Trying hard is cool again. Exhibit A: the mixtape. Hours picking songs for one p
By Mike Sommers · October 13, 2026 · Curated by George's Blog
Trying hard is cool again.
Exhibit A: the mixtape. Hours picking songs for one person. Tracklist in Sharpie. Handed over in person, heart rate through the roof. A playlist link does the same job in four seconds. It just doesn't mean as much, because it cost you nothing.
That's the part we forgot. People can feel effort. It's what makes something worth keeping.
So make the thing that's a little too much work. Be a little cringe about it. It's cooler than playing it cool.