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The Dark Side, that you choose to project; is it useful, or detrimental, in your life??

.. I find both can be the case.

hmm I suppose useful never really took the time to think about it. but then again I really dont portray a dark side.

Can't really say that I have dark or light sides to my personality. I am just me. What the world view of me is, is of no consequence to me.

My definition of dark is nothing fashionable, or trendy.

Dark to me is nothing one assumes, or delights in.

The whole.. "I am Dark." statement amuses me.

I know when I see people who have dealt with dark areas.

They seldom need to declare such things.

Having found dark places in life, and passing through them, I learned a few things, that help me introduce others to the gray areas. Because what I note is plenty of people walk around with their eyes covered tight.. declaring themselves to be Dark.

I forgot to mention.. as i am tired..

That I have a fondness for all things Noir' as a genre, and in general
the dark humor, the noir lingerie shoots of the 20s, and 30s. I like to make people ask.."why am I laughing at such depraved material?" I haven't been there in some times, as people are just so damn unwilling to let fiction be fiction.

I think my ''dark'' side is the fact that I like many things that are socially unacceptable.

I find that to be mostly detrimental mostly because of bullying and unacceptance.

I always feel a fish out of the water.

It's not really a choice. I just can't be any different.

I don't have much of a "dark side" really. Many traits can come out of our personalities depending on who or what's doing the provoking and to what extent. To me dark and light are just merely what is socially acceptable and what isn't. I can see that having "dark moments" can make or break a person.

my dark side is like my driving force in my life.

if I have a dark side as it were it come's out when I working on a bike as in it will work wether it wants to or not ,it keeps me alive and moving

.. all of these responses illustrate an opinion.
.. mine is that we each have two sides to our character: and, dependant on our circumstances, one will prove more useful than the other.

A perspective.

Incidentally, Dabller, I too am intrigued by film noir; art noir, in fact, anything almost.. that speaks of our darker side.

My 'dark side' has its uses. I have learned over the years to walk with it instead of against it, though I always keep one hand firmly on the handrail of reason.

I decided to respond to this post because I thought it would be a bit ironic. *points to her own name*


Anyways, I believe my dark side can be detrimental but I also believe my light side can be detrimental.

My darker side gets angry and frustrated easily. It lashes out at people who sometimes don't deserve it. So I would say that's not exactly "helpful".

Though on the other hand, it's helpful when making me stand up for myself and my friends. It helps me realize that sometimes, you don't always have to be nice and that it can actually hurt you if you're nice "all" the time.

My light side is kind, playful, and "usually" sweet. But being like that all the time lets some people think I'm weak.

So there's a balance. My own personal dark side (that is not what others would consider a dark side to "be") is helpful and harmful just as my lighter side is.

yes...both.

my dark side gives me a level of passion that i would never know without it.

it ignites my sexuality to burn with a white heat.


but my dark side is also the part of me that enjoys a good fight. if i feel wronged, i lash out.
this isnt a good thing if i have an argument with those i love, because im very good at it, and i can turn vicious in my words....and i truly hate that, and fight it with all my strength.
~W~

Is potentially destructive and I think that as with martial arts "qualified darkness" is a powerful tool.

My "dark side" so to speak helps me to stand up for myself, and what I believe in. But just like everything, it needs to be used in moderation, or allowed to come out in moderation, because it can cause problems for me if I don't allow myself to be equally light-hearted and friendly.

Really good question as I'm right in the midst of a major 'project' in the sense that my darkside has been dormant for years and it's just now (no pun intended....or is it?) seeing the light of day. I'm treating this whole thing very carefully as I think I'm savvy enough to know things could go very awry very quickly.

the dark side is very powerful (gods, i sound like a jedi here lol), but it must be held in control. if you lose control of it, then your on the road to madness.

there is a very fine line between a fine spirited horse, and a rodeo nightmare.
~W~

Or, as a friend once said to me, "The distance between madness and genius is the thickness of a sheet of paper."

well said JustinV.
i think the 'dark'' and 'light' sides of me are very much dependant on the situation. i have both, probably in equal balance, but circumstances dictate which side of me is prevelant.

Angelus,

I find that folks across The Pond are adapt at such Noir-istic
concepts.

Most UK films are ripe examples, the depth, and lack of gratuity shames most US films.

.. perhaps repressions shows through?

**Grins**

but, I know what you meant. aye.

i absolutely agree. films and television as well.
youll never find such classics as bennie hill and are you being served in the states! LOL


the best of film noir tho was produced back in the 40s and 50s in my opinion.
~W~

I liked the Victorian Diary, and Parlor Society. The daring under attire photos. All very risque, such behavior was very unbecoming of "sensible" people.

Did someone mention cookies? *Sniffs the air*

What is dark? What is light? To Me, My "dark side" is all those things I have done or that I am that I am not proud of. Be they socially acceptable or not. It can be both very bad or very good for Me depending on what I am facing in My life. Like the Yin and Yang philosophy. Both light and dark in balance make up the whole of who a person is. The dark side makes up part of who I am. I could not be Me without it.

.. in a fashion, I feel one give balance, to the other.

I believe everyone has a darker side to themselves but they are capable of emitting light as well. Light needs darkness just as darkness needs light. Darkness isn't necessarily always 'bad', in fact some of the best people I know are the ones with a dormant darker side...:)

If you don't have a dark side...
I want whatever your smoking...
cuz thats NOT normal....

Everyone has their good and bad...
it's what makes us human

Why must a darkside exist? Why can't it be alternative side or something else? It is all relative isn't it? Referring to it that way makes it seem to me like saying your good and bad side. I have never thought of it that way. For most I think they are talking about the side we hide, our negative nature. What we hide from each other that is unknown and it seems to be linked to perversion. The occult is associated to this and it is just the area of the unknown that science can't presently explain. Many times it is the lifestyle, way of dress and over all appearance that will make some say this person or that person is dark. So it pushes the boudaries of what some think of as the norm in society.

If a dark side is obscured aspects then everyone has "a dark side"

The advantage is in how one applies, their obscure aspects.

If dark is unconventional nature, it is what that nature allows one to do .. without inhibition. Personally, I operate in a gray area.

I am going to try to invite myself into the thread, may be I will be wrong or right,. LOL. Dark side. Are you meaning, in religious way or a psychological way? those two are way different for each-other. Religious way, wow, the Satan kingdom. Psycho way, the trill of mayhem and killing. every human is born with a dark side, is up to the person, to keep those pesky demon in control.

That's a very good point. I think we're all working from a variety of definitions/presumptions about what is meant by "Dark Side."

My personal interpretation of the OP's question was based on the qualifier "that you choose to project." In my mind, this referred to the hidden AND the opposite of being a 'shiny happy person' that we are expected to be in our 'dayside' lives. Or, as the expression (with any number of variations) goes, "Accountant by day, pole dancing vixen by night.

And so, my answer referred specifically to the fact that my dark side is specifically a part of me that would not walk into a meeting with a client. It's the part of me that is only 'let out to play' at night and under the right circumstances and with the right people. Or, haha, here on VR whenever I wish!

Hmm good thread Dab.
I find my darkside useful.But I dont care to reveal it for the most part.My dark side has kept me alive in some instances,and has had other uses as well.I dont feel it is an attractive side of myself and dont really like it when it is provoked to the surface.

Azuredark asks why? good question, which Dabbler answered wonderfully.

just amazes me that someonbe can say 'I don't have one.'

'shades of grey indeed' ~ **chortles**

for me it works like this

i have one side of my personality that wants to help people in general, and be nice. the polite me, the civilized me.

i have a part of me that would come out if someone harmed a member of my family, i would happily crucify them and sit and eat snacks while the person begged to die.

obviously i keep dark me buried deeply inside and people usually only get a tiny glimpse of that part of me, but it is a real part of me just the same.

~W~

darkside or the other side, you will really don't know the outcome until it comes (detrimental or nondetrimental)...

I don't choose to portray a dark side I choose to be me. Some people may see things I do as dark but it's not because I set out to do that. When I was in high school and college I did portray a very dark persona for shock value. The problem is if you do it long enough you can bring out a truly dark side that goes way beyond image. I don't know about everyone else but I keep my true dark side on a very short leash.

I dunno.. I got a pretty violent record, so I guess that means that I am in tune with my dark side? I dunno.. a couple of times I've woken up on top of someone after I'd beat the hell out of 'em and don't remember doing it. So maybe my dark side has a hold of ME as opposed to me having a hold of IT.

the dark side isnt something that takes control of you. it is just you.
we all (or almost all) have a side that takes great pleasure in helping others.

and a side that takes pleasure in revenge, causing pain, etc.

ideally we merge both of those into the single being that is ourselves.

if we cannot merge the two, then we end up being either physically or mentally ill.

~W~

The Dark Side of me is.... My schizophrina.
It takes over me when ever it wants no telling when it will strike. I change into a whole different person. I start wanting to do things i should not do and write sad demented poems.

.. as a sufferer of manic depression, give a guess who I identified with there??

My dark side is the regular me.

Shady for me is bending the law,, or breaking the law say for example growing pot (in florida), darker is swindling folks out of money. Though I am somewhat capable of engaging in such activity, I couldn't because I see how devastating such things effect victims,, I am consciously illuminated, and I lack the obscurity to perform such things.

Dabs- we love you , though you can be a narcissist and self obsessed you are but a flower in the storm;
Personally; I am unable to post my Darkside as it will make you all heave.

My dark side is degrading. It feeds on my insecurities and engulfs me in a flame of self loathing. It drags me down into the darkest parts of my mind that I hide from everyone else and forces me to face my repressed aggression.

It is cynical. It hates everything, even me. It is the part of me that drove me to plan all the details of my suicide even though I vow never to do such a thing. It rips me up inside. But it also shows me the world as it truly is. It shows me how people really are. It protects me by forcing me to see the truth that I so blissfully ignore.

My inner darkness is killing me as it saves my life. And I want to kill her.

As an after note here is this: The journal entry I posted, to which a friend referred me here...


Oh how do I so humbly seek self awareness. How nobly do I look for my true self. Yet as for digging deep into my soul? I fear to take a step there. I know I am a corrupt, shallow, and disgraceful human being and I know it reflects on the inside. I just want to paint up all my faults and insecurities into pretty little pictures of conscious thought and realization. But it's all lies. I just seek to make myself feel better about what a horrible person I am.

I try so hard to be this definition of "good". Well that's a load of shit. I take the easy path, the path of little resistance. I just let things go on as they are because I don't want to take the time or energy to change things to how I want them to be. I'm not a "good" person. All I do is for my own satisfaction. I do it because its easy or it will lead to better outcomes later. I don't deserve my wings so stop giving them to me.

And then here I hate myself more for being a stupid, weak little cry baby. Oh wah! I'm a pathetic example of humanity. Get over it! You're never going to change so stop whining about it! No one cares about your insecurities or little rants. You are talking to a machine. A machine is your only friend. People don't care, they are only out for their own personal satisfaction. You don't matter. So stop bitching.

What a cruel person I really am... If these are the things I say to myself can you imagine all the things I keep locked behind my lips?

Green Knite posts,

"Dabs- we love you , though you can be a narcissist and self obsessed you are but a flower in the storm;
Personally; I am unable to post my Darkside as it will make you all heave."

Refrain from Flaming Green Knot!

Once again you demonstrate how you have nothing of substance to contribute to threads. It is obvious you are also Alien Nation. Do Not speak to me!

its interesting to me all of the differences between what one person considers their darkness, and what another thinks.
for some the dark is a law breaker

for some its the self destruction

for some, its the stripping away of all of the veneers and its what is left.


i dont think the dark side is always a negative thing tho. its just the part of you that isnt so socially acceptable.

~W~

I find that I use that side of my life to balance myself out.. It helps me to draw strength when I feel that I have none. I also do not portray a dark side but I know that it is a part of who I am as well as each and everyone of us has inside of us.

good side, does volunatery work onna Thursday.

darker side can walk down the street and, it's like the parting of the red sea, as I walk on, staring straight ahead.

It truly is a double edged blade. It can help or hinder in my experiance. With the desired effect sometines not being achieved..sigh

I find that the dark part of me is what makes me so dedicated to doing what I do the best I can, but there are times when I feel the need to reign it in, for fear of seriously hurting someone physically. Not something I am particularly proud of when it has hurt someone but it has motivated me to do things I never really thought I could do otherwise.

I think my dark half is helpful in a way, to my life style. My dark half is more aggressive, and very protective of me. My dark side makes sure we are safe. My dark half is my total opposite, but what we have is Unique.

This is an answer someone gave in Yahoo Answers and I thought it was an interesting reponse to how some view their dark side or what the dark side might be.

"the darkside is the remnant of the void within us all
just as we all carry a piece of the first spark that is existence an emptiness that still 'hungers' pulls at us. All
before 'starwars' the terms varied for the pull towards entropy, negative chi, bad karma, origional sin; these all touched on a common theme-to deny the interconnection between us all, to deny the god within(holy spirit), to deny the will of Gaya (first mother), to resist the will of the universe is to seperate yourself from the rest of us and the lack of connection becomes self destructive in it's quest to fill that absence
most who fall to the dark do so in sacrifice (paved with good intentions) and succumb to personal desires over communal gain.

They tell themselves that they're in control, but this is almost never the case as it treat's you like a drug addict and you have to be able to survive the withdrawl symptoms.

Arrogance, fear, and vanity are the most subtle ways to start down the path to the dark side."

I see this as meaning the side that is linked to psychopathy or just a flagrant disregard for what is considered social norms rather than what many mean by that by interests and reactions to things.

I like this question, it is more or less suggesting the acceptance of our human insticts, which we tend to disregard or even try to ignor at times.

My darkside, i guess i am still exploring it by thought and action. But if i am honest i would say without ever having embraced it i would not have began to understand myself and others around me, lending to a higher level of knowledge towards my lighter side also.

Its a it of a paradox when i think about it. lol

Hmmm, I like this topic ,my light side. It doesn't take much for my dark side to come out ,a word ,a thought ,or a jesture can bring it out ,then its like a dark creature that hangs over me ,its tenticles reaching out to attack or caress .The feeling it brings is a mixture of sadness and bliss if that makes sense. I guess its cause I know the darkness is mine and mine forever.

I don't have a a dark side or a light side. What I have is just me and I what i like from the paranormal to wicca to vampires and anything unknown. To the clouds and rain and the flowers and much more those are who I am and idon't hide it or classified it into any side. Its just me.

'It's just me'.. is surely an acceptance of self, which finds balance from finding harmony in the two sides, light & dark.

yeah i am sort of a grey area

i suppose all people are grey areas to an extent... unless the are mentally ill

Light and dark has been taken out of context for years. Its good vs. evil. Over the years it has succumbed to this light and dark name through hollywood. Light originally was innocence, lack of knowledge. Dark referred to all knowing basically.
Though because of this the name of "light and dark" stuck because dark (all knowing), knows the difference between good and bad. Light believes all they do is good because of there innocence. I guess the light and dark became fitting thinking of it this way. But to say "I'm a dark being" I personally think you have issues and im not slamming anyone, because I noticed a lot of people said it. I don't think your dark, your just a badass.

good v.s evil. **scratches head**

nope, no evil here.

I acknowledge facets of self that are brighter than others.. but Evil, No.

I view people more or less like animals. lol no offense.
We do what we can to survive, we protect what we feel is important to us, we can be soft one moment and flip a switch and go nuts on you. Like a cat that is calm one moment, then goes crazy and climbs your bed post with it's tail flipping out all weird-like. It's not "dark and light" to me. It's just the nature of how people are, how we react differently to certain things and situations. Everything else is just rubbish.

well people are like animals, and you know morality is an illusion society creates

Well stated Unseen. so many are out to present themselves as Morally Constructed above others. be they claiming "evilness" or "innocence". In my experience such people are very out of touch with their personality, and lack key development factors, not always a fault of their own, but environment (parents, siblings, instructors..) in some cases they conform, and adopt, in others they rebel, and tread to what they accept as opposite ideals.

so technically, they are "In the dark", rather then "dark".

Dabbler, I like the way Asura put it.
Personally.. I hate, [strong word] the ex best friend, for getting of with the ex-fiancee. I hate Mararet Thatcher, with venom.

I Love, the friend who taught me to hug again; I love those who allow their tendershow to show, even though it's not easy, for them; I love feeding the homeless & someone saying thank you.

Shades of grey, no. facets, facets of our Life, our character.. of us.

I just see it as a social buzz word. People intent to impress, or intimidate their peers. it comes down to default, and to claim, and avow oneself as Light, or Dark has something to say about the individuals character. Especially when a persons definition/interpretation is hand crafted to their liking.

Is Grey, getting by without imposing on others? Perhaps, thats what works for me.

My dark side helps me survive when things turn bad

.. part of the fight or flight instinct, I can go for that.

My darkness is not cool. It is not badass. It does not protect me. The darkness in my heart and mind want to destroy me. It torments my sleeping hours with endless night terrors. It haunts my waking moments by urging me to suicide. It hates me and everything I do. And I fear the only way to kill it would be to kill myself.

Simply put to respond to the actual question my dark side is what I would class as being my negative side.

The side which doesn't, if it can get away with it, play by the rules of society.

The "dark side" of me, or as I see it the simply less tolerant side, is and has been detrimental more often than not.
Between getting oneself upset to a degree that isn't worth suffering, to literally finding oneself in a situation that they are now watching spiral out of control, has been something I have suffered since I was a child.

The only thing useful in my opinion to having such angst is that it DOES show others there is a time and place for being an ass. We can't shut down what is within us, but we can all do our utmost to show some amount of control.

Thank you little green monster in my head that refuses to stop suffering from word vomit! =)

Interesting post Goddess, thank you.

I'm a manic depressive. Thing is, sometimes, it's that 'Dark Side I write of that has use, sometimes..

in the street, facing macho bullshit.
or Now, I've been using the mania.. feeding of it: producing writiing I'm proud of & a few pictures that just had to be drawn... y'know?

my dark side gives me strength...
but also it is what allows my insides to wither at times when im hurting in love.


id never thought of it before but that is certainly a part of my dark side.
~W~

That's me,
laughing at something
very inappropriately
I couldn't help it
my reasoning obsure
at least to those
unbent
with a tad dysfunction
just out of the average loop

so...would the giggle loop be an example of the dark side?
~W~

As far as emotional swings are concerned, I refer it more as my "going into my dark spots" rather than my dark side. I hide myself in it, rather than letting it out.

did that last week my friend.. I prefer the flipside.
it's less debilitating.

Heh, I'm going to the Triton Festival in NYC this coming weekend. Three days of goth/industrial/dark wave music. How is THAT for getting in touch with your dark side? If this thread is still alive after that, I'll report back!

I think everyone has a dark side and I think it is smart to know what that side is. It would be something small or something large either way it is very wise to know your own mind and how it works

I agree :), and they shouldn't be afraid to show it. I'm not

Is there any other?

Justin fine example. (Have a Blast) In subcultural circles their is a spectrum, Rainbow Hippy, to Dark/Drab Goth, Then there are shades of Noir. Has anyone heard of Black Spot Coffee? it defies the resource hogging StarPuckers brand. By not pressing ones self into "perky' molds one is likely to be seen as Socially Obscure, it is just so indicative that "Dark" has become a trend label. I am reminded of how in the 70s "Deep" was the trend buzz word.

Or "Hip".

Dabs...you must be the life of any party eh?
LOL

DARK!!!!!

so there


:c)

I have always been the catalyst, the one who brings people out of their brooding to interact, to set aside their adopted identities to relate on a human level..

Personally I find that being on the darker side on things can both help and hinder me immensely in my day-to-day life.

On the negatives I often suffer intense ridicule and rejection; I have even had a huge mod of girls trying to punch my lights out a few times.
Of course it is hard not to get brought down by all of this but like the rest of you I do what I can and I am definitely proud of who I am.

On the plus side, I'm fairly certain that it gives me a whole different perspective on life to others.
As such I am a good problem solver, and have epathy for others in situations which I would not feel were "that bad" had I not been through them myself.

I would never change my experiences, both good and bad, that I have had due to the "darker" side of me.
I am who I am and that is a vital part of my being; one that I hope to keep to the very end.

:)

yet someone else who finds balance, it would seem, from acknowledging both sides.

dabs...some of us prefer the shadows....feel more at home there.
(you catalyst you...gotta tease you sometimes or you may thing we dont love ya!)


i havent suffered ridicule because of my dark side, but then again, i really do cover it up and hide that side of my nature. too often life becomes so much about wearing a mask that it becomes difficult to remember that your wearing one.
ok...i know that sounds overly dramatic, but dont you know anyone that plays their expected role so well that they seem to lose who they had always been before they took on the role?
~W~

You make a good point.

Also I meant to put mobs, not mod or whatever I put :/

"First a mother bathes her child, then the other way around; the scales always find a way to level out"

I often think about how fulfilled I feel with the character I have carved for myself, and wonder whether those that do ridicule me feel that about their lives; I'm betting the answer is no.

The scales remain in balance. :)

nothing wrong with the mask..

cha..

the mask sure has it's uses... **Grins**

my dark side helps me get things I want or need, but it also causes me to be very stand-off.
Like more of an outcast

I think it's common knowledge that we shift and adapt to our circumstances all the time. The person you are in line at the grocery store is not the person you are at a theme park is not the person you are with a sick spouse/child/parent is not the person you are alone at night on a dark street. Which one of those people is the real you?

I follow you Wolfster.
It is just that it is evident that Dark has become a trend, and a gratuitous trend at that, it's as if the only intent in declaring ones self elf dark is to intimidate, or impress peers, or associated adults. Like I said before such individuals could be said to be "In the dark' rather then have a dark side.

The term "Dark side" has been used to death and seems to have different meanings to everyone.
For me it is a part of myself I hope nobody ever has to see.
That "Dark side" is a reminder for me to keep my focus on the reality of a common and serene life. Should that side ever be brought forth all would be lost.

Justin asks which one is the real you? surely all!?!

Well yes it must be all, otherwise the whole thing wouldn't make sense!

Think about what actually changes in those situations?
Your actions?
Your reactions?

Your environment changes therefore so does your reaction to it - you don't suddenly become a different person.
Each of those situations described brings out a different need/want from the situation; you want your sick spouse/child to get well, therefore you tend to them as much as you can. You want to be safe and secure in the dark alleyway when you're alone so you hurry yourself up.

If someone was in the alley with you; would you still feel the same?

I find that i seem to get more satisfaction from the darker side of me, they both have there uses but the darker side is more for me.

guess what I was intermating earlier fellow, was that though you might prefer one to ther other: Nephyr called it.. they both have their places, their times of use.

i find my dark side very useful and i love it

The "dark side" has its place like any other aspect of my personality. Detrimental if displayed at an inopportune time. However, it proves to be extremely effective in situations where it is a necessary demonstration of my commitment to a specific outcome. Thus, it has become an acceptable means when no other course of action will produce the deired results.

I like that phrase.. detrimental at an inopportune time: for it is so. of courrse it is. and kept in check and utilised as needed, I'd say in answer to my own question, yes, it is useful and the dark saide has it's place, just as does the light.. it's Karmic balance.

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