🕯️ Welcome to the Goth Olympics (I Lose!) 🕯️
Let’s talk. About goth. About community. About overconsumption, identity spirals, maximalism, DIY pressure, gatekeeping, nostalgia, fast fashion, algorithms, hypocrisy—& whether I’m just yelling into the void.
This is a messy, vulnerable, long-winded ramble-reflection on being part of the alt scene while also struggling with what it means to *belong* in a system that often feels at odds with individuality. It’s not a manifesto, or a takedown—it’s just my perspective, my experiences, & a lot of thoughts I’ve had while stressing over words and wondering if I’m “goth enough.”
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@shawnaripari (conscious consumption content!)
& https://youtu.be/k9OApjL4PAw?si=y1nS6qfuYUBlyxBw
& https://youtu.be/-d1FglwjFvU?si=1th9WxMdRir63JUZ
& https://youtu.be/2gyV1Ykm0cs?si=TCjrSoCQD7LkI160
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🦇 Housekeeping from a Nervous Bat 🦇
*(if the pointy boot doesn’t fit, don’t lace it up!)*
-This video contains some critique/frustration, but I want to be very clear that it’s *not* aimed at individuals—especially not at this community. You’ve all been such a kind, and supportive bunch, and I’m incredibly grateful. This is me yelling into the algorithm void about *patterns* , not people.
-Please don’t feel guilted into watching/liking/etc just because I say I put effort into my work. You’re welcome to disagree with me, tune out, or bounce!
-I’ve overthought this to hell and back and I know I’ll probably still say something imperfect. Always learning!
-If you’re worried this video is *about you* or that I’m mad at *you* —I promise I’m not. (unless you're the current guy in charge of doc marten manufacturing….)
thanks for being here. It means more than I can explain in this little digital box. the internet is weird; i hope you are being gentle to yourself.
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🕰️Timestamps🕰️
🎥 Intro: 00:00–4:13
🕯️ Expression vs Consumption: 4:13-7:53
⚔️ The Clone Panic: 7:53-9:48
🛒 Fast Fashion: 9:48-11:28
🌪️ Hauls (ft. Hypocrisy): 11:28-16:15
🪦 Capitalism Crisis (ft. Me) aka “Am I the Drama?”: 16:15-24:01
⛓️ Mainstreamification: 24:01-25:01
🧷 DIY or Die: 25:01-32:00
🦇 Trad Standards: 32:00-32:37
🕸️ "Goth Enough” & Intersectionality: 32:27-40:17
💽 The Never-Ending Music Debate™: 40:17-43:04
👻 Poserphobia: 43:04-47:36
🥀 Idolization: 47:36-50:24
👀 Conservative Goths: 50:24-54:10
💀 Critical Thinking: 54:10-57:16
🖤 “Can I Be Goth If...?” 57:16-58:43
❤️🩹 Feelings Update! 58:43-1:11:00
🥤 Monster Rant: 1:11:00-1:18:53
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🌟 ITS NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM 🌟
While this video dives into some of the weird feelings I’ve been having about trends online—and my own growing pains—it’s not all bad out there! There are still so many brilliant, beautiful, weird, creative voices doing their thing and keeping the spirit of DIY and individuality alive.
✨ if you’re feeling a little disillusioned too, here are some creators that inspire me and remind me of what I love about this community.
https://www.youtube.com/@chizdoesthings
https://www.youtube.com/@pinkfaefemme
https://www.youtube.com/@reptil_diy
https://www.youtube.com/@NasyaAcostaSmith
https://www.youtube.com/@Jacobjunkyard
https://www.youtube.com/@MorellaReborn
https://www.youtube.com/@MidgeMunster
https://www.youtube.com/@MzPirateQueen
https://www.youtube.com/@MadameAbsinthe
https://www.youtube.com/@TheePumpkinQueeen
https://www.youtube.com/@AltKnots
https://www.youtube.com/@CasketCreated
https://www.youtube.com/@HeidiHazardous
https://www.youtube.com/@YasminBenoit
https://www.youtube.com/@deadchupacabra4471
https://www.youtube.com/@purplejanew
🖤 (More under the “Creators I 💖” tab on my channel!)(& drop links below, including your own!)
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🎻 Music Used: The Skeleton Rag - American Quartet
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🧠 A FEW RESOURCES 🧠
- Kimberlé Crenshaw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akOe5-UsQ2o)
- bell hooks – Love as the Practice of Freedom: (https://wp.stolaf.edu/art343/files/2022/11/BellHooks.pdf)
- Angela Davis - Are Prisons Obsolete? (https://decolonisesociology.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/angela-davis-are_prisons_obsolete.pdf)
- Judith Butler (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo7o2LYATDc)
- Simone de Beauvoir – Ethics of Ambiguity (https://antilogicalism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ethics-of-ambiguity.pdf)
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🐀 NEW HERE?🐀
🕸️ https://youtu.be/OkRcPJo_92Q
🧷 https://youtu.be/7urE44QqcHA
🛒 https://youtu.be/NMsAeYEPF50
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🖇️ MY LINKS 🖇️
🐀Website: https://relicsoftherat.com
💌 Tumblr: rattusrattus3.tumblr.com
🦇 Monster High Tumblr: punkdraculaura.tumblr.com
🩸Buffy Tumblr: mywickedplum.tumblr.com
📸 Instagram: @rattusrattus3
❤️ Kofi @rabbitrattus
📮 PO BOX:
Relics of the Rat
PO Box 61046 Kensington
Calgary, AB
T2N 4S6
✉️ Business Inquiries Only: [email protected]
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🖤 GOT SOME TIME & CURIOUSITY? 🖤
Google *[your city]* + *[community outreach]* —mutual aid, food shares, zine fests, etc. There’s magic out there. 🕯️🖤✨