(A recent selfie from an event. Yep thats me. I'm as vain as the rest of you.)

So many dreaded #selfies! Before (to capture your look at its best), during (zomg we're having so much fun. sucks to be you not being here), after - patting everyone on the back and thanking organizers (or people who turned up if you are an organizer) and then late photos from official and other photographers where you hope they deemed you worthy to put your mug online.

It’s more about being seen and creating this online goth social media persona that is focused on all the positives you want to show and hide the negatives - unless you are like me and want the tragic stuff out there because you can laugh at yourself. Generally it is all taken oh so seriously to the point of absurdity. But hey - isn't absurdity and drama what goth is all about?

The worst part is we all do it, we see others do it and we continually up the ante.

But that doesn't mean the core values in goth need to be compromised. However with all the focus on the aesthetics and appearances, core values of goth are certainly shoved into the background.

Some people will focus on the music and other aspects too. But most are just there to party, social climb and show themselves off. I think a lot of this also ties into the abundance of videos that cover makeup, fashion (store/internet-bought as well as DIY) and the more recently trendy unboxing/showing off what I bought today stuff.

*YAWN!* (Yeah I'm not a fan of those sorts of videos)

It’s like these material objects become your personality. Maybe this is what people mean by a "gothic lifestyle"?