Why haven't pointed ears ever caught on?

[USS Triumphant]

People are willing to pierce their ears and gauge their ears, get tattoos, do cosmetic scarification, and all sorts of other simple surgeries - but pointing the ears never seems to have caught on. This surprises me, because it would seem to me to be a simple procedure by comparison to some of the rest of what is done, and also, Elves, Vulcans, and Romulans all have their own sizable followings.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Ideas about why it isn't done often enough to be a "thing" - technical or otherwise?

 

[RoJoHen]

Well, earrings, gauges, and tattoos don't require cosmetic surgery.

 

[USS Triumphant]

I just did a little Googling and found two articles at major media outlets about people doing it, both from April of this year. So maybe the question should just be why haven't they caught on YET.

 

[thestrangequark]

Historically tattoos and piercings (at least in Western culture) are associated with rebellion, artsiness, and being hard-edged. Getting one's ears pointed is associated with childish fantasy and a disturbing level of nerdiness. I'm not saying these perceptions are correct, just that they exist.

 

[Amaris]

Yeah, but men and women with pointed ears are usually very hot.

 

[thestrangequark]

^I know I'm biased, but I don't see hot when I see pointed ears. I see "I took a bit too much E during my last D&D game..."

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Yeah, I don't really find pointed ears attractive.

 

[Haggis and tatties]

They did, on mechanical rice pickers.

 

[Amaris]

^I know I'm biased, but I don't see hot when I see pointed ears. I see "I took a bit to much E during my last D&D game..."

I understand. I just find beauty and elegance in the shape. Pointed ears can highlight other physical aspects of a person, and I just find it very sexy.

 

[thestrangequark]

To each their own!

Also, darn it! You quoted my typo before I corrected it!

 

[Amaris]

To each their own!

Always wise words to live by.

Also, darn it! You quoted my typo before I corrected it!

I'm sorry. I used to correct typos when I quoted posts. I don't do it anymore, and can't really now, but to make you feel a little better; I, to, know how you feel.

 

[CaptainStoner]

^I know I'm biased, but I don't see hot when I see pointed ears. I see "I took a bit to much E during my last D&D game..."

I understand. I just find beauty and elegance in the shape. Pointed ears can highlight other physical aspects of a person, and I just find it very sexy.

That is logical.

But I don't think ear-altering surgery will catch on. People into elective plastic surgery are on a quest to look "normal" or "better", although it usually ends up...not so much.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I saw a news report on people getting pointed ears and what disturbed me the most was that one woman's pointed ears had almost no point, I don't think you would have looked twice at her in the street. Seemed like a huge waste of money and pain.

If I could hold a Star Trek dermal thingie up to my ears and point 'em bloodlessly I might do it. This would presume that it was not a completely weird and freaky thing to do though (because it would be simple).

 

[Amaris]

^I know I'm biased, but I don't see hot when I see pointed ears. I see "I took a bit to much E during my last D&D game..."

I understand. I just find beauty and elegance in the shape. Pointed ears can highlight other physical aspects of a person, and I just find it very sexy.

That is logical.

But I don't think ear-altering surgery will catch on. People into elective plastic surgery are on a quest to look "normal" or "better", although it usually ends up...not so much.

True. We associate so many things with pointed ears. In our mythologies we find characters of virtue and characters of vanity, avatars of wisdom and also the villainous, shadowed archetypes of evil. So much can be said with just the shape of one's ear, it seems. On top of that, I just find it aesthetically pleasing.

 

[Canadave]

If I saw someone with pointed ears, I'd probably feel it's a little too much. Plus, unlike a piercing or a tattoo, it's not exactly a simple procedure, and I've got to imagine it screws up the circulation and stuff in the area. I just can't see the appeal.

I, to, know how you feel.

I don't really have anything to add to this. I just wanted to quote it.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

On top of that, I just find it aesthetically pleasing.

It's HOT.

 

[Amaris]

If I saw someone with pointed ears, I'd probably feel it's a little too much. Plus, unlike a piercing or a tattoo, it's not exactly a simple procedure, and I've got to imagine it screws up the circulation and stuff in the area. I just can't see the appeal.

I'm not sure it would mess with circulation, since it's mostly cartilage.

I, to, know how you feel.

I don't really have anything to add to this. I just wanted to quote it.

What? What? I was holding it for a friend! I swear!

On top of that, I just find it aesthetically pleasing.

It's HOT.

Damn right it is!

 

[Trekker4747]

I'm guessing going downtown and getting something drawn on your body with ink for $50 or going to the mall and then to Claire's and getting your ears pierced for $10 is a bit different than time, pain and several hundred dollars of plastic surgery on your ears.

 

[Amaris]

I'm guessing going downtown and getting something drawn on your body with ink for $50 or going to the mall and then to Claire's and getting your ears pierced for $10 is a bit different than time, pain and several hundred dollars of plastic surgery on your ears.

Time: 45-90 minutes. Sounds like a reasonable length of time.
Pain: You did mention tattoos and piercings, right? So how is this different? The pain is short, and handled with pain meds for a few weeks at most.
Cost: It is more expensive. Most body modification artists seem to charge around $500.

I'm not saying I'd have it done, but I don't see any real medical reason why it's any worse than a tattoo or piercing.

 

[Trekker4747]

I think going into surgery and having implants and reconstruction done is a bit more intensive than going to the mall and having some teenager take a tool do your ears and pulling the handle closed.

I made no mention of the danger or pain involved, only that getting a tattoo or piercing done is something you go out and just do mostly on whim. With tats there may be more planning involved, time, and money depending on what the tat is or where it's going to be, etc. But it's still pretty much an impulsive purchase.

If you want cosmetic surgery done, implants, whatever? That's a procedure one the requires appointments, consultations, scans needing to be done, probably materials needing to be ordered/manufactured for the implant. It's not as much of an impulse buy which is why it hasn't "caught on" as much as tattoos or piercings have.