Why the Human Race is Doomed/Awesome #2 - Tattoos

Tattoos. Yes, todays WTHRDA is about the ink-based body art. Let's get started with the history of the tattoo shall we. Below is some information about tattoos from Wikipedia:

1. The word "tattoo" was brought to Europe by the explorer James Cook, when he returned in 1771 from his first voyage to Tahiti and New Zealand.
2. A tattoo is a form of body modification, made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment
3.  There are five types of tattoos: traumatic tattoos, also called "natural tattoos", that result from injuries, especially asphalt from road injuries or pencil lead; amateur tattoos; professional tattoos, both via traditional methods and modern tattoo machines; cosmetic tattoos, also known as "permanent makeup"; and medical tattoos.

In this specific article we are going to mainly elaborate on the professional tattoos which are the most common variant we see in modern society. If you are interested in the other types of tattoos do check out the hyperlink right here.

The Awesome
Tattoos used to be something excruciatingly painful to do. Before the conception of the modern tattoo machine, things used to be done the old school way; with pigment and a needle (some types of tattoos are made by cutting the skin). Polynesian tribes often used tattoos as a symbol of maturity and as a right of passage of child to adulthood. Japanese yakuza tattoo their whole backs as a sign of loyalty to their organization (they also chop their pinky off). This types of tattoos take a long time to do perhaps more than 30 hours to more than a hundred hours. These tattoos are undoubtedly a symbol of strength and fortitude of these people. It shows who they are and it speaks volumes of their character.

                                  Pe'a is a traditional male tattoo in Samoa (courtesy of Cloudsurfer)

In fact, some religious sects also use tattoos to convey their religious beliefs. That is the key word in this segment : belief and loyalty. These people are not afraid to show dedication in what they truly accept as their truth/calling and I have to admire that. Say what you like about these people, but they have balls, and that is a quality that seems to be lacking these days.

                           Gotta respect the intricacy of the art                           

Special mention to the artistic tattoos that are aesthetically and technically advanced. It really makes the body look like an ornate canvas. I may be contradicting myself here but I do have a soft spot for good works of art.

                                                         3D tattoo (courtesy of Alex Filth)


The Doomed

Everyone is a hipster nowadays it seems. With love for the quirky, Generation Y seems to be preoccupied in being caught up with the next upcoming trend while still proclaiming to be unique. This is why I have issue with the fingerstache tattoo. It serves no purpose and it only is useful for cheap laughs and kodak moments. While I don't advocate religion, I do agree that the body should be treated as a temple and therefore should be treated with respect. The same applies for other pointless tattoos such as ones gotten due to lost bets. 

                                               Because glasses are too mainstream perhaps?


One more thing I should mention about modern tattoos is that allegedly removing them is actually more painful then getting one. Food for thought for the impulse driven people of this world before you go rushing to go under a needle to ink that novel phrase or image. Quirky tattoos also do not age well. I shudder to think of what the tattooed hipsters of today will look like in their golden age. Most young people nowadays are rash and do not really think of the consequences of their actions ( I do acknowledge that they are old people doing crazy shit too ), as part of the new generation myself I really hope that we will go down as a respected generation and not with the title the worst generation that has ever lived.



                             I'll let you be the judge of this


That does it for this segment of WTHRD/A, I hope you enjoyed today's topic. I also extend an apology to any hipsters or Gen Y's that I have offended (I'm lecturing you guys from the good of my heart) . Please leave a recommendation or comment to help us pick our next topic. Until then keep on trucking :).