Prompt 5

These two very different cultural artifacts give two different views of body modification. The National Geographic "Tattoos, piercings, & body markings" Gallery documents both traditional and modern primitivism as a cultural art that serves a particular role and/or meaning. The argument that this gallery makes is that body modifications are unique and extreme. It argues that is is against the norm for mainstream Western cultures besides the leading modern primitives yet a deeply historical norm for many other cultures across the world, including Africa and the South Pacific. It argues that this act of body modification needs to be preserved because of its cultural significance. The argument it makes about the body is that it is a medium in which one uses to express things about oneself. Things like status, beliefs, identity, beauty and faith.
The second cultural artifact, the NPR program, Marketplace's "Inc.'s a bit more at ease with ink," makes the argument that body modification has been increasingly incorporated into mainstream society. This in turn has made it more acceptable and part of the norm. Because of the popularity of tatooing, more people get them for no particular reason. It makes the argument that the body is a means in which one expresses their identity and portrays status and self-worth in a professional environment.
My own view point falls somewhere in between these two arguments. I understand the historical significance of modifications done by primitive societies because of their meaning and tradition. However, I do not understand modern primitivism. I do not believe that Westernized populations who partake in modern primitivism are making arguments to society. I do, however, believe that the body is a means to represent oneself to society, and when one modifies their bodies to extremity it is in means of resisting the cultural norm.