h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Interesting stuff... and these look like good comments

Unfortunately I've not had time enough to fully address all of the excellent points raised, but have updated the entry to change grammatical errors and include the links suggested, so thanks for that!

Quick point - I had originally intended to include a section on tatoos and body peircings, but wasn't able to find out much information (I wish I had a PC capable of actually using google or any search engine for 10 seconds without crashing(!)) Anyone who is able to let me know more solid facts about any dangers associated with them, or indeed with any other related procedures, I'd be very grateful.

<BB<

A link to this Entry, maybe?
A311176

That 'tattooing link (A311176) looks as though it could use an update at some time.

One t5hing that springs to mind regarding piercings is the dangers of using cheap jewellery e.g. nickel-plated. This can cause 'nickel contact demrmatitis'. Go here for more information:

http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Implants/nickelallergy.htm

I thought this entry started off very well, with factual points, but later I feel that personal opinion colours the text too much.

It could do with a little re-arranging to be more chronological.

Some of the later points are a little skimpy on information - perhaps you could include links to sources of further information.
'Corns' would be better entitled 'footwear' to match the other sections i.e. the offending fashion item rather than the effect.

I learnt yesterday via Tony Robinson (Channel 4) that Elizabethan actors suffered from wearing white make-up too.

Ties have been shown to be harmful if too tight - can cause raised intra-ocular pressure among other things.

'Even today in Western Society it is still apparently fashionable to be thin.' - it has not always been so. Think of the admired Rubenesque ladies.

'eating disorders such as anorexia have resulted. Just because those involved want to be in fashion.' - eating disorders can occur for other reasons - I'm not sure that you have made a clear distinction.

Overall, potential for a great entry.

Ref skin whitening, do people think that Michael Jackson does this, or does he genuinely suffer from a condition such as Vitiligo? If the former, should this be mentioned in the article - or might we get sued! ?

If Michael Jackson really suffered from a skin condition, he could surely afford makeup to make his face appear to be the light brown colour it used to be when he was young, rather than the strange pale bleached look it is now. So it must be deliberate.

I would have liked to see a link to A360550, but I'll go back and give it a closer read now...

Other amusing Edited Guide links might be the article on the goatee, and the recent one (not sure if it's been front-paged yet) on the Body Beautiful.

Hi Bluebottle
I know you haven't been around for a few weeks, but if you're still working on this when you return, I've found a few more typos for you.

--forced to breath >> forced to breathe
--advice of Doctors >> the advice of doctors
--only being in Fashion >> only being in fashion
--can also result in corns >> perhaps explain what corns are and how wearing the wrong shoes can cause them
--is the use of Plastic Surgery >> is to undergo plastic surgery/is electing to have plastic surgery

Hope to see you around again soon!

I agree with Teasswill (post 25) - the entry begins with some very interesting (and horrific) factual stuff on corsets etc, but then goes a bit too far into personal opinion territory (ties, plastic surgery, Geri Halliwell etc.). These later sections would benefit from being rewritten in a more objective style.

Also, as others have mentioned, you need to make a decision on whether the points you discuss are truly for 'fashion' purposes or cultural reasons. It's sometimes a tricky distinction, so perhaps a section should be added for the more cultural and long-standing body 'disfigurements'. Or perhaps change the title of the entry so that you can include both subjects.

Oh, and I've never heard of the jaguar-neck rings theory before (posts 13-15)!!!

hh there BB.

Nice Entry, however, having read through it and the PR comments I'm inclined to agree with the majority about Chinese Foot Binding, it's not so much a fashion faux pas, but a cultural statement.

However, if you're looking for some more fashion victim ideas, throughout history there's been some real clangers when it comes to humans dressing themselves;

The Elizabethan ruff. That lacy round collar that Drake and Raleigh found so wonderful.

The toga. Come on, was it really a necessity to wear something like that?

Flares. Need any more be said. Oh yes, add platform shoes to that seventies gaff.

Dressing gowns. Sorry Arthur, but flanellette dressing gowns, especially the brown variety are disgusting.

Codpieces. Draw attention to the male organ. Why? So much fuss over such a silly little thing.

Checked pants and tweed blazers. Even school masters of the fifties look bad in this.

Gingham. Dorothy, you're not in Kansas anymore, wear something SUITABLE.

Combat pants (ok, they're not that bad, but when my grandma has a pair...well...).

Oh, and don't forget anything and everything the Spice Girls ever wore.

You could perhaps entertain how to wear these things and get away with it, why certain fashions died out, whether tie-dye is bad for your health or it's just the fumes that go with it etc.

Just some of my ideas, love 'em or leave 'em
HF

Also have shell suits been mentioned anywhere?

At last I've had my computer repaired. I've made a few modifications, but still a little work to go.

Couple of points - personally I don't think that because something is cultural it means it isn't a fashion, merely a dominent fashion. Wearing ties to work and school is something which almost all employers etc. insist on in the UK, and have done for at least the last century, so ties can be considered cultural - yet they remain a fashion item.

Also, I've been asked if I could write a little about the benefits that fashion has brought to the world. Personally I don't think that is neccesary. Afterall, if I was writing an article about the victims of dog attacks I wouldn't write about guide dogs, yet because I did not mention guide dogs would not neccasarily mean that I believe that they do not exist, or that St Bernards do not rescue people in the snow. It just wouldn't be overly relevant. If anyone wishes to write about how fashion has helped the world, I'd welcome it, (even if my personal view is the opposite ).

Thanks everyone for your excellent contributions, keep them up.

<BB<

"The toga. Come on, was it really a necessity to wear something like that?"

Yes. Greece is a hot country, so you want to wear something light and relatively cool. In Egypt, peasants often built houses naked.

"Codpieces. Draw attention to the male organ. Why? So much fuss over such a silly little thing."

Without that 'silly little thing,' you wouldn't be here to insult it.

hows this going ?

I must admit that its been on the back burner in the run up to Christmas - so little time, so much to do.
I'm sure I'll get some inspiration to improve it soon.

<BB<

oh, dear. I'm sorry. I thought I'd let sleeping dogs lie and not push myself into a ridiculous flame war...but it's Christmas, so what the heck.

The togas I was referring to were the ones associated with Romans (did Greeks actually wear togas???), you know, the ones who founded much of modern society and had orgies and left us with endearing memories of invasion and bad latin phrasing. And it seems you highlighted my point of togas being unnecessary if people could have just gone naked in mediterranean climes anyway. But perhaps I was a little too cryptic. Reminder. Be more blunt.

And I will insult the male member as much as I like, seeing as I have one of my own. Sheesh. Pedancy isn't a loveable trait

That's that off my chest.

On the plus side, I saw that the classic 50s suit was back in fashion. I've always wanted to look like Cary G in North by North West!! :->

HF

Has inspiration hit or are you too tied up in New Year Resolutions?

Can I tempt you out with a little or ?

Speller

Come on Bluebottle this is great !