90 • SKIN DEEP MAGAZINE
more fascinating. To better understand tattooing, it is best
to formulate a foundation. That foundation starts with
truly understanding what culture is. Culture has been
defined numerous times throughout history, but the best
approach is seeing culture as ‘information acquired from
other individuals via social transmission mechanisms
such as imitation, teaching, or language’ (Mesoudi, 2011).
This information is any form of knowledge, skill, belief,
technology, worldview, etc. Tattooing very much falls
within this definition of culture. Similar to the argument
formulated by Charles Darwin in 1859 (descent with
modification), culture follows his main points and these
characteristics can be seen throughout the history of tat-
tooing. Darwin’s main arguments were; variation, com-
petition, and inheritance. I believe when looking at tat-
tooing, modern, historic, and prehistoric, you can better
understand cultural evolution. I believe when you know
and then teach others about tattooing, where it started,
what it meant to other cultures, or just how significant itwas throughout most human societies, it begins to change
the way people feel and think about tattoos. It is one more
step for people to be able to express themselves with tat-
toos and not worry about repercussions. Tattooing is for
us humans, all of us.”
Over the next few issues I am going to be talking with
Dusty and discussing his ideas on Darwinian Evolution
and Tattooing. His research at Kent State has led him
down a path of dealing with cultural evolution, and how
the prehistory and history of tattooing demonstrate that.
We will also discuss tattooing ’s place in culture, from a
counter-culture to signs of royalty. Tattooing ’s magic
goes into realms that I never had imagined. Make sure
to check out the next issue of Skin Deep for more as we
continue down this fascinating rabbit hole with James D.
Norris, otherwise known as, Mr. Dusty. TATTOOING HAD NEVER DONE ME WRONG
- I HAD DONE IT WRONG. WE MUST COME
TO TERMS WHO WE ARE IN THIS LIFE. IT IS
MUCH TOO SHORT FOR INNER BATTLES