Philosophy Discussion Forums | A Humans-Only Club for Open-Minded Discussion & Debate

[Sy Borg]

Nonetheless, nerds will continue to dress as though they have more important things to think about, and that necessarily includes not following fads.

[Steve3007]

In scientific institutions one can see numerous examples of nerd rebellion - hair akimbo, unshaven faces, legs and armpits, khaki shorts with white socks and Jesus sandals, the too-small windcheaters, the too-short brown trousers ...

I guess someone should supply the punchline:

...and the men are even worse!

The Jesus sandals with socks thing is an interesting one. It's definitely part of a well defined globally recognised uniform. I used to work for a large technology company (British Telecom) and it was a well-known joke that BT engineers wore sandals with socks (sometimes keeping the sandals under the desk at work to slip into on arrival, as my boss did), had beards, drank real ale (and were members of CAMRA - the Campaign for Real Ale), did Morris Dancing at weekends, went to vintage car shows, knew every line of all the most famous Monty Python sketches by heart etc.

Tattoos were out (only true rebels had them), now they are in (rebel wanna bes everywhere have them).

I don't think they're even a wannabe rebel thing anymore. I think they're just seen as normal, like having an earring. I've discussed it with a young guy I work with who's covered with them. He's the most conventional, law-abiding, morally upstanding, staid family man you could care to meet. I think nowadays it's only old people like me who cling to the stereotype of the tattooed thug mugging old grannies.

[Sy Borg]

In scientific institutions one can see numerous examples of nerd rebellion - hair akimbo, unshaven faces, legs and armpits, khaki shorts with white socks and Jesus sandals, the too-small windcheaters, the too-short brown trousers ...

I guess someone should supply the punchline:

...and the men are even worse!

The Jesus sandals with socks thing is an interesting one. It's definitely part of a well defined globally recognised uniform. I used to work for a large technology company (British Telecom) and it was a well-known joke that BT engineers wore sandals with socks (sometimes keeping the sandals under the desk at work to slip into on arrival, as my boss did), had beards, drank real ale (and were members of CAMRA - the Campaign for Real Ale), did Morris Dancing at weekends, went to vintage car shows, knew every line of all the most famous Monty Python sketches by heart etc.

Thank you for that boom-tish moment, Steven :)

I personally don't like closed in shoes and have at times worn thongs (for feet) and socks at home when it's too cold to just wear sandals, so I suspect it's about comfort. Engineers do seem to be a particular breed - their boozy culture at university is legendary and, yes, often the beards. Python and Hitchhikers Guide lines seemed to be compulsory in universities generally.

[LuckyR]

Tattoos were out (only true rebels had them), now they are in (rebel wanna bes everywhere have them).

I don't think they're even a wannabe rebel thing anymore. I think they're just seen as normal, like having an earring. I've discussed it with a young guy I work with who's covered with them. He's the most conventional, law-abiding, morally upstanding, staid family man you could care to meet. I think nowadays it's only old people like me who cling to the stereotype of the tattooed thug mugging old grannies.

Well as I said before, it isn't about the tattoo, it's why do you feel you need a tattoo. Though I differ from you in that when I see a super tattooed up person, I don't think scary person, I think sad person.

[Rederic]

It seems to me, that the whole point of having a tattoo is to exhibit it to other people.

[Namelesss]

There numerous reasons that people get tattoos.
1) Just another form of Self expression, a snapshot of that unique moment in Universal existence.
2) A memento of one's insights, travels, loves, deaths. Sometimes others see these and, if you like, you can share. Establish a friend/lover.
3) People who appreciate artwork are always willing to share their joys! Lets see you carry around a Monet as a conversation starter! *__- There are as talented and clever tattooists as there are any other practitioner of any other art, there are also the hacks.

Someone walked into the cafe in Paris and asked Picasso if he'd sketch a picture on the guy's back.
Picasso obliged.
The fellow immediately sallied forth to his local tattooist and the rest is history.
The fellow never had to 'work', merely expose his original Picasso to paying customers!
True! *__-

[Rederic]

It's also fashionable at the moment. I can remember when I was in my early teens,(the sixties), it suddenly became fashionable to have tattoos. Victims of fashion, it will pass.

[Kathyd]

Well as I said before, it isn't about the tattoo, it's why do you feel you need a tattoo. Though I differ from you in that when I see a super tattooed up person, I don't think scary person, I think sad person.

That's exactly how I feel about it too. Growing up, I noticed that the girls who did the piercings and tattoos were always the ones who were ugly and couldn't get any attention from the boys. I always viewed it as a desperate attempt to get attention, or perhaps a desperate cry for help. And I know that a lot of the girls that got piercings were also cutters, including my sister who ended up killing herself at the age of 19. It's really sad.

[Steve3007]

Well as I said before, it isn't about the tattoo, it's why do you feel you need a tattoo. Though I differ from you in that when I see a super tattooed up person, I don't think scary person, I think sad person.

If I'm being rational about it I don't think "scary person". As I said, I recognise the fact that that reaction is probably a function of my age and the attitudes that were common when I was younger. I'm displaying the usual human tendency to make snap judgements based on superficial appearances.

As with so many first impressions, the best way to correct misconceptions is to talk to people. Having done that, the anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that having tattoos doesn't particularly correlate with any personality trait. People seem to wear them for the same reason they wear particular clothes. If you're going to ask someone why they "feel the need" for a tattoo, you might as well ask them why they "feel the need" to wear a particular type of hat, or lipstick colour, or whatever. I think they would say they don't "feel the need", as such. They just like it.

Of course, the difference with clothes and makeup is that they can easily be taken off and replaced with different clothes and makeup.

[Sy Borg]

Well as I said before, it isn't about the tattoo, it's why do you feel you need a tattoo. Though I differ from you in that when I see a super tattooed up person, I don't think scary person, I think sad person.

That's exactly how I feel about it too. Growing up, I noticed that the girls who did the piercings and tattoos were always the ones who were ugly and couldn't get any attention from the boys.

A fair few of those girls would have been more interested in attention from other girls than boys anyway.

Today, those with all over tatts are akin to those in the old days who simply had tatts. Tattoos are now average, no longer the mark of the rebel. So, how to mark oneself as a rebel today? More tatts and piercings than other people, as always, just that the bar has been lifted :)

[LuckyR]

That's exactly how I feel about it too. Growing up, I noticed that the girls who did the piercings and tattoos were always the ones who were ugly and couldn't get any attention from the boys.

A fair few of those girls would have been more interested in attention from other girls than boys anyway.

Today, those with all over tatts are akin to those in the old days who simply had tatts. Tattoos are now average, no longer the mark of the rebel. So, how to mark oneself as a rebel today? More tatts and piercings than other people, as always, just that the bar has been lifted

I am two steps ahead, I will be the true rebel fifteen years from now when the kids of the all over tattoo dudes rebel by having no tattoos.

[Sy Borg]

A fair few of those girls would have been more interested in attention from other girls than boys anyway.

Today, those with all over tatts are akin to those in the old days who simply had tatts. Tattoos are now average, no longer the mark of the rebel. So, how to mark oneself as a rebel today? More tatts and piercings than other people, as always, just that the bar has been lifted :)

I am two steps ahead, I will be the true rebel fifteen years from now when the kids of the all over tattoo dudes rebel by having no tattoos.

Like all the old blokes with short hair in the late 70s and 80s who, like the punks, disco boys and new romantics, rejected hippie fashion?

[LuckyR]

I am two steps ahead, I will be the true rebel fifteen years from now when the kids of the all over tattoo dudes rebel by having no tattoos.

Like all the old blokes with short hair in the late 70s and 80s who, like the punks, disco boys and new romantics, rejected hippie fashion?

Alas, I have unfashionably long (70s hippie, not crazy long 60s hippie) hair now.

[Sy Borg]

Like all the old blokes with short hair in the late 70s and 80s who, like the punks, disco boys and new romantics, rejected hippie fashion?

Alas, I have unfashionably long (70s hippie, not crazy long 60s hippie) hair now.

I cannot judge as I sit here with my old om design t-shirt, frayed around all edges :)

[Namelesss]

I am two steps ahead, I will be the true rebel fifteen years from now when the kids of the all over tattoo dudes rebel by having no tattoos.

Two steps ahead in la-la land!
That was exactly what Ötzi's mother said when she saw his tattoo!
Don't Know Ötzi?
He's that prehistoric fellow dig from the ice, ... the guy with the tattoos.
And folks are still getting them.
You'll never have to concern yourself with your tattoo free 'rebellion'...

Perhaps the true rebellion of Loving and not judging others? *__-