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> “I think that’s something that’s so powerful too — people will always be three inches taller or whatever you made them,” Debiparshad said. “They’ll die and be

> “I think that’s something that’s so powerful too — people will always be three inches taller or whatever you made them,” Debiparshad said. “They’ll die and be in their casket and decompose three inches longer. It’s very permanent.” Possibly the best argument against getting this kind of bizarre cosmetic surgery.

Broken_Hippo 7y ago
I don't really understand why that's an argument against it. We do permanent things all the freaking time. Holes in earlobes and tattoos. We remove - and sometimes install - teeth! We patch folks up with metal, install breast and butt implants, install electronics to help hearts and brains. We suck away fat! Not all of these are minor cosmetic surgeries - some are major surgeries and optional! And besides, if it weren't permanent, why would one go through the pain of the surgery in the first place? I'd actually argue that if the permanence is something that bothers you, this is certainly not something you would personally consider, but it certainly isn't really an argument against it being available for the wider population.
- leftyted 7y ago
  Because you're going to die and your body is going to decay and those extra inches mean absolutely nothing.
  - Broken_Hippo 7y ago
    Neither does any of the rest of it, honestly. Tattoos decay. It won't matter that you got tooth implants. Your pacemaker won't matter, it'll be recycled or trashed. Most of us will just be forgotten. And that's all OK. But things like that can mean that while you were alive, you were happier.
    - leftyted 7y ago
      I think tattoos and piercings are stupid for the same reason. Dental surgeries can make you look normal and improve function. Pacemakers help you live longer. There are things that regular people can do that will survive their deaths. Mostly, having children. But also having close relationships with other people who will remember you, tell stories about you, and so on. I expect plenty of people on HN will write code that will survive them.
      - nitrogen 7y ago
        If it's true that people have a bias toward taller people, then becoming taller might help someone get those children and close relationships you mention. I have no tattoos, but it seems they can also help build camaraderie in the right setting.
  - BurningFrog 7y ago
    By this argument, any activity during your life means absolutely nothing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proving_too_much https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proving_too_much
    - leftyted 7y ago
      That doesn't even remotely follow from what I wrote. But thanks for your very helpful link to wikipedia.
- Barrin92 7y ago
  >Holes in earlobes and tattoos. These are methods of self-expression. (usually) people get tattoos because they want to remember something or because they like the aesthetics of it. Breaking your legs or enlarging your breasts is done (often I'd say, not necessarily always) to attract others and to try to appeal to some beauty standard. There is a huge difference between self-assertion and trying to satisfy others expectations. The former is healthy, the latter is insecurity and making self-worth dependent on how one appeals to others in the most banal way is one of the most harmful things you can do arguably.
  - naasking 7y ago
    > get tattoos because they want to remember something or because they like the aesthetics of it. [...] Breaking your legs or enlarging your breasts is done [...] to appeal to some beauty standard So... Because they like the aesthetic? Some people also get tattoos because they want to look tough, or fit into a certain crowd. You can find unhealthy and healthy expressions of both tattoos and cosmetic surgery. I doubt very much that you have firm numbers that one is far more likely than the other to be a healthy expression of aesthetics.
    - Barrin92 7y ago
      I mean it's even hard for me to discern what the aesthetic is of making yourself taller. There's not much expression of anything in it.
      - naasking 7y ago
        Being a few inches taller changes your perspective of the world. You could go from average height to towering over most people. Don't underestimate the confidence and social and financial benefits that can bring. Also, if you have to justify what you want to do to your own body by "expression", are you no longer allowed to decide what you want to eat, or whether you are allowed to sun tan? It's an absurd requirement for agency.
        7y ago
- rsynnott 7y ago
  Most of the things you mention are fairly safe and have limited impact on the person’s life; the exception would be the heart and brain procedures (some are safe, some not), but those aren’t cosmetic; they’re necessary. I’d be wary of most cosmetic surgery, but this is probably about the most extreme form.
  - Broken_Hippo 7y ago
    I would personally not do such a surgery myself - it is a major surgery. So is breast reduction, honestly (have looked into it). But I'm not about to say my choice needs to be other people's choice. But that's really besides the point: Once we die, none of it matters, and that was my point.

Broken_Hippo 7y ago

I don't really understand why that's an argument against it. We do permanent things all the freaking time. Holes in earlobes and tattoos. We remove - and sometimes install - teeth! We patch folks up with metal, install breast and butt implants, install electronics to help hearts and brains. We suck away fat! Not all of these are minor cosmetic surgeries - some are major surgeries and optional! And besides, if it weren't permanent, why would one go through the pain of the surgery in the first place? I'd actually argue that if the permanence is something that bothers you, this is certainly not something you would personally consider, but it certainly isn't really an argument against it being available for the wider population.

leftyted 7y ago
Because you're going to die and your body is going to decay and those extra inches mean absolutely nothing.
- Broken_Hippo 7y ago
  Neither does any of the rest of it, honestly. Tattoos decay. It won't matter that you got tooth implants. Your pacemaker won't matter, it'll be recycled or trashed. Most of us will just be forgotten. And that's all OK. But things like that can mean that while you were alive, you were happier.
  - leftyted 7y ago
    I think tattoos and piercings are stupid for the same reason. Dental surgeries can make you look normal and improve function. Pacemakers help you live longer. There are things that regular people can do that will survive their deaths. Mostly, having children. But also having close relationships with other people who will remember you, tell stories about you, and so on. I expect plenty of people on HN will write code that will survive them.
    - nitrogen 7y ago
      If it's true that people have a bias toward taller people, then becoming taller might help someone get those children and close relationships you mention. I have no tattoos, but it seems they can also help build camaraderie in the right setting.
- BurningFrog 7y ago
  By this argument, any activity during your life means absolutely nothing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proving_too_much https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proving_too_much
  - leftyted 7y ago
    That doesn't even remotely follow from what I wrote. But thanks for your very helpful link to wikipedia.
Barrin92 7y ago
>Holes in earlobes and tattoos. These are methods of self-expression. (usually) people get tattoos because they want to remember something or because they like the aesthetics of it. Breaking your legs or enlarging your breasts is done (often I'd say, not necessarily always) to attract others and to try to appeal to some beauty standard. There is a huge difference between self-assertion and trying to satisfy others expectations. The former is healthy, the latter is insecurity and making self-worth dependent on how one appeals to others in the most banal way is one of the most harmful things you can do arguably.
- naasking 7y ago
  > get tattoos because they want to remember something or because they like the aesthetics of it. [...] Breaking your legs or enlarging your breasts is done [...] to appeal to some beauty standard So... Because they like the aesthetic? Some people also get tattoos because they want to look tough, or fit into a certain crowd. You can find unhealthy and healthy expressions of both tattoos and cosmetic surgery. I doubt very much that you have firm numbers that one is far more likely than the other to be a healthy expression of aesthetics.
  - Barrin92 7y ago
    I mean it's even hard for me to discern what the aesthetic is of making yourself taller. There's not much expression of anything in it.
    - naasking 7y ago
      Being a few inches taller changes your perspective of the world. You could go from average height to towering over most people. Don't underestimate the confidence and social and financial benefits that can bring. Also, if you have to justify what you want to do to your own body by "expression", are you no longer allowed to decide what you want to eat, or whether you are allowed to sun tan? It's an absurd requirement for agency.
      - 7y ago
rsynnott 7y ago
Most of the things you mention are fairly safe and have limited impact on the person’s life; the exception would be the heart and brain procedures (some are safe, some not), but those aren’t cosmetic; they’re necessary. I’d be wary of most cosmetic surgery, but this is probably about the most extreme form.
- Broken_Hippo 7y ago
  I would personally not do such a surgery myself - it is a major surgery. So is breast reduction, honestly (have looked into it). But I'm not about to say my choice needs to be other people's choice. But that's really besides the point: Once we die, none of it matters, and that was my point.