Don't mock us Goths, we're "highbrow" now...

[matgb]

Has hell frozen over?

Or maybe it's just heaven is warming up?

goths are middle class to the core and have "very high-brow" values

- from The Telegraph.

That's right, the bastion of English conservatism says I'm highbrow and (almost) respectable. The Independent wrote up a nice two page study (shame they got some band facts wrong, ah well).

The Guardian? Takes the piss.

Is your boss a goth? 10 telltale signs

1 Drinks snakebite

And, of course, gets the facts wrong:

That is the surprising finding of Sussex University's Dunja Brill, whose doctorate in media and cultural studies looked at people with funny hair and eyeliner in London, Brighton and Cologne, and who is herself a former goth.

(Because, of course, 32 year old academics have to have grown out of that sort of thing, right?)

Or, as quoted in the Independent:

Dr Dunja Brill, a 32-year-old German with her own Gothic tendencies ... "The Goth lifestyle allows you to lead a perfectly sane, stable lifestyle with a proper job, your own flat and even a family, then at the weekends or in your leisure time follow your Gothic activities," said Dr Brill.

There's a bit more on the blog of one of the Indy's other interviewees Andrew Collins.

Still, it has allowed lots of journalists to "come out of the closet" and write up articles about their "dark past". Let's face it, drop something in the street; most likely to stop and help? That "dodgy goth type". Least likely? The selfish fasion victim.

Plus ca change.

Should I be worried? Next up they'll be saying I'm a respectable graduate with responsibilities in a challenging job...

Oh, wait.

Comments

[poifaerie.livejournal.com]

What? Nonsense! Rest assured, good fellow, that on the morrow I shall be crafting a fine epistle to these young gentlefolk, gently reminding them that we goths are no more refined or erudite than those other worms who crawl on this great planet with us. To suggest otherwise is mere piffle.

[nadriel.livejournal.com]

Yep, but I doubt most of them would understand irony...:P

[matgb]

I am planning a snotty email to the Guardian, if the Torygraph can give it a balanced write up, the Grauniad could at least try.

[waka-laka.livejournal.com]

You're a goth? *is tired so probably read this wrong*

[matgb]

Amongst other things. A real one though, not a teeny wannabegoth or Marilyn Mansun fan...

[waka-laka.livejournal.com]

Huh.

Learn something new every day.

[fearmeforiampink]

Mat, you're wrong.

Since when are you respectable. ;)

[susannah-banana.livejournal.com]

sorry, but when were you actually a goth? did i miss that bit...i know you had a few sisters albums, but does that really count? :)

[matgb]

Define 'goth'. What makes someone a goth?

[susannah-banana.livejournal.com]

i could go on for ages but won't because it requires a pint and a bit more time but I'll just leave you with this thought on why i wouldn't define you as a goth: when we went to see the sisters at the nec you were the only person there with their natural hair colour and no eye liner! :)

[matgb]

So image maketh the goth; looks are all that matter?

The defining feature is whether you apply dodgy eye make up? Attitude, taste, outlook; these matter not?

[susannah-banana.livejournal.com]

Right, as i already said, we'll have this argument in the pub...i can't argue with you over LJ, my internet browser isn't up for it!:) but attitude, really, you're the most laid back, non commital, easy going person i know and (this is not a bad thing by any means!) goths generally aren't.. they're all stoopid and over emotional and listen to too much nick cave and leonard cohen, you never had that problem, this is not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination.
anyway, we'll continue this discussion in the pub sometime near my birthday. i'm off to bed now:)

[matgb]

More respectable than you, anyway.

[fearmeforiampink]

Hey! I've been a pillar of the Student Union, and only the weekend before last, I was having tea (and brownies) with the Dean of Hereford Cathedral.

I'm entirely respectable.

[matgb]

Mr Pink. We've met. I have, in fact, known you for about 4 years now.

Don't be trying this "respectable" lark on me. I merely claimed to be nearly respectable. There is no way thou art entirely respectable.