Reposting this from when I wrote it on facebook back in July 2012, because articles like this still make my blood boil.
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| Worst. Issue. Ever. |
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| Here is the article. |
Usually I don't care about the trivial fluff printed in Cosmo. I do not take them seriously. They are so full of shit all the time that it's hilarious. Very few things get me riled up when the objective is brain candy.
But when they try to approach a topic that concerns young women and their health, identity and safety and EPICALLY FAIL at providing advice for it, I simply could not sleep until I cast my two cents into the void that is their editorial mailbox.
Here is my letter to the editor. I didn't make the editorials page (lol), nor did they apologize for the article :P
Hi Cosmo,
I am writing out of concern with your flowchart feature "Will You Regret That Tat?" in the August 2012 issue of Cosmo which made the most appalling conclusion in determining what kind of tattoo would be "least regrettable". The resulting advice was that if the planned tattoo were a song lyric or quote (some ELSE's words... with deep personal meaning of course!), in black or blue ink, SMALLER than a compact and being tattooed anywhere but the lower back, chest, neck, face or finger... then "GO FOR IT!"
The resulting tattoo that I could imagine makes me cringe- how much text can you fit in 3-4 inches?. It would be a smooshed, illegible mess in a matter of months. Terrible, appalling advice from a writer who clearly has no idea what makes a successful tattoo.
ANYONE considering a text tattoo should make DAMN SURE the thing will be legible in 10 years, which means large, easily discernable letters with proper spacing and a bold, attractive font- because you also want it to look good, right? Ever seen Lady Gaga's upper arm tattoo? Smaller than a compact my ass.
Obviously, if you aren't willing to make the commitment to the large size- especially with text- DON'T. WHY would you get a text tattoo only to NOT be able to read it?!
I have taken the liberty of composing my own version of "Will You Regret That Tat?"
DON'T
- if it is flash art*, or directly from the first 5 pages of Google images
- if it is ANYBODY'S name- pet, husband/boyfriend, deceased relative or band/artist. Wouldn't they be better commemorated with a picture representing them? (I don't necessarily mean portrait)
- if you are getting it to impress/rebel against somebody.
- if you are going to be stingy with the cost. Pay to get it done right by someone reputable. If you can't afford it, DON'T.
GO FOR IT
- if you have personally gathered picture reference for it and designed it, or had your tattoo artist design it
- if you are willing to put sunscreen on it constantly every day that it will be exposed to the sun- forever.
- if it is easily hidden with both casual and conservative business dress.
- if you are willing to commit to a size that will properly convey the detail that you want- LISTEN TO YOUR TATTOO ARTIST ON THIS ONE. If they are any good, they will give you a heads up on how it will age. Small (less than 3 inches square) is only good for extremely simple, graphic renderings. Nervous about your tattoo being seen? Then why bother with one at all?
A feature which could have been simplified with more practical advice or focused on health and safety in regards to this popular cultural trend turned out to be profoundly disturbing by how ignorantly it was composed, seemingly by the opinions of someone who has never had a tattoo.
... closing greeting to editor, hopefully conveyed with a chilly tone of voice.
/endrant
*I am aware that there is some really incredible flash art by awesome artists out there- if you can wade through everything else. This is still a don't because so much flash art is reproduced without consent or acknowledgement of the artist!
Also. This is just the basic shit I could come up with WHILE READING THE FEATURE. Common sense, really.
EPIC FAIL COSMO.
My personal rule is "go big or go home". And I learned that from experience.
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