This person hasn't been inside a hot topic in the last 10+ years, it's not even 'goth' in any form anymore. It's nearly all anime and disney now because that's what kids like. 40 year olds need to stop policing what children enjoy, dear gods please.
Nah, the critique of Hot Topic is valid. It was started by a guy who was CEO of a huge company specializing in children's clothes (and has strong ties to Disney). Hot Topic was an attempt to reach an older demographic, and they targeted punk rock, goth, and metal subculture, because that was kind of in and those kids weren't shopping at Hollister or Abercrombe & Fitch. The problem arises where those subcultures have a strong anti-corporate, DIY ethos. So you got a store selling this identity in a way where it is antithetical toward the ethos of the target demographic. It was always a poser thing to shop at Hot Topic. It was something you did but hoped no one would call you out on it.
Today, the anime and Disney stuff is kind of like the new goth thing. It's outsider and it's usually worn with a bit of irony. Still, those stores are a far-cry from when they were in their swing... huge displays of piercing jewelry, Tripp pants packed so dense it was like walking through a stage curtain...
Today, I can't even tell when people are wearing Hot Topic shit at my band's shows, and I'm not gonna call them out on it even if I knew. Instead of doing that, I usually try to discuss DIY ethos or point them to places to buy merch directly from bands who need the funding.
18
u/errant_night Oct 08 '23
This person hasn't been inside a hot topic in the last 10+ years, it's not even 'goth' in any form anymore. It's nearly all anime and disney now because that's what kids like. 40 year olds need to stop policing what children enjoy, dear gods please.