You know how people often say they wish they knew then what they know now? Or during an argument or something, someone will say "You sound like my dad" or "OK, MOM" as a sad rebuttal to your sound suggestions. It it truly amazing how often the words of wisdom that people take as insults are actually correct. Could it be that the grown ups actually know what they're talking about? Could it be that history really is a very useful and accurate guide? Who would have guessed?

One's level of stupidity can be mapped by the irreversible damage done to their future. In some cases, people get lucky and their worst phase in life was a gigantic, ridiculous mohawk with a badly painted anarchy sign on it. At the moment, it might have seemed like the cry of the angsty youth, desperately seeking any alternative to the mundane world around them that plain and simply "does not understand." In reality, they were creating a story for their future selves that will entertain many in the competitive - how stupid were you as a kid - lunch break musings.

Sometimes the desperate search for something better isn't so lenient on you. Piercings will leave scars... I have a couple right on my lips because I just had to go out and get some rings thrown through my face. Stupid idea, no amusement later. I gained nothing except the logical understanding that piercing my face is just not a good idea. Any grown up could have told me that one.
For some, the piercing might be an excuse or some vague concept of meaning to the person victimizing themselves. Mine was that I wanted people to talk to me less. As I look back on that I wonder if I was shooting for the exact opposite. In the end, the people that magnetized to me through such relations were the ones that lead to the most horrific span of my life line yet... which lead to the best as well. It is hard to gauge this one for me, but it is possible the same good could have come without the bad. The idea is that the phase that tells you this is a good idea is the same phase that will convince you that anything is a good idea. It's probably the same cloud of confusion, rebellion, or simple stupidity that gets people to do drugs, acquire the taste for alcohol that absolutely no human alive is born with, start smoking, become a hippie, and so on. During the cloud, someone might tell you that LSD is probably not a good idea and that maybe you should stop all this mind expanding nonsense. To which you reply "OK, DAD!" Then proceed to drown your self inflicted woes with expensive escapism.

Though it all may be stupid, much of the grown ups that advise against these things will also say they made them who they are today. I can say that, though my story is not so extreme. I'm also barely 30, so my mistakes have just begun.
The point is that people have yet to solidly understand that you don't always have to do it yourself to figure out what is and is not a good idea. Some can be argued, some are stupid to argue.

Getting a tattoo of your boyfriend's name on your arm... probably a stupid idea, but you never know. Maybe you'll be married or something and it is an act of devotion and whatever...

Getting an ultra violet tattoo of your boyfriend's name on your eyeball... very stupid idea. You don't need to go through this one to know it is bad.

Set up an IRA and put $5 a month in it... Excellent idea. Why bother? It's only $5. Ask a grown up about this one.

Set up a subscription to a stupid angsty goth porn site for $5 a month... fantastic idea. Except that you're on the internet and you can find it for free. Ask a grown up on that one. I dare you.

Getting a gigantic tattoo of a skull over your whole face... Possibly the stupidest thing you could have done. Obviously you asked nobody about this. The integrity of the whole human race dropped by at least 25% through this one act alone.

It would be nice if history was used as a guide more often. Not just the grand scope of history, but personal history. Your own, your friends', parents' and so on. If less people thought they were so right and they could do no wrong we might be a warp capable species right now. Or we could be in the iron age still. Who knows.
One thing's for sure. If I knew then what I know now, I would have followed Fred York's advise and listened when he said "Geographics have nothing to do with it."
It would have changed my whole perspective on moving to San Francisco. I might have still gone, but I would have gone for a better reason.

Here's something to giggle about:
Today is September 11th. Seven years ago, September 16th or so, I was arrested for running through the Tucson Mall with my friend while wearing long black trench coats and nixon masks as we blasted "Highway to the Danger Zone" from Top Gun on a boom box while waving an american flag. We were not particularly aware of the September 11th attack, which is probably why we were detained for this juvenile act.
I served as my own lawyer in court. My defense was accurate in stating the dress code mentions nothing about wearing masks, playing music, or even running through the mall. The arrest happened about 10 minutes after the mall technically closed anyhow. They had nothing to charge me with. The mall security insisted some girls claimed we made a bomb threat. They were not only unable to produce these witnesses, but they also failed to provide a satisfactory response when the judge asked why they did not evacuate the mall. My fine was reduced from $1,000 to $100. It might have been nothing if I had answered the judge's last question with more intelligence. "How much do you want to pay?" To which I responded "Nothing." I was told I got greedy and was told to pay $100. I feel I won this case, which gives me a solid 1:0 for my defense attorney score.

What have you done in your youth that could be considered a juvenile act that you would most likely not do now?