Marshall McLuhan wrote that everything in the world that we make is an extension of ourselves. Music, an extension of the ear, clothes, an extension of the skin and television, an extension of the eye.

Anyway he also states that there is difference between hot and cold mediums. Cool or Cold mediums like the fuzzy black-and-white TV of the 1960's are not completely clear or in your face, in fact, they require interpretation and metaphor, they are subtle. Warm or hot mediums like Hi-definition TV of day, or the news bar at the bottom of the news channels are things that are clearer, they make no room for interpretation and are in your face.

This also extends to how we want others to perceive us. So how we dress influences how others see you. How we show our faces influences our "image". As of such, sunglasses and facial hair are cool. They cover up the face. This detachment, this stoicism is requires interpretation of the people around you and is thus... cool.

Okay, communications lectures are ALWAYS interesting. But really, I just wanted a funny way of expressing how much I love when guys quit shaving and grow their facial hair out.