Body modification.

Trying to find a "body practice" to talk about was surprisingly unbelievably hard for me, considering the broad topic at hand. At first, I tried naming off lists of things people do that I find ridiculous and annoying. Let me tell you, there were definitely quite a few options that fell into that category, yet it didn't seem to be exactly what I was looking for. So what did I do next? I thought of all the things that I personally "practice" and find enjoyable, and of course, piercings and tattoos seemed to be the perfect choice.

Every human being uses a praxis to identify themselves to the world around them. Some through the clothing they choose to wear, hairstyles, daily habits such as working out and eating healthy, and of course through bodily artwork as well. When I tried to think of a reason that I choose this praxis to express myself, I simply couldn't come up with one, except for that sole purpose of expression. Some get tattoos and piercings to express themselves, to have control, shock value, or even simply because they can. They easily identify yourself to the people you're surrounded by, that is if they are noticeable. From talking to people that have noticeable body modification, they really like this aspect of it all. If someone isn't going to accept who they are simply because they have a tattoo on their arm, or their lip pierced, than they wouldn't want to be associated with that person anyway. I feel body modification is more accepted in today's culture than it was twenty years ago, yet there are still many complications that come with it. I judge body modification to be appropriate, yet I acknowledge that other's may not share my same viewpoint, and that can potentially affect my future.

The concept of body piercings and tattoos are heavily related to "docile bodies" and are also completely different. Body modification is exactly what it sounds like: modifying your body (the definition of docile bodies.) By getting a tattoo or piercing, you are constantly improving yourself, and transforming yourself through methods of your choice. I also find this concept to be conflicting as well. In today's modern time, tattoos and piercings can be undone, yet is is very, very, very difficult. Tattoos are artwork that can't exactly be changed easily. You can only go so far before you run out of room, which leads me to my next point of a "pursuit without a terminus." Technically speaking, it is possible to have an end to tattoos, if you literally have no skin left to tattoo, yet theoretically, the process of body modification is never ending. Speaking from my own experiences alone, once I got one tattoo, I wanted another one. Same goes for piercings. You are constantly having to transform yourself in order to keep up with what you, or the people you surround yourself with, find interesting. When speaking to one of my friends the other day, he stated that he only finds girls with piercings and tattoos to be attractive, giving proof to the idea of an "other-oriented" emotional economy. Many base the decisions they make on their own bodies off of the beliefs in other people's minds. People will go to all ends to try to impress people, or look like their favorite celebrity, even if it is harmful. Any form of body modification has the risk of infection. Is this our "useful body" telling us that what we're doing is wrong?

The majority of everyone whom get's a tattoo or piercing is fully aware of the the risks involved, from infections to social degradation. With all of this constantly in the back of my mind, it still doesn't stop me from wanting another piercing or tattoo, and I don't think that it ever will, which I find to be the most interesting.