I watched an article on body modification earlier which featured a gent called “Dave Smith” who is the UKs “most modified man”. Rather than just have a couple (or more) piercings and coverage of tattoos, this guy has spent £40,000 (£40K!!!) on getting surgical implants which make him look like Neo after he’s been freed from the Matrix.

These implants are placed just under the skin and are inserted into him without anaesthetic. The skin will grow around them and he can then screw in a variety of spikes, hooks and other miscellaneous items to his hearts content. We’re talking 3 inch spikes down the length of his arm and studs down his breast bone - the works.

It’s certainly unique.

It’s very cyberpunk - the sort of thing William Gibson or Michael Marshall Smith would write about. Dave Smith isn’t quite as extreme as other Body Modification practitioners. Erik Sprague has modified himself to become Lizardman and in doing so has had surgery to bifurcate his tongue (ie, make it forked!), implants and piercings to alter the shape of his body and covered his body in tattoos. (Before posting the link, I will warn you - it’s not for the squeamish! Go here to see more!) I can see how a forked tongue might help in some things but the rest…?

Several years ago I got a tattoo and it hurt like a bastard. I’d be tempted to get another but I doubt I will. I can understand it and I can understand piercings. I don’t get the total body modification though - the making yourself outlandish. Yes it’s unique - but when I saw a woman in Tesco with countless piercings on her face (cheeks, lips, eyebrows, forehead - you name it) I can honestly say I didn’t find it attractive. Am I closed minded or is it just the whole “beauty’s in the eye” etc?

Might have to revisit this after some more thought. It’s definitely a weird one!