Were you ever an archetypical Edgy Teenager?

I see lots of commentary on the group and what they like (hate, death, darkness, randomness (squirrel! pie!), rebellion etc.) but know that many internet denizens were once part of the said group.

How were your experiences as one? What changed you? Did it improve you for the better or hold you back?

What is Edge?

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I used to be one, yes.

I used to think that I was the only smart one in this goddamn irrational world filled with morons and assholes.

Then I read mature books, read up about extraordinary things people did, became more religious, talked more with responsible adults around me, and came to conclusion:

There is just so many factors that influence this world so it is almost impossible to say any absolute about it. However, one certain thing is that the world is probably not as bad as I made it out to be. At least, not as black and white. So always be responsible and be nice to people; people are ends, not means.

Now, actually putting those into action? I'm working on that.

I'm a (socialist) professional writer serializing a WWII alternate history webnovel.

I remember talking about suicide when I was about 11, and deciding until I was about 15 that I hated 90% of everything. I often found stupid reasons to hate things too.

That's what happens when you enter high school at 11 and graduate at 15, with the added burdens of Asperger syndrome, a mostly uncaring administration, and the inability to realize when you're being taken advantage of. I'm surprised I managed to tough it out without ever snapping.

Nah, I figured all the 'edgy' teens were just trying too hard. I was very bored and disappointed as a teenager, though; I'd heard adults going on about all the fun they'd had as teens and I found it to be rather a let-down.

Of course, that was until I was 18 and went to university, which was awesome.

'All he needs is for somebody to throw handgrenades at him for the rest of his life...'

No. Despite liking all things bloody and gory I don't consider myself an edgy teen, for I'm actually very optimistic most of the time.

I am 17 turning 18 next year. I guess I might technically count as I have a very punk out look on governmental systems, school systems, and society in general. I see a lot of social injustices that I have problems with (and I have no issue with calling out) and my fashion sense is more akin to a goth (I usually wear a leatherjacket, dark cloths, combat boots, long dark hair). I don't necessarily hate people though, I have a good amount of friends and a lot of new people I meet are surprisingly nice to me. I don't really get a attitude unless someone else gets one on me first. My personality is more hyperactive jokester like then anything else (when I am not shy) when I am having a good or okay day. I love a lot of the horror stuff and more dark stuff too. But yet I am totally fine with being friends with bronies, nerds, or anime fans or hell even some of the jocks or some of the preps.

All my parents see is my bloody exterior though and that pisses me off. I guess they might be the exception as I find myself rebelling against them more because they have a tendency to be judgmental and massively hypocritical (my mom used to be a punk back in her days and my dad would dye hair all kinds of crazy colors).

edited 19th Oct '14 2:36:54 PM by Bleddyn

I'm sort of in the middle of a phase like that right now.

I'm 22 years old, by the way.

Yeah.

Insert witty 'n clever quip here.

They're probably just thinking 'Oh, god, this bit...I remember this bit...'.

'All he needs is for somebody to throw handgrenades at him for the rest of his life...'

See, I'm reading that myself and thinking, "Ah yes, I remember giving this spiel back when I was 16." Maybe minus the goth clothing and horror flicks, but same attitude.

Insert witty 'n clever quip here.

Considering that I was slowly descending into depression, I'd say, "Yes."

This is a signature.

Yeah, when I was like 14-15. After that,I pretty much ended up more like a stereotypical College Boy in high school. Same Strawman Political leans and switches, same need to do "hipster" things...but that's it. I guess there's overlap.

And a dislike for Happy Endings.

The rest of what could've lumped me in pretty much disappeared Senior Year of high school,I'm almost 22 now.

Honestly though, it seems more like the folks were insanely worried about that actually happening than what did. In many ways, I was managing things more like an adult then than now.

edited 19th Oct '14 3:08:48 PM by terlwyth

Huh, I am curious on what changed you as you got older then....

edited 19th Oct '14 3:06:27 PM by Bleddyn

Can't say if I've gotten better or worse, really. But that "people don't understand me" feeling is a big part of adolescence for most people, though I suppose the intensity with which you feel it depends on the amount of alienation you have as well. The fact that I have a couple good friends now certainly has helped me. And therapy, I suppose. Mostly, life experience and maturation helps to stymie a lot of this.

Insert witty 'n clever quip here.

I would say no because the behavior associated with "edgy teenager" (anti-social, pessimistic, suicidal thoughts) I had back in my teen years, but the trick is, those behaviors never went away with me. I went from a pessimistic, somewhat depressed teenager to a pessimistic, somewhat depressed adult. Nothing changed. It may be because I was never really trying to be edgy at all. I didn't think being pessimistic or anti-social was cool, I thought it was just a normal development of my personality, caused by the sheer amount of disasters occurring in my family back at the time.

Now one behavior I genuinely think was teenage stupidity was my arrogance. I used to be somethng of a braggart, seeing myself as a intellectual superior to everyone, but in the following years much Humble Pie was served.

"All you Fascists bound to lose."

Ooh, yeah, I had that lack of humility regarding my perceived intelligence myself. Difference is, that was in elementary school for me.

Insert witty 'n clever quip here.

I had plenty of issues as a teen, and I hated that period of my life, but I was never a "fuck you" type of edgy teenager. Also, my mom strictly forbid me from dressing in any kind of rebellious clothing, so I didn't have that going on either.

And pretty much everything I was into as a teenager, I'm still into now, but... Better. I was into goth/EBM/industrial then, and I'm still into it now , except I no longer think Nine Inch Nails is the epitome of the genre. I was into metal then, and I still am now, except I no longer think System of A Down is hardcore. I was into Shōnen manga then, I'm into seinen now.

Whether this means that I'm a man of consistent tastes or a manchild who refuses to grow up, I don't know. But my still being a troper might mean the latter.

edited 19th Oct '14 7:41:55 PM by Wheezy

Project progress: The Adroan (102k words), The Pigeon Witch, (40k). Done but in need of reworking: Yume Hime, (50k)

My tastes in music have changed over time. I used to try listening all kinds of metal or hard/punk rock bands 2-3 years ago and I was willing to try as many as I liked. After a while though I sticked to listening to only certain bands that I liked instead of trying to find more bands that interested me. Hell on occasion I would look into some of the rare metal/rock bands that have rap parts that could do it well (Hollywood Undead, Linking Park (of course everyone knows this band), Dangerkids).

My roots in terms of music however is mostly techno. Celldweller, Pendulum, Basshunter, Blue Stahli, Aesthetic Perfection I can go on and on about techno music I have loved since I was a small kid.

And yeah Odd1 I have that feeling of They don't understand me mostly pointed towards my parents and the occasional adult that just assumes that I am a troublemaker from the get go just because of fashion sense. My parents usually recieve the brunt of it because as I said I find it very hypocritical that they judge me and assume stuff about me so much just because I am a teen yet they have told me themselves that they were rebels too back when they were teenagers...

edited 19th Oct '14 9:21:22 PM by Bleddyn

This pretty much describes me sans the religion part. My teenage years (14-18) were actually the years I lost my religion during some hard times, and while I don't think I'm immature enough nowadays to still call other people idiots or sheep for believing in their respective gods, I will say I do still have a generally negative (and admittedly somewhat spiteful) outlook on religion and the idea of gods.

I've got new mythological machinery, and very handsome supernatural scenery. Goodfae: a mafia web serial

I don't Hollywood Undead and "could do it well" belong in the same sentence.

edited 19th Oct '14 9:36:28 PM by Wheezy

Project progress: The Adroan (102k words), The Pigeon Witch, (40k). Done but in need of reworking: Yume Hime, (50k)

Shots fired

Warning: This poster is known to the state of California to cause cancer. Cancer may not be available in your country.

Do we have to Humor Mode tag everything now?

edited 19th Oct '14 10:04:26 PM by Wheezy

Project progress: The Adroan (102k words), The Pigeon Witch, (40k). Done but in need of reworking: Yume Hime, (50k)

My brother was. I don't think he's grown out of it yet all the way; he's 20 now.

I was more the guy who inexplicably got along with everyone. Inexplicably because somewhat like Twentington, I'm autistic/Aspergers.

Of course, don't you know anything about ALCHEMY?!- Twin clones of Ivan the Great

Meh, it's not really one of my favorite bands but I do like a few of there songs. I am not even a fan per say so I don't care if someone else dislikes it...

edited 19th Oct '14 10:53:51 PM by Bleddyn

Sorry, but isn't the point of that kind of rebellion to send a message to your parents that you don't care what they think?

Insert witty 'n clever quip here.

You can't send a message if they just throw it away.

Edit: In before "pull it out." It would be destroyed first.

edited 20th Oct '14 12:53:21 AM by Wheezy

Project progress: The Adroan (102k words), The Pigeon Witch, (40k). Done but in need of reworking: Yume Hime, (50k)