You and Naturelles seem to misunderstand; I don't believe that mods alone make you an individual. I see them as self expression, not as some sort of personality changing drug. I referred to 'not being one of the herd' because having them if you want them does require not being one of the herd, ie, doing something because you want to rather than stifling your own interests to please others. I'm not against any sort of conformity per se. It's good to be part of a group, but not if you have to pretend to be someone you're not, or give up your self expression.
Well, I don't perceive tattoos and piercings as a positive expression of themselves, it tells me who they are and I don't like the general assumption.
Plus why do you think it tells you who they are? It says that they like to wear a piece of metal in their mouth or nose. Nothing more. Someone with piercings isn't automatically a violent heroin addict.
It's associated with barbarism whether they choose to accept that or not. It evokes images of the primitive, the violent, the outlaw, the uncivilized.
No not earings, stuff other than what is modest. It uglifies the person. But it gives me the impression that I'd rather like to stay away from them. They look like someone who could be a drug addict, alcoholic, or someone that could assault you, kill you, etc... they look scary Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! And why do they feel the urge to modify their already fabulous human form?
'Modest' is a pretty subjective concept there. Why is an earlobe piercing modest, but one in the lower lip not modest? Talk to a few pierced up emo teen girls. I think you'll find they range from giggly and hyperactive to neutral, rather than violent and scary. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Why do you ask that of 'modified' people (note my inverted commas), ie, people who have modifications other than the commonly accepted ones...but not of women everywhere who have at least one set in their earlobes?
Well, I would say modest would be the border between were someone goes from attractive to freaky and ugly, as far as the piercings are concerned.
So what makes a set or two of earlobe piercings modest, but one little silver dot or two on the lower lip 'freak and ugly'?
I don't like those clit rings, they kinda get in the way at times!Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
And where did I say it was ok? Saying something is the norm doesn't mean its okay it simply means it remains a social and cultural 'norm'. You seem confused, maybe you should go back and read my initial post. LOL! Since when do people like guys because of their perky tits? Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! If you find fake tits and teeth and hair disconcerting then it would follow that you would find these extreme body modifications even more so. But like I said you didn't properly read my first post. *hint hint* Or you would have realized that I already addressed the points you keep harping on.
I always find this attitude interesting, the idea that by joining some fringe herd activity you have somehow escaped conformity. Its like punks thinking they are so unique because they sport a mohawk and run around in their docs when really they are simply a carbon cut out of every other punk. The only really 'unique' and groundbreaking punks were the original ones; everything after that is simply a repeat. Same thing for body modifications, they still conform to a particular lifestyle and prescribed aesthetic. Having a checkerboard tattooed on ones face doesn't make the person more interesting, it just means he can't get hired in any job where impressions are important:shrug:
Not really because that is still considered a sub culture so it is, or should say was, non-conformist. Tats and piercings not so much though.
True. But that observation comes from observing the nonconformist in their nonnative environment—and I'm not talking about the amateur punk. Observing the nonconformist from within their own territory is to behold a strangely progressive attitude towards personality, hence being. And I think that's what these nonconformists have discovered in the end after donning their new faces and circulating amongst comrades; that there's a sort of deliverance from the obscenities of modern society that dictates to them that they must act as expected of them: modestly, unintelligibly, insignificantly because they don't hold the brashness of success and high IQs: that they must think of themselves as undistinguished losers.