Heartland

Was pointed in the direction of this article in the Grauniad by a friend today

http://www.theguardian.com/education/20 ... e-research

It seems to infer that goffs are more likely to stay linked to the scene & find it much easier to adapt to conventions that may be imposed when pursuing a career path.
That ring any bells for you lot?

I think we've had this linked before,and I am always reminded of the Rorschach quote

" Even in the face of Armageddon I shall not compromise in this"




Although not that Goff a quote tbf

Well, I've not had a haircut in over 20 years and I'm coping fine with a "career". Fortunately I've never been in a position where I've even been asked to compromise; one of the advantages of working in IT is that everyone expects you to be a weirdo. My look is fairly tame compared to some of my colleagues in the University's IT section!

I can not believe that an expert has written this rubbish. The whole thing simply does not stand. 'Goth' can not be taken as ​​category of analysis so blithely, seeking to annul the rest of their human facets and studying them as an isolated community. What's so strange that a person hear music, dress up, work and have children? sometimes these sociological studies have little of social component as they are just specific case studies. (Hope i'm not offending anyone)

It is heartening that England has such a begrudging love of the goffik kind and seems ALMOST proud of this spectacularly eccentric corner of society ... Here is is just bemusement and ignorance.

I read this (& other articles/books by Paul Hodkinson) as part of my prepping for my PhD. His findings are pretty much spot on btw, and he is what is known as a 'participant researcher' - ie like myself - he has taken the opportunity to fit goth/music/subculture/alternative lifestyle choices (chose appropriate) into his professional career and he has excelled at it, both through studying the phenomenon/s and writing about his personal experiences.
Being involved in 'the scene' since I was old enough to babysit myself it is an important part of my life, if for no other reason than it has taken up a lot of my time and money .... It is worth studying - dodgy fashions, smoke machines, OTT make-up and generally being a young pretentious goose included.
I am thankful that such articles make it to the papers, it goes some way at least towards raising the profile of non-conservative/non-traditional career and lifestyle choices and reminds folk that we are in the very least interesting on some level! /end of rant

markfiend wrote:one of the advantages of working in IT is that everyone expects you to be a weirdo

It's actually advantageous. People expect a weirdo, they see one, so they're set at ease: "oh yeah, that guy looks weird and he works in IT, so he must know what he's doing".

Britain loves its eccentrics.

Growing up for goths? Isn't that when they discover techno?

Planet Dave wrote:Growing up for goths? Isn't that when they discover techno?

Happened to me when I was 15 or 16... I still don't feel like a grown up

splintered thing wrote:It is heartening that.....

! /end of rant

I think the 'young pretentious goose' category is the best fit for me (maybe 'cos I am also a Ph D -in Musicology- and a recicled goth).

'twas always about the music for me so never went for the full look. Those who go the whole hog generally seem to tone it down in their thirties, and save the dressing up for Whitby or the odd night out. Nature tends not to be too kind to those who try to recapture past sartorial glories, and I suspect that TSOM sell rather less of the skinny fit t-shirts these days.

RibbonGirl wrote:

splintered thing wrote:It is heartening that.....

! /end of rant

I think the 'young pretentious goose' category is the best fit for me (maybe 'cos I am also a Ph D -in Musicology- and a recicled goth).

How many doctorates are on this board (I've got one too, and currently serve as associate professor of philosophy... somewhere)? Was never much of a goth though. I just liked the Sisters (who I never really thought of as goth either).

Planet Dave wrote:Growing up for goths? Isn't that when they discover techno?

I was into Techno before Gawff. I've never truly gotten over it

I'vet met Paul Hodkinson a few times, he's a spot on chap and yes - very embedded in the scene!

I discuss articles like this and others on a little blog by the way...

sultan2075 wrote:...Was never much of a goth though. I just liked the Sisters (who I never really thought of as goth either).

Well said oh wise sage.