French Man has fingers removed to resemble "alien."

[Mochudubh]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but it popped up on my news feed and I initially thought it would make a lighthearted "Oh look, a man identifying as an alien now" post.

Reading the article it's absolutely horrific. This poor man needs help, not people indulging his delusions. The surgeons involved need struck off, whatever country they're in.

TW - images are disturbing.
www.news.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/cosmetic-surgery/worlds-most-modified-man-chops-off-two-fingers-in-bid-to-become-black-alien/news-story/d84bf65c5d50d598d2bfa7b6d0e76d23.

I'm almost as shocked the paper has this under "Beauty, Cosmetic Surgery"

@Whatwouldscullydo

Nope that still doesn't explain how removing fingers which has the consequence of making yourself disabled would come under body modification amd not self harm.

You are being wilfully obtuse.

It's ok to not like it, and to not want it for yourself and to not understand the whys.

It's not ok to label people who DO choose to participate in consensual body modification as many of the things people have written here. The way he (or others) look doesn't have any bearing on you personally, so it's not really any of your business.

I think people who wear certain clothes and have certain hairstyles look ridiculous. I don't like it and I don't want it for myself but I'm not about to call them "vile" and say that just looking at them offends me.

@daisyjgrey

It's ok to not like it, and to not want it for yourself and to not understand the whys.

It's not ok to label people who DO choose to participate in consensual body modification as many of the things people have written here. The way he (or others) look doesn't have any bearing on you personally, so it's not really any of your business.

I think people who wear certain clothes and have certain hairstyles look ridiculous. I don't like it and I don't want it for myself but I'm not about to call them "vile" and say that just looking at them offends me.

Well said.

Just how does him choosing to look like that affect any of you offended by it? Get a grip.

We live in a society that ought to care about the health of everyone. So, no, I'm not going to accede that everyone is allowed to chop bits off themselves at will. Some people need help, some people need to be stopped from self harm.

@ArabellaScott

We live in a society that ought to care about the health of everyone. So, no, I'm not going to accede that everyone is allowed to chop bits off themselves at will. Some people need help, some people need to be stopped from self harm.

So how should he be stopped? What would treatment for him look like? If he is happy and not harming others, then so what if he looks shocking?

Mental health treatment. And at very least, no doctor should be amputating healthy limbs or digits.

'so what if he looks shocking' - people need to be able to live in the world among other people, that's how society works. Individual freedom is fine so long as it doesn't impinge on other people's freedoms. I would be terrified to be in a confined space with this person. We can't have people with swastikas on their foreheads for the exact same reason, it's not fair to others.

@ArabellaScott

Mental health treatment. And at very least, no doctor should be amputating healthy limbs or digits.

'so what if he looks shocking' - people need to be able to live in the world among other people, that's how society works. Individual freedom is fine so long as it doesn't impinge on other people's freedoms. I would be terrified to be in a confined space with this person. We can't have people with swastikas on their foreheads for the exact same reason, it's not fair to others.

For what mental health disorder? People don't tend to seek treatment when they are happy. This chap seems happy, sees his body as a canvas. His body, his choice?

I have met people with body mods (not as extreme as his, but still very visible.... sub dermal implants on the head, shaped ears... that sort of thing). They were very happy, and didn't come across as people who needed any sort of mental health intervention.

This chap is not impinging on anyone's freedom. What a ridiculous assertion to make!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_integrity_dysphoria

This chap seems happy

Are you actually serious?

@ArabellaScott

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_integrity_dysphoria

This chap seems happy

Are you actually serious?

Where does it say he has this condition? Or are you arm-chair diagnosing?

@ArabellaScott

You clearly don't agree with his decision, and have some quite extreme views on him and his appearance. Including you making some very assuming judgements of his health and well-being. You're not listening to any reasoning and you're actually just getting more hysterical every time you reply so I think we can all agree to disagree.

I would hope that you are less viscerally critical to people's faces.

Also, it might be pertinent to read up on the origins of the swastika, just in case you find yourself embroiled in an argument where you might not be quite as right as you think you are.

Just how does him choosing to look like that affect any of you offended by it? Get a grip

I'm not offended by it at all this isn't abiut repulsion or disgust. Well not at him anyway.

When "body modification" extends to the extreme that you are left disabled, in debt,unemployable, eating and drinking and speech are harder,you tattoo an area knowing it could make you blind and still you are planning more procedures then body modification is nothing more than a cutsie term fir extremely dangerous, harmful and seemingly addictive behaviours which detracts from whT it really is. Self harm. Via a tattooist.

Sounds like self harm is OK as long as it is framed as challenging societal norms.

And anyone categorising self harm as such instead of giving it some fancy reasoning like self discovery is extreme and hysterical.

Erm OK.

I think anyone trying to reframe this as anything but harm is the arm chair psychologist in this scenario.

Hysteria? Okay, then

@Whatwouldscullydo

Just how does him choosing to look like that affect any of you offended by it? Get a grip

I'm not offended by it at all this isn't abiut repulsion or disgust. Well not at him anyway.

When "body modification" extends to the extreme that you are left disabled, in debt,unemployable, eating and drinking and speech are harder,you tattoo an area knowing it could make you blind and still you are planning more procedures then body modification is nothing more than a cutsie term fir extremely dangerous, harmful and seemingly addictive behaviours which detracts from whT it really is. Self harm. Via a tattooist.

So, should a load of MH professionals go and section all the various tribes that "disable themselves" with large lip plates, or neck rings? No? So cultural reasons is ok... but not self expression?

Look at the cultural context, Xenia. That does affect things. We don't live in a social vacuum.

As for the swastika, it's a reversal of the Hindu symbol, if that's what you're alluding to. Completely different meaning. Again, context matters.

It is slightly baffling that anyone suggesting the bloke who has had fingers amputated is maybe not a happy chappy is labelled 'extreme'.

As the saying goes, we have to be sure our minds aren't so open our brains fall out.

There are lot of cultural things that are damaging /dangerous/harmful that people/charities etc fight against

Fgm, foot binding, breast ironing,child marriage, many of which in this country are illegal.

Alien wannabe in chinos and a polo shirt lol.

I find this degree of body modification just bizarre, to be honest. But then I think even ear lobe stretchers are ugly so what do I know. Each to their own, but this destructive surgery of a healthy body is so mystifying.

However psychologically it’s fascinating. How do we decide what is socially acceptable enhancements, and what is freakish modifications? Is there a cultural element - foot binding and neck stretching are unacceptable to us usually, whereas lip fillers and tattoos are acceptable.

It is slightly baffling that anyone suggesting the bloke who has had fingers amputated is maybenota happy chappy is labelled 'extreme'

I dont think I can think of one person known for multiple and extreme plastic surgeries that doesn't have a history of something. Depression or drug addiction etc MJ, KP, PB, LF, cat guy

Being asked to assume this one.os different is bizarre

@Whatwouldscullydo

There are lot of cultural things that are damaging /dangerous/harmful that people/charities etc fight against

Fgm, foot binding, breast ironing,child marriage, many of which in this country are illegal.

But this guy is choosing to do it. He wants the results, he knows the risks. He is not harming anyone but himself, if that. If he wants the end result then I would argue it is not harmful to himself.

If its not harmful then go to a & e see of they will chip off toe or two akd see what they say?

Its harmless right ?

Just to add ...I have met this guy. He is often around my neighborhood (I live in Barcelona). He's not scary and smiled and my kids. What he does with his body is up to him, but he's no monster and isn't "terrifying" at all.

@Whatwouldscullydo

If its not harmful then go to a & e see of they will chip off toe or two akd see what they say?

Its harmless right ?

He plans his mods.. has given them a lot of thought. No one who self harms does that. I self harm... have done for a long time. I do it to deal with strong emotions, because I don't have a healthy coping mechanism. I don't plan it for weeks in advance. It is impulsive. I do it because I fucking hate myself.

@Changednamesorry

Just to add ...I have met this guy. He is often around my neighborhood (I live in Barcelona). He's not scary and smiled and my kids. What he does with his body is up to him, but he's no monster and isn't "terrifying" at all.

That is cool This thread is so sad.

He plans his mods and doesn't hurt himself is not an indicator that this is not self harm.

It is harm and it is self inflicted.

And about the societies which enable harm : I'm from a land of tribal marks, fgm and circumcision. Add wrestling and drug use to entertain society dressed up as a masquerade. Self harm is usually self inflicted and celebrated.

It is still harm.

If you hate yourself when you self harm you are actually one step ahead of a lot of people who don't even realise they have a problem.

Celebrate that but don't use it as an excuse for others.

My homeland is nice and full of nice people.

We are not monsters and we are not terrifying and as I said before all the harm is done in the realm of celebration.

It is still harm.