It works. Most “cool kids” aren’t really, they just use (often misplaced) confidence and attract others to praise or envy them. Then when you get to the real world the rules are similar but still vastly different. Some adapt, some don’t. Also contrary to TV, not everyone is even interested in the “cool kids.”

Some never were interested, not in a weird hipster way, but just in a “I don’t get it” way. Lots of weird right wingers think Trump is cool for some reason. Aside from hate and spite, I don’t really get it. He’s funny to mock, but I would never want a clown to lead me.