Goth... - Page 3

Nevan · 08-31-2007, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apathy's_Child

If most (10 or more) of the following statements are true, it is VERY likely that you are Goth. If the first statement is false, you aren't Goth. No, not even if all 16 of the rest are true. Of course, you would be readily accepted and most welcome amongst Goths for your strength of individuality and ability to appreciate the culture in general and themselves in particular.

Woohoo!! Having answered 'yes' to all but the Shakespeare question I now feel so much more at home in my pale skin and dark attire. This article was a very enlightening read.

delicti · 08-31-2007, 07:25 AM

First, and perhaps most importantly, I am not a slave to my genetics, my experiences, my music, or my clothes. I was not born anything but myself; everything that followed has been my choice, save the times when I was so young that choices were made for me.

This question is not easy, nor will it ever be. Surely there are commonly held interests in our culture, but are they truly goth?

Many of us like black and white movies and horror films, but are they goth?
Most importantly they are artistic. From "Cabinet of Dr. Caligari," to "Look Back In Anger," to "Dracula." These are movies that changed film forever and made us look at human nature in a way that was real and hard to swallow, even when the imagery was sensational.

Many of us like gothic architecture, but is it goth?
At the time when famine, plague, and war could come at any moment, building spiraling towers to heaven showed that we could, like God, be a great creator. Gothic architecture was more than beautiful; it was hope for a better future. Who here, Christian, goth, or not, cannot appreciate that sentiment?

Many of us like goth clothing, but is it goth?
Certainly it is an easy entry into a social scene; it is a display of comradeship that is immediate and obvious. It is also stunning - whether it be the trash glamour of deathrock and the batcave, or the high couture of second generation goth, and goth rock. Look at how many people get into the scene from the fashion first, and how many of us roll our eyes on a regular basis as we're hit on by people who we obviously have little in common with. Yes, it is goth, but some of the oldest goths I know love nothing better than jeans and a t-shirt. It is not a prerequisite, but it is easy to appreciate.

Finally, goth music is the most obvious part of goth. It is the initial creative spark from which all other things have sprung. Without the music, there would be nothing, and so without an appreciation for goth music, you are certainly not a goth.

Because goth music moves us, takes us places we're not comfortable being, or gives us a chance to laugh at things that would normally scare us, it let us express ourselves in ways we would normally be hesitant to. Goth music is most often bleak, creepy, and emotive; hence it follows that the clothing, the imagery, and the art we appreciate would most likely be all these things. Yes, that sometimes includes movies; yes, that sometimes includes architecture; yes, that sometimes includes the clothing.

What is goth? That is for each of you to find out until you know. It is an expression of individuality within the confines of a scene. Or, it is an expression of individuality despite a scene. It is a paradox. But if you can't laugh at all the inanity, if you can't revel in the cheesiness, and you can't look yourself in the mirror and say, "well, dammit, I guess I'm still a goth today," then you're missing the point - and missing the point is the biggest thing that isn't goth.

Opteron_Man · 08-31-2007, 01:44 PM

why change the name? keep it original. there i seid it.

Your Darkest Secret · 09-07-2007, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delicti

First, and perhaps most importantly, I am not a slave to my genetics, my experiences, my music, or my clothes. I was not born anything but myself; everything that followed has been my choice, save the times when I was so young that choices were made for me.

See, now there's a gothy attitude right there XD

Your Darkest Secret · 09-07-2007, 02:15 AM

I think it's partly a state of mind as well as a style. I mean, sure, the fashion and the music play a huge part, but don't you have to be the right sort of person to actually LIKE the music and WANT to wear the fashions?

(Does that make sense?)

Opteron_Man · 09-16-2007, 04:43 PM

my soul is blacker than a coal mineshaft.

Breathless Horror · 09-16-2007, 06:12 PM

Delicti, that has got to be one of the most profound and deeply intelligent things I have heard in a long time. Thank you.

HellforgedX · 09-16-2007, 06:49 PM

This is "What is Goth?"

Breathless Horror · 09-17-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HellforgedX

This is "What is Goth?"

Hmm...pretty sweet, I'd read it.

delicti · 09-18-2007, 07:10 AM

Thanks everyone! I try to do the smaht thing every once in a while. ;-)

I would caution people about reading Voltaire's book, that it is written with his tongue firmly in his mouth. It is not meant to be taken literally, although it does do a better job of explaining things that "The Goth Bible" that everyone else seems to be quoting.