much the same result everywhere,' says Caleb Warren, one of the authors of the study and a professor at the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona who has researched consumer psychology for two decades.
In the study, each participant had to recognise the word 'cool' in English, without translation, suggesting that they were already familiar with — or maybe even idolised — notions of coolness from wealthy Western countries like the United States.
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The study offers a window into the spread of cultural beliefs from one group of people to another, says Joseph Henrich, an anthropologist and a professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University who was not involved in the study.
'Globally, American success has led to the diffusion of music styles and an immense amount of cultural content, including, apparently, the concept of cool,' Henrich says.
Coolness is not a widely studied subject. Past research has found that coolness is usually considered something positive: people who are cool are also friendly, competent, trendy and attractive. But Warren and his colleagues wanted to know what makes a person distinctly 'cool' rather than just 'good'.
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The Advertiser
17 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Diddy found not guilty of most serious sex charges
A US judge has denied Sean "Diddy" Combs' request for release from jail ahead of sentencing, after the music mogul was cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him behind bars for life but found guilty of lesser prostitution-related offences. At a hearing in Manhattan federal court hours after the verdict was read, US District Judge Arun Subramanian said Combs must remain in federal lockup in Brooklyn for now given the ample evidence presented at trial of violent acts Combs had committed. "It is impossible for the defendant to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that he poses no danger," Subramanian said. The verdict on Wednesday was overall a win for Combs, a former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture. The 12-member jury unanimously convicted him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. It acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking two of his former romantic partners: the rhythm and blues singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane. Prosecutors acknowledged in a court filing that federal sentencing guidelines appeared to recommend a maximum sentence of five-and-a-quarter years. Combs' lawyers argued that two years would be the outer limit. After the verdict, Combs knelt before his chair and appeared to pray. Combs then rose and faced the courtroom gallery. "I'm gonna be home soon," he said, smiling and clasping his hands. "I love you. Thank you, I love you." Combs' family and supporters erupted into applause and cheers. Once famed for hosting lavish parties for the cultural elite in luxurious locales like the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, Combs had pleaded not guilty to all five counts. He faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence on each of the two prostitution counts. Combs' lawyers had urged Subramanian to release Combs on $1 million bond, arguing in a court filing the prostitution offences were "far less serious" than the sex trafficking and racketeering charges he faced at the time he was ordered detained pending trial. Prosecutors argued Combs should remain in jail because he remained a danger to the community, pointing to Jane's testimony at trial that he assaulted her and coerced her into sex with a male prostitute in June 2024 while he was aware he was under federal investigation. The seven-week trial focused on prosecutors' allegations that Combs for two decades used his business empire to force Ventura and Jane to take part in drug-fuelled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as "Freak Offs" with male sex workers in hotel rooms while Combs watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed. Prosecutors unsuccessfully argued that Combs' conduct toward both women amounted to sex trafficking because he compelled Ventura and Jane to take part in the performances using physical violence and threats to withhold financial support or leak sexually explicit images of them. After the verdict, Combs' family left the courthouse to chants of "love, love, love" from Combs' supporters. During his career, Combs' stage monikers included Love, Puff Daddy and P. Diddy. In a statement after the verdict, Manhattan US Attorney Jay Clayton and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel said sex crimes were "all too present" across society and that Americans wanted it to stop. Combs still faces dozens of civil lawsuits accusing him of abuse. Ventura sued him in November 2023 for sex trafficking, and they settled a day later for $US20 million ($A30 million). Combs, once feted for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars, has denied all wrongdoing. After the verdict, Ventura's lawyer Douglas Wigdor said in a statement that she had "paved the way" for Combs' conviction. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 A US judge has denied Sean "Diddy" Combs' request for release from jail ahead of sentencing, after the music mogul was cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him behind bars for life but found guilty of lesser prostitution-related offences. At a hearing in Manhattan federal court hours after the verdict was read, US District Judge Arun Subramanian said Combs must remain in federal lockup in Brooklyn for now given the ample evidence presented at trial of violent acts Combs had committed. "It is impossible for the defendant to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that he poses no danger," Subramanian said. The verdict on Wednesday was overall a win for Combs, a former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture. The 12-member jury unanimously convicted him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. It acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking two of his former romantic partners: the rhythm and blues singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane. Prosecutors acknowledged in a court filing that federal sentencing guidelines appeared to recommend a maximum sentence of five-and-a-quarter years. Combs' lawyers argued that two years would be the outer limit. After the verdict, Combs knelt before his chair and appeared to pray. Combs then rose and faced the courtroom gallery. "I'm gonna be home soon," he said, smiling and clasping his hands. "I love you. Thank you, I love you." Combs' family and supporters erupted into applause and cheers. Once famed for hosting lavish parties for the cultural elite in luxurious locales like the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, Combs had pleaded not guilty to all five counts. He faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence on each of the two prostitution counts. Combs' lawyers had urged Subramanian to release Combs on $1 million bond, arguing in a court filing the prostitution offences were "far less serious" than the sex trafficking and racketeering charges he faced at the time he was ordered detained pending trial. Prosecutors argued Combs should remain in jail because he remained a danger to the community, pointing to Jane's testimony at trial that he assaulted her and coerced her into sex with a male prostitute in June 2024 while he was aware he was under federal investigation. The seven-week trial focused on prosecutors' allegations that Combs for two decades used his business empire to force Ventura and Jane to take part in drug-fuelled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as "Freak Offs" with male sex workers in hotel rooms while Combs watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed. Prosecutors unsuccessfully argued that Combs' conduct toward both women amounted to sex trafficking because he compelled Ventura and Jane to take part in the performances using physical violence and threats to withhold financial support or leak sexually explicit images of them. After the verdict, Combs' family left the courthouse to chants of "love, love, love" from Combs' supporters. During his career, Combs' stage monikers included Love, Puff Daddy and P. Diddy. In a statement after the verdict, Manhattan US Attorney Jay Clayton and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel said sex crimes were "all too present" across society and that Americans wanted it to stop. Combs still faces dozens of civil lawsuits accusing him of abuse. Ventura sued him in November 2023 for sex trafficking, and they settled a day later for $US20 million ($A30 million). Combs, once feted for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars, has denied all wrongdoing. After the verdict, Ventura's lawyer Douglas Wigdor said in a statement that she had "paved the way" for Combs' conviction. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 A US judge has denied Sean "Diddy" Combs' request for release from jail ahead of sentencing, after the music mogul was cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him behind bars for life but found guilty of lesser prostitution-related offences. At a hearing in Manhattan federal court hours after the verdict was read, US District Judge Arun Subramanian said Combs must remain in federal lockup in Brooklyn for now given the ample evidence presented at trial of violent acts Combs had committed. "It is impossible for the defendant to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that he poses no danger," Subramanian said. The verdict on Wednesday was overall a win for Combs, a former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture. The 12-member jury unanimously convicted him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. It acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking two of his former romantic partners: the rhythm and blues singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane. Prosecutors acknowledged in a court filing that federal sentencing guidelines appeared to recommend a maximum sentence of five-and-a-quarter years. Combs' lawyers argued that two years would be the outer limit. After the verdict, Combs knelt before his chair and appeared to pray. Combs then rose and faced the courtroom gallery. "I'm gonna be home soon," he said, smiling and clasping his hands. "I love you. Thank you, I love you." Combs' family and supporters erupted into applause and cheers. Once famed for hosting lavish parties for the cultural elite in luxurious locales like the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, Combs had pleaded not guilty to all five counts. He faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence on each of the two prostitution counts. Combs' lawyers had urged Subramanian to release Combs on $1 million bond, arguing in a court filing the prostitution offences were "far less serious" than the sex trafficking and racketeering charges he faced at the time he was ordered detained pending trial. Prosecutors argued Combs should remain in jail because he remained a danger to the community, pointing to Jane's testimony at trial that he assaulted her and coerced her into sex with a male prostitute in June 2024 while he was aware he was under federal investigation. The seven-week trial focused on prosecutors' allegations that Combs for two decades used his business empire to force Ventura and Jane to take part in drug-fuelled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as "Freak Offs" with male sex workers in hotel rooms while Combs watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed. Prosecutors unsuccessfully argued that Combs' conduct toward both women amounted to sex trafficking because he compelled Ventura and Jane to take part in the performances using physical violence and threats to withhold financial support or leak sexually explicit images of them. After the verdict, Combs' family left the courthouse to chants of "love, love, love" from Combs' supporters. During his career, Combs' stage monikers included Love, Puff Daddy and P. Diddy. In a statement after the verdict, Manhattan US Attorney Jay Clayton and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel said sex crimes were "all too present" across society and that Americans wanted it to stop. Combs still faces dozens of civil lawsuits accusing him of abuse. Ventura sued him in November 2023 for sex trafficking, and they settled a day later for $US20 million ($A30 million). Combs, once feted for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars, has denied all wrongdoing. After the verdict, Ventura's lawyer Douglas Wigdor said in a statement that she had "paved the way" for Combs' conviction. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 A US judge has denied Sean "Diddy" Combs' request for release from jail ahead of sentencing, after the music mogul was cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him behind bars for life but found guilty of lesser prostitution-related offences. At a hearing in Manhattan federal court hours after the verdict was read, US District Judge Arun Subramanian said Combs must remain in federal lockup in Brooklyn for now given the ample evidence presented at trial of violent acts Combs had committed. "It is impossible for the defendant to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that he poses no danger," Subramanian said. The verdict on Wednesday was overall a win for Combs, a former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture. The 12-member jury unanimously convicted him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. It acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking two of his former romantic partners: the rhythm and blues singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane. Prosecutors acknowledged in a court filing that federal sentencing guidelines appeared to recommend a maximum sentence of five-and-a-quarter years. Combs' lawyers argued that two years would be the outer limit. After the verdict, Combs knelt before his chair and appeared to pray. Combs then rose and faced the courtroom gallery. "I'm gonna be home soon," he said, smiling and clasping his hands. "I love you. Thank you, I love you." Combs' family and supporters erupted into applause and cheers. Once famed for hosting lavish parties for the cultural elite in luxurious locales like the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, Combs had pleaded not guilty to all five counts. He faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence on each of the two prostitution counts. Combs' lawyers had urged Subramanian to release Combs on $1 million bond, arguing in a court filing the prostitution offences were "far less serious" than the sex trafficking and racketeering charges he faced at the time he was ordered detained pending trial. Prosecutors argued Combs should remain in jail because he remained a danger to the community, pointing to Jane's testimony at trial that he assaulted her and coerced her into sex with a male prostitute in June 2024 while he was aware he was under federal investigation. The seven-week trial focused on prosecutors' allegations that Combs for two decades used his business empire to force Ventura and Jane to take part in drug-fuelled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as "Freak Offs" with male sex workers in hotel rooms while Combs watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed. Prosecutors unsuccessfully argued that Combs' conduct toward both women amounted to sex trafficking because he compelled Ventura and Jane to take part in the performances using physical violence and threats to withhold financial support or leak sexually explicit images of them. After the verdict, Combs' family left the courthouse to chants of "love, love, love" from Combs' supporters. During his career, Combs' stage monikers included Love, Puff Daddy and P. Diddy. In a statement after the verdict, Manhattan US Attorney Jay Clayton and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel said sex crimes were "all too present" across society and that Americans wanted it to stop. Combs still faces dozens of civil lawsuits accusing him of abuse. Ventura sued him in November 2023 for sex trafficking, and they settled a day later for $US20 million ($A30 million). Combs, once feted for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars, has denied all wrongdoing. After the verdict, Ventura's lawyer Douglas Wigdor said in a statement that she had "paved the way" for Combs' conviction. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs vows ‘I'm gonna be home soon' after prostitution conviction, acquittal on major charges
Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been found guilty of two prostitution-related offences but cleared of the most serious charges, in a significant development in his high-profile federal trial. The jury convicted Combs on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, while acquitting him of racketeering conspiracy and both counts of sex trafficking—a partial win for the former hip-hop mogul, who faced the possibility of a life sentence if found guilty on the most severe allegations. After the verdict was read, Combs knelt and appeared to pray before standing to address the courtroom, telling supporters, 'I'm gonna be home soon', he said. 'I love you. Thank you, I love you,' as his family and friends erupted into applause. The verdict follows a dramatic seven-week trial that featured testimony from 34 witnesses, including ex-partners and federal agents, and focused heavily on allegations from Cassie Ventura, who described years of alleged control and abuse by Combs. Prosecutors argued that Combs used his influence to coerce women into exploitative situations, while the defence denied the most serious accusations. Combs now faces a maximum of 20 years in prison—10 years for each count of which he was convicted—with sentencing yet to be scheduled. A US judge has denied Combs' request for release from jail ahead of sentencing. At a hearing in Manhattan federal court hours after the verdict was read, US District Judge Arun Subramanian said Combs must remain in federal lockup in Brooklyn for now given the ample evidence presented at trial of violent acts Combs had committed. 'It is impossible for the defendant to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that he poses no danger,' Subramanian said. The verdict on Wednesday was overall a win for Combs, a former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture. The 12-member jury unanimously convicted him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. It acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking two of his former romantic partners: the rhythm and blues singer Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura, and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane. Prosecutors acknowledged in a court filing that federal sentencing guidelines appeared to recommend a maximum sentence of five-and-a-quarter years. Combs' lawyers argued that two years would be the outer limit. Once famed for hosting lavish parties for the cultural elite in luxurious locales like the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, Combs had pleaded not guilty to all five counts. He faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence on each of the two prostitution counts. Combs' lawyers had urged Subramanian to release Combs on $1 million bond, arguing in a court filing the prostitution offences were 'far less serious' than the sex trafficking and racketeering charges he faced at the time he was ordered detained pending trial. Prosecutors argued Combs should remain in jail because he remained a danger to the community, pointing to Jane's testimony at trial that he assaulted her and coerced her into sex with a male prostitute in June 2024 while he was aware he was under federal investigation. The seven-week trial focused on prosecutors' allegations that Combs for two decades used his business empire to force Ventura and Jane to take part in drug-fuelled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as 'Freak Offs' with male sex workers in hotel rooms while Combs watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed. Prosecutors unsuccessfully argued that Combs' conduct toward both women amounted to sex trafficking because he compelled Ventura and Jane to take part in the performances using physical violence and threats to withhold financial support or leak sexually explicit images of them. After the verdict, Combs' family left the courthouse to chants of 'love, love, love' from Combs' supporters. During his career, Combs' stage monikers included Love, Puff Daddy and P. Diddy. In a statement after the verdict, Manhattan US Attorney Jay Clayton and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel said sex crimes were 'all too present' across society and that Americans wanted it to stop. Combs still faces dozens of civil lawsuits accusing him of abuse. Ventura sued him in November 2023 for sex trafficking, and they settled a day later for $US20 million ($A30 million). Combs, once feted for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars, has denied all wrongdoing. After the verdict, Ventura's lawyer Douglas Wigdor said in a statement that she had 'paved the way' for Combs' conviction. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 - with Reuters
Sky News AU
4 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Sean 'Diddy' Combs facing 10 years in jail after found guilty of prostitution-related crimes and acquitted of serious charges
American rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs has been acquitted of serious charges in his high-profile case but could still face up to 10 years behind bars. After three days of deliberations, the jury overnight handed down its verdict and found him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution in the high-profile case. The two-count charge could see the music mogul jailed for a decade. Combs, 55, was stunningly cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering offences that could have seen him imprisoned for life, a major win for the former billionaire. The two charges of sex trafficking related to his former partners singer and dancer Cassie Ventura, 38, and a woman known in court only by the pseudonym Jane. The 12-member jury were unanimous in convicting the rapper of transporting his ex girlfriends and male escorts across state lines for prostitution. Inside a New York federal court, Combs knelt on the floor and put his arms on a chair and appeared to pray before he rose to face the gallery where his family were. "I'm gonna be home soon," he said, after the verdict was handed down. "Thank you. Love you mum. I love you. I love you. I love you." His loved ones cheered in court, with some brought to tears. Supporters of the rapper who gathered outside the court in Manhattan also celebrated. "Let Puffy go," some cheered. Others shouted "not guilty". Combs' bail hearing is scheduled for 7am (AEST). His legal team has asked the judge to release the 55-year-old ahead of sentencing. Prosecutors acknowledged in a court filing that federal sentencing guidelines appeared to recommend a maximum sentence of a little over five years. Combs' lawyers argued that two years would be the outer limit. The trial focused on prosecutors' allegations that Combs for two decades used his business empire to force Ventura and "Jane" to take part in drug-fuelled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as "freak offs" with male sex workers in hotel rooms while he watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed. During the seven-week trial, jurors saw some of the 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant authorities found during searches of his homes, which prosecutors said he would use in the performances. Prosecutors unsuccessfully argued that Combs' conduct toward both women amounted to sex trafficking because he compelled the two women to take part in the performances using physical violence and threats to withhold financial support or leak sexually explicit images of them. "The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted. He doesn't take no for an answer," prosecutor Christy Slavik said in her closing argument on June 26. The jury's acquittal on the most serious charges signals that the prosecution failed to draw a direct line between Combs' abuse of Ventura and Jane and their participation in the sexual performances. The defence acknowledged that Combs engaged in domestic violence, but argued that Ventura and Jane were strong, independent women who consensually took part in the sexual performances because they wanted to please Combs. In a statement after the verdict, the Manhattan US Attorney's office, which brought the case, said sex crimes were "all too present" across society. "Americans want this scourge stopped and perpetrators brought to justice," it read. Combs still faces dozens of civil lawsuits accusing him of abuse. Ventura sued him in November 2023 for sex trafficking, and they settled a day later for $20 million. Combs, once feted for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars, has denied all wrongdoing. -with Reuters
