Body Modification is a strange thing

[Kaleb]

*throws up*

 

[logansoldcigar]

Fakir Musafar is a really interesting and insightful individual. If you ever have an opportunity to meet and talk with him, I would highly recommend it.

jag

Im specifically thinking of the gent with the "special" willy.

btw, one of my best friends is a mod at BME. dunno the screen name though. (as for me, Ive got one tat and pierced boobs. ears dont count, thats two common. keep meaning to get more ink, and never get the time and money available together.

 

[jaguarr]

I wanna see this guy get through airport security.


I really don't have a problem with any of this stuff. I would suggest few of these folks are working in the corporate or 'mainstream' world, but there are places for them (although that girl with the implant would just have to wear a buttoned-up shirt and she'd be fine).

I find it incredibly interesting, but maybe that's my anthropological background/training. Then again, maybe it was my natural curiosity about human behavior/culture that led me to anthropology. Kind of a chicken/egg thing, I guess. Anyway, I wouldn't go for much of it personally, but I would love to talk to any of them about their decisions and ideas of beauty/image/etc.

Plus, my officemate is totally grossed out by this stuff (he's got a needle phobia besides) so that makes it even more fun for me.

I didn't know you have an anthropological background, Daisy. I think you would REALLY enjoy "Modern Primitives", given that fact. You should pick up a copy. It's a fascinating read, as is Fakir Musafa, who wrote it. He's sort of credited as the father of the Modern Primitive movement.

Incidentally, I work in a corporate environment and there are people working in my company with some pretty severe body modifications. The thing I've noticed most about this is that, even though they're largely accepted (even if there's a "breaking in " period for people to adjust to their appearance), they very rarely are able to realize many promotional opportunities.

jag

 

[logansoldcigar]

tame.

i cant post my favorite pic, itll get me a ban.

and itll make a fair few of you choke on yer chocolate coated sugar bombs.

but i think jag knows what one I mean.

 

[jaguarr]

Im specifically thinking of the gent with the "special" willy.

btw, one of my best friends is a mod at BME. dunno the screen name though. (as for me, Ive got one tat and pierced boobs. ears dont count, thats two common. keep meaning to get more ink, and never get the time and money available together.

Ahh, yes. The guy with the "magic penis". Heh!

I have some friends in the Bay Area that are very heavy into the body modification culture who are pretty close to Fakir. I've had the pleasure of meeting him on a couple of occassions. Once was somewhat brief at a party (where I felt a bit out of place with ink that was sparse in comparison to everyone else, and my nipple and ear piercings were rather tame as well) and then the other time I had dinner with him with a small group of friends where I had a chance to talk more in depth with him. Fascinating fellow. Very spiritual and possesses a great deal of personal power. He has a lot of wisdom and is very well read on many subjects and equally well spoken. He reminds me of a modern day Shaman, actually. I found him to be engaging, intelligent and genuine.

jag

 

[logansoldcigar]

Its the usual story, and the one that has cursed our species through the ages. People always judge a book by its cover(especially in the UK). Fakir has a penchant for tight corsets and flesh hooks, therefore there is something wrong with him, in the minds of some people.

 

[jaguarr]

Its the usual story, and the one that has cursed our species through the ages. People always judge a book by its cover(especially in the UK). Fakir has a penchant for tight corsets and flesh hooks, therefore there is something wrong with him, in the minds of some people.

Throughout history, the majority of cultures have been about conformity and those that break from that conformity du jour are almost always regarded as strange or mentally ill. That holds true even in cultures where body modification is a HUGE part of the tribal culture; when someone refuses to participate they are often viewed as not a real person, or not recognized as a fully grown man, or even ostracized or banished from the village. Humans, as a race, have not evolved culturally NEARLY as much as many of us would like to believe we have. We've just gotten more sophisticated in our reasoning for continuing all the bad behaviors we've always displayed including warring, greed, unacceptance of others, and so on.

jag

 

[Whirlysplat]

Myself, I have a little "ink" which is socially acceptable these days and easily hidden. I think things like the silicon brass knuckles let you know the person with them has serious issues before you talk to them. Be it attention seeking or something deeper causing them to perhaps hate their own form.

Obviously we have also seen the unusual kinks like scrotal implants the size of tennis balls that are just weird.

- Whirly

 

[Kaleb]

oh my God, serously *stabs himself in the eyes*

 

[jaguarr]

Serious question, though. Why does anyone care if people want to do things like pierce and corset their backs? Or pierce themselves to the extreme? Or implant giant testicles? It's their bodies and their decisions, and it's not like they're forcing you to do it or to even look at them for that matter. It has absolutely zero effect on anyone but themselves. So why all the judgemental attitude over it? Because it's different from you? Because you don't understand it? Just because it's different, not for you, or you can't comprehend why someone would do it doesn't necessarily make it wrong or evil. I'm genuinely curious why people get so prejudiced over this kind of thing.

jag

 

[JackSkellington]

Serious question, though. Why does anyone care if people want to do things like pierce and corset their backs? Or pierce themselves to the extreme? Or implant giant testicles? It's their bodies and their decisions, and it's not like they're forcing you to do it or to even look at them for that matter. It has absolutely zero effect on anyone but themselves. So why all the judgemental attitude over it? Because it's different from you? Because you don't understand it? Just because it's different, not for you, or you can't comprehend why someone would do it doesn't necessarily make it wrong or evil. I'm genuinely curious why people get so prejudiced over this kind of thing.

jag

Because people don't like things that go beyond what they consider to be the 'norm'. Years ago, the same kinda attitudes would've been directed towards people with tattoos, but now that tattoos have become more common place & everyone & their nan has one, nobody bats an eye lid. So I guess because of that, the bar has been raised on what society considers 'extreme'...or whatever.

 

[ico]

Pictures like this don't bother me personally at all. Infact I find them quite intriguing.

I still don't understand why the majority of people are still so closed-minded over things that don't actually affect their lives at all in the slightest.

 

[ico]

Because people don't like things that go beyond what they consider to be the 'norm'. Years ago, the same kinda attitudes would've been directed towards people with tattoos, but now that tattoos have become more common place & everyone & their nan has one, nobody bats an eye lid. So I guess because of that, the bar has been raised on what society considers 'extreme'...or whatever.

Hopefully this means that eventually the bar will be raised so high that pretty much anything will be common place.

I honestly look forward to a society where everybody and anybody can express themselves, if at least by their appearence, in any way they want without fear of judgement or abuse.

 

[jaguarr]

Because people don't like things that go beyond what they consider to be the 'norm'. Years ago, the same kinda attitudes would've been directed towards people with tattoos, but now that tattoos have become more common place & everyone & their nan has one, nobody bats an eye lid. So I guess because of that, the bar has been raised on what society considers 'extreme'...or whatever.

True, the idea of what is considered "normal" have been expanded by people who have pushed the envelope with body modifications. As those norms ahve expanded, people have had to go further and further in order to keep pushing that envelope. The interesting thing is that so much of what's considered extreme in body modifications have been done for hundreds of years by yogi's (split tongues), tribal customs (ear lobe stretching, piercing of noses and eyebrows and other "unusual" body locations) and even in the Victorian period (extreme corseting). The implants are sort of the "new" thing in the mix, but that's really about it. Goes to show there's really not a lot that's new under the sun.

jag

 

[JackSkellington]

Hopefully this means that eventually the bar will be raised so high that pretty much anything will be common place.

I honestly look forward to a society where everybody and anybody can express themselves, if at least by their appearence, in any way they want without fear of judgement or abuse.

Here, here.

Unfortunately, I doubt that'll ever happen. Granted stuff that is considered 'weird' or 'extreme' today will probably become more mainstream & common place, but I think there will always be something that'll freak people out...that makes them turn away in disgust. 'tis human nature I guess.

 

[Danalys]

i just want us to be who we are but i think lots of people do things in retaliation to external forces. making a statement that is permanent could be something you'll regret. what's wrong with looking human. we can be anything through our actions and thoughts. why be anyone thing when you can be all. they lack imagination i think.

 

[Whirlysplat]

Hopefully this means that eventually the bar will be raised so high that pretty much anything will be common place.

I honestly look forward to a society where everybody and anybody can express themselves, if at least by their appearence, in any way they want without fear of judgement or abuse.

But are they abusing themselves is it just an extreme form of Self Harm?

I would argue often it probably is, hence the concern.

http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Understanding/Understanding+self-harm.htm

- Whirly

 

[jaguarr]

i just want us to be who we are but i think lots of people do things in retaliation to external forces. making a statement that is permanent could be something you'll regret. what's wrong with looking human. we can be anything through our actions and thoughts. why be anyone thing when you can be all. they lack imagination i think.

But what if they feel that the modifications they make to themselves allow them to TRULY be who they really are? Many body mod enthusiasts feel this way. Does that not mean that they have explored their imaginations to understand who they really are and what they want to look like on the outside to be that person, and then taken steps to do that for themselves?

jag

 

[Danalys]

you are your genes. being anything else and you're confused. smacks of not accepting yourself as you are. so why should i accept what they are now. not that it matters to them if i accept them or not. i just want some damn reality in the real world let us dream in fiction and fantasy.

 

[jaguarr]

you are your genes. being anything else and you're confused. smacks of not accepting yourself as you are. so why should i accept what they are now. not that it matters to them if i accept them or not. i just want some damn reality in the real world let us dream in fiction and fantasy.

Do you feel the same way about cross-dressers or transsexuals, then?

jag

 

[JackSkellington]

you are your genes. being anything else and you're confused. smacks of not accepting yourself as you are. so why should i accept what they are now. not that it matters to them if i accept them or not. i just want some damn reality in the real world let us dream in fiction and fantasy.

But...the real world sucks!

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Page one sounds like my grandma.

 

[Daisy]

you are your genes. being anything else and you're confused. smacks of not accepting yourself as you are. so why should i accept what they are now. not that it matters to them if i accept them or not. i just want some damn reality in the real world let us dream in fiction and fantasy.

And here I thought 'Clothes Make the Man'.

Seriously, by your reasoning, we shoudl all be running around naked.

Our clothing, how we wear our hair, make up (for some), jewlery (or lack thereof) all contribue creating an image of ourselves and what we present to the world as who we are.

How is body modification any different? Where do you draw the line? Are you saying women shouldn't pierce their ears to wear earrings?

 

[JackSkellington]

Page one sounds like my grandma.

I can't actually see the pics on page one so I can't see what people are so worked up about. Damn...

 

[jaguarr]

And here I thought 'Clothes Make the Man'.

Seriously, by your reasoning, we shoudl all be running around naked.

Our clothing, how we wear our hair, make up (for some), jewlery (or lack thereof) all contribue creating an image of ourselves and what we present to the world as who we are.

How is body modification any different? Where do you draw the line? Are you saying women shouldn't pierce their ears to wear earrings?

To add to this, what Dan Alice is really takling about are cultural norms. In some cultures, NOT Having a bunch of tattoos and piercings is considered odd and repulsive. For those cultures, it is perfectly natural and a part of being a human being. Kind of goes against the mental illness and alternate reality theories.

jag