Why is self mutilation such a popular fad?

[T_Bone]

The noserings, the penis rings, the studs in the bellybutton, the eyebrow rings, now this.

Eyeball jewelry (http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=857&u=/nm/20040407/od_uk_nm/oukoe_odd_eye_1&printer=1)

[Karlos]

It's not exactly a fad, though is it? Body peircing goes back centuries in many cultures.

Then there's the classic form of male self-mutilation. That's been around a looong time ;-)

[that_punk_guy]

Yeesh...

[mikeymike]

I am not going to look at that URL!

While I'm not going to look at it, are you sure it isn't a Photoshop job or something, like what happens most of the time at rotten.com?

[T_Bone]

mikeymike wrote:
I am not going to look at that URL!

While I'm not going to look at it, are you sure it isn't a Photoshop job or something, like what happens most of the time at rotten.com?


It's not a gross picture, but it's real.

[odin]

Nah, it's for real and doesn't look too icky. Just plain stupid what people will do for fashion :-).

[KennyR]

<sweeping generalisation of the month>

People who go in for body piercing, tattooing and such usually have very bad self-esteem problems.

</sweeping generalisation of the month>

(But could it be true? ;-))

[blobrana]

Hum,
i wish i could hate...`Cos so many ppl do it...must be fun to hate...
I wish i could kill...`Cos so many ppl do it...must be fun to kill...
I wish i could love...`Cos so many ppl do it...must be fun to love...
I wish i could die...`Cos so many ppl do it...must be fun to die...
<insert your own bit here>

<& so on...>

[mikeymike]

KennyR wrote:
<sweeping generalisation of the month>
People who go in for body piercing, tattooing and such usually have very bad self-esteem problems.
</sweeping generalisation of the month>

I disagree (through experience, knowing people who don't appear to have any issues in that department), though I don't think much of tattoos/piercings.

I would like to hear the logic behind your statement though :-)

[KennyR]

Well, body piercing is a "Look at me!" statement, don't you agree? Attention deficits often spring from low self esteem. Although there are many reasons to get these kind of things done, sometimes people add to their bodies because they're not happy with them. They want to be special. (And end up being just as "special" as everyone else, in most cases).

And from personal experience, it seems that the more body piercings and tattoos someone has, the uglier they started out. I mean, some of these ones who go overboard with it look like they've fallen off the ugly tree onto a stack of sharp metal things. ;-)

Well, that's probably not true for all body piercists/tattooists. It's just a personal observation. :-D

[Speelgoedmannetje]

Ah well:

http://www.noorderlicht.com/img/fest03/podium/hoogdalem.jpg

Don't think it's really a bad thing

[mikeymike]

Well, body piercing is a "Look at me!" statement, don't you agree?
As much as say a haircut, my attempt at a goatee, or wearing brightly-coloured clothes. Do you do anything to how you look in an attempt of self-expression?

[KennyR]

Mikeymike wrote:
As much as say a haircut, my attempt at a goatee, or wearing brightly-coloured clothes. Do you do anything to how you look in an attempt of self-expression?

Honestly? No. I'd rather fade into the background. But that's me.

I know people do try to make people look at them, but that's not my point. If a girl has lovely silky brown hair, she doesn't dye it bright blue unless she's unhappy with it. Or unless she's looking for major (i.e. more than just usual) attention. Same with eyes. And teeth. And skin. And faces. And breasts. And male bits.

Lolo Ferarri, remember her? Kept making those breasts bigger and bigger because she hated herself, and the breasts gave her the attention she could not get otherwise. Comitted suicide. Very sad.

[mikeymike]

KennyR wrote:
Mikeymike wrote:
As much as say a haircut, my attempt at a goatee, or wearing brightly-coloured clothes. Do you do anything to how you look in an attempt of self-expression?
Honestly? No. I'd rather fade into the background. But that's me.
That's part of the problem with your CV. While I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb, I do like to express my uniqueness, be it in achievements, actions or looks. I am not normal, average, or easily pigeon-holed.

I know people do try to make people look at them, but that's not my point. If a girl has lovely silky brown hair, she doesn't dye it bright blue unless she's unhappy with it. Or unless she's looking for major (i.e. more than just usual) attention. Same with eyes. And teeth. And skin. And faces. And breasts. And male bits.
Lolo Ferarri, remember her? Kept making those breasts bigger and bigger because she hated herself, and the breasts gave her the attention she could not get otherwise. Comitted suicide. Very sad.
Some people do stupid things due to personal issues, but that doesn't make the inanimate object they're integrating into their look bad.

[Wolfe]

People do it because they are a couple of cans short of a 6 pack. :-D

[T_Bone]

KennyR wrote:

And teeth.

Bah! :lol:

[that_punk_guy]

When something like piercing becomes cool, some people get them so they don't stand out. If I go to see a punk band play, I stick out because I look so "normal." It can work either way.

[Mike_Amiga]

My sister has an eyebrow stud, and while I got used to it as part of her, I still don't like it or any piercings for that matter.

Tatoos don't do that much for me either, they tend to make a person look potentially violent, which I believe was the purpose of them when used by for example Mauri tribesmen.