An editorial by Naomi Schaefer Riley in today's "Wall Street Journal" deals with the motivations behind the modern tattoo frenzy. Traditionally, the motivation for tattoos was the desire to be different; to not fit in with the crowd. However, a study just released by the American Academy of Dermatology concludes that one in four Americans between the ages of 18 and 50 has a tattoo and more than one in three between the ages of 18 and 29 has one. It is difficult to prove nonconformity by doing something so popular. A second and related motivation for tattoos is the desire to draw attention. People tend to notice the tattoo and it often starts a conversation. Unfortunately, it may draw the attention of the undesirable acquaintance as much as the desired one. Third, people get tattoos in order to identify themselves with something important to them. Of course, the tattoo may not give the message its wearer desires and, worse, the person tattooed may change their interests or beliefs over the years but the tattoo remains the same. Ultimately, most people sport tattoos today because they are caught up in the fad. Unfortunately for them, this fad cannot be discarded as easily as a closet full of really weird clothes.
The general cleanliness of modern society has brought many benefits. Most beneficial has been the decrease in the diseases that used to kill people in droves. However, medical researchers are finding a negative side to our lack of dirt. A 17-year-old theory, called hygiene hypothesis, states that the greater cleanliness common in the modern world has failed to condition the body's ability to deal with irritants. As a result, the body overreacts to allergens such as pollen and this has caused soaring rates of allergies, asthma, and some forms of autoimmune diseases, such as Type I diabetes and arthritis. In the future, we may be taught to expose ourselves to a certain level of allergens in our youth so that we might handle them better as adults. In like manner, those who never deal with lesser problems in their lives will not know how to react when real problems come. Lamentations 3:27 states, "It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth." Children need to learn to deal with responsibilities and problems while they are young so that they can handle them as adults. Psalm 55:19 tells us that those who "have no changes" tend to "fear not God." Troubles teach us to deal with trouble. The secular problem you are dealing with today may be preparing you to deal with an important spiritual challenge tomorrow. We must leave our training in the hands of a wise and benevolent God.
The number of marriages have spiked in China this year according to an article in today's "Wall Street Journal." There are several reasons. First, the Chinese lunar calendar requires an extra month every few years in order to keep the seasons at the same time of year (the ancient Jewish canendar must do the same). This year, the extra month creates one year with two lunar springs, a rare and lucky year in Chinese superstition (the last one being in 1944); and a great year to get married. Second, this is the year of the dog in China, which is considered a good year to get married. Finally, next year is the year of the pig, one of the best years to be born and therefore a great year to have a child. Since pigs are seen as fat and having comfortable lives, pig babies are expected to have an especially easy time in life. Parents are pushing their children to get married this year. In People's Park in Shanghai, parents gather every Saturday holding up signs with the vital statistics of their single adult children hoping to draw a prospect for them. One sign tells of a 27-year-old daughter who is five-feet-three-inches tall, weighs 105 pounds, has white skin, and earns $560 a month as a fashion designer. I don't think that my own single adult chiildren are interested in me trying this for them.
According to an article in today's "Wall Street Journal," cellphone providers in Asian countries are offering many innovative services. In India, Hindu worshippers can send text messages to their god Ganesh at the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai. Ganesh is the god in charge of destroying obstacles that might keep you from successfully completing personal goals (like getting a job or purchasing a house) and he is particularly receptive to requests on Tuesday's. So visitors on that day may wait in a line for up to five hours just to get Ganesh to obliterate the hindrances in their path. However, for only four cents per text message (a fee split between the cellphone company and the temple), participants can use their cellphone to send a text message request which will be printed out, neatly folded, and placed in a box next to the temple's idol--with the hope that he takes time to read them. Presently, about 70,000 text messages are coming in from all over India each week.
The modern fad of loose, baggy jeans has had one unexpected result: more petty criminals are getting caught and arrested. According to today's "Wall Street Journal," the fad so prevalent among teens and young adults had its beginning in prison. The low-hanging pants were "inspired by the advent of beltless prison jeans... Over time, the tough-guy image associated with oversized trousers helped make the look standard for hip-hop performers, alternative music bands, skateboarders and snowboarders as it migrated from mostly black city streets to affluent white suburbs." These days, the slumping pants may be found on a teenager in your church or household.
