Then stop judging him. If what he or anyone else that chooses body modification for themselves clashes with your sense of esthetics, morality, normalcy, mental health, then walk on by. Not your prob. I think the whole concept of "Normal" is a snare and a racket. In Richie's pictures he's so damn happy you can feel it coming off the screen, and it's not your place to pass judgement on that. If it's not your thing, groovy...I appreciate differences in opinion...but it's no one's place to force your window view on life onto others. That's where the joy of livinig is for crying out loud!
I didn't start getting my tattoos till i was 28 years old...and I find that I have met SO many more people because of it. Great convo starters, that's for sure. Do what you want as long as it harms none. Other than that sod off. He's doing it for him. I really HATE it when people say I have my tattoos for other people. Bollocks to that! They mean something to ME...I don't give a rats arse if you get em or if you like em, and if you choose to judge someone by their tongue or their ears then that's your problem.
Richie is so much more of an eloquent writer than I, and I really think he handled the nay-sayers regally.
My final answer for those who think it's faddish or 'what will you do later on in life?' Ya'll...when we're 80, (if we ever reach 80)...hate to say it but we're gonna look like hell.
I really don't care if my geisha tattoo becames a persian rug, or my flying cats turn into dragging turtles. They're my experiences, and my memories and they also in time evolve and change...maybe blur and fade. They're my notches on the totem pole of life.
I celebrate your notches, Richie...