White Trash is the author of the following personal article pertaining to piercings. White Trash is a web designer and an artist from Pittsburgh, PA. He works for a mid-sized corporation during the day, and freelances at night. White Trash aspires to someday own his own business so as not to have to always worry about his boss' approval. White trash lives with his wife and son, two dogs, and about 15 other assorted critters. He has been interested in tattooing and piercing for about 20 years now, and feels that on a social level his neighbors fear and avoid him, even though he is a quite a normal family man. White trash finds satisfaction in both that misperception, and also in the physical and psychological characteristics of body modification.

I entered into the body modification world fairly late in life (I'm 41 now), and rather than ascribing it to a "mid-life crisis" and writing it off, I decided to analyze my motives and attempt to share them with you. (Besides, I got my red convertible a couple of years ago; that was my mid-life crisis).

First off, my modifications include some pretty standard piercings and some nearly complete tattoo sleeves, so I haven't really done anything too radical, compared to a lot of modders. But it has been enough to make me stand out from the crowd, especially in my work world. I get the usual hairy-eyeball looks from my corporate brethren, as much from my shaved head as from anything else. And you know what? I have to admit that I enjoy it. So, that is one aspect of my modification satisfaction, however superficial that may be.

Another reason for modifying is purely aesthetic; I enjoy the way my piercings and tattoos look; I enjoy the tactile sensation of the jewelry through my skin, the weight of the rings as they move with me. I appreciate the long history of the tattoo and the different evolutions of style, especially the "Old School", New York look. I feel it relates to my culture as an American citizen and helps me to feel rooted in my birthplace.

The last part of my motivation, and the real point of this article, is how my modifications have helped me to grow as a person. I have read some work by certain psychologists who regard any kind of modification as an aberration that would indicate that my feelings of self-actualization through modifications are very telling of my pathetic sense of self-worth. Maybe they're right, maybe not. Do I feel that my tattoos make me a better person? No; but I feel that the act of acquiring the tattoos did, because it was an act of overcoming. Overcoming fear of pain, fear of a lack of acceptance, and a fear of what my loved ones might think, among other things. Does the fact that I pierced myself make me different than anyone else? No, but for me, the act of pushing the needle through my skin was an epiphany, in terms of realizing that I have some control over my actions and my feelings. In a very small way, modifications can echo the way we grow to face more important fears and challenges. I, for one, am happier knowing that I may feel the pain, but that I can get past it. Every fear we overcome, no matter how insignificant, helps prepare us for the next big thing that comes along. And come along it will.

We at Tribalectic would like to thank White Trash for his contributions to the Tribalectic Pierced Community, and would like to congratulate him for earning a $30 gift certificate for his written work. If any of you are interested in earning a $30 Tribalectic gift certificate, submit articles, pictures, and other artistic media to onlinemag@tribalectic.com, or click here to learn more. We encourage all of you to participate in Tribalectic's online magazine, and Behold the Body Piercing Revolution…

Yeah. What the phuck is Tribalectic? Grammatically, it's the fusion between the universal nature of the tribal and the powerful expression of dialectic-the place where all communication originates. Linguistically, it's the symbol one uses to convey the evolutionary merger between humankind's tribal and technological characteristics.

Humankind is becoming immersed in all types of technological goodies. We've got cell phones, computers, DVDs, electronic music, email, the Internet, and tons more. Consequently, the primal nature of who and what we are is quickly evolving into something technologically enhanced.

There's still something to say, however, about tech-less items and activities-about the bare truth of what we are: intelligent animals. With all this technology permeating our daily lives we slowly lose touch with the enigmatic essence of exercise, fresh air, and face-to-face contact.

As our society faces a crossroads leading us to the next evolutionary stage of our existence, we will soon have to choose how much, and for what reasons, we will allow technology to assist our lives. I, on one hand, believe that technology is an extraordinary tool that our species will use to better this experience we call 'life'. On the other hand, there are those who believe technology should become the centerpiece of "progress" (and what the hell is "progress" anyhow?).

As I sit here on the beach with my laptop, I envision a future where people will be very spiritual and naturalist while still benefiting from, and not over-indulging in, technology. I see a globally connected society in which we can all communicate and empower one another to live more independently and free. I see the post-post modern human dividing his or her day between learning, laboring, exercising, creating, meditating, socializing, and enjoying multiple forms of entertainment.

This post-post modern human, the Millennial Renaissance Person, will also embody high ideals of honor and respect. As our globe becomes more connected we will have the opportunity to find and apply the greatest aspects of each nations' cultures. Slowly but surely, humans will have the technological means with which to appreciate the advantages and beauties of foreign cultures, in turn, creating the first-ever global society.

Conversely, if we choose a more technologically gluttonous lifestyle, certain facets of what we are will surely disappear. This is one of the reasons I believe body piercing has become so popular with humans. Body piercing can express many things to each person, but the one thing that remains universal is the primal characteristics the experience offers. And this connection to the root of what we are is something spiritual and divine.

So, as we begin to set precedence for the millennium's new culture I look forward to seeing more ornate and expressive people-more people reflecting their inside on the outside. I look forward to seeing more people encouraging body piercing as a tribal rite of passage-a way to fully fuse our technological evolution with our primitive nature. And in this fusion we will embody the enlightened understanding of who and what we truly are: one tribe communicating in the form of tribalectic.