Are you you? Or are you a conglomeration of mental disorders?

This is a rather philosophical question that has been running rampant through the halls of my brain.

Are people that enjoy darker, more "evil", death-related things a product of their own personality/upbringing? Or are they "normal" people with problems?

"Normal" people, generally frollick in the sunshine, enjoy their 9 to 5 job (or can stand it) are generally social (with anyone except those "weirdos"), like flowers of all colors and types, raise their kids, get old, enjoy being a grandparent with the yellow/countrystyle painted kitchen, then die, properly mourned by those left behind.

Now, this is just my observation (partilally from myself and others like me). The "weirdos" (goths/punks etc) generally prefer the dark/night. Sometimes have a hard time working 9-5 normal jobs, prefer the colors, red, purple, black; enjoy music with an equally somber note.

I know there are MANY generalizations here, and everyone is different. But generally, there is a rather definite difference.
Now my question is. The "weirdos". Are we simply the natural alternative to "sunny happy people"? (balance in the universe, light/darkness, life/death etc). Or are we all "normal" people with a multitude of complex mental issues that change our attitude on life and how we live it/view the world? Basically, if any random one of us, had unlimited "shrink" time, would it be found that all of our "weirdness" are actually fallacies of a mental nature, and not our natural personality?

And another thing. Can anyone tell me why my friend's cat likes to lick plastic grocery bags?

Cat's have no real sense of taste, just smell. Plastic bags probably smell more interesting if you're a cat, but they're too hard to eat. So wee kitty licks them.

As for the rest, 99.999% of the world loathes their day job. That's what sells beer, ciggies, porno, weed, and lottery tickets. Hating your day job is baseline normal.

And being a mope isn't any weirder at base than being a little sunbeam for Jesus. There are just as many mopes as there are perky people, you just notice the perky ones more because they call attention to themselves by being unbelievably irritating. Mopes are at least usually quiet.

Also, if they're grocery bags, they probably had food in them at some point. That makes them super interesting.

I see the point you're trying to make but neither side has all that many diffrences besides fashion...even philosophy wise they share the same basic truths just sell em in a diffrent way.

Lets face it some people define who and what they are by their intrests...so that should be factored in.

I think you're overthinking something that's not all that deep...but its fun to think it is. At the end of the day people like to be a part of a certain group or scene...though in the end many end up in the same way they started...herded together in a room where no one really listens.

Humans have far more common traits than they do diffrences...but it's a lot less fun to believe that...and less profitable.

But, are people's interest/fixation/obsession on darker things just a personality trait? Is it healthy to love movies, books, music, clubs that all focus on the darker aspect of life? Generally, its a theme of interests, not just a single interest. A greasemonkey likes working on vehicles. A goth usually likes something more intagible (a theme) and it is integrated more into his/her life. Is there no difference?

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Originally Posted by Plex_Inphiniti

But, are people's interest/fixation/obsession on darker things just a personality trait? Is it healthy to love movies, books, music, clubs that all focus on the darker aspect of life? Generally, its a theme of interests, not just a single interest. A greasemonkey likes working on vehicles. A goth usually likes something more intagible (a theme) and it is integrated more into his/her life. Is there no difference?

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If it's clinical depression or murderous psychosis, then it's not healthy. Somewhere there's a line. Is carving yourself with a knife healthy? People do it in Africa, so I don't know. I guess it's just the state of your mind when you do it.

Otherwise, an interest in dark things would be on the same scale as an interest in... say, bunny rabbits.

:)

There is no such thing as normal. Normal is just a shared notion by many people in a particular area.

I probably phrased that wrong, but I can explain better if you want.

I think dark is beautiful. I don't know if that makes me wierd or not. I happen to think people who tape sporting events to watch later and veiw football as a religion are the freaks. Also people who dedicate their exsistence to moving up the corporate ladder no matter whose ass they have to kiss. Freaks. If I wake up in the morning and the sun is shining and the birds are singing my whole day is shot. Some people don't understand that my "normal" is their clinical depression. They're the freaks. I take life as it is and don't try to convince myself that everything is roses. I guess that bothers people. I just had a "friend" of mine say he's not coming over anymore because he's freaked out by my wife's living dead dolls and my Lost Boys poster...I guess what I'm saying is simple...

FUCK THAT!!!!

...I think I licked too many plastic bags

Its like the Shirt says: They all laugh because we are different, and we all laugh because they are all the same.

normal people scare me. they'er just to happy all the time.

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Originally Posted by Belladonna

normal people scare me. they'er just to happy all the time.

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thats pretty true, since Im sitting here with a shirt on that says those exact words "Normal people scare me" :)

Religious Fanatics of most groups sicken me, especially when they trie to force their dogma onto me and other people.

Whats fun is, if you were raised fundamentalist christian like I. You often know their own propaganda better than they do. I take a guilty pleasure in deflating their sales pitch. Naughty.

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Originally Posted by Plex_Inphiniti

But, are people's interest/fixation/obsession on darker things just a personality trait? Is it healthy to love movies, books, music, clubs that all focus on the darker aspect of life? Generally, its a theme of interests, not just a single interest. A greasemonkey likes working on vehicles. A goth usually likes something more intagible (a theme) and it is integrated more into his/her life. Is there no difference?

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Actually a greasemonkey is also tied into a "theme" as it where. They range just as much as a goth and are tied into their lives at times MORE so than most goths. A greasemonkey who works as a mechanic during the week and works on custom cars on the weekend is tied into a lifestyle and mentality that goes pretty far back now socially. So really their is no diffrence...again...people LIKE to think things are more diffrent than they really are.

As far as healthy goes...being more into darker things is no worse or better than those into lighter fare. An obsession can be taken too far. Plus one could debate how dark most things attributed to the whole goth scene really is. Lets face it...pound for pound nothing is darker and has more of a punch than political circles. They stuff they tend to get their hands in are epic...and they look like harmless people.

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Originally Posted by Plex_Inphiniti

Whats fun is, if you were raised fundamentalist christian like I. You often know their own propaganda better than they do. I take a guilty pleasure in deflating their sales pitch. Naughty.

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That's really the key though...ALL fundementalists are dangerous. They pose a much bigger threat to social order and expression than much else.

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Originally Posted by CeruleanFire

thats pretty true, since Im sitting here with a shirt on that says those exact words "Normal people scare me" :)

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Yeah but what's normal? Look at Hot Topic for example...it's basicly a store now for teen girls and pretty much an accepted part of mainstram culture now. Goth kids are no diffrent than hip hop kids and what not...all that is a part of a normal mainstream culture. So really...who's scared of who?

I dont know whats normal. I sometimes wish I knew.

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Originally Posted by CeruleanFire

I dont know whats normal. I sometimes wish I knew.

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Normal= A Common opinion of the people in a general area.

Example: People in one town eat fish normally, while the people in the next town over have some sort of belief that fish are evil, and kill people who eat fish.

Each would consider their behavior normal, while the people would consider the next town to be odd.

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Originally Posted by Tequila Zaire

Actually a greasemonkey is also tied into a "theme" as it where. They range just as much as a goth and are tied into their lives at times MORE so than most goths. A greasemonkey who works as a mechanic during the week and works on custom cars on the weekend is tied into a lifestyle and mentality that goes pretty far back now socially. So really their is no diffrence...again...people LIKE to think things are more diffrent than they really are.

As far as healthy goes...being more into darker things is no worse or better than those into lighter fare. An obsession can be taken too far. Plus one could debate how dark most things attributed to the whole goth scene really is. Lets face it...pound for pound nothing is darker and has more of a punch than political circles. They stuff they tend to get their hands in are epic...and they look like harmless people.

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Does a greasemonkey have radically different views of the world than non-greasemonkeys? Does their interest delve into the realm of analysis of life and death? Personally, I do see a radical difference. From me at least. There are of course, varying degrees of how people are... for some, its just a fashion statement. For others, its an unchangeable part of who they are that permeates every aspect of their life.

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Originally Posted by Plex_Inphiniti

Does a greasemonkey have radically different views of the world than non-greasemonkeys? Does their interest delve into the realm of analysis of life and death? Personally, I do see a radical difference. From me at least. There are of course, varying degrees of how people are... for some, its just a fashion statement. For others, its an unchangeable part of who they are that permeates every aspect of their life.

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They're people...with a pulse and everything. So their lifestyle of course impacts their views of the world. As far as the life and death bit...to some the game of it ain't that complicated or a worthwhile interest.

A goth kid who reads Nietzsche is no diffrent then a greasemonkey who reads about Fuel Injection systems. Each are feeding on and taking in things that effect their life. How deep you see one over the other is a matter of opinion.

"I'll deal with death when I'm dead' kinda thing.

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Originally Posted by BrightStar

Normal= A Common opinion of the people in a general area.

Example: People in one town eat fish normally, while the people in the next town over have some sort of belief that fish are evil, and kill people who eat fish.

Each would consider their behavior normal, while the people would consider the next town to be odd.

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The question still goes unanswered though. Does one go by that opinion or by the majority opinion as gathered over a series of towns? If enough towns think one town is weird IS that town weird?

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Originally Posted by Tequila Zaire

They're people...with a pulse and everything. So their lifestyle of course impacts their views of the world. As far as the life and death bit...to some the game of it ain't that complicated or a worthwhile interest.

A goth kid who reads Nietzsche is no diffrent then a greasemonkey who reads about Fuel Injection systems. Each are feeding on and taking in things that effect their life. How deep you see one over the other is a matter of opinion.

"I'll deal with death when I'm dead' kinda thing.

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I still consider the human psychi (sp?) a little more complex than mechanical auto parts. But, like you said. Its all a matter of opinion. I guess it would matter basically, how much time/mental effort they spend on that theme/interest deciding how deep it is for them.

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Originally Posted by Plex_Inphiniti

I still consider the human psychi (sp?) a little more complex than mechanical auto parts. But, like you said. Its all a matter of opinion. I guess it would matter basically, how much time/mental effort they spend on that theme/interest deciding how deep it is for them.

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Kinda...but not everyone is wired the same way. Some need to think and think on an issue while some don't. We've all seen those types who act fast and take charge without spending days thinking on an issue or plan of action. It's just a diffrent mentality and way to see the world.

Cause at the end of the day you still have to accept that the way YOU see the world is not the only way to see it. Others will see you as not only totally wrong...but an utter waste of space. Their views are just as valid and true as your own.

The worst thing we spawned in the last decade and a half is the silly notion of "You don't know me so you can't judge me". Who the fuck thought that was a good idea? Realisticly NONE of us have the time to get to know EVERYONE intimately and to their very core. We have to make judgement calls based on what we see, hear, feel, etc...it's not a perfect system but it's far more realistic.

Plus lets be honest...sometimes a first impression is dead on and that's all you need.

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Originally Posted by Tequila Zaire

Kinda...but not everyone is wired the same way. Some need to think and think on an issue while some don't. We've all seen those types who act fast and take charge without spending days thinking on an issue or plan of action. It's just a diffrent mentality and way to see the world.

Cause at the end of the day you still have to accept that the way YOU see the world is not the only way to see it. Others will see you as not only totally wrong...but an utter waste of space. Their views are just as valid and true as your own.

The worst thing we spawned in the last decade and a half is the silly notion of "You don't know me so you can't judge me". Who the fuck thought that was a good idea? Realisticly NONE of us have the time to get to know EVERYONE intimately and to their very core. We have to make judgement calls based on what we see, hear, feel, etc...it's not a perfect system but it's far more realistic.

Plus lets be honest...sometimes a first impression is dead on and that's all you need.

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My entire point was "How much of an active interest in the darker side of things is normal personality traits? And how much of it could be mental disorders?" It was more of a philosophical/rhetorical question. This was sparked by my observation that a keen interest in "darker things" was generally seen as not natural. I wasn't stating that my world view negates all others. I hold no such delusions (but I do have a filing cabinet with other ones if anyone is interested. :) ) I am generally an open-minded, "do as you will as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else" kind of person.

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Originally Posted by Plex_Inphiniti

, "do as you will as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else" kind of person.

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I use to subscribe to that...but unfortunately when you factor in political ideologies along with philosophical ones...conflict is natrually there and in some cases...one must win and one must fall.

"This was sparked by my observation that a keen interest in "darker things" was generally seen as not natural."

By who? "normal" people have those kinds of jobs daily...FBI profilers, coroners, Detectives, Crime scene investigators, hell your average beat cop or unlucky bastard who lives in a high crime area. Their keen interest is part need and part duty.

You want to hear dark stuff? Hang out with police detectives. Unrivaled in terms of intrest in the darker side of humanity...and the world in general.

Meh. I'm done. I've put too much energy into this thread already. If you want to consider that "one must win and one must fall", knock yourself out.

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Originally Posted by Plex_Inphiniti

Meh. I'm done. I've put too much energy into this thread already. If you want to consider that "one must win and one must fall", knock yourself out.

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It was just stating to get interesting too.

to take my pshyc meds or not to take them........:ybounce:

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Originally Posted by Jasperino

...I think I licked too many plastic bags

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BLAHAHAHAHAHA! :1orglaugh



~Histrionica~

I have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as a mental disorder. Just a different perspective. I agree, faintly, with the goth/normie, life/death, light/dark analogy. Makes sense, doesn't it? Besides you always need some one who's willing to hold the night watch shift at the cemetery.

Cats lick plastic grocery bags, shower curatins, cellophane wrappers, because the slick surface feels good on their sandpapery tongues. My Nocturna does it, too. Leviathan (or LeVey for short, my new baby) just likes to go swimming. HE confuses me...
K