" As the owner of Expereince Tattooing right here in Auburn it's pretty discouraging to read an article based on opinion and not fact. Research into the tattoo industry might prove something more than a negative opinion of tattooing..... you can not base an opinion based on something you are unfamiliar with..... being enrolled in Psych 101 at CCC the first lesson we were taught includes the Scientific Method of observation.... here's a quick explanation.... 1. Observation: leads to intellectual curiosity (questioning) 2. identify/Description - labeling 3. Experimental Investigation Scientific Method-understanding causes, develop treatment...... A question asked by my professor at the intro to psych 101..... What is Good Science? opposite is Junk Science.... 1. Checks on observations 2. creates a Method or standardized procedure 3. Peer Review... 4. Replication - repeating results and the most important..... 5. Burden of Proof -- this always lies on the person making the claim - claimant does not have to prove they are wrong, they have to prove they are right..... Extra ordinary claims require extra ordinary evidence.... - Ockum's Razor - look for the simplest solution - try for the most direct conclusion..... do not over elaborate or miss the obvious.... (here's another important issue) imperacle... observed directly (direct experience) use case studies to form a theory (def.: theory - an explanation that organizes and predicts observations...) hypothesis - a testable prediction - often implied by a theory.... i'm in my first year of psych... my tenth year of tattooing..... and over 20 years in various professional art fields while continuing my art education at CCC... and Shelley... you can reach me at the studio whenever you are ready..... "