Sherry, aka @rutila or Bitchy Bluestocking, defended body hair at the debate that was held at Word last Thursday. She, like all my other opponents, made a formidable case. Nothing discussed in OBSOLETE will ever be completely obsolete, of course. The book might’ve been titled “Almost Obsolete.” It covers ideas and objects that are the latest things to become old fashioned—and some of those things, I’d argue, I think may never cycle back into style.

For the hair debate, my side of the argument hinged on young people (even kids) getting laser hair removal, which can result in low hair growth for life. I talk about this in OBSOLETE; I also quote Wanda’s European Skin Center’s site, which offers “virgin waxing for children 8 years old and up who have never shaved before. Virgin hair can be waxed so successfully that growth can be permanently stopped in just 2 to 6 sessions. Save your child a lifetime of waxing… and put the money in the bank for her college education instead!”