Your train has always been on the track, Runaway...:)
Yes, a lot of these people are paid protesters. It's the only way they can have the turnout they need. They appeal to people who need money and don't care how they make it.
Upvote for your comment as I agree they are just plain weird. The jury's still out on the earlobe issue though as I have seen so many unbelievable lobes over the years. It's actually not a new 'thing'. https://plugyourholes.com/blogs/ear-stretching/history
As for the pain of getting tattoos, folks have gotten nipples and even more sensitive areas tatted so there is no accounting for pain in some people. 🤕 You've probably seen people w/ tattoos over large portions of their faces, too.
But it's a free country and if one wants to mutilate oneself, one can have at it. :)
