Straight edge or not?

Originally Posted by Hydelloon

The problem is every straight edge I've met has tried to tell me to stop. In fact, every straight edge I've met also carries this false sense of "superiority" because they are clean and untainted. Doing drugs and drinking don't make me better than you but also the other way around. Don't try to push your life style to me. Just don't do it.

Hyyyyde!

I hope you don't feel that way about me.

I'll admit that it can be tough, though. Those of us who were raised conservatively were taught that those things are bad, not to hang around kids who do that, etc. We were taught--however subtly--to dislike kids who weren't "straight edge." I've had to pull myself out of that rut--something that my parents never did. Sometimes I think it's a lack of compassion; sometimes I wonder if it's just how they were raised. People were a lot less "tolerant" back in the day.

At any rate, I think that's why so many straight edge kids come off as so high and mighty. I really hope that I'm not one of them--or at the very least, that I am improving rapidly.

On the other other hand, some people might try to convince you to stop because they care about you and think it's what's best. I'd like to make sure that case is distinct from the "better-than-you" case.

Originally Posted by blue

Hyyyyde!

I hope you don't feel that way about me.

No, I dont. You're cool.

Originally Posted by blue

I'll admit that it can be tough, though. Those of us who were raised conservatively were taught that those things are bad, not to hang around kids who do that, etc. We were taught--however subtly--to dislike kids who weren't "straight edge." I've had to pull myself out of that rut--something that my parents never did. Sometimes I think it's a lack of compassion; sometimes I wonder if it's just how they were raised. People were a lot less "tolerant" back in the day.

It can be tough if you have a strict upbringing. I did too. I understand. But I think everyone should learn to be tolerant. Upbringing aside, tolerance is something everyone should be taught or develop themselves.

Originally Posted by blue

At any rate, I think that's why so many straight edge kids come off as so high and mighty. I really hope that I'm not one of them--or at the very least, that I am improving rapidly.

On the other other hand, some people might try to convince you to stop because they care about you and think it's what's best. I'd like to make sure that case is distinct from the "better-than-you" case.

Its very easy for a not-straight edge person to tell if someone is being "high and mighty" and when they are trying to be caring friends. Quite easy infact.

Originally Posted by Hydelloon

If fear of losing control is the ONLY reason an individual chooses not to try something like drinking, smoking or drugs then you might as well just stop there. With that low level of self control, how can you play videogames or watch TV? If you dont have any faith in your self control, then thats just a sign of a lack of will power. These addictions don't take place immeadiate and are slow and gradual. There are far better reasons to not try things out than a misplaced "fear."

No, not the only reason. I just plain don't feel the need to try drugs, alcohol, or smoking. I have other ways to spend my time that are more conventional. I know you could obviously make a case that something like watching TV excessively, is just as bad for your eyes as smoking excessively is bad for your lungs. However, I just don't want to try it out period, and lack of control is one of a few factors to note, but definitely not the sole reason.

The case was made earlier that people won't exactly love drinking after just their first drink. They could have hated that one drink, but then were just a bit curious to see why people seem to love drinking, and then they could discover: "oh I don't like the drink, I just like chatting with friends with a drink in hand." Then from that, it obviously changes a person. If that person starts to the love the idea of having a drink in hand, and decides that they need a drink in hand each time they chat with friends, then that person is obviously different from their previous self before trying out drinking.

I'm not saying that will happen, but it's just an elaborate scenario that is one of a possible many. Just to reinforce my point that I'm fine with who I am, and one of the reasons is that I don't want to change as a result of trying something that could be life-altering (even though there is obviously also the possibility that it won't be). After all, drugs, alcohol, and smoking seem to be big topics on their own, and we probably wouldn't include them in our discussion if they weren't such a big deal in some way.

I think that the feeling of being superior that most of the sXe kids nowadays have is pretty silly. I don´t do drugs, don´t smoke and I avoid alcohol if I can - but I never used the term straight edge to describe my lifestyle. I avoid these things because I am aware of the negative effect they have on my health.

It´s understandable if people who do the above are annoyed when someone wants to push their lifestyle on them, I detest behaviour like that as well and would never tell someone to stop drinking (unless a friend of mine drifts off to addiction.. that´s a whole different story of course).
Okay, granted - I´m annoyed if someone smokes beside me but I´ll try to respect that and not breathe the smoke in . And I hope most of the smokers respect it if someone doesn´t want to have smoke around him and try to control their urge...

Minor Threat and Fugazi rock though, and I think sXe nowadays is not what Ian MacKaye intended it to be. I heard of hardcore sXe "gangs" that beat up people who do drugs (could very well be bullshit, but everythings possible nowadays, don´t you think?)

Originally Posted by Summonmaster

The case was made earlier that people won't exactly love drinking after just their first drink. They could have hated that one drink, but then were just a bit curious to see why people seem to love drinking, and then they could discover: "oh I don't like the drink, I just like chatting with friends with a drink in hand." Then from that, it obviously changes a person. If that person starts to the love the idea of having a drink in hand, and decides that they need a drink in hand each time they chat with friends, then that person is obviously different from their previous self before trying out drinking.

If you truly believe that such a situation would arise than you do not have much faith in yourself. Certainly, substances can take control over you, especially if you take too much or abuse them, however you make the conscious decision to take them when you are sober.

Originally Posted by summonmaster

I'm not saying that will happen, but it's just an elaborate scenario that is one of a possible many. Just to reinforce my point that I'm fine with who I am, and one of the reasons is that I don't want to change as a result of trying something that could be life-altering (even though there is obviously also the possibility that it won't be). After all, drugs, alcohol, and smoking seem to be big topics on their own, and we probably wouldn't include them in our discussion if they weren't such a big deal in some way.

If you live life analyzing everyone possible scenerio, no matter how elaborate, then you are restricting your own possibilities. Drugs and alcohol aside, living a life in this matter, you give the impression that you leave your life up to chance and not your own control. Your last paragraph also hardly reinforces your belief that you are content with yourself. If you were truly content with who you are, you wouldnt wonder about these wild predictions and firmly believe that what you are doing is the best choice. Anything COULD happen as you have said, but you contribute to your own future with your decision, not some game of possibility.

Be yourself but have some faith in your choices and decisions.

Not drinking, smoking, or doing drugs is fine. It's your body, do what you want with it. I respect that. I don't do drugs or smoke, but I do drink.

Referring to yourself as straightedge, sXe, or ever having said the phrase "no poison for life" renders you an automatic douchebag.

If you're that afraid that you may get tipsy you have to brand yourself and others with such a ridiculous tag in an effort to keep pure, you're too stupid to be using up my precious air.

Straightedge is pretty much one of the stupidest "cliques" you can associate yourself with. Intentionally categorizing yourself in any sort of group really is kind of ridiculous as it is -- but straightedge rings distrubingly true of judging people that choose to smoke or drink and placing them in a negative light. As long as these things are done responsibly, they're not harming you or anyone else.

I respect people who choose not to drink or smoke, and that's their own choice. But, for example, only hanging out with other straightedge kids and particularly thinking less of people who do partake in these activities is ridiculous.

1. Life is too short; might as well have fun with it.
2. people are prone to evils anyways, welcome to the club...?

I mean it's ok for those who put a goal in not drinking, smokeing and/or having sex; But I just don't like it when they slap on some status to it. I mean... HOW ELSE ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE OUR SPECIES SURVIVE O_O!? (ah I over exagerate, there's tube babies, I forget )

Originally Posted by Luckee Cookie

1. Life is too short; might as well have fun with it.
2. people are prone to evils anyways, welcome to the club...?

I mean it's ok for those who put a goal in not drinking, smokeing and/or having sex; But I just don't like it when they slap on some status to it. I mean... HOW ELSE ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE OUR SPECIES SURVIVE O_O!? (ah I over exagerate, there's tube babies, I forget )

Um....what the hell?

Originally Posted by Summonmaster

The case was made earlier that people won't exactly love drinking after just their first drink. They could have hated that one drink, but then were just a bit curious to see why people seem to love drinking, and then they could discover: "oh I don't like the drink, I just like chatting with friends with a drink in hand." Then from that, it obviously changes a person. If that person starts to the love the idea of having a drink in hand, and decides that they need a drink in hand each time they chat with friends, then that person is obviously different from their previous self before trying out drinking.

That is not how alcohol addiction starts, sir.

Quote:

Just to reinforce my point that I'm fine with who I am, and one of the reasons is that I don't want to change as a result of trying something that could be life-altering

I have noticed that only children find change a necessarily bad thing. Look at you, you make it sound like learning what beer you like will change your personality, and you back it up with a scenario of your own invention. I don't care if you drink or anything, but do you honestly think you don't change* from day to day?

* however you care to define this. What a strange opinion to have, that there is something about a person that is absolute.

Originally Posted by nabhan

Um....what the hell?

it's what late night calculus sleep depervation syndrome makes you blabbery...

*falls over*

I'm really sorry I used the words "straight edge" in the first place. I simply meant it as an easier way of saying "someone who does not smoke, drink [excessively], or do drugs."

PLEASE get over the label. It was just a descriptor; talking about how stupid the label is won't enhance the thread any further... we're over labels.

ah but there is a herd out in the world that lives for these 'labels'. When someone is aloted to a 'prestige' (i can't think of a better right now) from a label, it offers perhaps a direction in life or even some type of value in the end. However, everyone has a different value system (duh) so weither the importance of a label for one's own security will be determined by the reasons or objectives of the individual's motivation to go through with these ideals. May it be created in the reversed direction but when ideas get out and are backed up with 'reason' then we have people following by labels.

Hmm, I guess I COULD have been Straight Edge at one point, but I don't like the idea of restricting myself based on just because its the cool thing to do.

Essentially, I tried out Weed, Alchohol... and well that's about it, because I looked into what these things did beforehand and used logic to surmise that:
A. Weed is natural, and the most tame of 'drugs'. Plus its only illegal becauses its similar to Cigarettes in the most popular form of intake (Rolling up into a joint, which looks like a cigarette very roughly), and that the Timber Industry, and later the Tobacco industry kept the substance illegal to keep up profits.

An example given earlier is perfect: I sometimes enjoy the loosed up feeling that I get when sufficently buzzed, but I don't need it to have a good time.

As for Straight Edge people: Do what you gotta do. I just dislike the 'high and mighty' attitude that I encounter, and half the time these same people will engange in sex, drugs, & rock&roll ( ) and give off some excuse or something, becoming very hypocritical.

From my perspective its a pure lifestyle choice, and to look down on others because they don't choose the same way is both juvinille and says a lot about a person's lack of character & compassion (Meaning to be Tolerant of those who are different from you).

But the same could be said of all Lifestyles :dracula:

Originally Posted by Dark Nation

Hmm, I guess I COULD have been Straight Edge at one point, but I don't like the idea of restricting myself based on just because its the cool thing to do.

I don´t think "restriction" is the fitting word to describe a drug-free lifestlye. The choice to not do some things, I think, has nothing to do with restriction. Personally, I don´t feel the urge to smoke, do drugs or get drunk - so I´m not restricting myself in the way of "I want to, but I try not to". I don´t feel that I´m missing out either.

I agree, a lot of the sXe kids stay edge for a few months because it´s cool and not because of an inner conviction. For them, it´s something to call themselves and a scene thing. That´s why I can´t stand the label (sorry thread opener, I promise I won´t mention the label again )

I don’t do drugs, smoke and rarely drink. However, that’s my choice not to do so, and not the choice of my parents, peers or rules forced upon me by religion -needless to say, I never considered it to be a trendy lifestyle choice. So while I guess I have similar ideals, the reasons are different and I’m not part of any straight edge subculture/scene. Every group seems to have superiority complexes, probably due to their self imposed ‘elitist’ status, and I suppose it reminds me a bit of those people who fill in online ‘Who I want to meet’ fields with Lord Jesus, sign their emails with psalms or write hymns in their spare time. You want to think you’re all better than the average joe? Fine with me.

Originally Posted by Hydelloon

The problem is every straight edge I've met has tried to tell me to stop. In fact, every straight edge I've met also carries this false sense of "superiority" because they are clean and untainted.

I've had the same problem with these "straight-edge" kids myself, but I wouldn't say that every one of them is like this.

In my few run-ins with a few straight-edge people, it's been my distinct displeasure arguing with them for one reason: They felt the need to castigate me for being a drunk and (at least back then) a habitual pot smoker. It's one thing to not enjoy drinking and recreational drug use but don't expect me to adopt your lifestyle just because YOU enjoy it. A lot of vegans I've met are also the same way but, as I said before and since it's off-topic, it's really unfair to group the extremists with the casual lifestyle followers and I'll lay that to rest.

I will admit though; I joke about this at, say, a party when I offer someone a drink and they decline only to hear me say, "Come ON! It's just a drink! Don't be such a pussy!" or something of the sort; but the truth is if someone doesn't enjoy drinking or decides to abstain from any intoxicants... Good. More power to them. If they decline a drink on the basis that they just don't enjoy alcohol then that's exactly what they do and forcing one upon them is, in my eyes, no different than say forcing yourself on someone sexually, otherwise known as rape.