The post below this is one about today being Self-Injury Awareness Day. That is why I am posting this now rather than tomorrow, even though today’s modblog plate has already been filled up. The words self-injury in this context brings up one of the oldest arguments in the body modification world which is modification vs. mutilation. Obviously, a lot of the deciding factor is in the eye of the beholder. Seriously, ask around enough and you will find plenty of people who think that a standard navel piercing is a mutilation. However, I think most modblog readers, even those that are not fans of navel piercings, would never consider one to be a mutilation. However, there are some other modification we cover on BME are not so black and white.
No one modification is responsible for more modification vs. mutilation arguments then the voluntary amputation of healthy and viable body parts. That is why I couldn’t overlook the coincidence of a photo submission of a finger amputation (amputation submissions in general are extremely rare) on Self-Injury Awareness day.
In my many years of involvement in this community, I have met and talked to a lot of amputees. Some of whom had the most sane justifications for their choice to amputate a part of themselves. So justified, in fact, that there was no question it was a modification and a sane decision for them. Others I met were a little bit more questionable in their level of mental stability, but still managed to make me feel like this modification was the right choice for them.
Then there is a small minority, people who I might dare call insane, who hate themselves and are slowly cutting away bits of them selves in a hateful fashion. Those people obviously fall into the mutilation category.
So to me, amputation and pretty much any body mod for that matter is neither modification nor mutilation 100% of the time. It is the owner of these mods and their decision making process that, to me, determine whether something is a modification or a mutilation, or to keep with the theme of the day, a modification or a self-injury.
So I ask you, the modblog readers, where do you draw the line between modification and mutilation? To answer that question, see unwrapped photos of this amputation and learn what other non-major (but far sweeter) holiday today is, keep on keeping on.
These photos were submitted by Devo238, for whom I could not find any contact info on. If Devo238 sees this and wants to provide me some information on it, please shoot me an email.
So what do you guys think, modification or mutilation? Share your thoughts in the comments section, I like hearing where everyone stands.
PS: Besides being Self-Injury Awareness Day today is also (in the states at least) National Pancake Day, so when your done reading modblog why not head over to IHOP and get some free pancakes?
Comments
124 responses to “Another one for Self-Injury Awareness Day, or is it?”
I see this as a Mod, but i rather discuss this over pancakes
I see this as a Mod, but i rather discuss this over pancakes
I see this as a Mod, but i rather discuss this over pancakes
I see this as a Mod, but i rather discuss this over pancakes
Looking at his ring finger, he appears to suffer from variant psoriasis. I’d guess the other finger was equally affected and he finally lost his shit and cut it off. I think about that pretty regularly.
Looking at his ring finger, he appears to suffer from variant psoriasis. I’d guess the other finger was equally affected and he finally lost his shit and cut it off. I think about that pretty regularly.
Looking at his ring finger, he appears to suffer from variant psoriasis. I’d guess the other finger was equally affected and he finally lost his shit and cut it off. I think about that pretty regularly.
Looking at his ring finger, he appears to suffer from variant psoriasis. I’d guess the other finger was equally affected and he finally lost his shit and cut it off. I think about that pretty regularly.
I view this as intentional mutilation. I see the difference between mutilation and modification as changing the function of a body part versus body decoration. Removing your pinkie degrades the functionality of your hand, whereas a body modification is purely aesthetic. Technically this is a “body modification”, but to group it in with piercings, tattoos, scarifications, implants or other ‘decorations’ seems inappropriate. I also feel that if this is truly what devo238 wanted, then devo has every right to do so. I would never do this to something as important as my hand, but i know nothing about devo’s life experiences. Anyone with amputation experience know if the dead skin on the ring finger is normal?
I view this as intentional mutilation. I see the difference between mutilation and modification as changing the function of a body part versus body decoration. Removing your pinkie degrades the functionality of your hand, whereas a body modification is purely aesthetic. Technically this is a “body modification”, but to group it in with piercings, tattoos, scarifications, implants or other ‘decorations’ seems inappropriate. I also feel that if this is truly what devo238 wanted, then devo has every right to do so. I would never do this to something as important as my hand, but i know nothing about devo’s life experiences. Anyone with amputation experience know if the dead skin on the ring finger is normal?
I view this as intentional mutilation. I see the difference between mutilation and modification as changing the function of a body part versus body decoration. Removing your pinkie degrades the functionality of your hand, whereas a body modification is purely aesthetic. Technically this is a “body modification”, but to group it in with piercings, tattoos, scarifications, implants or other ‘decorations’ seems inappropriate. I also feel that if this is truly what devo238 wanted, then devo has every right to do so. I would never do this to something as important as my hand, but i know nothing about devo’s life experiences. Anyone with amputation experience know if the dead skin on the ring finger is normal?
I view this as intentional mutilation. I see the difference between mutilation and modification as changing the function of a body part versus body decoration. Removing your pinkie degrades the functionality of your hand, whereas a body modification is purely aesthetic. Technically this is a “body modification”, but to group it in with piercings, tattoos, scarifications, implants or other ‘decorations’ seems inappropriate. I also feel that if this is truly what devo238 wanted, then devo has every right to do so. I would never do this to something as important as my hand, but i know nothing about devo’s life experiences. Anyone with amputation experience know if the dead skin on the ring finger is normal?
call me closed minded, but man…I just can not get behind amputation. I definitely see that as a mutilation. And no, I dont have a real, logical, thought out explanation as to why I feel that way. Its just my knee jerk reaction to it. I would LOVE to talk to someone who has amputated to listen to their reasoning…I would LOVE to understand.
call me closed minded, but man…I just can not get behind amputation. I definitely see that as a mutilation. And no, I dont have a real, logical, thought out explanation as to why I feel that way. Its just my knee jerk reaction to it. I would LOVE to talk to someone who has amputated to listen to their reasoning…I would LOVE to understand.
call me closed minded, but man…I just can not get behind amputation. I definitely see that as a mutilation. And no, I dont have a real, logical, thought out explanation as to why I feel that way. Its just my knee jerk reaction to it. I would LOVE to talk to someone who has amputated to listen to their reasoning…I would LOVE to understand.
call me closed minded, but man…I just can not get behind amputation. I definitely see that as a mutilation. And no, I dont have a real, logical, thought out explanation as to why I feel that way. Its just my knee jerk reaction to it. I would LOVE to talk to someone who has amputated to listen to their reasoning…I would LOVE to understand.
Modification is positive, it makes the modified person happier in some way. Mutilation is negative, it is harmful and causes the mutilated person anguish. That’s the line as i see it.
Modification is positive, it makes the modified person happier in some way. Mutilation is negative, it is harmful and causes the mutilated person anguish. That’s the line as i see it.
Modification is positive, it makes the modified person happier in some way. Mutilation is negative, it is harmful and causes the mutilated person anguish. That’s the line as i see it.
Modification is positive, it makes the modified person happier in some way. Mutilation is negative, it is harmful and causes the mutilated person anguish. That’s the line as i see it.
I don’t comment here much, but I figured I’d jump in – I’m a former self injurer, and the topic of mutilation vs modification has come up quite a bit in my life (I’m also active in the BDSM community, where I was originally a bottom, though I no longer find bottoming interesting or arousing anymore).
I always felt that the intent behind the action is the key. When I hurt myself, (I was a cutter, a self puncher, and occasionally banged my head against the walls, as well as being a binge eater, which I count as self injury because I used to do that to the point where it *hurt*) I was doing whatever I was doing because I was angry, or upset or stressed or just because I didn’t feel at all, and wanted to feel something. I think just about anything I did to myself with that kind of intent would have been mutilation.
Whereas, when I got pierced, started getting tattooed, and bottoming, I did so from a different head space. I got pierced and tattooed because I wanted to decorate myself, and in the case of my tattoos, dedicate myself in a specific and permanent way. When I would bottom, and get hit, it was (for me anyway) about endurance, and endorphines and doing something that was transgressive and sexy. (It still is, but it took a while before I realized I preferred to do the hurty parts).
Along with the intent of the action is the outcome – after every tattoo, piercing, and scene, I was happy. I had a good time, even if parts of it were bleh (not all cane strokes are fun, and my first tattoo was a bitch to get coz I couldn’t take a deep breath. Of course. Things.) I am pleased with the outcome of all those actions. Whereas, with self injury, I was unhappy with the scars, ashamed, scared to let anyone else see them. Until recently, in the past 5 years or so, I was still worried and ashamed about some of my self inflicted scars. It was a huge part of why I didn’t own a bathing suit, go to the beach, wear shorts, etc (nearly all my injury was done to my legs). It affected me and my life in a negative way, and I was not happy with my actions and their results.
the TL;DR version is basically, its the intent and outcome that mark if something is mutilation or modification, and those things are specific, very specific, to the people doing.
I don’t comment here much, but I figured I’d jump in – I’m a former self injurer, and the topic of mutilation vs modification has come up quite a bit in my life (I’m also active in the BDSM community, where I was originally a bottom, though I no longer find bottoming interesting or arousing anymore).
I always felt that the intent behind the action is the key. When I hurt myself, (I was a cutter, a self puncher, and occasionally banged my head against the walls, as well as being a binge eater, which I count as self injury because I used to do that to the point where it *hurt*) I was doing whatever I was doing because I was angry, or upset or stressed or just because I didn’t feel at all, and wanted to feel something. I think just about anything I did to myself with that kind of intent would have been mutilation.
Whereas, when I got pierced, started getting tattooed, and bottoming, I did so from a different head space. I got pierced and tattooed because I wanted to decorate myself, and in the case of my tattoos, dedicate myself in a specific and permanent way. When I would bottom, and get hit, it was (for me anyway) about endurance, and endorphines and doing something that was transgressive and sexy. (It still is, but it took a while before I realized I preferred to do the hurty parts).
Along with the intent of the action is the outcome – after every tattoo, piercing, and scene, I was happy. I had a good time, even if parts of it were bleh (not all cane strokes are fun, and my first tattoo was a bitch to get coz I couldn’t take a deep breath. Of course. Things.) I am pleased with the outcome of all those actions. Whereas, with self injury, I was unhappy with the scars, ashamed, scared to let anyone else see them. Until recently, in the past 5 years or so, I was still worried and ashamed about some of my self inflicted scars. It was a huge part of why I didn’t own a bathing suit, go to the beach, wear shorts, etc (nearly all my injury was done to my legs). It affected me and my life in a negative way, and I was not happy with my actions and their results.
the TL;DR version is basically, its the intent and outcome that mark if something is mutilation or modification, and those things are specific, very specific, to the people doing.
I don’t comment here much, but I figured I’d jump in – I’m a former self injurer, and the topic of mutilation vs modification has come up quite a bit in my life (I’m also active in the BDSM community, where I was originally a bottom, though I no longer find bottoming interesting or arousing anymore).
I always felt that the intent behind the action is the key. When I hurt myself, (I was a cutter, a self puncher, and occasionally banged my head against the walls, as well as being a binge eater, which I count as self injury because I used to do that to the point where it *hurt*) I was doing whatever I was doing because I was angry, or upset or stressed or just because I didn’t feel at all, and wanted to feel something. I think just about anything I did to myself with that kind of intent would have been mutilation.
Whereas, when I got pierced, started getting tattooed, and bottoming, I did so from a different head space. I got pierced and tattooed because I wanted to decorate myself, and in the case of my tattoos, dedicate myself in a specific and permanent way. When I would bottom, and get hit, it was (for me anyway) about endurance, and endorphines and doing something that was transgressive and sexy. (It still is, but it took a while before I realized I preferred to do the hurty parts).
Along with the intent of the action is the outcome – after every tattoo, piercing, and scene, I was happy. I had a good time, even if parts of it were bleh (not all cane strokes are fun, and my first tattoo was a bitch to get coz I couldn’t take a deep breath. Of course. Things.) I am pleased with the outcome of all those actions. Whereas, with self injury, I was unhappy with the scars, ashamed, scared to let anyone else see them. Until recently, in the past 5 years or so, I was still worried and ashamed about some of my self inflicted scars. It was a huge part of why I didn’t own a bathing suit, go to the beach, wear shorts, etc (nearly all my injury was done to my legs). It affected me and my life in a negative way, and I was not happy with my actions and their results.
the TL;DR version is basically, its the intent and outcome that mark if something is mutilation or modification, and those things are specific, very specific, to the people doing.
I don’t comment here much, but I figured I’d jump in – I’m a former self injurer, and the topic of mutilation vs modification has come up quite a bit in my life (I’m also active in the BDSM community, where I was originally a bottom, though I no longer find bottoming interesting or arousing anymore).
I always felt that the intent behind the action is the key. When I hurt myself, (I was a cutter, a self puncher, and occasionally banged my head against the walls, as well as being a binge eater, which I count as self injury because I used to do that to the point where it *hurt*) I was doing whatever I was doing because I was angry, or upset or stressed or just because I didn’t feel at all, and wanted to feel something. I think just about anything I did to myself with that kind of intent would have been mutilation.
Whereas, when I got pierced, started getting tattooed, and bottoming, I did so from a different head space. I got pierced and tattooed because I wanted to decorate myself, and in the case of my tattoos, dedicate myself in a specific and permanent way. When I would bottom, and get hit, it was (for me anyway) about endurance, and endorphines and doing something that was transgressive and sexy. (It still is, but it took a while before I realized I preferred to do the hurty parts).
Along with the intent of the action is the outcome – after every tattoo, piercing, and scene, I was happy. I had a good time, even if parts of it were bleh (not all cane strokes are fun, and my first tattoo was a bitch to get coz I couldn’t take a deep breath. Of course. Things.) I am pleased with the outcome of all those actions. Whereas, with self injury, I was unhappy with the scars, ashamed, scared to let anyone else see them. Until recently, in the past 5 years or so, I was still worried and ashamed about some of my self inflicted scars. It was a huge part of why I didn’t own a bathing suit, go to the beach, wear shorts, etc (nearly all my injury was done to my legs). It affected me and my life in a negative way, and I was not happy with my actions and their results.
the TL;DR version is basically, its the intent and outcome that mark if something is mutilation or modification, and those things are specific, very specific, to the people doing.
For me, there is no line.
I’ve modified to mutilate, I’ve mutilated to modify.
Even though the act may be the same, it’s the intent that separates it. I’ve gone into things before with the full intention of physically hurting myself, only to come out afterwards with something positive and beautiful.
For me, there is no line.
I’ve modified to mutilate, I’ve mutilated to modify.
Even though the act may be the same, it’s the intent that separates it. I’ve gone into things before with the full intention of physically hurting myself, only to come out afterwards with something positive and beautiful.
For me, there is no line.
I’ve modified to mutilate, I’ve mutilated to modify.
Even though the act may be the same, it’s the intent that separates it. I’ve gone into things before with the full intention of physically hurting myself, only to come out afterwards with something positive and beautiful.
For me, there is no line.
I’ve modified to mutilate, I’ve mutilated to modify.
Even though the act may be the same, it’s the intent that separates it. I’ve gone into things before with the full intention of physically hurting myself, only to come out afterwards with something positive and beautiful.
I first want to disagree about it being an issue of adornment vs. changing functionality. *Many* non-mainstream modifications alter functionality significantly. A split tongue may cause a slight lisp, filed teeth are going to alter the way you eat, subincisions/meatotomies alter both bathroom and sexual function, etc., etc.
I think that it depends on the psychological head-space of the individual that is either modifying or mutilating. Body dysmorphic disorder hasn’t been verified with piercings/tattoos/less common modifications, but is closely associated with repeated plastic surgeries. (See also: Michael Jackson) Body integrity identity disorder is closely related to voluntary amputation of healthy limbs (which is viewed by most doctors as being mutilation), but amputation in that case seems to relieve the psychological pressure.
From my own personal experience, I used to be a very depressed person; most of my piercings were done while I was in a depressed state. Was it mutilation, or was depression partially caused by a dissonance between my internal self-image and my external appearance? I know that I’m fairly happy and well adjusted now, and I still have around 30 of the 100+ piercings that I’ve had over the years, plus the tattoos, split tongue, transscrotal, scarification, implants, blah blah blah. It’s possible that it was mutilation at the time, but is now modification. I’m not sure that any bright line exists to divide the two.
I first want to disagree about it being an issue of adornment vs. changing functionality. *Many* non-mainstream modifications alter functionality significantly. A split tongue may cause a slight lisp, filed teeth are going to alter the way you eat, subincisions/meatotomies alter both bathroom and sexual function, etc., etc.
I think that it depends on the psychological head-space of the individual that is either modifying or mutilating. Body dysmorphic disorder hasn’t been verified with piercings/tattoos/less common modifications, but is closely associated with repeated plastic surgeries. (See also: Michael Jackson) Body integrity identity disorder is closely related to voluntary amputation of healthy limbs (which is viewed by most doctors as being mutilation), but amputation in that case seems to relieve the psychological pressure.
From my own personal experience, I used to be a very depressed person; most of my piercings were done while I was in a depressed state. Was it mutilation, or was depression partially caused by a dissonance between my internal self-image and my external appearance? I know that I’m fairly happy and well adjusted now, and I still have around 30 of the 100+ piercings that I’ve had over the years, plus the tattoos, split tongue, transscrotal, scarification, implants, blah blah blah. It’s possible that it was mutilation at the time, but is now modification. I’m not sure that any bright line exists to divide the two.
I first want to disagree about it being an issue of adornment vs. changing functionality. *Many* non-mainstream modifications alter functionality significantly. A split tongue may cause a slight lisp, filed teeth are going to alter the way you eat, subincisions/meatotomies alter both bathroom and sexual function, etc., etc.
I think that it depends on the psychological head-space of the individual that is either modifying or mutilating. Body dysmorphic disorder hasn’t been verified with piercings/tattoos/less common modifications, but is closely associated with repeated plastic surgeries. (See also: Michael Jackson) Body integrity identity disorder is closely related to voluntary amputation of healthy limbs (which is viewed by most doctors as being mutilation), but amputation in that case seems to relieve the psychological pressure.
From my own personal experience, I used to be a very depressed person; most of my piercings were done while I was in a depressed state. Was it mutilation, or was depression partially caused by a dissonance between my internal self-image and my external appearance? I know that I’m fairly happy and well adjusted now, and I still have around 30 of the 100+ piercings that I’ve had over the years, plus the tattoos, split tongue, transscrotal, scarification, implants, blah blah blah. It’s possible that it was mutilation at the time, but is now modification. I’m not sure that any bright line exists to divide the two.
I first want to disagree about it being an issue of adornment vs. changing functionality. *Many* non-mainstream modifications alter functionality significantly. A split tongue may cause a slight lisp, filed teeth are going to alter the way you eat, subincisions/meatotomies alter both bathroom and sexual function, etc., etc.
I think that it depends on the psychological head-space of the individual that is either modifying or mutilating. Body dysmorphic disorder hasn’t been verified with piercings/tattoos/less common modifications, but is closely associated with repeated plastic surgeries. (See also: Michael Jackson) Body integrity identity disorder is closely related to voluntary amputation of healthy limbs (which is viewed by most doctors as being mutilation), but amputation in that case seems to relieve the psychological pressure.
From my own personal experience, I used to be a very depressed person; most of my piercings were done while I was in a depressed state. Was it mutilation, or was depression partially caused by a dissonance between my internal self-image and my external appearance? I know that I’m fairly happy and well adjusted now, and I still have around 30 of the 100+ piercings that I’ve had over the years, plus the tattoos, split tongue, transscrotal, scarification, implants, blah blah blah. It’s possible that it was mutilation at the time, but is now modification. I’m not sure that any bright line exists to divide the two.
@DangerBitch: Thanks for pointing that out. I was going to ask what was up with that (it kinda looks like flour stuck to his hand, which doesn’t make sense).
I’m more in agreement with Wendy… The intent of the modification is what separates it for me… I don’t really have a lot to say on it now because she made pretty much the points I was going to make.
However, Tobias definitely brings up something interesting that I haven’t really thought about before…
And I wish I knew IHOP was giving away free pancakes… I want me some free pancakes!!
@DangerBitch: Thanks for pointing that out. I was going to ask what was up with that (it kinda looks like flour stuck to his hand, which doesn’t make sense).
I’m more in agreement with Wendy… The intent of the modification is what separates it for me… I don’t really have a lot to say on it now because she made pretty much the points I was going to make.
However, Tobias definitely brings up something interesting that I haven’t really thought about before…
And I wish I knew IHOP was giving away free pancakes… I want me some free pancakes!!
@DangerBitch: Thanks for pointing that out. I was going to ask what was up with that (it kinda looks like flour stuck to his hand, which doesn’t make sense).
I’m more in agreement with Wendy… The intent of the modification is what separates it for me… I don’t really have a lot to say on it now because she made pretty much the points I was going to make.
However, Tobias definitely brings up something interesting that I haven’t really thought about before…
And I wish I knew IHOP was giving away free pancakes… I want me some free pancakes!!
@DangerBitch: Thanks for pointing that out. I was going to ask what was up with that (it kinda looks like flour stuck to his hand, which doesn’t make sense).
I’m more in agreement with Wendy… The intent of the modification is what separates it for me… I don’t really have a lot to say on it now because she made pretty much the points I was going to make.
However, Tobias definitely brings up something interesting that I haven’t really thought about before…
And I wish I knew IHOP was giving away free pancakes… I want me some free pancakes!!
I agree with the others who said that modification vs. mutilation depends on the intent. No judgement can be made about Devo238′s mod (or mutilation) until we know what CAUSED him to want to have it done.
Also, thanks to DangerBitch for letting us know what that was… I was confused.
I agree with the others who said that modification vs. mutilation depends on the intent. No judgement can be made about Devo238′s mod (or mutilation) until we know what CAUSED him to want to have it done.
Also, thanks to DangerBitch for letting us know what that was… I was confused.
I agree with the others who said that modification vs. mutilation depends on the intent. No judgement can be made about Devo238′s mod (or mutilation) until we know what CAUSED him to want to have it done.
Also, thanks to DangerBitch for letting us know what that was… I was confused.
I agree with the others who said that modification vs. mutilation depends on the intent. No judgement can be made about Devo238′s mod (or mutilation) until we know what CAUSED him to want to have it done.
Also, thanks to DangerBitch for letting us know what that was… I was confused.
I don’t know what to think of this amputation without knowing the story behind it. I DO always have a deep, visceral reaction whenever i see an amputation of “WHY???!!?!” since most of the time it’s a perfectly good body part….and I DO think, most of the time that removing a perfectly good body part is pretty far on the edge of mod vs. Mutilate.
But it’s not my place to judge a person for doing things to themselves. if it makes them happier, ‘healthier’ people in the end, then it’s modification and not mutilation. if it was done out of a bad head space or ill judgement and negatively impacts them, then it’s mutilation.
:shrug:
I don’t know what to think of this amputation without knowing the story behind it. I DO always have a deep, visceral reaction whenever i see an amputation of “WHY???!!?!” since most of the time it’s a perfectly good body part….and I DO think, most of the time that removing a perfectly good body part is pretty far on the edge of mod vs. Mutilate.
But it’s not my place to judge a person for doing things to themselves. if it makes them happier, ‘healthier’ people in the end, then it’s modification and not mutilation. if it was done out of a bad head space or ill judgement and negatively impacts them, then it’s mutilation.
:shrug:
I don’t know what to think of this amputation without knowing the story behind it. I DO always have a deep, visceral reaction whenever i see an amputation of “WHY???!!?!” since most of the time it’s a perfectly good body part….and I DO think, most of the time that removing a perfectly good body part is pretty far on the edge of mod vs. Mutilate.
But it’s not my place to judge a person for doing things to themselves. if it makes them happier, ‘healthier’ people in the end, then it’s modification and not mutilation. if it was done out of a bad head space or ill judgement and negatively impacts them, then it’s mutilation.
:shrug:
I don’t know what to think of this amputation without knowing the story behind it. I DO always have a deep, visceral reaction whenever i see an amputation of “WHY???!!?!” since most of the time it’s a perfectly good body part….and I DO think, most of the time that removing a perfectly good body part is pretty far on the edge of mod vs. Mutilate.
But it’s not my place to judge a person for doing things to themselves. if it makes them happier, ‘healthier’ people in the end, then it’s modification and not mutilation. if it was done out of a bad head space or ill judgement and negatively impacts them, then it’s mutilation.
:shrug:
I think that if a modification is done in a sound state of mind, and the person in question achieved the desired result, it is modification.
Which is why I and other people in the modification industry make sure out clients are in a state suitable to consent to a procedure- Even piercings and tattoos can be mutilation/self harm. That being said, I think body modification can be a safe a productive form of self harm under the right circumstances- many people have sought out a mod in response to a traumatic event. I don’t think its just a black/white good or bad thing.
So I guess I feel that a simple piercing can be self harm just as much as cutting off your leg can be modification. Its about the person, not about the mod itself or how extreme we may see it to be.
I think that if a modification is done in a sound state of mind, and the person in question achieved the desired result, it is modification.
Which is why I and other people in the modification industry make sure out clients are in a state suitable to consent to a procedure- Even piercings and tattoos can be mutilation/self harm. That being said, I think body modification can be a safe a productive form of self harm under the right circumstances- many people have sought out a mod in response to a traumatic event. I don’t think its just a black/white good or bad thing.
So I guess I feel that a simple piercing can be self harm just as much as cutting off your leg can be modification. Its about the person, not about the mod itself or how extreme we may see it to be.
I think that if a modification is done in a sound state of mind, and the person in question achieved the desired result, it is modification.
Which is why I and other people in the modification industry make sure out clients are in a state suitable to consent to a procedure- Even piercings and tattoos can be mutilation/self harm. That being said, I think body modification can be a safe a productive form of self harm under the right circumstances- many people have sought out a mod in response to a traumatic event. I don’t think its just a black/white good or bad thing.
So I guess I feel that a simple piercing can be self harm just as much as cutting off your leg can be modification. Its about the person, not about the mod itself or how extreme we may see it to be.
I think that if a modification is done in a sound state of mind, and the person in question achieved the desired result, it is modification.
Which is why I and other people in the modification industry make sure out clients are in a state suitable to consent to a procedure- Even piercings and tattoos can be mutilation/self harm. That being said, I think body modification can be a safe a productive form of self harm under the right circumstances- many people have sought out a mod in response to a traumatic event. I don’t think its just a black/white good or bad thing.
So I guess I feel that a simple piercing can be self harm just as much as cutting off your leg can be modification. Its about the person, not about the mod itself or how extreme we may see it to be.
I see this as a modification. In a society where it is more acceptable to put large implants into the chest of a woman *or certain men* most people judge too harsh on those with different goals in mind. If the hand was diseased and he cut off the pinky out of anger then I believe it was an act of mutilation. So a planned act is a mod, an unplanned mod is mutilation.
I see this as a modification. In a society where it is more acceptable to put large implants into the chest of a woman *or certain men* most people judge too harsh on those with different goals in mind. If the hand was diseased and he cut off the pinky out of anger then I believe it was an act of mutilation. So a planned act is a mod, an unplanned mod is mutilation.