How do you feel about body modification?

[tZer]

I was very close to getting a tattoo in memorium of my son, similar to what Balog posted on the previous page, but $ and having a good design kept me from doing so. In a way Im glad that it never came to be, as Im sure everytime I saw it it would remind me not only of my lost child, but of his horrible mother as well. I dont have any trouble remembering the 20 hours I was lucky enough to spend with him, so the reminder is unecessary.

That's heartbreaking.

And the very reason when I started considering the whole thing I realized that having meaning was important to me.

Then when I started parsing what could possibly rise to the level of 'tat-wortiness' and when it comes right down to it, my life is pretty mundane. I could have gotten something like "Life is Good" - and that would pretty much sum it up for me - and then I thought why tempt fate. The minute I ink it I'll probably get blood poisoning or something. Screw it... When I want people to know something about me I'll just tell 'em.

But now - after this thread, I think I am going to get Munji's avatar tattooed across my buttocks.

 

[Bongolation]

I didn't have time to read every single post, but I think you're one of the first to note that this is indeed a fad.

When every butthead mall-rat kid in suburban Ohio has to get sleeved out, yeah, I think you can safely call it a fad.

In about 1982 -- when getting heavily tattooed wasn't something every brainless teenager was obsessed with doing -- when only the really strange über-hip people in urban areas were getting into High Art tattoos, I spent about a year deciding whether this would be a good outlet for my art training and degree.

Fortunately, I was living in San Francisco, where some of the most famous tattoo artists in the world were doing their work.

I talked to all of them, I think. All but one pretty much said they hated their tattoos and regretted getting them...but tattoos were "what they did," and it was too late now.

One guy in particular in his shop stuck his sleeved-out arms out in front of him and said, "Look at this! I HATE these things!" And it was really clear he wasn't kidding.

After a year, I passed on the whole thing because I felt that it was basically unethical. Tattoos deteriorate so rapidly -- incredibly so on some people -- that after a few years they are nothing but an indistinct disfigurement. I couldn't feel good about doing that to anyone, even if they were meatbrained enough not to care at the moment and offered me money to do it.

It's been over for a long time. Remember years ago when that SNL skit had the gag commercial for tramp-stamp remover and depicted the time-lapse ghastly deterioration of these things as the woman aged?

It was just too real to be funny. You're not going to look that good as you age and that tattoo is almost sure to look even worse.

I'm really, really glad I didn't get tattooed and I'm even more so that I didn't harm others by tattooing them.

 

[Munjibunga]

None of this really "matters" per se. I'm happy that future generations won't have to deal with the social contraints you speak of, at least to the same degree.

That's a bold prediction. I don't see any basis for believing that.

 

[Munjibunga]

That's heartbreaking.

And the very reason when I started considering the whole thing I realized that having meaning was important to me.

Then when I started parsing what could possibly rise to the level of 'tat-wortiness' and when it comes right down to it, my life is pretty mundane. I could have gotten something like "Life is Good" - and that would pretty much sum it up for me - and then I thought why tempt fate. The minute I ink it I'll probably get blood poisoning or something. Screw it... When I want people to know something about me I'll just tell 'em.

But now - after this thread, I think I am going to get Munji's avatar tattooed across my buttocks.

Wear it with pride. It'd look great with some assless chaps.

 

[tZer]

I find it interesting how those opposed to the idea feel the need to characterize people who feel otherwise using extraordinarily derogatory terms. Seems kind of mean spirited to me. What's up with that?

 

[Munjibunga]

Appearance means jack.

Just because you believe it doesn't mean it's true. Even if you say it a million times, it won't be true. Appearance plays a huge role in social interactions and strongly affects other people's impression of you.

Society treats tall people better than short people, good-looking people better than ugly people, light-skinned people better than dark. It isn't "fair," but it's true, and not likely to change in your lifetime.

 

[spade2you]

When every butthead mall-rat kid in suburban Ohio has to get sleeved out, yeah, I think you can safely call it a fad.

In about 1982 -- when getting heavily tattooed wasn't something every brainless teenager was obsessed with doing -- when only the really strange über-hip people in urban areas were getting into High Art tattoos, I spent about a year deciding whether this would be a good outlet for my art training and degree.

Fortunately, I was living in San Francisco, where some of the most famous tattoo artists in the world were doing their work.

I talked to all of them, I think. All but one pretty much said they hated their tattoos and regretted getting them...but tattoos were "what they did," and it was too late now.

One guy in particular in his shop stuck his sleeved-out arms out in front of him and said, "Look at this! I HATE these things!" And it was really clear he wasn't kidding.

After a year, I passed on the whole thing because I felt that it was basically unethical. Tattoos deteriorate so rapidly -- incredibly so on some people -- that after a few years they are nothing but an indistinct disfigurement. I couldn't feel good about doing that to anyone, even if they were meatbrained enough not to care at the moment and offered me money to do it.

It's been over for a long time. Remember years ago when that SNL skit had the gag commercial for tramp-stamp remover and depicted the time-lapse ghastly deterioration of these things as the woman aged?

It was just too real to be funny. You're not going to look that good as you age and that tattoo is almost sure to look even worse.

I'm really, really glad I didn't get tattooed and I'm even more so that I didn't harm others by tattooing them.

Well, not every kid in Ohio will, but then again, I've never been there.

Looking back, I can see several variations on this theme, the straight edge, punk rock, grunge, various forms of metal heads from Hessians to theatrical metal with face paint, goth, EMO, hipsters, uber hipsters, uber ironic hipsters, etc.

The thing is, America is all about living in the now. Looking towards the future has never been our strong suit and my grumpy nature blames it for dang near everything wrong with stuff. Needless to say, I'm not regretting not getting a Dokken and pointy guitar tattoo.

 

[tZer]

Wear it with pride. It'd look great with some assless chaps.

It'd bring a whole new dimension to the 'Farting on stage' thread, that's for sure.

 

[Longhair]

When every butthead mall-rat kid in suburban Ohio has to get sleeved out, yeah, I think you can safely call it a fad.

In about 1982 -- when getting heavily tattooed wasn't something every brainless teenager was obsessed with doing -- when only the really strange über-hip people in urban areas were getting into High Art tattoos, I spent about a year deciding whether this would be a good outlet for my art training and degree.

Fortunately, I was living in San Francisco, where some of the most famous tattoo artists in the world were doing their work.

I talked to all of them, I think. All but one pretty much said they hated their tattoos and regretted getting them...but tattoos were "what they did," and it was too late now.

One guy in particular in his shop stuck his sleeved-out arms out in front of him and said, "Look at this! I HATE these things!" And it was really clear he wasn't kidding.

After a year, I passed on the whole thing because I felt that it was basically unethical. Tattoos deteriorate so rapidly -- incredibly so on some people -- that after a few years they are nothing but an indistinct disfigurement. I couldn't feel good about doing that to anyone, even if they were meatbrained enough not to care at the moment and offered me money to do it.

It's been over for a long time. Remember years ago when that SNL skit had the gag commercial for tramp-stamp remover and depicted the time-lapse ghastly deterioration of these things as the woman aged?

It was just too real to be funny. You're not going to look that good as you age and that tattoo is almost sure to look even worse.

I'm really, really glad I didn't get tattooed and I'm even more so that I didn't harm others by tattooing them.

The reason why they regret and hate their tattoos is because they got them for reasons other than their own.

However, I can see if a tattoo shop janitor who cannot draw turned tv reality star with tattoo gun did their work, then I can see the point of hating them.

 

[5StringBlues]

assless chaps.

Aren't all chaps,by definition,assless?

 

[Bongolation]

The thing is, America is all about living in the now. Looking towards the future has never been our strong suit and my grumpy nature blames it for dang near everything wrong with stuff. Needless to say, I'm not regretting not getting a Dokken and pointy guitar tattoo.

More to the point, for a huge percentage of young people, your identity is about proving how hardcore you are, because after all you're an outlaw who's going to be dead by thirty, right?

That's why you took up smoking and started screwing with heroin, right?

Let's get lots of tattoos on your face and a bone in your nose while we're at it.

Oh, yeah! I'm hardcore!

Because young people are powerless and futile, they use the only power at their disposal, the power to destroy themselves and their futures, which they haven't the imagination to picture (well, who does, come to that?).

Body mods are just another part of that "Unemployable and hell-bent!" schtick. It tends to be competitive, because it's all about impressing some dim peer group.

The really pathetic part is how late in the fad they're buying the permanent uniform.

 

[MatticusMania]

More to the point, for a huge percentage of young people, your identity is about proving how hardcore you are, because after all you're an outlaw who's going to be dead by thirty, right?

That's why you took up smoking and started screwing with heroin, right?

Let's get lots of tattoos on your face and a bone in your nose while we're at it.

Oh, yeah! I'm hardcore!

Because young people are powerless and futile, they use the only power at their disposal, the power to destroy themselves and their futures, which they haven't the imagination to picture (well, who does, come to that?).

Body mods are just another part of that "Unemployable and hell-bent!" schtick. It tends to be competitive, because it's all about impressing some dim peer group.

The really pathetic part is how late in the fad they're buying the permanent uniform.

Thats probably an accurate description of maybe 30-40% of the people who have tattoos.

 

[6jase5]

Is this thread only about tattoos and piercings? Oh darn, I was going to say that i liked big breasts.

 

[MEKer]

I've been advised to get a PRO for "comfort reasons" by several doctors and a circus owner who offered me a job. Scary. Would that fall into the OP's thread content?


Oh yeah-PRO....Penis Reduction Operation

 

[Bongolation]

The reason why they regret and hate their tattoos is because they got them for reasons other than their own.

No, the reason they hated them were they were deteriorated and ugly, and what might have seemed like a good idea at the time was now pretty much revealed as a not-so-hot idea.

 

[Bongolation]

More to the point, for a huge percentage of young people, your identity is about proving how hardcore you are, because after all you're an outlaw who's going to be dead by thirty, right?

That's why you took up smoking and started screwing with heroin, right?

Let's get lots of tattoos on your face and a bone in your nose while we're at it.

Oh, yeah! I'm hardcore!

Because young people are powerless and futile, they use the only power at their disposal, the power to destroy themselves and their futures, which they haven't the imagination to picture (well, who does, come to that?).

Body mods are just another part of that "Unemployable and hell-bent!" schtick. It tends to be competitive, because it's all about impressing some dim peer group.

The really pathetic part is how late in the fad they're buying the permanent uniform.

Thats probably an accurate description of maybe 30-40% of the people who have tattoos.

But about 95% of these kids who are getting sleeved-out.

 

[jive1]

It'd bring a whole new dimension to the 'Farting on stage' thread, that's for sure.

Depending on where you put the mouth, it will look like Munji's lips are moving when you pass gas.

 

[MatticusMania]

No, the reason they hated them were they were deteriorated and ugly, and what might have seemed like a good idea at the time was now pretty much revealed as a not-so-hot idea.

I dont know about how fast tats deteriorate, my father has had a couple for a long time, and has one thats easily 30 years old and hasnt deteriorated to the point of ugliness.

 

[jive1]

If there weren't risk associated with Lasik surgery, I'd consider getting it. I'm more into modification for utility, rather than vanity.

 

[5StringBlues]

Is this thread only about tattoos and piercings? Oh darn, I was going to say that i liked big breasts.

Assless chaps,try to keep up.