Similar Individuals

[nfotxn]

Ya know I really feel sorry for those outlaws and free-thinkers who covered their bodies in tattoos in the past. Because now that every Honda Civic driving ricer in a wife beater has them up his arms it couldn't be any more conformist and boring.

But I've never been thrilled with tattoos in general. And now that they're a fad it's easy to deride them!

Comments

[gusmacroy.livejournal.com]

Finally we can feel superior for having done nothing!

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

It's been a long time coming. I haven't been condescending and slackerly since noon!

[jguy70.livejournal.com]

Or even worse, did they choose to stagnate themselves to keep their tattoos relevant?

I have often wondered this myself. I have only ever considered a small bear paw in a mostly hidden area. The reason being obvious and the chance of that changing is very small. :)

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, permanence is really important. I think more than anything it's the trend towards turning your forearms into human graffiti in order to look more "street" that I find just so fucking hilarious. Oh kids from the suburbs and their endless search for authenticity in a cultural wasteland! So sad yet so funny.

[jguy70.livejournal.com]

I suppose this is true, but once one tires of those Lynyrd Skynyrd songs, that tattoo is gonna get pretty dated pretty quickly. ;)

"Oh no man, I LOVE SKYNYRD!"

Oh really? Oooo, that smell. :)

Sadly, I have seen many a tattoo that was very time specific like that. Rolling stones logos, Pink Floyd tats, current and past girlfriends/boyfriends.

Dunno, I guess I too am not able to make that much of a commitment on my skin.

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

It's not that I can't stand the thought of a tattoo or find them particularly unattractive. It's just they're such a low priority. I'd much rather buy an aquarium of tropical fish or a few nice books. But I've never been much for the macho posturing.

funny...

[patrock.livejournal.com]

I feel the same way about nerd glasses

Re: funny...

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Do your tattoos help you see too?

Re: funny...

[patrock.livejournal.com]

Yes .... they made me see that I don't need nerd glasses. I thought "shit, I'm spending all this money on my macho tattoo, when I really should buy some new glasses, that stigmatizm isn't getting any better and the doctor did say I was legally blind in my left eye" ... but why the fuck should I buy glasses for a blind eye .... I think I'll get a tattoo, a chain wallet and the rest goes to some fuckin' hot shit Sanrio/Bad Badtz-Maru laptop bag"

Re: funny...

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Sorry I just thought it was a personal dig.

Re: funny...

[patrock.livejournal.com]

It was a generalised personal dig ..... I was just being cunty =)

Re: funny...

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

It's cool, if I can be generalized as a dried up 1999 emo kid I can totally dig that you're a washed up indierock star metalhead!

[xtc-cub.livejournal.com]

I have always like tattoos. I have several and each one does mean something to me. Usually a part of my life I would really like to remember. Tattooing now has lost much of it individuality I think. Now, it's merely get covered in crap. Tattooing has had a very long history. It's too bad that with time, everything loses it's original meaning.
Unless inspiration hits me, I don't get them done.

As for the addicted ones that get them done every other day, good luck to you. I wish I could spend that kinda cash and not feel bad.

[mikiedoggie.livejournal.com]

I have always wanted to get a tatoo, but until I figure out exactly what it is that will be done, I'll just keep on waiting.

[etherlad.livejournal.com]

I remain secure in the beacon of nerddom, proudly displayed on my back.

[emramesha.livejournal.com]

Anyone I know that has tattoos has always put a lot of thought into them. I have one small one myself and now that I have a definite second idea - 11 years since that first one! - I'd like to go for number two. I think they've become so popular because lots of people would like one but were afraid to get them because of the "biker/scumbag" stigma attached. I think it's great that that has fallen by the wayside for now and people are decorating their bodies with designs that they have really thought about. Past cultures have tattooed heavily and I think it's great that in the cyclical nature of such things we're in a current upswing.

Oh, and now I can claim to be a non-conforming freethinking outlaw conformist too! ;-)

Can't if you haven't.

[whiskerfish.livejournal.com]

I have six, one not unfinished, each one a milepost, a point reached and a departure all in one.
I wish I could instill in you how serious I am about this subject.

I know these days are filled with loads of people giving little thought to what will be with them 'til their graves. For some of us, though, their is an import to these things we've emblazoned that is powferul enough to be difficult to describe to those outside the know.

Just my 2 cents...

[tonka-cub.livejournal.com]

I'm actually a bit saddened after reading so many judgmental responses here. It's one thing to feel that tattoos are not for you but it's another thing entirely to "feel sorry" for people who have adorned themselves with tattoos when you have no real idea what you're talking about unless you've had the experience yourself. I feel it's somewhat of a fad in itself to constantly try to remind others that what they're doing in their lives or with their bodies is a vain attempt at being individualistic. I don't really get that behaviour to be honest.

I have several tattoos myself, none of which I chose to fit in or try to look cool. I see each one as a physical representation of a milestone in my life, my philosophies or lessons I've learned. I don't regret my tattoos nor do I give a damn whether Joe Schmo went and got MOM tattooed on his butt worrying that might make my tats any less unique or valid. I perceive tattoos as art, my art, no one can take it from me or make me regret it or even make me feel better about them than I already do. Nor do I care if someone else feels I should hide them if they mean something only to me.

The history behind tattooing is the fascinating part, whether it be a right of passage or telling the tales of your religion or ancestors. What's wrong with allowing people to do the same of their own lives. Leave them be. Hell, let the people who get tats for the wrong reasons regret it themselves without you throwing judgment and making them feel that much worse.

I still like everyone I know on this board, but come on guys, listen to yourselves sometimes and just realize how your judgments and comments sound to others. It's your journal but I'm just saying save your pity for the starving kids in Africa or the poor people still living under Bush in the United States, ok?

Re: Just my 2 cents...

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Dude, it was in a context. I didn't say "I feel sorry for everyone who's ever got a tattoo!". I didn't give context but I was feeling lazy. Mostly when I'm out here in the burbs at the mall or the drinking strip I see these like 18-year-olds with the OMG TOTALLY EXTREME tattoos up their arms. They've just slapped them on to look cool without much contemplation at all.

I totally understand how getting a mark on your body can be a purifying and cathartic experience. It's not something I'd personally be too interested in but I can respect the process.

Now with that said I'm hoping you can understand the regret one might feel for those who expressed themselves with body modification in light of it's widespread adoption. When more and more people mark themselves without much thought to it the whole art of tattoo or piercing or scarring or whatever is cheapened. Like anything at that point the process of tattoo or whatever the cultural art is becomes cheapened because the goal of those people is the overall aesthetic of having a tattoo. Not the process, both spiritual and social, of having one done. People want tattoos because tattoos are cool and everyone is getting them. Not the good reasons. And this is a Bad Thing for the art form, not to mention the people involved.

What I don't understand is people who don't understand those people who remind others that a dept of culture is important to maintain. We need to think of the reasons we do things and come to understand them. If anything I'm speaking out against mindless vanity.

I realize that I will never, ever be cool. And I'm cool with that.

[plaidninja.livejournal.com]

Yep, tatoos just aren't that individual anymore.

Hmmmm...But now that I'm thinking about it individuality is pretty commonplace now too.
Yeah! The average person is, like, totally convinced that they're good at thinking for themselves and that thier sense of fashion and music are totally representative of how different and corporately customized thier personality is.
So, (work with me here), if individuality is totally played out that means conformity is back in right? Right!
Well, if that's the case then I like to state for the record that I honestly think tatoos are totally cool and totally hot, unless I'm wrong of course. In which case I'd have to say that tatoos are exremly tired... yet somehow still hot.

[werecub.livejournal.com]

I can't wait 'till ritual scaring and branding become mainstream.

Soccer Moms with "Property of Buddy" branded on their asses ..

[fredneckteddy.livejournal.com]

You know when the fad is over, the next fad will be all those people with burn scars from having it all lasered off ya know. Oh that'll be attractive.

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

You know usually I am all for anything involving lasers!

[fredneckteddy.livejournal.com]

especially the ones that don't burn through your flesh?

[tecknow.livejournal.com]

The thing I don't understand about tatoos is, if it's a milestone for yourself, why put it somewhere other people (and someitmes only other people) can see it?

[czarcastic.livejournal.com]

At least with a fad like being a bear, you can always just shave.

[slumberjack.livejournal.com]

Eh, I've tried that; it doesn't get rid of them.

[mondragon.livejournal.com]

"now that they're a fad"?

I guess things move more slowly in Canada.

[carytown.livejournal.com]

Hell, even Bears are a fad of sorts. Don't even really feel like I fit in there either. Nope. I did the tat for me.

[thumperto.livejournal.com]

tattoos are not a fad, it's been around for thousands of years. tasteless tattoos are, however..

[dizzi-d.livejournal.com]

Honestly? Of all the arguments for and against tattoos that I hear in my head when I consider them, the one I hear the loudest is "That's going to look ridiculous when I'm 70."

[umkinda.livejournal.com]

I was okay on this post, except for you forgot to add "except for Vinny's tattoos, which are gorgeous and incredible."

[plaidninja.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but your tattoos ARE incredible.
Just sayin.

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

It did come to mind actually... my buddy Ian on here has an awesome one too.

I was talking about, mostly, the punk rock hardcore kids who are like covered in their parents money that I see out here in the hetero-burbs. It just seems like such an extreme way to be all fad-y.

Two Things - From My Brain

[ex-flowed553.livejournal.com]

Tattoos are art. Not getting one and getting one for any sort of "anti" attitude is slightly immature. Get some, or don't. Be yourself. I throw these thoughts in the trash as quickly as hearing people complain that graffiti is vandalism.

And am I the only goddamned person who's not so keen on the term "ricer"?

It's your journal, ultimately. Peace.

Re: Two Things - From My Brain

[pink-prototype.livejournal.com]

i was hoping that 'ricer' was supposed to be 'racer'..

but yeah, the post as a whole is pretty lame..
i mean, if its not yr body why do you give two shits
about what people do to themselves?

if you dont like 'em or dont want one..
dont get one..

its pretty simple.

Re: Two Things - From My Brain

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

"ricer" does mean "racer'. Guys with Honda Civics who trick them out. It has nothing to do with ethnicity.

Who cares what people decide to do to themselves? Cultural symbols like tattoos have value. If everyone has them all over their arms simply for the sake of having them then the value is diminished. That's the point I was getting at. They get them because "tattoos are cool" and therefore, to me at least, they become less interesting as a whole.

Re: Two Things - From My Brain

[pink-prototype.livejournal.com]

you realise that getting tattoos requires a needle to poke the fuck out of you over and over and over again?
so im doubting that someone with sleeves is just being trendy..plus the cost..plus the pain (as i mentioned)..plus the time..plus having to deal with people giving you grief
about having tattoos...ugh.

er...i mean, yay!

Re: Two Things - From My Brain

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Yeah man it's art! It's fucking art man don't harsh on my ART yo!

That's all well and good except there is a lot of bad art in this world. Boring tags all over bus shelters or in public places is a Bad thing.

These are stupid neo-liberal ideas that if something is non-conformist and you do it too therefore your expression is legitimized by all previous expressions. Which is simply not too true. It's just conformity with an edge.

And "ricer" is an owned term like "faggot" or "cock sucker". Mostly, where I'm from, it means somebody who drives an Asian designed car and tricks it out. It has nothing to do with ethnicity. I could drive a pimped out Honda Civic and be called a ricer, as white as I am. So please pull that politically correct knife out of my back.

Re: Two Things - From My Brain

[e-ticket.livejournal.com]

Here, here.

It's one thing to make sweeping statements of ironic generality. It's another to mis-read them and feel you must police them for taste and moral content.

See? Then everyone's wrong! Yay!

Re: Two Things - From My Brain

[ex-flowed553.livejournal.com]

Brodie, I have a lot of respect for you. Don't mistake my differing opinion for any more than just that.

I think as long as humans are alive there is going to be so-called "bad" art in existence. I don't have to like any of it, but that doesn't mean I want to eliminate somebody's expression, even if it reeks of lame or has already been done eight-million times.

If we look only at labels, then of course the world seems like a gross place, filled with people living out stereotypes. We all are. It's not political correctness I'm arguing for, it's just a way to try to look at things. I also suppose it's not for everyone.

Re: Two Things - From My Brain

[(Anonymous)]

I think I missed the part of the post that declared universally that people should not be able to do this to themselves.

I only saw the part that declared how it should be percieved, and it seemed pretty accurate to me. Ya sure, go get horrible looking tattoos (no, that doesn't mean I think all of them are horrible looking).

There's seems to be a massive confusion here between the right to do what you want with your own body, and the right to dictate how it should be looked upon by other people. Yes you have the former. You do not have the latter. Go ahead, made yourself look like an idiot, it's your god given right! I will then look at you and I will think that you look like an idiot. The above assertation is if nobody has the right to have any opintion or reaction to the free actions of other people (ie, getting tatoos). This is what strikes me is the rediculous notion. I'm supposed to interact with people like some kind of mindless automaton not thinking anything about them whatsoever because "oh who cares"?? Well, I'll tell you who: anybody with a brain who just might be interested in thinking about the world around them.

So go ahead and indulge in your rights on your skin. I will, equally, indulge in my rights inside my head.

I will not look at you and think that you are non-conformist or edgy or impressive - because you're not. I will not look at you and think nothing, because I'm not obligated too. Please, don't tell me I am.

[kj.livejournal.com]

I have nothing intelligent to add.

But, I do have to give you the raspberry.

Thhhhhhhhhhpppppppppppppbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbtttttttttt! :P

There, all done. Carry on.