Published on 12, July, 2020
I realise I am middle aged and I that grew up in a world in which only a minority of men had tattoos, and they were either sailors, builders or thugs. Then, around about 15 years ago, David Beckham, famous footballer, gets a tattoo—followed by a string of other footballers, so-called celebrities and media non-entities, all proclaiming they are expressing their 'individuality' or 'rebelling'. Soon afterwards every young man and woman has covered his or her body in them, all believing they too are expressing their individuality or rebelling. And yet, like lemmings advancing towards a cliff-edge, or sheep flocking with the herd across fields, they all look almost the same, that is apart from having different amounts of these vulgar eyesores, or slightly different colourings to them, they all still look virtually the same (at least to me). I see no individuality in these people. Or any spirit of rebellion. I can't understand this herd-mentality. What is it that makes people all try so desperately hard to copy one another in a bizarre attempt to appear different from one another. It doesn't make sense. You would think to be different or rebel, you'd do the opposite to what everyone else is doing. And what is this craving to emulate celebrities or media personalities? Do they imagine they are better than they are—smarter, nicer, more charismatic? The unfathomable sheep-like behaviour aside, I can't understand what, apart from mental illness, what would drive a person to inflict such damage on their largest and most vital organ. The very idea of deliberate mutilation horrifies me.
the irony of symbols the way they are used can change their meaning. Tattoos did indeed used to be a sign of rebellion. People got them to mark memories of dead friends or a dramatic life event or signal they were members of a gang or organisation. But doing so was a statement because they knew others would notice, that it would make them stand out and raise eyebrows. Now people also get them as fashion statements to show that they are edgy which is in itself not very edgy. It's like Burberry. Was intended to be a luxury brand but to show that they had cash to splash the modern 'chav' started wearing it and suddenly it became associated with poverty.
The only real solution is to stop caring what other people think about your symbols and what they mean and just hold onto the meaning you ascribe to them, that and go with what you find aesthetically pleasing.
In the grand scheme of life whether someone has a tattoo or not is pretty meaningless. See also, haircuts, clothes. It's ideas that matter.
Ah, ok.
I did see some posts but I chose not to get involved. I much prefer to have serious discussions in person, so that subtleties and nuance can more easily be observed.
I generally tend not to take sides (apart from my own). My interests are more the why of things, not the what.
I feel if we spent more time asking why, maybe we'd all get along better.
Right wing. Very in some cases. Also i am one of the youngest posters who is very active. And i'm 39. No spring chicken. People here think only nts hold views like mine. Of course there is wide variety of views on life among ASD folk. Just as there is NT's
You're welcome.
But I'm new here so I don't yet know the social dynamics of the place
Thankyou. That means a lot. I feel like Daniel in the lions den these last couple of days.
Agree 100%
We completely disagree.As i said a world without ideas with be completely routeless and adrift. That is an obvious truth that you are unable to find a counter argument to. It's because there isn't one.
Hiding behind the doctrines of a political or religious movement is the last refuge of the morally bankrupt. Parroting their talking points and promoting their ideologies is the activity of the intellectually destitute.
So because ideas are passed between human beings no one should hold ideas? I disagree. I think this brand of thinking primarily derives from social isolation. Think about a world with no ideas. How would it function?
Sometimes you just have to accept that the majority are stupid.
Which is why I no longer vote.
I just look at someone now with a tattoo, and think, "Oh dear, I hope you won't be as disappointing in other areas of your life." Ideas are much the same as tattoos. What most people regard as ideas are only the scripts and talking points they've learned from an internet echo chamber, or hacks in the mainstream media. Only a tiny majority of humans are ever able to generate original thoughts, independant of bias or indoctrination.
They must have a strange idea of what it is to be working class. Working class people don't all cover themselves in tattoos.
I would say that the state department does and hollywood culturally. But the average Joe in Virginia or somewhere. Probably has a lot in common with you or i.
Yes, but they dictate the Global Narrative.
Never mind mate. You know now. And of course there are different rules for sitting in your own house alone. haha. And thank god for them.
Some american people are alright. It's a vast, vast nation. I think people are mainly people the world over. There are ones who are appealing and there are one that aren't.
I know; from coming to work seventeen years ago without showering. D'oh!
You do have to wear something. When people won't talk to people for their appearance though. That's when it gets more serious. Their are even people beaten to death for belonging to tribes. I would say it was more important to smell nice when you're out and about. In terms of social graces.
The American tail is wagging the British dog.
That may have something to do with it. Seeing as it was beloved of sailors originally. There are also working class people who dress like middle class people. All of it is trivial balls in the grand scheme of life.
it's not meaningless if it means something to you. if it makes you feel better about yourself to look a certain way surely thats a good thing.