Is "goth" taken seriously anymore?

[TOM 002]

This is a fairly simple question. With the bombardment of goth being the "it thing", it almost seems that everyone is doing it. We have "emo" wannabes that think they are tragic and deep by listening to Evanescence and writing overly setimental poetry. Hot Topic has become mainstream, straying away from what some people consider its true roots. Even the music of most metal bands is being viewed as cheesy because of Evanesence's contribution to pop culture.

Nowadays, people listen to songs about depression and darkness and think it not to be tragic but cheesy beyond belief. Boys and girls start to wear goth clothes not to stand out from the crowd, but because it's "cool". Whenever someone speaks of the darkness of their soul, people roll their eyes instead of being suspended in deep thought. Things that used to be considered creepy and alternative are now in the rooms of trendy girls who know nothing of their significance.

So considering how many aspects of this subculture have become mainstream, is it possible to still take this stuff seriously, or has it all been written up as another fad? Is there a difference between those who are really like this and the posers who just wanna fit in? And could there be any credibility to something like this or has it already been ruined beyond repair?

[FredNash]

I never took goth seriously.

[randomguy]

I never took goth seriously.

Yeah, same here.

I'm pretty sure that nobody really took goth seriously in the first place. I'd say that only goths took goths seriously. The difference, nowadays, is that even goths don't really take the idea seriously. I think it's more or less just a joke to everyone now, whereas before, it was just a joke to 99.5% of the population.

[Czar Gato]

I used to wear dark makeup and "goth accesories" in high school to stand out (I went to a Catholic school where everyone had to wear uniforms, so it was the best I could do as far as making myself noticeable, really) I was always confused for a "real" goth at my high school for some reason; I always laughed it off, though. I think the fact that I, of all people, was confused for one kinda shows how silly it all is now.

[AmeliaSaillune]

I personally dont like these newfangled pouser punk/goths. This fad will pass. And soon I hope. And if goths dress the way they do to stand out from the crowd, arent they just following to goth crowd? Makes no sense.

[SSJPabs]

I personally dont like these newfangled pouser punk/goths. This fad will pass. And soon I hope. And if goths dress the way they do to stand out from the crowd, arent they just following to goth crowd? Makes no sense.

Well at the beginning they DID stand out, but then as usual it was coopted by the market-place so they could maximize revenue and then people who follow fads got into it. Really the only way to truly stand out is to dress how you like because you like it, not because its cool, or because its shocking etc. If it happens to be the fad, then so be it. If its out of style, then so what?

Thats the only way I can see to truly do your own thing.

Besides, I LIKE Evanescense and Avril Lavigne!

[Sailor Chibi Otaku]

Want gothic music? I'll give you gothic music.

I have a CD entitled, "Music of the Gothic Era", performed by the Early Music Consort of London, performing gothic songs from these eras:

1160-1250

1250-1320

1320-1380

Can someone please inform me on how the term "goth" came into play with the meaning of "wearing nothing but black and listening to gloomy music"? I'd like to know how the Germanic goths got to have that meaning, after the Renaissance decided to call art and buildings from the Middle Ages "gothic art".

For me, for the meaning of "goth" these days, is nothing more than a clique for people to join just to fit in, like all those "emo" kids. Honestly.

[g_UnIt_GaNsTa]

Goth shouldn't be taken seriously.

[Sailor Chibi Otaku]

When I was in high school and liking wrestling, I was semi-goth because I was a huge Undertaker fan at the time.

Now that I abhor wrestling and know what goth really means, I get nit picky when people say they're "goth".

[Eddie G.]

I try the avoid the "I'm more indie", "I'm more deep," "I'm not a poser, you're a poser" wars (which seems to be something emoes, punks, goths, and others take part in) and just accept things as are. I came to this decision when in a playwriting class a fellow student took a stab at me in her play for being a poser because I wear Converse All Stars. But I don't wear Converse All Stars because I'm trying to be punk or emo or goth or metal or underground or indie, I wear them because they're the coolest sneakers ever invented. It's the same thing with Hot Topic, I don't care if people who like Simple Plan shop there, a lot of the shirts at Hot Topic are still pretty cool. I'm not going to stop buying cool shirts because of other people who shop there, I mean tons of people I don't like probably go to the same super market as me, and I don't stop shopping there.

Anyway I don't think anyone claims to be goth or punk anymore, but there are a few people who still have the image and sometimes it's a pretty cool image.

However I do lose respect for anyone who can actually say Bright Eyes is a good band. I forgot the name of the song, but all this fake depth and angst some people carry with them is represented in this song that has to be the worst song ever written.

[True Noir]

The wannab's in my school are going phyco with it. They cut themselves and take things to far and the teachers know about it, but don't do much.

[The Frog]

I never really cared for Goths. They used being 'outsiders' as an excuse to be self centered. They whine about how much life sucks, but don't do anything to change it. They just feel self pity and mock others for being in 'cliques'. Like Goths aren't a clique.

For the record though, I'm talking about hardcore goths, not people who like certain gothic things.

[Youko Recca]

Oh yeah...I had a gothic kid in my school. He wore roller blades ALL the time. When push came to shove, I beat his ass but it was more my fault so I kinda don't consider it a fight.

What the heck are emoes?

[HumanoidTyphoon]

What the heck are emoes?

Kinda fluffy looks like a smaller ostrich.

[Phantasm]

Frankly speaking, I don'tt really know much about this 'Goth' cuture or whatever, BUT I am in love with gothic architecture...

[Tay the Cat]

The wannab's in my school are going phyco with it. They cut themselves and take things to far and the teachers know about it, but don't do much.

Where I live we call those people "emo kids".

[Youko Recca]

Kinda fluffy looks like a smaller ostrich.

Yeeaaah...what about how it's being used here?

[Evil & Lovin It]

However I do lose respect for anyone who can actually say Bright Eyes is a good band. I forgot the name of the song, but all this fake depth and angst some people carry with them is represented in this song that has to be the worst song ever written.

Fake agnst pisses me off so much. I hate when people have that stupid "I'm angry and listen to depressing music cuz life sucks" attitude. They just do it because they think it makes them cool, but in reality it is so old and over-used that it just makes them look like dorks.

[AF$]

This is a fairly simple question. With the bombardment of goth being the "it thing", it almost seems that everyone is doing it. We have "emo" wannabes that think they are tragic and deep by listening to Evanescence and writing overly setimental poetry. Hot Topic has become mainstream, straying away from what some people consider its true roots. Even the music of most metal bands is being viewed as cheesy because of Evanesence's contribution to pop culture.

Just by saying that the "emo" kids listen to Evanescence you show that you no nothing about the subject. Nobody who is anyone in the the scene takes Hot Topic seriously either. And the people saying that emo kids "cut themselves" are way off base as well. To stay on topic, goth is not emo.

[Lucky Bob]

Want gothic music? I'll give you gothic music.

I have a CD entitled, "Music of the Gothic Era", performed by the Early Music Consort of London, performing gothic songs from these eras:

1160-1250

1250-1320

1320-1380

Can someone please inform me on how the term "goth" came into play with the meaning of "wearing nothing but black and listening to gloomy music"? I'd like to know how the Germanic goths got to have that meaning, after the Renaissance decided to call art and buildings from the Middle Ages "gothic art".

For me, for the meaning of "goth" these days, is nothing more than a clique for people to join just to fit in, like all those "emo" kids. Honestly.

Heartily, teetotally, and yeehawily AGREED.