After a personally difficult legal dispute over BME, I’ve had to face the potentially insurmountable reality of being massively in debt, and I have chosen to transfer the business to Rachel (the details of this deal are sealed, so please don’t ask). Within the month my role at BME will come to an end, and new staff (made up largely of people who’ve been working on BME for some time as well) will be taking over. I will no longer be writing online about body modification, although I will be maintaining my regular blog and other projects of course, as well as working on several body modification book projects which I am eager to complete.
It’s definitely a very strange and mixed set of feelings, having run this site from the very beginning, over nearly a decade and a half. On one hand I’m very much looking forward to having the opportunity and time to paint and tackle new adventures, and on the other hand I will very much miss both the people and the subject in general that I came to know through BME. That said, when I grew up and fell in love with body modification — and later built BME — this was a very different and much more “outsider” culture, so maybe now, as not just tattooing but body modification as a whole enjoys unprecedented levels of popularity and acceptability, it is a good time to pass the torch on to a new generation. It’s my hope that they maintain the site in the spirit that it was begun, while taking on the challenges of a new environment.
I have very much enjoyed being a part of BME and I leave it with good memories. Thank you to everyone who’s been a friend of the site, and everyone who’s helped bring it to this point. I hope you’ve enjoyed my contributions — I know I’ve enjoyed yours — and I hope that you continue to enjoy what BME brings in the future.
See you in hell! 😛
Shannon
[email protected]
zentastic.com
Comments
760 responses to “So Long And Thanks For All The Fish”
Well this has ruined my morning.
Well this has ruined my morning.
xDeviant: yes, that’s why I expect it is a legal requirement from the new owners. Non-compete clause.
xDeviant: yes, that’s why I expect it is a legal requirement from the new owners. Non-compete clause.
NOOOO, shannon, thats so sad to hear you’re going. i’m sure i don’t just speak for myself when i say you have touched lives and helped body mods so immensely. thank you, for all you have done. i respect you so much. thank you and a sad goodbye
NOOOO, shannon, thats so sad to hear you’re going. i’m sure i don’t just speak for myself when i say you have touched lives and helped body mods so immensely. thank you, for all you have done. i respect you so much. thank you and a sad goodbye
you have changed my life for the better
thank you and a very big good luck
you have changed my life for the better
thank you and a very big good luck
Anyone else noticed that Shannon has dissapeared off IAM?
Anyone else noticed that Shannon has dissapeared off IAM?
He deleted his page (and consequently, all the associated forums, like the TOS forum, Tech Support, Whatever, etc), go read about it on CT’s page (and Rachel’s, if you want to hear about the actual structure of BME, rather than buying the bullshit Oh-noes-it-was-all-Shannon-now-BME-is-rooted school of thought).
He deleted his page (and consequently, all the associated forums, like the TOS forum, Tech Support, Whatever, etc), go read about it on CT’s page (and Rachel’s, if you want to hear about the actual structure of BME, rather than buying the bullshit Oh-noes-it-was-all-Shannon-now-BME-is-rooted school of thought).
You will be missed Shannon!! Do take care and best of luck in all you do! <3
You will be missed Shannon!! Do take care and best of luck in all you do! <3
Be well.
Be well.
This is a total bum. There is already a difference in the content.
It’s very noticeable.
So long Shan.
This is a total bum. There is already a difference in the content.
It’s very noticeable.
So long Shan.
you will be missed.
and continually loved.
what you’ve done here has changed my life and countless others.
i cant put into words the debt i feel i owe to you.
<3
you will be missed.
and continually loved.
what you’ve done here has changed my life and countless others.
i cant put into words the debt i feel i owe to you.
<3
wow I hope he reads these comments still-
I sat and read through them- what a legacy to have created- the lives he has touched- the impact he has made.
it is beautiful really.
while I am sad for the circumstance- I hope this sad reason for sharing still has the benefit of showing Shannon the mark he has made on so many people’s lives- for the better.
Thank you Shannon.
I can’t wait to see the art you put out with the time you may have.
wow I hope he reads these comments still-
I sat and read through them- what a legacy to have created- the lives he has touched- the impact he has made.
it is beautiful really.
while I am sad for the circumstance- I hope this sad reason for sharing still has the benefit of showing Shannon the mark he has made on so many people’s lives- for the better.
Thank you Shannon.
I can’t wait to see the art you put out with the time you may have.
If someone who actually knows what is going on would just tell the truth now that it is all over and done with, I think a lot of the drama could be avoided. the little hints we have gotten have been conflicting from the two sides. If you want the community to stay together, we deserve an explanation.
If someone who actually knows what is going on would just tell the truth now that it is all over and done with, I think a lot of the drama could be avoided. the little hints we have gotten have been conflicting from the two sides. If you want the community to stay together, we deserve an explanation.
Good luck shannon. Thank you for everything, all the information you’ve provided, all the interesting new things we got to see everyday, and even for all the wtf gross pictures and moments. You will be missed.
Good luck shannon. Thank you for everything, all the information you’ve provided, all the interesting new things we got to see everyday, and even for all the wtf gross pictures and moments. You will be missed.
Well, God-damn, this is a dark day. Another dead hero, actually that’s romanticizing the situation. This is just ugly and depressing. Of course BME is a community, but the community has been strengthened by Shannon’s involvement, and I believe his unique voice and vision have polarized and vitalized this community. I feel that his loss, is our loss as well. BME will continue, but it will never be the same, and I don’t believe the change will be for the better. I’ve already seen some ominous signs of the direction BME is going. Many are leaving with Shannon because they have so much respect for him that they do not wish to be a part of this fractured community after the hostile take-over. Not only are many people who loved the BME that Shannon helped shape leaving, but already the petty fucks are celebrating in their usual obnoxious ways, and becoming even more active on BME. And I would see this as a classic tragedy, with Shannon the brave martyr, but that’s not true. I never thought I’d say this, but SHANNON SOLD OUT! Yes, he was under extreme prolonged legal and fiscal pressure. But shit, I thought he would have gone out in more of a bang than a whimper. And did he make some kind of deal with the devil, or is he just whole-heartedly embracing defeat? No Bodytwo, or even writing anything about body modification? And then after having his life’s work taken away from him, he comes crawling back to help smooth the transition? This is just pathetic and sad on so many levels.
Well, God-damn, this is a dark day. Another dead hero, actually that’s romanticizing the situation. This is just ugly and depressing. Of course BME is a community, but the community has been strengthened by Shannon’s involvement, and I believe his unique voice and vision have polarized and vitalized this community. I feel that his loss, is our loss as well. BME will continue, but it will never be the same, and I don’t believe the change will be for the better. I’ve already seen some ominous signs of the direction BME is going. Many are leaving with Shannon because they have so much respect for him that they do not wish to be a part of this fractured community after the hostile take-over. Not only are many people who loved the BME that Shannon helped shape leaving, but already the petty fucks are celebrating in their usual obnoxious ways, and becoming even more active on BME. And I would see this as a classic tragedy, with Shannon the brave martyr, but that’s not true. I never thought I’d say this, but SHANNON SOLD OUT! Yes, he was under extreme prolonged legal and fiscal pressure. But shit, I thought he would have gone out in more of a bang than a whimper. And did he make some kind of deal with the devil, or is he just whole-heartedly embracing defeat? No Bodytwo, or even writing anything about body modification? And then after having his life’s work taken away from him, he comes crawling back to help smooth the transition? This is just pathetic and sad on so many levels.
very very sad 🙁
I agree with est,
I wonder if it is possible to do fundraising to pull you out of your debts.
I think the whole community needs Shannon.
very very sad 🙁
I agree with est,
I wonder if it is possible to do fundraising to pull you out of your debts.
I think the whole community needs Shannon.
Geez, it’s like I was the last to know!!!!
I’ll sorely miss your contributions (to this site and to the subject & culture as a whole), Shannon.
I’m so glad and so proud to have had an email interview with you some 6 years ago with prompt response for a university thesis I wrote about the connection of body modification with spirituality and aesthetics. Best A grade I ever got!
You’re an inspiration to me. Thank you, and although there is no reason for you to stop discussing body mods on your own accord & blogs, enjoy your other passions and best of luck in your future and current endeavors!
Geez, it’s like I was the last to know!!!!
I’ll sorely miss your contributions (to this site and to the subject & culture as a whole), Shannon.
I’m so glad and so proud to have had an email interview with you some 6 years ago with prompt response for a university thesis I wrote about the connection of body modification with spirituality and aesthetics. Best A grade I ever got!
You’re an inspiration to me. Thank you, and although there is no reason for you to stop discussing body mods on your own accord & blogs, enjoy your other passions and best of luck in your future and current endeavors!
Damnn… I just can’t believe this! Shannon has really changed my life with BME/IAM/MODBLOG. He has helped me out of a hole that I never had survived without his help. He has make me happy and feel “ME” ; the person I want to be. I have no words how Shannon changed my life in a good way!
I want to wish you all the best! Take care Shannon!
I will miss you and so will do the other modified people of this community! Thank you for everything!
Damnn… I just can’t believe this! Shannon has really changed my life with BME/IAM/MODBLOG. He has helped me out of a hole that I never had survived without his help. He has make me happy and feel “ME” ; the person I want to be. I have no words how Shannon changed my life in a good way!
I want to wish you all the best! Take care Shannon!
I will miss you and so will do the other modified people of this community! Thank you for everything!
This is so sad. I just came back from vacation eager to check out the modblogs I’d missed I see this.
🙁
This is so sad. I just came back from vacation eager to check out the modblogs I’d missed I see this.
🙁
Agree with Erin as much as I know how hard roo works and hear how lovely it is. The posts are just missing that extra something 🙁
Agree with Erin as much as I know how hard roo works and hear how lovely it is. The posts are just missing that extra something 🙁
🙁 🙁 🙁
sad sad sad… hate… sad…
aw! suck… dont go… *tear*
🙁 🙁 🙁
🙁 🙁 🙁
sad sad sad… hate… sad…
aw! suck… dont go… *tear*
🙁 🙁 🙁
Shannon, body modification has come to where it is today because of BME. Because of you we are a community. Thank you for working hard, for all your expenses and concerns. Thank you for providing us information, knowledge is power, so thank you for enpowering us. Thank you for sharing your life with the world, and for giving others a space to share theirs as well. And most of all, thank you for respecting our diversity, and teaching us how to do that as well.
I wish you best of luck with everything! You will be deeply missed.
Shannon, body modification has come to where it is today because of BME. Because of you we are a community. Thank you for working hard, for all your expenses and concerns. Thank you for providing us information, knowledge is power, so thank you for enpowering us. Thank you for sharing your life with the world, and for giving others a space to share theirs as well. And most of all, thank you for respecting our diversity, and teaching us how to do that as well.
I wish you best of luck with everything! You will be deeply missed.
i’m sure this is not a desicion that has been taken lightly and i hope that it works out for the best. It’s such a shame that you wont be a part of BME anymore and i hope that Rachael and the others who’ll be in control, will maintain the high standards and unbiased attitude.
I hope that when it comes to my kids exploring body mods BMEzine still exists and is as welcoming, informative and interesting as it has been.
Good Luck Shannon
xxx
i’m sure this is not a desicion that has been taken lightly and i hope that it works out for the best. It’s such a shame that you wont be a part of BME anymore and i hope that Rachael and the others who’ll be in control, will maintain the high standards and unbiased attitude.
I hope that when it comes to my kids exploring body mods BMEzine still exists and is as welcoming, informative and interesting as it has been.
Good Luck Shannon
xxx
Wow, apparently I’m very late.
I don’t know if you’re reading this Shannon, but thank you so much. I’m thinking of you and Ari.
Not to be overly dramatic, but it’s definitely the passing of an age. If Shannon’s wrong and we’re not all torn apart by robots, surely someone will be chronicling this saga one day. 😉
Wow, apparently I’m very late.
I don’t know if you’re reading this Shannon, but thank you so much. I’m thinking of you and Ari.
Not to be overly dramatic, but it’s definitely the passing of an age. If Shannon’s wrong and we’re not all torn apart by robots, surely someone will be chronicling this saga one day. 😉
WTF? I go away for a few days and come back only to find everything has changed. Damn.
Shannon you will be missed.
Visiting this site for the last few years has opened my eyes to so many different types of people and modifications. I got my first scarification after reading about the procedure and the available artists here.
BME has been a bastion of stability in my chaotic life. Now it will change, hopefully not into something horrible and disfigured. *sigh*
Wishing you all the best in your future endeavours.
WTF? I go away for a few days and come back only to find everything has changed. Damn.
Shannon you will be missed.
Visiting this site for the last few years has opened my eyes to so many different types of people and modifications. I got my first scarification after reading about the procedure and the available artists here.
BME has been a bastion of stability in my chaotic life. Now it will change, hopefully not into something horrible and disfigured. *sigh*
Wishing you all the best in your future endeavours.
#145: What makes you think liking science, mathematics, and linguistics, or dressing in neutral clothes, makes you “very atypical” of ModBlog readers?
Shannon: Best wishes always.
#145: What makes you think liking science, mathematics, and linguistics, or dressing in neutral clothes, makes you “very atypical” of ModBlog readers?
Shannon: Best wishes always.