237Q

okay i always thought cat is a girl ok i'm ok
 
me and my random hair color

 
and me and my FEMALE CAT

 
*i'm so outta here*

@Magatsu goddamn have they tried. HAVE THEY TRIED? I remember getting used to like 20 different methods of downloading from this community, and not even I have been around for that long (I joined in like 2008 or something?). 
 
But you do have a point at one thing-what we're doing is considered an illegal activity, so the uploaders who hate reposts (with or without credit) should definitely consider that when they think of whether they are or not okay with reposts. I generally couldn't care less, but then again, I only uploaded like 5 of my own purchases, and can also see where people who are bothered by this come from.
 
For the PM for password thing, god bless the one who has banned it. Not only for the drama reason, but it is actually the most frustrating thing for both the uploader and the "downloader". Why would anyone WANT to be obliged to be online for hours and days just to reply probably around 100+ PMs. And why would anyone want to wait for a PM from someone who might never reply them anyway? 
Also, I think that "reply for link" would not only be morally wrong (thanking because you have to), but it would create a huge mess in the downloads forum, bringing up the years old threads. Personally I use the downloads forum to keep track of what's newly released and download something maybe 1 out of 20 times I've actually went to the said forum. And I open the download threads that are ages old when they are brought up only because my first presumption is that the link is dead and I could make someone's day by reuploading it. Seeing a "thank you" message posted "today" in a 2011 thread repeatedly would only make me stop opening those threads and BOOM less chance for somebody to reupload a dead link.
I am the most against the idea of deleting inactive members. Mostly because of my own account, as I tend to just come and go every six months or so, but for absolutely different reasons (like real life, for example). And I love these people here more than you can imagine (and mine and Maiku's castle with some of the respectful ladies and gentlemen here as our maids and the monsters from the basements. and champ and how I'm always way too scared to talk to her.)
 
I like the idea of having only the people who wrote in "introduce yourselves" forum being able to see the downloads forum. I don't see that many downsides to it, but I'm not sure if that would be possible to make and how hard it would be (though I'm not by any means questioning Zess's techy whizy almightiness).
 
BUT, that MegaCrypter thing or something similar to that seem like a really good solution to me, especially if it could be embeded into the forum generally. Simply because, as many have mentioned up there, blogspotters ARE lazy and once they figure out they can't do it as easily as they used to, they would probably rather than starting to reupload everything, just realize that it's just not worth it and give up on their blogs. At least that's what I would do (but then again, I could never keep a private blog for longer than 6 months lol damn I can't even stay in one town for that long). So instead of MAKING the reposters give up, make them think they've given up by their own will, and everyone's happy! And that's the power of manipulation, my darlings!

@Magatsu goddamn have they tried. HAVE THEY TRIED? I remember getting used to like 20 different methods of downloading from this community, and not even I have been around for that long (I joined in like 2008 or something?). 
 
But you do have a point at one thing-what we're doing is considered an illegal activity, so the uploaders who hate reposts (with or without credit) should definitely consider that when they think of whether they are or not okay with reposts. I generally couldn't care less, but then again, I only uploaded like 5 of my own purchases, and can also see where people who are bothered by this come from.
 
For the PM for password thing, god bless the one who has banned it. Not only for the drama reason, but it is actually the most frustrating thing for both the uploader and the "downloader". Why would anyone WANT to be obliged to be online for hours and days just to reply probably around 100+ PMs. And why would anyone want to wait for a PM from someone who might never reply them anyway? 
Also, I think that "reply for link" would not only be morally wrong (thanking because you have to), but it would create a huge mess in the downloads forum, bringing up the years old threads. Personally I use the downloads forum to keep track of what's newly released and download something maybe 1 out of 20 times I've actually went to the said forum. And I open the download threads that are ages old when they are brought up only because my first presumption is that the link is dead and I could make someone's day by reuploading it. Seeing a "thank you" message posted "today" in a 2011 thread repeatedly would only make me stop opening those threads and BOOM less chance for somebody to reupload a dead link.
I am the most against the idea of deleting inactive members. Mostly because of my own account, as I tend to just come and go every six months or so, but for absolutely different reasons (like real life, for example). And I love these people here more than you can imagine (and mine and Maiku's castle with some of the respectful ladies and gentlemen here as our maids and the monsters from the basements. and champ and how I'm always way too scared to talk to her.)
 
I like the idea of having only the people who wrote in "introduce yourselves" forum being able to see the downloads forum. I don't see that many downsides to it, but I'm not sure if that would be possible to make and how hard it would be (though I'm not by any means questioning Zess's techy whizy almightiness).
 
BUT, that MegaCrypter thing or something similar to that seem like a really good solution to me, especially if it could be embeded into the forum generally. Simply because, as many have mentioned up there, blogspotters ARE lazy and once they figure out they can't do it as easily as they used to, they would probably rather than starting to reupload everything, just realize that it's just not worth it and give up on their blogs. At least that's what I would do (but then again, I could never keep a private blog for longer than 6 months lol damn I can't even stay in one town for that long). So instead of MAKING the reposters give up, make them think they've given up by their own will, and everyone's happy! And that's the power of manipulation, my darlings!

will you guys hate me way too much if I bring this topic up? please don't hate me too much. 
but i made DA today, after i deactivated my old one that was last updated in like 2009
anyway
here it is
http://237q-dunja.deviantart.com/

will you guys hate me way too much if I bring this topic up? please don't hate me too much. 
but i made DA today, after i deactivated my old one that was last updated in like 2009
anyway
here it is
http://237q-dunja.deviantart.com/

Here are my thoughts about Hiroki's point:
I personally think that is the effect of cultural differences, especially the lyrics part. The exact lines you've put there show one of two huge cultural differences between Japan and western countries (let's say England here because I'm far from super familiar with American culture). 
 
The first one being Japan's famous love and appreciation for nature. They have stuff like haiku poems about nature and numerous festivals celebrating nature (like sakura flowers day every spring) and through that connection with nature and natural world, they also developed a lot more sensitive "feel" for it and that reflects in the language too. Most of the words expressing some natural happening are translated to english as phrases. Here's an example:
In english, there is a word "snow", used for snow in any form. In japanese, there are:
雪-snow, 大雪- heavy snow, 新雪-new snow, 初雪-first snow, 粉雪-powdery snow, 天華-fancy word for snow, 雪氷-icy/frozen snow etc etc There's a comparison with something from the nature in ridiculous amounts of vk songs. Heck, I didn't even know half the names for birds in english (or serbian), before I started learning japanese.   The second cultural difference is japan's perceptions of feelings. Being a small island (so you can't easily run away) it was unacceptable in people's heads to insult or get in a quarrel with someone. Naturally, the japanese language developed according to that and that's why some words expressing feelings are, as Hiroki said, a little bit indirect of ambiguous. After all, japanese people are raised to have a "actions, not words" mindset and they express through their doings rather than saying something to somebody directly.    Both of these have had a great effect on the way people express themselves, and that's why I think translated lyrics sound so ridiculous at times - we simply don't feel them as much as somebody raised in japan would.

Here are my thoughts about Hiroki's point:
I personally think that is the effect of cultural differences, especially the lyrics part. The exact lines you've put there show one of two huge cultural differences between Japan and western countries (let's say England here because I'm far from super familiar with American culture). 
 
The first one being Japan's famous love and appreciation for nature. They have stuff like haiku poems about nature and numerous festivals celebrating nature (like sakura flowers day every spring) and through that connection with nature and natural world, they also developed a lot more sensitive "feel" for it and that reflects in the language too. Most of the words expressing some natural happening are translated to english as phrases. Here's an example:
In english, there is a word "snow", used for snow in any form. In japanese, there are:
雪-snow, 大雪- heavy snow, 新雪-new snow, 初雪-first snow, 粉雪-powdery snow, 天華-fancy word for snow, 雪氷-icy/frozen snow etc etc There's a comparison with something from the nature in ridiculous amounts of vk songs. Heck, I didn't even know half the names for birds in english (or serbian), before I started learning japanese.   The second cultural difference is japan's perceptions of feelings. Being a small island (so you can't easily run away) it was unacceptable in people's heads to insult or get in a quarrel with someone. Naturally, the japanese language developed according to that and that's why some words expressing feelings are, as Hiroki said, a little bit indirect of ambiguous. After all, japanese people are raised to have a "actions, not words" mindset and they express through their doings rather than saying something to somebody directly.    Both of these have had a great effect on the way people express themselves, and that's why I think translated lyrics sound so ridiculous at times - we simply don't feel them as much as somebody raised in japan would.

To add to the discussion on language:
 
Sometimes I feel so differently towards expressions in 2 different languages that basically mean the same thing. I don't really know how to describe this, but I feel there's a lot more "depth" and "indirectness"/ambiguity in Japanese than in English.
 
Since DIV's "Seasons" happens to be playing now, I'll take 2 lines of lyrics from it as an example:
春霞たち　淡く名残り雪
梅雨寒し　肌を寄せ合いながら
 
Now there's almost no way of having an English equivalent of this without sounding somewhat pretentious or lame. EVEN if it's possible, I suspect there's no way of reconstructing the "seasonal" feel that emerges from just these 2 lines of lyrics.
 
Then again I dunno if all these have to do with the language itself, or it's just something to do with me (because I'm obviously more familiar with English than I am with Japanese). By the way it's also quite fascinating to me that a lot of vk artists (well not ONLY vk i suppose, but also in the larger Japanese music industry) seem to listen to a great deal of Western music. Numerous vk bands have cited famous Western musicians as their inspiration during interviews. Perhaps it's just a human thing that there's always a part of us drawn to more "unfamiliar" territory.

Yes and no. There are songs that appeal to me lyrics-wise and songs that I enjoy more for their melody. I haven't ran across that feeling most of you have mentioned, that I've heard incredibly stupid lyrics and they ruined the song for me. Idk maybe I just have selective attention lol
As somebody who translates vk lyrics often, I think visual kei is full with beautiful lyrics I didn't run across in music in other languages, and that plays a huge role in my love for the scene. I like how much variety of topics and feelings are put in it (especially coming from a country where every goddamn song is either about being cheated on, cheating on somebody, or getting drunk to forget the failed relationship. I swear serbian music is all about that). For example, Memento Mori's historical lyrics, Liphlich's psychology turns and Dolly's appeals to modern society and structures. My reading comprehension is far better developed than hearing when it comes to japanese so when I realize that lyrics are horrible in a new song I liked, I just don't look them up lol
However I do enjoy listening to music in languages I don't understand, especially when I'm doing something else and I don't want to be distracted but still need some enjoyable BGM. For example, I frequently listen to french artist Tete when I'm reading or studying because his voice tone and music relax me, even though I know like 2 words of french language (and one of them is "school" which is not very helpful with lyrics). 

Yes and no. There are songs that appeal to me lyrics-wise and songs that I enjoy more for their melody. I haven't ran across that feeling most of you have mentioned, that I've heard incredibly stupid lyrics and they ruined the song for me. Idk maybe I just have selective attention lol
As somebody who translates vk lyrics often, I think visual kei is full with beautiful lyrics I didn't run across in music in other languages, and that plays a huge role in my love for the scene. I like how much variety of topics and feelings are put in it (especially coming from a country where every goddamn song is either about being cheated on, cheating on somebody, or getting drunk to forget the failed relationship. I swear serbian music is all about that). For example, Memento Mori's historical lyrics, Liphlich's psychology turns and Dolly's appeals to modern society and structures. My reading comprehension is far better developed than hearing when it comes to japanese so when I realize that lyrics are horrible in a new song I liked, I just don't look them up lol
However I do enjoy listening to music in languages I don't understand, especially when I'm doing something else and I don't want to be distracted but still need some enjoyable BGM. For example, I frequently listen to french artist Tete when I'm reading or studying because his voice tone and music relax me, even though I know like 2 words of french language (and one of them is "school" which is not very helpful with lyrics). 

1: Don`t worry about others, is Visual Kei a genre, or a scene, or something else, to you?

Objectively, it's not a genre. But there ARE some elements that majority of bands (at least those I've heard at least one song by, since i got interested in vk by now, that's probs around 300 or something) do put into their music, so it's KINDA a genre, excluding those that have extremely specific sound. I'm really horrible at recognizing genres in general, I recognize a band, or a group of similar bands, but never know how to classify them to somebody who's never heard any of those bands for example. Also I started listening to VK artists when I was really young (13 I think) and my music taste and knowledge was just forming, so in a way, I do see visual kei as a genre even though somebody non-biased and more knowledgeable of music in general would say it isn't.

 

2: Most of the time can you tell the genre, or if you will like a band based on their look?

I kind of discover bands by accident, I never really LOOK for bands to follow. Youtube recommendations, last.fm artists, friends spreading the word and so on is my way of finding new music. I actually go through phases where my receptiveness of new music varies (sometimes I'm just good with what I know, and then there are times when I just crave hearing something completely new), and if I'm in the mood for new stuff, I'll just search youtube for any band name I remember seeing, whether I've seen the picture or I've only heard of the band's name. I try not to judge bands too much based on their looks only, because I've ran across a few examples where I've been completely wrong about a band, and thought they would be completely crappy and not worth it, where they end up being absolutely awesome. 

 

3: Do the looks matter to you? If the same band dressed in Jeans and T-shirts with short hair, would you be as interested?

I would probably not be so interested in hearing them in the first place, but if I've just randomly heard their song and liked it enough to look them up, I don't care at all how the band looks like. In my head, bands are kind of divided into three sections based on WHY I like them: 1) visuals 2) music and 3) both. If a band falls into the second, I don't care about their visual side of things at all. Bands from the third category though, I would still listen to them and love them even though I would feel it's a pity they don't do visual (/anymore/) (for example, I absolutely worship Moran's PVs and their music is just something that I feel grateful for having in my life. But knowing how they are now and how perfect their videos are to me, I would just value their existence in my life a little less if they didn't have those videos even though their music is more than satisfying itself.) 

 

4: Do you search for music by sub-genre, such as Nu-Metal, Alt. Rock, etc?

No, I suck at making a difference between genres, let alone sub-genres 

 

5: Do you get annoyed when others label your favorite music as genres which you don`t agree with?

Generally I try to avoid labeling anything in my life, and it applies to music too. Though genres are helpful in a way, I think they also to an extent limit both artists and the audience from experimenting and exploring. But I don't get annoyed simply because maybe somebody wants to justify liking a band a little out of their comfort zone to themselves? maybe they just think the band has some elements found in a specific genre (music sadly does have a little bit limited elements that go through all genres and ages after all)? I don't know what their arguments for labeling something are, so I have no rights to judge their opinion before I hear them out, I guess. 

 

Bonus: If a band starts as Visual Kei, even if they change, are they Visual Kei 4 Lyfe?

Depends. If all that's left the same are band members and band name, then no. If they didn't make any difference in their music and just stopped dressing up all fancy, they are still visual kei (going back to my reasons from the first question)

i miss you all guiseeeee
but i became really way too lazy for forums in general. plus i got a life and started uni. 

@ima: DO WANT SO BAD
anyway. since I havent bugged you guys with my photoz in a while... well, i've had a little photoshoot with myself just half an hour ago


yes, i'm too pal, but I like it that way... I kinda don't want to tan... And, oh well the second one was under a neon and the first one was under my regular lamp light..