THE LEFTOVER STUFF: We all have the equal right to an opinion, but that doesn't mean every opinion is equally right.Some of us did a lot of research and spent a lot of time on something in forming our opinions. Some of us think we can just know everything a priori.This is especially true of Goth. No one has a priori knowledge of what goth is. Not even teenagers!
This is what 'a priori' means:
1. from a general law to a particular instance; valid independently of observation.
2. existing in the mind prior to and independent of experience, as a faculty or character trait.
3. not based on prior study or examination; nonanalytic: an a priori judgment.
I've been involved in goth subculture for 15 years but have always been attracted to gothic music, art and aesthetics my entire life without necessarily understanding what that essentially was: the "gothic-romantic". My adventures have lead me to believe that the gothic-romantic personality is innate, thus doesn't necessarily require any rational understanding.
With that said, the subculture is about the music. And any discussion of goth that pretends it isn't intrinsically connected to a set of very closely related genres of music is misguided, and misses the point entirely.
However, getting past that, I believe that romanticism is something inside everyone to some degree. It seems to be the driving force behind faith, inspiration, heroism. At the same time, Romanticism without a Gothic pessimism to temper it, seems to lead to elitism or racism. People are not rational... ultimately most people are romantic (until the post-modernists or rationalists get their lazy/power-hunger hands on them) and gothic romanticism is the best way I know of to understand humanity and accept humanity flaws and all.
I believe many of the problems in society are caused by the default assumption of rationality in human behavior, and yet humanity's greatest strength was always the ability to think outside the box and look at things in the "wrong" way. A pursuit of "efficiency" is also quite harmful it seems. An attraction to thinking about things in the wrong way with a combined tolerance for disagreement seems like a very virtuous trait. Knowledge and logic are imperfect representations of reality and reason can only take you so far.
On the other hand, post-modernist thought takes pessimism of reason too far. It is one thing to believe knowledge is flawed. It is quite another to believe that ignorance and stupidity are its equal. Book learnin' is a good thing! (and practice may not make you perfect but it almost always makes you better!)
I am interested in people who are gothic-romantic; those who look for the deeper meanings of patterns and events in the wider world; but who are skeptical of even their own conclusions. people who could never be satisfied with superficial or trite explanations; and yet are aware that in all likelihood the truth may not be found in this lifetime (or expressible in words). Those who value dreams as highly as facts. Searching where everyone else looks can not reveal secrets; the truth is always in the darkness. (and can never be fully known)
Gothic-romantic is not a procedure for reasoning. It is however some form of courage to look where we've been told no good will come.
I don't like zealots or the self-righteous. I don't like those who have no respect for experience. Those who lack respect for experience only express how little benefit they have derived from their own.
However, it is conceit to disregard the ideas of youth merely on account of the age of the inventors.
Some people over-awe me. Usually because they make something I have trouble with look so easy. Or perhaps because they disturb me. Or perhaps they embody some quality or virtue I wish I had more of. I find such people very fascinating if not completely enthralling.
The darkness is everywhere that questions still exist. It is the frontier of humankind. It is freedom. The light is a comforting prison.
The term "goth" or "gothic" is a reference to the "gothic-romantic" and has been for over 200 years. The original Gothic movement of the 11 century and thereabouts was not called Gothic until later, and it was characterized by a senseless terror of a cruel vindictive God, and malicious spirits, fairies, and goblins. It was called the Dark Age with good cause. Gothic-romantic was called "gothic" because it rejected the "light" of pure and perfect reason (The Enlightenment) (and was thus denigrated as being barbaric, ignorant and "dark"). Gothic-romantic also mocks the equally LIGHT pure-romantic attitude that the "individual" was self-righteous, because as is almost painfully obvious.. the individual is tragically flawed. Nothing to be proud of, and yet, as a necessary condition of human existence -- nothing to be ashamed of.
The gothic-romantic sees a grand comedic irony. The world of humankind is cruel and vindictive enough. There was no need for the facade of a hell. We are all too eager to brag about our faith and create hell on earth. In reference to the goth subculture, "goth" means "gothic-romantic". thats my opinion.. if you dont like it go read some books and form your own. Or perhaps you'd be interested in a prepackaged opinion. Those are readily available and will save you the effort of reading anything at all.
I am a Utilitarian (if that term can be applied to someone who believes that true knowledge is ultimately an impossibility), a philosophy sometimes also referred to as Altruistic Hedonism. I am a poet. I am a philosopher. I am an Atheist. I am a Naturalist. I am a Romantic-Humanist. I am goth.
"The Affirmation" by me
Profess! And Fortune give its seldom chance,
when souls aver with strife's unwhispered power,
that putrid flames should sear over romance,
and shames ignite in Fear's forbidden hour.
What finds the unsought self in Hell's caress?
Forevermore enslaved; til hopes say, Yes;
Yes; whose kisses wet temptation's wanton lips;
Need's name enlarged, embraced in passion's ire.
Her nectars pour each moment's hurried sips,
as hearts lift yearnings' salutations higher.
So longing lives, be lovely or be less:
Set yourselves free; surrender and BE! Say, YES!
Some Goth Test I took*:
What subcategory of Goth best fits you?
created with QuizFarm.com
You scored as Romantic Goth
You are a romantic goth, better known as a traditional goth. You are probably quickly identified as a goth by outsiders. Black lace, bats, and moonlit cemetaries are just a few of your favorite things.
Romantic Goth
96%
Old-school Goth
88%
Ethereal Goth
75%
Fantasy Goth
63%
Anything-Goes Goth
46%
Death Rocker
33%
Perky Goff
33%
Industrial/Rivet-Head
33%
Confused Outsider
8%
Cyber-goth
8%
Understanding Outsider
0%
* I took this quiz a year ago and scored "old school goth", but it was actually a tie with romantic goth, and the percentages have barely moved in a year. I mention this because the photo is different and I just wanted to point out why.
Some political quiz: Not entirely accurate since its missing the monarchist party and the nomadic despotism party.
You scored as Democrat.
Democrat
100%
Green
75%
Socialist
67%
Anarchism
58%
Communism
42%
Republican
0%
Nazi
0%
Fascism
0%
What Political Party Do Your Beliefs Put You In?
created with QuizFarm.com
*sigh* if only political parties would actually stand up for what they claim to represent.