Playground tattoo parlor

[Kato]

So, I know we had one of these a while back but I guess it didn't get much traffic. Still since I thought to ask for advice I guess I might keep the title general.

I plan on getting my second tattoo (first was Pratchett's family crest) and because I'm terrible at deciding on things, my current plan is to have a list of (mostly) authors' signatures likely arranged in a specific way.
Right now I'm still brainstorming people from mainly the fantasy /sci-fi Genre. I know there are many, many, many possibilities. I could put two hundred names there and still not be finished.
I already have a short list of names but I thought I'd ask the smart people here who they'd nominate.
Obviously I prefer good, well known authors but maybe I'm also missing out on a secret treasure.

So, prominent, influential fantasy and sci-fi authors please, and if you want an idea for arrangement.

[lylsyly]

How about sharing your list of names with us?

I only read Sci-fi and Fantasy, go back many years, and could probably fill some holes for you.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

[Duck999]

prominent, influential sci-fi authors

Do you have Asimov?

[Razade]

I've always wanted to get one.



Of that. Probably on my shoulder or upper arm.

[Kato]

Almost forgot about this... Ahem.

Do you have Asimov?

Yes. Pretty high on the list.
I didn't post my list because I wanted to see what would be randomly thrown at me.
Some I was sure I'd take, like Pratchett, Adams, Heinlein, Asimov very likely, Oda for something different.. Some less sure, Vonnegut I haven't read enough, Tolkien is... Well, let's not argue literature here. He's iconic for sure but the list should be personal. I feel like I'm forgetting someone..

Anyway, recently I've been thinking of switching to another theme: science. But I'd want something universal. But I can't think of a motiv for scientific method or something similar.

I've always wanted to get one.



Of that. Probably on my shoulder or upper arm.

Neat. I feel like I should know it but I can't place it.

[Spanish_Paladin]

I like Ursula K. Leguin and Dan Simmons, but that is a matter of taste.

[golentan]

I would like to push for Lois McMaster Bujold, if you haven't got her already. I mean... Not necessarily for your tattoo, but not necessarily not, more "try reading her."

Her fantasy never did much for me, but her Sci Fi is amazing, thoughtful, and explorative, and the Vorkosigan Saga is my favorite book series and has held that spot unchallenged for a decade-ish now.

[Kato]

Okay, thanks for the reccomendations

Though, anyone has an idea how to put the concept of science in one image?

[Hamste]

Okay, thanks for the reccomendations

Though, anyone has an idea how to put the concept of science in one image?

Picture of the atom? That is pretty associated with science now a days.

[Peelee]

I wanted a tattoo for something like 15 years. Had a system. Whenever I found a design I liked, I'd wait. After a year, if I still liked it as much as I did when I first saw it, I'd get it tattooed. I have no tattoos.

Though, if you're looking for representation of science, can't go wrong with the atomic model. As an accurate representation, it's crap, but as a symbol, it's very clear and very well-known.

[golentan]

Okay, thanks for the reccomendations

Though, anyone has an idea how to put the concept of science in one image?

Erlenmeyer flask?

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[Kato]

Eh, thanks for the ideas but both seem too narrow... yeah, atoms are the basis of science, well, kind of, but... okay, I don't want anything really artsy, but an atom is not artsy enough.

Also, I'm too tired right now to come up with a joke about chemists and stained worplaces but Erlenmeyer flasks aren't really what I'm looking for either but thanks still.


First I was thinking of an equation but none I could think of I considered appropriate... then I thought about maybe a representation of the scientific method or so but ti's kind of hard to put in a simple image. (And before someone asks, I considered a diagramm but dismissed it as too technical)

[lylsyly]

I can't seem to post images to save my life but...

A starburst with the atom symbol inside of it?

[KillingAScarab]

Eh, thanks for the ideas but both seem too narrow... yeah, atoms are the basis of science, well, kind of, but... okay, I don't want anything really artsy, but an atom is not artsy enough.

Also, I'm too tired right now to come up with a joke about chemists and stained worplaces but Erlenmeyer flasks aren't really what I'm looking for either but thanks still.


First I was thinking of an equation but none I could think of I considered appropriate... then I thought about maybe a representation of the scientific method or so but ti's kind of hard to put in a simple image. (And before someone asks, I considered a diagramm but dismissed it as too technical)

As someone without a tattoo, the idea of capturing all sciences in one image seems very daunting, if not impossible. There are so many fields of inquiry. I know of people who have tattoos of specific fossil specimens, Nautilus shells, the double-helix DNA model, and much more.

[Scarlet Knight]

For a symbol of science, may I suggest a Van der Graaf generator, especially in an old Frankenstein style.

To provide some fantasy authors, if I had to create a Mount Rushmore of fantasy writers, I would have JRR Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, JK Rowlings, and Terry Pratchett.

[Peelee]

Eh, thanks for the ideas but both seem too narrow... yeah, atoms are the basis of science, well, kind of, but... okay, I don't want anything really artsy, but an atom is not artsy enough.

Also, I'm too tired right now to come up with a joke about chemists and stained worplaces but Erlenmeyer flasks aren't really what I'm looking for either but thanks still.


First I was thinking of an equation but none I could think of I considered appropriate... then I thought about maybe a representation of the scientific method or so but ti's kind of hard to put in a simple image. (And before someone asks, I considered a diagramm but dismissed it as too technical)

∫_a^b f(x)'dx = f(b) - f(a)?

Bah, it's hard to do integrals on here.

[Razade]

Neat. I feel like I should know it but I can't place it.

I doubt it. It's from a game that's yet to be released. Maybe you're thinking it looks like something from Zelda? Because I get that a lot.

[Kato]

As someone without a tattoo, the idea of capturing all sciences in one image seems very daunting, if not impossible. There are so many fields of inquiry. I know of people who have tattoos of specific fossil specimens, Nautilus shells, the double-helix DNA model, and much more.

Yeah, I know, there are dozens of possible ideas. And if I wanted to get a hundred tats, I'd go for all of them

To provide some fantasy authors, if I had to create a Mount Rushmore of fantasy writers, I would have JRR Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, JK Rowlings, and Terry Pratchett.

Hm... I like the idea instea of the signatures... but it would require me to narrow it down to four-ish people of which I could only definitely say Pratchett at this point.

∫_a^b f(x)'dx = f(b) - f(a)?

Bah, it's hard to do integrals on here.

I didn't know you could do it that well even. But the formula is too much without context. If I wanted some bare math, I'd go for Euler's formula or something.
Though, maybe if I can't decide on one, I could pick a small set of formulas. Which would still be pretty damn hard.

I doubt it. It's from a game that's yet to be released. Maybe you're thinking it looks like something from Zelda? Because I get that a lot.

No, not Zelda. Something Indie, I think. But if it's not released yet it's probably just my imagination.

[Peelee]

I didn't know you could do it that well even. But the formula is too much without context. If I wanted some bare math, I'd go for Euler's formula or something.
Though, maybe if I can't decide on one, I could pick a small set of formulas. Which would still be pretty damn hard.

It's the fundamental theorem of calculus, is why I suggested it. You mentioned wanting something that represented all of science (or something to that effect), or an equation. It's not well-known at all, so while it arguably does satisfy your criteria, only big ol' math nerds would really appreciate it. Can totally understand not wanting it, but thought I'd throw it out there just in case.

[Spacewolf]

I've been thinking of getting this one on my spine. Not sure why I like it, possibly just the simplicity of it.

[Scarlet Knight]

I just thought of something; how about making the symbol for Pi out of the names of Isaac Asimov, Kurt Vonnegut, and Jules Verne?

[Kato]

I just thought of something; how about making the symbol for Pi out of the names of Isaac Asimov, Kurt Vonnegut, and Jules Verne?

Hm, actually not a bad idea. Maybe for the future.

For now (despite your efforts, sorry) I picked up on something else, combining a few ideas from here and other input.

Current plan is a stylized atom, with an apple for the core and four "orbits ": one helix shaped, one made of numbers, one made of chemical symbols and one of a few equations. I even got so far as to make two sketches. (I'd show you but nobody should be exposed to what I draw)

[(-_-)]

some famous but not super famous sci fi authors are roger zelazny, philip jose farmer, vernor vinge and nancy kress if you want a woman

if you like geometric type designs you could check out some arabesque mosaic artwork, it's all about complex, repeating patterns or if you like surreal plants, creatures, and objects you can browse the voynich manuscript for ideas. both of these are sources used for tattoo ideas i've seen turn out good

[Aliquid]

When I first read the title of this thread I saw "Playground taboo parlor".

[lylsyly]

Current plan is a stylized atom, with an apple for the core and four "orbits ": one helix shaped, one made of numbers, one made of chemical symbols and one of a few equations. I even got so far as to make two sketches. (I'd show you but nobody should be exposed to what I draw)

That actually sounds like a good symbol, and I wouldn't worry about the quality of your sketches, you can't be worse than I and I can't draw a thing :lol:

[tantric]

the infosocialism flag?

[Serpentine]

Authors: I always encourage people to check out Robert C. O'Brien. He only wrote four books, so it's not like he's hard to get through, but they're all fairly distinct and sort of iconic: Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, Z for Zachariah and The Silver Crown are the ones I've read.

Science: Is there any particular field or theme of science you're specifically interested in?
One possibility might be a stylised version of our current best understanding of black holes, which happens to be the one from the movie Interstellar:

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Or perhaps something like a galaxy, or even a portion of that incredible Hubble photo with the thousands and thousands of galaxies.
Or maybe the chemical structure of some substance that is important to you (e.g. dopamine, nicotine or caffeine).
Or a phylogenic tree/tree of life.
Or...

[Kato]

It's not like I'm short on ideas, my problem is much more picking one

This is the latest... draft. My main issue atm is it is pretty cluttered. I'll probably have to sort out a few things to make it work... Yes, I cheated with the apple and kind of with the DNA. Those are hard!

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edit: forgot the bases in the dna... just imagine they are there

[lylsyly]

I wouldn't worry about the quality of your sketches, you can't be worse than I and I can't draw a thing :lol:

dang sight better than I could do

It's not like I'm short on ideas, my problem is much more picking one

This is the latest... draft. My main issue atm is it is pretty cluttered.

Cluttered might be a word for it, remember, a tattooist is gonna have to put all those equations in. Of course, you could limit the equations to the main ones.

Having given my 2 coppers worth, I LIKE IT!

[Kato]

Thanks
I did some more doodling and the next Friday I'll probably get it done. I'll bother you with the results then.