I just did the following interview for some magazine article. A few of their questions made me a little nervous as to what they're seeking to use if for politically, but I hope my answers are such that they can't be too easily twisted out of shape. The questions are in blue, my answers are in “normal”.
1. I know that each person seeks body modification procedures for their own unique reasons. But have you noticed any thread that ties most of these people together? Any common personality traits that MOST if not all of these individuals seem to have?Years ago I'd have told you that the common thread was a sense of individualism, creativity, and personal courage. While I would still give that answer for the less “mainstream” procedures as a general truth, for piercings and tattoos I think they've become so commonplace that they cover absolutely every conceivable demographic group. The only common trait is being human.
And I don't say that as a bad thing — I think it's wonderful that humans are getting in touch with themselves.
2. Roughly how many people between the ages of 15 and 25 visit your website, are active members?
There's no way for me to confirm anyone's age, so it's hard to give an accurate answer. My informal polling suggests to me that the vast majority fall into the fifteen to twenty-five age range, although there are many, many members who well past sixty. We have a couple younger members as well, I think the youngest being twelve — although it's important to note that both his parents also have accounts, and they use the site with him to make sure that he doesn't come in contact with anything that they feel is “too adult” for him.
I tried to join, but my daughter says pierced ears and respect for kids like her doesn't qualify me as a potential member.
It's true. IAM is a closed community; sort of like a “private club” for people into body modification. BME (the main site) is open to both active enthusiasts and admirers.
3. What inspired you to start the website? And did you have any idea it would be as popular and successful as it has become? Any clue?
The web site initially was an extension and expression of my personal interests. At the time, like most other body modification enthusiasts, I felt relatively alone and isolated. I had no idea there were this many people also seriously interested in the subject. So, no, when I first started it I had no idea it would take off like it did.
4. Can you tell me about the weekend events you host, like the one featured on TLC? How often do you gather?
They're just BBQs; social gatherings. They're not really “mine” or anything like that — lots of people on the site host them in their own areas. Mine just get a little more attention because they tend to be larger and more extravagant. Personally I host about six a year I think, but there are probably hundreds of them held around the world. The site includes tools to help people organize and find events in their area. I feel it's important that this community recognize that it exists “in real life” as well as just on the Internet.
Is there a fee?
Because they're just social gatherings, it's rare for any fee to be involved since there's rarely much of a cost to the host. If there are costs involved, hosts usually make that back either by making t-shirts for the event and selling them, or simply by asking everyone to chip in a little. They're definitely not commercial functions in any way.
Do people come once or frequently? I'd just like your thoughts on what they are and who benefits from them.
I think most people go to more than one — after all, it's fun to visit your friends! That's the real core of it as far as “who benefits”. It's just nice to see your friends, especially the ones you don't get to see often (not including on the Internet).
5. How do you feel about irresponsible body modification shops and the risks they take? And how common are these hack shops in the body modification world?
Clearly they're acting unethically, and I don't think very highly of them. Thankfully they are not the norm, and on the whole they are quite easy to identify. The bigger problem is that they tend to prey on the young, since they are often the only studios willing to overlook age requirements.
6. What is the best way for people to recognize and avoid these types?
The data is out there for clients to educate themselves on the issues and risks involved — I even have a section called BME/Risks which is dedicated exclusively to this subject. By being well informed, it's not hard to identify quality artists. In addition, the experiences on BME allow people to network with other enthusiasts and in effect read “reviews” of their various options.
7. Why do you think some individuals actively choose to do their procedures on their own, in spite of the risk of infection? Is it just part of their personal ritual? Drive?
Under normal circumstances most infection risks are post-procedure. As far as contamination during the procedure, in a self-done environment, the person has complete control over the issues involved. Assuming they understand what the risks are and behave responsibly, one could make the argument that their infection risk is actually lower if doing the procedure themselves. I don't think the infection factor is a major player, again, assuming the person acts responsibly.
As far as why someone would choose to do it themselves, there are a lot of reasons. Some people misguidedly choose it because it's less expensive (cost should never be a factor in my opinion). Others choose it because they don't have access to a qualified practitioner (not everyone lives in a major urban metropolis, and others live in an area where they don't have legal access, often due to age), and still others choose it because they are shy (especially in the case of genital work). Some people might pick it, as you said, because they want to integrate it into a personal ritual that doesn't “fit” into a studio environment (couples piercing each other in a sexual context for example).
I'd say that going to a qualified practitioner is usually the best decision. However, these are personal acts, and I certainly support others' rights to perform them in the way they feel will be best for them.
8. Some people believe body modification is an almost evolutionary call — a primal connection between mankind past and mankind present. Do you believe it's something fundimental that calls you to this art form?
I think the desire to self-decorate and manipulate one's form, as well as the drive to go through sensual events and rites of passage is an inherent universal human drive. We all express these drives on some level; in “our” case we choose to make permanent pseudo-surgical changes to the body, and to utilize the body directly in our rituals. Other people might “play it safe” by instead expressing themselves through fashion, makeup, and hairstyle, and through more common (and typically more self-destructive) “coming-of-age” rituals such as drunk driving and unprotected sex.
Personally I prefer the route we have chosen because I believe it is the most revelatory; that is, the most knowledge about the self, as well as our relationship with the larger whole, is gained.
9. Why do you think so many people over 35 are frightened by this form of self expression? And how can that fear be answered and addressed?
As I said, BME has tons of readers over thirty-five. I don't think it has anything to do with age. I think it's simply fear of the unfamiliar… To oversimplify, it's the same as being afraid of a person of another race before you've had the chance to get to know them and realize that under their skin they're the same kind of human as you are.
Body modification is a personal act. In general it only directly affects the individual that's doing it. As such, it's nothing to be afraid of. Even if it's not for you, it's important to realize that it can be a positive influence on someone's life, and we should respect their right to indulge in it.
10. What's your personal history with piercing and body modifications? What pulled you into the fold?
One day I realized that I was a human being, not a robot. I was probably about twelve at the time, and it's one of the most important revelations I've ever had. Now I do what I can to help other people do the same, in their own ways.
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