Knowing Erik “The Lizardman” Sprague from his numerous appearances on television and in movies, his work in heavy metal band Lizard Skynard, his creative writing, his sideshow stunts, and from his recent immortalization in wax by Ripley Entertainment Inc., I really had no idea what to expect from Sprague’s newest book Once More Through The Modified Looking Glass. In a recent interview, Sprague described his book as “a snapshot of the body modification community between [the years] 2003 – 2008.” This description is not only misleading, it doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of this phenomenal work!
The Lizardman
For anyone unfamiliar with Sprague, his “Lizardman” body art transformation project includes full body and face tattooing of green scales, ten sub-dermal Teflon horns (five above each eye) that form horned ridges, elongated earlobes, numerous piercings, a bifurcated (split) tongue, as well as having four of his teeth sharpened into fangs.
Sprague, named by Ripley’s Entertainment Inc. as “the most unusual person on the planet,” is a self-proclaimed “freak” – a term Sprague has not only embraced, but tattooed across his chest in block letters. According to Sprague, a freak “is someone who embraces their individuality by engaging in an ongoing process of self-realization and self-definition.” (Pg. 109)
Embrace your individuality
The heart and guts of this book is individuality: what it means, how to embrace it, and how best to live in a society that wants to strip us of our individuality.
Sprague begins his book by removing the imaginary distinction between those who modify their bodies and those who don’t. Everyone, according to Sprague, actively engages in activities that “changes the way in which [our body] looks and moves.” (Pg. 29) Some modifications are permanent, while others are temporary. As Sprague argued in the movie Modify, “body modification should be viewed according to a spectrum.” There are those, like Sprague, who have dramatically modified their appearance, and there are those who modify their appearance less dramatically by doing things like changing their hairstyle. But, as Sprague correctly argues, “If body modification is something we all engage in, in one form or another, then there are no un-modified people.” (Pg. 31)
This was a great realization for me. I have certainly never counted myself among the modified ranks. With the exception of a small tattoo (picked off the wall in a tattoo parlor when I was seventeen) on my right shoulder, I’m a rather ordinary looking person. I do get haircuts, however, and I’m always modifying my appearance with facial hair. One week I’m clean shaven, the next a full beard, a mustache, a goatee, etc. I enjoy modifying my appearance.
The reason we modify our appearance is because “everyone is a unique individual.” (Pg. 23) Modification is “part of the overall effort to intentionally create the image that others perceive when they apprehend [us] – especially in an effort to better express [ourselves.]” (Pg. 31)
Breaking The Mold
We live in a society that wants to define us in terms of categories and roles that strip away our individuality. According to Sprague, “the primary consequence [of recognizing yourself as a unique individual] is to decide whether or not you will define yourself or allow yourself to be defined.” (Pg. 24)
“Self-definition occurs through a process of consciously evaluating and choosing from among your options on the basis of your personally selected merits and values. It is not a one time only decision, but rather an ongoing process throughout your life.” (Pg. 41) Here Sprague reminds us that planting a new tree doesn’t make us “a conservationist” any more than running around the block once every few years makes us “a jogger.” We define ourselves every moment of every day, and we are always one action away from “good” or “evil.”
“The unexamined life isn’t worth living.” – Socrates
Taking a cue from Socrates, Sprague writes “Examine your life. Devote time and consideration to your motivations, decisions, and goals... Actively engage in the process of self-definition. Make a concerted effort in all things to assert and express yourself as an individual rather than as a category or role. (Pgs 26 – 27)
“Embrace the individuality of others. Do not refer or treat others in a generic fashion or in terms of a role or category.” (Pg. 27) There is an interesting consequence of embracing “the individuality of others,” to which Sprague notes: ”If you view your modifications as expressions to be covered by [the first amendment] then you must almost certainly also recognize the right of the person who calls you names to make their expressions of disapproval.” (Pg. 19)
“Disrupt and exploit the inherent weakness of systems that do not identify and respect individuality.” (Pg. 27) Here Sprague continues, “You do this... by breaking down and recognizing the individual components and people which make up [the system] and exploiting them directly on that individual basis to the greatest possible extent.” (Pg.27)
“Recognize that the system is made up of individuals and identify and address them as such. No matter how strongly they have been conditioned or come to think of themselves as secretary, cop, etc, they are individuals and by embracing their individuality you show them the path towards embracing it themselves.” (Pg.28) Sprague continues, “This can be as simple as addressing people by their names rather than titles or utilizing their personal interests in order to establish a connection will make them less likely to treat you as a category or type but rather as an individual yourself.” (Pg. 28) This is a tactic of seasoned police detectives during interrogation, and the lesson here is easily transferred to practically any social interaction.
A Book With Legs
Erik “The Lizardman” Sprague has undoubtedly written a masterpiece. Once More Through The Modified Looking Glass is one of those rare books that transcends gender, culture, religion, etc – and speaks to the heart of everyone! It is a book that anyone can pick up, flip to any page, read and take something away to make a positive impact in their day to day struggle with their own individuality.
The book, which consists of twenty-six essays, seven interviews, as well as a “Lizardman” question and answer segment, is as unique and compelling as Sprague’s body art transformation. This brief analysis, however, doesn’t do the book justice. The ideas here were gleaned from only three of the twenty-six essays – and the seven interviews and question and answer weren’t even touched upon. These will need to be taken up by future readers and future reviewers – of which I’m sure there will be plenty.
As a final note, you may want to buy two copies of Once More Through the Modified Looking Glass because this is a book with legs. My copy has been found in practically every room in my house, my van, and even inside my daughter’s backpack. There is no greater compliment I can give than to say that Sprague’s book is “a book with legs” – only books that nobody reads are found on a bookshelf.
Source:
- Sprague, Erik. Once More Through the Modified Looking Glass. 2009.
