The last posting of an Achilles piercing here on Modblog generated a number of whiny complaints about how unviable and dangerous it is from conservative piercers**. Now, my feeling is that in what I hope will always remain a rebel artform — rather than an “industry” — that there’s no space for conservatism (or whining), so with that in mind there’s a Mr. Tetanus interview pending.
Mr. Tetanus, a performance artist, wears a self-made 10mm spike through his ankle, behind the Achilles tendon, and has had it now for about twelve years. In the picture below you can see it now, as well as a photo looking through the hole and showing the displacement of the tendon. He doesn’t take it out much because the hole closes up within about a minute, and begins to reseal itself within half an hour.
He uses the piercing in performances, swinging bowling balls and other weights (another performance artist — “Angel” — has actually hung from meat-hooks worn in this piercing), so it can definitely take quite a bit of abuse without crippling him. That said, he emphasizes that he doesn’t recommend anyone else try this, and notes that even after twelve years it’s never truly healed (that said, it’s not as if tongue piercings ever “truly” heal for many people either) and in theory continues to put him at risk.
Risk, Schmisk!!! Anyway, I’ll post the full interview soon, but I couldn’t resist putting up a teaser and a photo of his remarkable ankle!
** Note: Since there are some serious comprehension issues with this entry getting people even whinier, let me be perfectly clear: I couldn’t care less if a piercer feels that they don’t want to do this, and personally I don’t think this should be offered on the walk-in public. Where I have a problem is if people say that no one should be doing or getting this modification (or other heavy mods). Body modification is where it is today because people informed themselves about the risks and tried new things, often with what seemed like serious dangers at the time — and when that ends, body modification begins to die.
Comments
560 responses to “Unlikely but True: Achilles Piercing”
Meg – No offense to the early piercing scene, but they spent YEARS doing dumbass stuff like using inappropriate jewelry and atrocious placements, that could have been avoided with some basic research and common sense. Their knowledge of “how piercing works” was shallow at best. Those piercers deserve enormous social credit — ENORMOUS!!! — but in terms of the science and technology of piercing they contributed almost nothing.
It was the next generation of piercers and mod-artists (Jon Cobb, Steve Haworth, Tom Brazda, etc.) who really transformed this industry, not just because they pushed the borders, but because they did it armed with an obsession with science. How many piercers of that era hung out in medical libraries obsessing over texts? More than you’d imagine.
And in any case, I wish people would stop attacking the strawman that piercers are being attacked for not DOING a procedure, because there’s no such complaint. The issue is piercers saying that NO ONE should do such a mod. Not that THEY don’t want to do it. Clearly piercers should have personal limits that are self-defined, not defined by others, and I don’t think anyone has ever argued otherwise.
shawnporter – Certainly Jon was haunted by piercers who sought to emulate him without also emulating the foundation that he built himself on… He was haunted from all sides I think, and he paid a very dear price for the contributions he made.
Meg – No offense to the early piercing scene, but they spent YEARS doing dumbass stuff like using inappropriate jewelry and atrocious placements, that could have been avoided with some basic research and common sense. Their knowledge of “how piercing works” was shallow at best. Those piercers deserve enormous social credit — ENORMOUS!!! — but in terms of the science and technology of piercing they contributed almost nothing.
It was the next generation of piercers and mod-artists (Jon Cobb, Steve Haworth, Tom Brazda, etc.) who really transformed this industry, not just because they pushed the borders, but because they did it armed with an obsession with science. How many piercers of that era hung out in medical libraries obsessing over texts? More than you’d imagine.
And in any case, I wish people would stop attacking the strawman that piercers are being attacked for not DOING a procedure, because there’s no such complaint. The issue is piercers saying that NO ONE should do such a mod. Not that THEY don’t want to do it. Clearly piercers should have personal limits that are self-defined, not defined by others, and I don’t think anyone has ever argued otherwise.
shawnporter – Certainly Jon was haunted by piercers who sought to emulate him without also emulating the foundation that he built himself on… He was haunted from all sides I think, and he paid a very dear price for the contributions he made.
shannon,
i want to first say that this post was very interesting, and i was very glad to see a follow up, given i was one of the people debating under the initial post…i remember reading mr tetnus stating he had this and his initial fear about posting the pics for it-because he didn’t want other’s thinking this was recommended or in any way easy to heal…
i am rather sad however about the overall tone of the article and its condeming nature towards piercers who have reservations about certain procedures…i keep hearing about the freedom to do what you want to your bodies…but it seems the freedom to express an opinion about something that is very important to you and is tied into your professional interests isn’t held in the same regard…i’d like to point out these ‘whiny, conservative piercers’ are just as much a part of this community as those who do nothing more than play cheerleader to every word/pic you post…they help contribute pictures, experiances, and in some cases (as far as the comments following posts) some balance- when its obvious certain risks weren’t addressed…most of these piercers are only voicing their opinions out of concern and love for the art form they live their lives around…it would be nice if that was considered when putting them down for having an opinion that doesn’t showcase yours.
shannon,
i want to first say that this post was very interesting, and i was very glad to see a follow up, given i was one of the people debating under the initial post…i remember reading mr tetnus stating he had this and his initial fear about posting the pics for it-because he didn’t want other’s thinking this was recommended or in any way easy to heal…
i am rather sad however about the overall tone of the article and its condeming nature towards piercers who have reservations about certain procedures…i keep hearing about the freedom to do what you want to your bodies…but it seems the freedom to express an opinion about something that is very important to you and is tied into your professional interests isn’t held in the same regard…i’d like to point out these ‘whiny, conservative piercers’ are just as much a part of this community as those who do nothing more than play cheerleader to every word/pic you post…they help contribute pictures, experiances, and in some cases (as far as the comments following posts) some balance- when its obvious certain risks weren’t addressed…most of these piercers are only voicing their opinions out of concern and love for the art form they live their lives around…it would be nice if that was considered when putting them down for having an opinion that doesn’t showcase yours.
amen laura
amen laura
Laura – I’m afraid I can’t wrap my head around the double-think that “the right to restrict the rights of others” is in any way a reasonable right.
Suggesting that BME ignores risks is ridiculous as there’s no organization out there that’s more aggressively shared information on risks.
Laura – I’m afraid I can’t wrap my head around the double-think that “the right to restrict the rights of others” is in any way a reasonable right.
Suggesting that BME ignores risks is ridiculous as there’s no organization out there that’s more aggressively shared information on risks.
While I don’t think BME has ignored risks.. (look at the “risks” section after all) I do think that in a sense, ModBlog rewards the “push it to the limits bigger/faster” mentality. That is dangerous in it’s own way.
And yes, while there are generally warnings that these things aren’t the best ideas.. it still just puts it out there, and for some, that’s all they need to try to one up it. To take it elsewhere. That’s NOT always a good thing.
Laura.. the ending of your post was voiced wonderfully. Thank you.
While I don’t think BME has ignored risks.. (look at the “risks” section after all) I do think that in a sense, ModBlog rewards the “push it to the limits bigger/faster” mentality. That is dangerous in it’s own way.
And yes, while there are generally warnings that these things aren’t the best ideas.. it still just puts it out there, and for some, that’s all they need to try to one up it. To take it elsewhere. That’s NOT always a good thing.
Laura.. the ending of your post was voiced wonderfully. Thank you.
Ok, I gotta admit that I didn’t read past comment #60 or so (short attention span what?), but I have to jump in here.
I have tendonitis. In my achilles. People, please be careful! Tendons are incredibly strong when it comes to pulling, but they’re also incredibly slow to heal when they’re damaged. I damaged mine by wearing my boots too tight- my boots creased and bruised my achilles. Instead of loosening them, I left it because I had a long way to go, and one blister is better than two, right? Then I didn’t stay off it enough.
Now, over two years later, I still have to be careful on that foot, stretch it out a lot more, and have lost a lot of stability in the ankle because I can’t do as many weight-bearing exercises. I’ve gained weight, had to stop dancing, rock climbing, skateboarding and bicycling, all because of a stupid mistake.
Take care of yourselves, listen to your body and play nice around tendons!
But that’s still a damn amazing piercing, and it’s great that Tetanus has been able to keep it for so long!
Ok, I gotta admit that I didn’t read past comment #60 or so (short attention span what?), but I have to jump in here.
I have tendonitis. In my achilles. People, please be careful! Tendons are incredibly strong when it comes to pulling, but they’re also incredibly slow to heal when they’re damaged. I damaged mine by wearing my boots too tight- my boots creased and bruised my achilles. Instead of loosening them, I left it because I had a long way to go, and one blister is better than two, right? Then I didn’t stay off it enough.
Now, over two years later, I still have to be careful on that foot, stretch it out a lot more, and have lost a lot of stability in the ankle because I can’t do as many weight-bearing exercises. I’ve gained weight, had to stop dancing, rock climbing, skateboarding and bicycling, all because of a stupid mistake.
Take care of yourselves, listen to your body and play nice around tendons!
But that’s still a damn amazing piercing, and it’s great that Tetanus has been able to keep it for so long!
Meg – I understand what you’re saying, but I think that the nature of ModBlog being a distilled version of BME is misleading you — things on the border are interesting and thus they get posted about. I don’t personally think ModBlog would be interesting if it was just pictures of the same-old-same-old.
I also don’t buy the idea that some things should never be talked about, even with warnings, because people will copy them (this point is more commonly raised with the “animal modification” section). That’s saying that you (or I) know better than others and need to censor their knowledge to protect them from themselves… and I don’t believe that.
Laura – I’d like to add on to the “these people contribute to BME, so you should support their opinions” meme. In the “political tattoos” section there are tattoos from Neo-Nazis. There are tattoos from peaceniks. There are tattoos from American Patriots. There are tattoos from meat eaters, and tattoos from vegans. Many extreme, and often conflicting ideas.
Because someone contributes to BME, they deserve THANKS for helping create a large snapshot of what’s going on in the world of body modification by sharing how modification manifests itself in their life, but I don’t feel it needs to go farther than that. BME will always be inclusionary, and to do that, the site needs to feature sometimes conflicting ideas, and for that to work, the underlying philosophy of the site needs to be very “live and let live” and generally supportive of all stances (while providing as much information as possible), so long as they don’t restrict someone else’s actions.
Meg – I understand what you’re saying, but I think that the nature of ModBlog being a distilled version of BME is misleading you — things on the border are interesting and thus they get posted about. I don’t personally think ModBlog would be interesting if it was just pictures of the same-old-same-old.
I also don’t buy the idea that some things should never be talked about, even with warnings, because people will copy them (this point is more commonly raised with the “animal modification” section). That’s saying that you (or I) know better than others and need to censor their knowledge to protect them from themselves… and I don’t believe that.
Laura – I’d like to add on to the “these people contribute to BME, so you should support their opinions” meme. In the “political tattoos” section there are tattoos from Neo-Nazis. There are tattoos from peaceniks. There are tattoos from American Patriots. There are tattoos from meat eaters, and tattoos from vegans. Many extreme, and often conflicting ideas.
Because someone contributes to BME, they deserve THANKS for helping create a large snapshot of what’s going on in the world of body modification by sharing how modification manifests itself in their life, but I don’t feel it needs to go farther than that. BME will always be inclusionary, and to do that, the site needs to feature sometimes conflicting ideas, and for that to work, the underlying philosophy of the site needs to be very “live and let live” and generally supportive of all stances (while providing as much information as possible), so long as they don’t restrict someone else’s actions.
WICKED COOL!
WICKED COOL!
shannon, i’m not trying to restrict the actions of others…i’m not law enforcement…i’m not waiting outside the hotel rooms of mod artists performing implants with hand cuffs…i’m just stating that while championing the rights to do whatever you want with your body, that the opinions that follow these articles be valued in the same ‘freedom of expression’ arena as well…i’m not saying that risks aren’t always addressed, but sometimes posts don’t do much to state anything about the risks involved-like the initial post this post grew from…and that having piercers coming together to discuss those risks should be somewhat valued, instead of taken personally…realize what it is: geniune concern from piercers in a public forum under a posted piercing…these artists aren’t there to bust your bubble, infact alot of the same people debating these posts have buttons on their page showing support for you…they just care, and that is something that should be applauded, not brushed off as whining…i think you do alot of wonderful things for the mod community, and i in no way discredit that…i’m just asking that those of us who are just showing some concern, not be discredited either…
meg, thank you, i thought everything you posted was well said and very accurate! i wish restraint and ethics were valued more these days…i think any piercer who doesn’t know and respect their roots (ward, angel, fakir, and the like) are destined to trip and impail themselves on them…
shannon, i’m not trying to restrict the actions of others…i’m not law enforcement…i’m not waiting outside the hotel rooms of mod artists performing implants with hand cuffs…i’m just stating that while championing the rights to do whatever you want with your body, that the opinions that follow these articles be valued in the same ‘freedom of expression’ arena as well…i’m not saying that risks aren’t always addressed, but sometimes posts don’t do much to state anything about the risks involved-like the initial post this post grew from…and that having piercers coming together to discuss those risks should be somewhat valued, instead of taken personally…realize what it is: geniune concern from piercers in a public forum under a posted piercing…these artists aren’t there to bust your bubble, infact alot of the same people debating these posts have buttons on their page showing support for you…they just care, and that is something that should be applauded, not brushed off as whining…i think you do alot of wonderful things for the mod community, and i in no way discredit that…i’m just asking that those of us who are just showing some concern, not be discredited either…
meg, thank you, i thought everything you posted was well said and very accurate! i wish restraint and ethics were valued more these days…i think any piercer who doesn’t know and respect their roots (ward, angel, fakir, and the like) are destined to trip and impail themselves on them…
Well played Laura
Well played Laura
Laura, AGAIN, the issue is with people who are saying these shouldn’t be done, not with people who are personally careful and play it safe in their own careers. I think that the biggest problem we’re having here is that people are not able to understand there’s an ocean of difference between having personal limits, and believing that ones own personal limits should apply to and restrict others.
And Laura, you raise Fakir — I think he’d be the first to admit that he pushed his limits far more dangerously than most. Certainly far more dangerously than Mr. Tetanus with this piercing. Fakir almost died from his chest piercings, and did any number of unwatched solo bondage rituals that could easily have gone very, very badly.
Laura, AGAIN, the issue is with people who are saying these shouldn’t be done, not with people who are personally careful and play it safe in their own careers. I think that the biggest problem we’re having here is that people are not able to understand there’s an ocean of difference between having personal limits, and believing that ones own personal limits should apply to and restrict others.
And Laura, you raise Fakir — I think he’d be the first to admit that he pushed his limits far more dangerously than most. Certainly far more dangerously than Mr. Tetanus with this piercing. Fakir almost died from his chest piercings, and did any number of unwatched solo bondage rituals that could easily have gone very, very badly.
Well said Meg and Laura
Well said Meg and Laura
I think it’s funny that so many people are saying that it’s terrible and going to cause scene kids to try to copy it and blah blah blah when, in 186 posts, there wasn’t a single “omg i want one”. Just because it exists doesn’t mean that the average person is going to rush out and get one. I’m sure that this mr. tetanus guy knew what he was getting into so whatever.
I think it’s funny that so many people are saying that it’s terrible and going to cause scene kids to try to copy it and blah blah blah when, in 186 posts, there wasn’t a single “omg i want one”. Just because it exists doesn’t mean that the average person is going to rush out and get one. I’m sure that this mr. tetanus guy knew what he was getting into so whatever.
People who have a pathological desire to attempt dangerous stunts will do so with or without the external stimuli to provoke them.
Shannon can not (and should not) be held responsible for the actions of others simply because he documents experiences that it is felt others may copy.
People who have a pathological desire to attempt dangerous stunts will do so with or without the external stimuli to provoke them.
Shannon can not (and should not) be held responsible for the actions of others simply because he documents experiences that it is felt others may copy.
I learned a valuable lesson from this post. People are utterly incapable of “listening” to what others are “saying,” especially on the internet. I can’t even count the number of times people have been raising the same straw man in their arguments.
I learned a valuable lesson from this post. People are utterly incapable of “listening” to what others are “saying,” especially on the internet. I can’t even count the number of times people have been raising the same straw man in their arguments.
OMG i want one.
OMG i want one.
Modblog is always such an interesting read, isn’t it? 🙂
Modblog is always such an interesting read, isn’t it? 🙂
i now loads about fakir’s self rituals, i’ve read lots about him and even got the honor of meeting him at the APP in 2006…his reference was in respect to piercing roots, and he’s like the grand daddy of piercing…seemed apprioprate to add him to the list of those who’ve made contributions in their time.
i know this is a very intergrated community…i know there’s alot that goes with that…i wasn’t trying to give you a hard time or by any means restrict your publication in any way…i just think that many of the piercers that voice their concerns are doing it from a good place, because they truly love and respect what they do and what to see it evolve, but not self destruct…instead of tagging them whiners, why not say some of the more cautious piercer’s, or a more conservative piercer, but dismissing them as whiny? its not very flattering…and leaves a portion of the community alienated…if the interest is maintaining a utopian balance in a diverse, intergrated community-it doesn’t seem like that would be a very effective approach…
i now loads about fakir’s self rituals, i’ve read lots about him and even got the honor of meeting him at the APP in 2006…his reference was in respect to piercing roots, and he’s like the grand daddy of piercing…seemed apprioprate to add him to the list of those who’ve made contributions in their time.
i know this is a very intergrated community…i know there’s alot that goes with that…i wasn’t trying to give you a hard time or by any means restrict your publication in any way…i just think that many of the piercers that voice their concerns are doing it from a good place, because they truly love and respect what they do and what to see it evolve, but not self destruct…instead of tagging them whiners, why not say some of the more cautious piercer’s, or a more conservative piercer, but dismissing them as whiny? its not very flattering…and leaves a portion of the community alienated…if the interest is maintaining a utopian balance in a diverse, intergrated community-it doesn’t seem like that would be a very effective approach…
I’m amazed and impressed he’s managed to keep this for so long, and I think it looks quite awesome (in the proper sense of that word).
I support anyone’s right to do whatever they choose to their body in an informed manner. It’s not for me to say what someone has the right to do to their own body if they fully know and understand the risks. I’m not into heavy mods myself, but I enjoy seeing things that push the boundaries of our physicality. When informed, taking risks is a choice that people ought to be allowed to make.
I’m amazed and impressed he’s managed to keep this for so long, and I think it looks quite awesome (in the proper sense of that word).
I support anyone’s right to do whatever they choose to their body in an informed manner. It’s not for me to say what someone has the right to do to their own body if they fully know and understand the risks. I’m not into heavy mods myself, but I enjoy seeing things that push the boundaries of our physicality. When informed, taking risks is a choice that people ought to be allowed to make.
i’m not sure what to say that hasn’t already been said.
personally i’m of the opinion that people should be allowed to do whatever they feel like doing.
i think giles made a really good point when he said “People who have a pathological desire to attempt dangerous stunts will do so with or without the external stimuli to provoke them.”
this is true, no matter how many disclaimers and warnings, someone will probably try this without thinking and end up being hurt.
i think shannon feels it’s not those foolish and rash people who need support, it’s the people who are thinking it through and assessing the risks and ending up with a beautiful and apparently healthy modification like this one.
i’m not sure what to say that hasn’t already been said.
personally i’m of the opinion that people should be allowed to do whatever they feel like doing.
i think giles made a really good point when he said “People who have a pathological desire to attempt dangerous stunts will do so with or without the external stimuli to provoke them.”
this is true, no matter how many disclaimers and warnings, someone will probably try this without thinking and end up being hurt.
i think shannon feels it’s not those foolish and rash people who need support, it’s the people who are thinking it through and assessing the risks and ending up with a beautiful and apparently healthy modification like this one.
Why do so many modblog readers see something like this and immediately comment with their judgement of it and whether it should be, in their opinion, allowed to be done? And why do so many of these judgements stem from whether the reader would “do” the mod or not?
Body modification isn’t a race, no one on this blog is asking the piercers out there to start offering the achilles piercing, and no one is demanding that all the body modification enthusiasts now try this piercing. It is perfectly possible to appreciate something (and support the right for it to be done) without possessing it.
Ignorami like paleblue and dimruthien have completely missed the point they are arguing over and not realised that they don’t need to like this mod, or get it, or perform it, but that they should nonetheless support the right of individuals to use their bodies in this way. The whole competitive aspect of body modification is a bit of a joke and has made places like iam seem more like myspace except that celebrity status and the obligatory e-flock of sheep that comes with it is based on the size your nostrils are stretched to, rather than the myspace success barometer of the straightness of your extravagant hairstyle.
Why do so many modblog readers see something like this and immediately comment with their judgement of it and whether it should be, in their opinion, allowed to be done? And why do so many of these judgements stem from whether the reader would “do” the mod or not?
Body modification isn’t a race, no one on this blog is asking the piercers out there to start offering the achilles piercing, and no one is demanding that all the body modification enthusiasts now try this piercing. It is perfectly possible to appreciate something (and support the right for it to be done) without possessing it.
Ignorami like paleblue and dimruthien have completely missed the point they are arguing over and not realised that they don’t need to like this mod, or get it, or perform it, but that they should nonetheless support the right of individuals to use their bodies in this way. The whole competitive aspect of body modification is a bit of a joke and has made places like iam seem more like myspace except that celebrity status and the obligatory e-flock of sheep that comes with it is based on the size your nostrils are stretched to, rather than the myspace success barometer of the straightness of your extravagant hairstyle.
okay, so i didn’t read through all of this, because honestly it was making me sick. 1st of all, it’s not about suporting certain mods, its about suporting the people who get them, mind you, we are all here for the same reason. 2nd of all, who fucking cares if he said some people are being whiney??? my god are we 12 years old people? i’m sure most have you have been called worse things in your lifetime. oh 3rd and the most important, this is shannon’s website, if you don’t like what he’s doing or saying, then go, and yes i know it’s a comunity and he wouldn’t have this without everyone else, fact of the matter is if he had not started this years ago, you wouldnt have this right now. so stop bitching and show some respect.
okay, so i didn’t read through all of this, because honestly it was making me sick. 1st of all, it’s not about suporting certain mods, its about suporting the people who get them, mind you, we are all here for the same reason. 2nd of all, who fucking cares if he said some people are being whiney??? my god are we 12 years old people? i’m sure most have you have been called worse things in your lifetime. oh 3rd and the most important, this is shannon’s website, if you don’t like what he’s doing or saying, then go, and yes i know it’s a comunity and he wouldn’t have this without everyone else, fact of the matter is if he had not started this years ago, you wouldnt have this right now. so stop bitching and show some respect.
oh yeah and that is a badass piercing right there! someone said it above already but, i really wonder how that smells.
oh yeah and that is a badass piercing right there! someone said it above already but, i really wonder how that smells.
For fuck’s sake. Where did I EVER say that people shouldn’t be allowed to do this?
My issue isn’t with any mod, no matter how dangerous. Do what you want to yourself; I really don’t care. Wash your mouth out with some pistol listerine like Budd Dwyer if it tickles your taint. I just dislike the greasy, disingenuous manner in which this is sold to people, and it’s exactly that which causes the “e-flock of sheep” that you refer to, v., and I cannot fucking grasp how you can use that term and recognise that phenomenon while simultaneously condemning what me and dimruthien had to say.
My issue with all this shit is to do with the absolute idiocy of the culture of mod-competition and the individuals who perpetuate it, and the negative light it casts on more reasonable people by association. No more, no less.
For fuck’s sake. Where did I EVER say that people shouldn’t be allowed to do this?
My issue isn’t with any mod, no matter how dangerous. Do what you want to yourself; I really don’t care. Wash your mouth out with some pistol listerine like Budd Dwyer if it tickles your taint. I just dislike the greasy, disingenuous manner in which this is sold to people, and it’s exactly that which causes the “e-flock of sheep” that you refer to, v., and I cannot fucking grasp how you can use that term and recognise that phenomenon while simultaneously condemning what me and dimruthien had to say.
My issue with all this shit is to do with the absolute idiocy of the culture of mod-competition and the individuals who perpetuate it, and the negative light it casts on more reasonable people by association. No more, no less.
Two reasons why I could care less if some random saw this on the internet and decided they liked it enough to get it.
1) That takes balls; First for someone to have the nerve to actually get that piercing, they’d probably be fairly determined. Determined enough if a practitioner refused them, they’d probably try it themselves. And if the practitioner was convinced to try it…..my second point.
2) Personal Responsibilty; Where did that go? You know, researching a piercing or a heavier mod before you go through with it. Asking the practitioner about it, checking their backround out…etc.
There are always going to be people who will do any procedure regardless or risks or knowledge, so it falls to the person getting the work to check out what they are getting into. If they don’t, hey, to quote the Offspring: “One goes to the morgue and the other to jail” as the extreme outcome.
I hate listening to ethical debates when it comes to this crap to be honest, but I didn’t want to start my homework yet.
On a side note, paleblue, you are damn irritating dude.
Two reasons why I could care less if some random saw this on the internet and decided they liked it enough to get it.
1) That takes balls; First for someone to have the nerve to actually get that piercing, they’d probably be fairly determined. Determined enough if a practitioner refused them, they’d probably try it themselves. And if the practitioner was convinced to try it…..my second point.
2) Personal Responsibilty; Where did that go? You know, researching a piercing or a heavier mod before you go through with it. Asking the practitioner about it, checking their backround out…etc.
There are always going to be people who will do any procedure regardless or risks or knowledge, so it falls to the person getting the work to check out what they are getting into. If they don’t, hey, to quote the Offspring: “One goes to the morgue and the other to jail” as the extreme outcome.
I hate listening to ethical debates when it comes to this crap to be honest, but I didn’t want to start my homework yet.
On a side note, paleblue, you are damn irritating dude.