Hey everyone. I’m thinking of getting a new tattoo during winter break. It deals my interest in libertarianism the past 1-2 years, so I figured I’d post it for comments. It would be 1.5" in height and 3.5" in length on my upper left forearm. What do you think?
Obviously, I like it.
Not into tattoos, but if I were, this would be near the top of the list.
Did you talk to a tattoo artist about this? If you’re getting it as small as your planning it might not look so good – there’s a lot of fine lines in that.
Otherwise, looks boss.
Yeah. I have another tattoo with the same size lettering, and it’s good. I wasn’t counting the big loop in the ‘y’ when I said what the height will be, so I’m not sure if thats’ what you were thinking. But, yeah, I may end up getting it a bit bigger if necessary!
Thanks everyone!
It’s pretty cool. Do you have any other libertarian tattoos? I’m thinking about getting a tat of the Mises crest.
Nope, not yet. The only other two I have are:
and
The first one basically means no drinking, smoking, drugs, etc. And the second is from The Great Gatsby. I’m trying to keep it at one per year since I’m only 20 years old, haha.
Brian, so you’re involved in hardcore/metal? I was…still am in certain ways, if a 33 year old can be. Hah.
If you’re getting a straight edge tattoo, you better hope you don’t start drinking when you hit 21.
Haha, what do you mean ‘if’ I get one? That is a picture of the tattoo on my arm. And I know I won’t start drinking when I’m 21. I don’t really see having a beer with your really good friends while watching a basketball game or something to be breaking straight edge, though. Ian MacKaye, the one who coined the term, actually said that in an interview, although I can’t seem to find it right now. I’m just against the whole partying scene with everyone getting drunk and hooking up, etc. It’s just not for me.
Yep! That’s the kind of music I listen to, at least! I listen to a lot of acoustic and all too, but bands like Throwdown, Atreyu, and Underoath are my favorites.
Go for it OP, looks real badass! I have always wanted to get the classic circle A ,a la Proudhon, tatooed somewhere, with a yellow outline. Why haven’t I gotten it?
My main problem with tattoos is this, change. I will use your tattoo as an example Brian Anderson. If you suddenly change your mind, straight edge will remain on your body. I go through changes all the time ideologically, so I feel I just could not commit. I feel the best tattoo would be vague, or something very unchangeable, something that you could live for the rest of your life. I’m not doubting your committment, I’m simply saying, don’t tattoo something you couldn’t just put on a t shirt.
PS. I used to be straight edge for a good 4-5 years as a teen. I love Ian Mackaye and his music. I love teen idles, fugazi and minor threat. I simply changed my mind. What I love about the guy though, he wasn’t inventing any rules, it was just a personal choice.
“Listen, there’s no set of rules, I’m not telling you what to do”
That’s what I really liked about him, too!
Trust me, I thought about that for such a long time before I got it. I eventually decided that I didn’t want that feeling to hold me back from getting certain tattoos. Clearly I wouldn’t just go get dumb ones if I started to believe in something for just a few weeks, but being straight edge has really shaped who I am today, and whether I’m always straight edge or if I were to just decide to drop it tomorrow, I’m proud of staying away from the whole party/careless people crowd in high school and college. I kind of use the Russian Mafia type of thinking how all of their tattoos tell the story of their lives, so I want my story to be tattooed on me forever.
^I am the same way. I don’t like the party and careless crowd either. They don’t share the same interests, and impede progress. I find moderate drug use improves the quality of my life by keeping my life more organized and content. I don’t recommend it for everyone. It probably has something to do with some anxiety disorders I am afflicted with. This is balanced out with exercise and healthy eating. Overall, there is no concrete way for everyone to live their life, people are all different. I find moderation with anything you do to be key.
Makes sense. Even if you do change your mind, one must remember the stepping stone behind the better idea. I actually may be doing something similar myself. I am irreligious, but in the past have been very religious. I do not regret it, and find it taught me a lot of things. I still keep religious iconography around me for some reason.
My sister-in-law got a giant “Straight Edge” tattoo across her belly. Unfortunately, a couple of years later she got pregnant…and started drinking.
I claimed edge in high school when I would be bombarded with “You don’t smoke or drink? Really? That’s so odd”, and listening to a lot of Minor Threat. Claiming edge was like throwing it in their face, but eventually I dropped the claim when I got tired of metalcore kids listening to straight edge bands claiming edge for a few months, or weeks, because it was trendy at the time, and then I have to explain to them the history of 80’s straight edge hardcore, because they had no clue of how it originated. Plus, a lot of people don’t smoke or drink, I got tired of seeing assholes at shows pride themselves in it, and just have a holier than thou attitude when it’s not that big of a deal. Nice tattoo regardless, sort of looks like the Kill Your Idols logo.
“Yep! That’s the kind of music I listen to, at least! I listen to a lot of acoustic and all too, but bands like Throwdown, Atreyu, and Underoath are my favorites.”
Oh ok. Cool. I was in a band that landed up on Underoath’s label (Life In Your Way). I don’t play any music any more but I write for a couple of metal/music sites and I go to shows once in a while.
That’s awesome, man. I feel like I actually remember listening to that band when I was a freshman in high school (2004-2005). Were you still in the band at that point?
No, I was in the band around 2000/2001 on guitar…unless you were hearing an older recording of us from that time. I will still involved with them, doing their website and other stuff until they broke up. They’re super nice guys and I think they were just starting to hit their stride before they disbanded.
Oh, they disbanded? I was trying to search for some of their music online, but I’m assuming this isn’t them then, haha.
