David Dimbleby's Tattoo, and finding your inner scorpion

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  • Social brain

The BBC's David Dimbleby, the Presented of Question Time and the anchor for every election since 1979, has chosen to have a scorpion tattoo on his shoulder.

The BBC's David Dimbleby, the Presented of Question Time and the anchor for every election since 1979, has chosen to have a scorpion tattoo on his shoulder.

David Dimbleby

(Photograph by BBC via Guardian

I am happy for him!

 You are only old once - David Dimbleby 

He Chose a scorpion because of his star sign(which is not to say that he 'believes' in astrology), and because he liked the idea of it "sitting on my shoulder ready to attack my enemies". He also remarked: "You are only old once. I have always wanted a tattoo. I thought I might as well have it done now. It's a dream come true for me."

At this point I am proud to say, on behalf of my late former colleague, Dr Emma Lindley, that her research indicates that Dimbleby may not be unusual in this respect. It was principally Emma's work, supported by The Hanover Trust that lead to the report: What older people want: sex, skydiving and tatoos.

The overarching message of the report was that there is an enormous sense of playfulness and experimentation among older people. Dimbley, and his new scorpion, have many like-minded allies.

I have never wanted a tattoo, but I admire the spirit of doing what you really want to do before it's too late. What really matters is the scorpion tatoo you have on the inside...

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  • David has his Sun ('basic') sign in Scorpio, with Moon ('subconscious') sign in Capricorn and is a Chinese earth Tiger.

    According to my 36 years' research into human traits against 24k  'real' people, he should have some typical  traits, some of these are: charismatic, defiant, independent, dynamic, untrusting, judgemental, strong willed, vindictive, complicated, conservative, demanding, sensitive, temperamental and funny. These traits might help to explain David's decision to have his Scorpion tattoo and his portrayals at public performances.

    Unsurprisingly, his specific astrological combination of Scorpio/Capricorn/Tiger is shared by politicians Sun Yat-Sen and Jacqui Smith.  The key results of my research have now been published in my book: Zodiac Guide to Successful Relationships & Careers.



  • Hi Jonathan,

    'The spirit of doing what you really want to do before it’s too late' reminds me so much of Bill Murry's belated realisation in the film 'Groundhog Day' - that unless he makes a real effort to change, he'll be doomed to just repeat the same old habits, the same old day, over and over and over again....

    So he decides to force himself to start doing all the things he always meant to do - his equivalent of getting a scorpion tattoo.

    What I'd never realised about Bill Murray was that he is in fact a practitioner of GI Gurdjieff's 'Fourth Way' spiritual path - which is all about overcoming (or at least becoming aware of!) our unconconscious automaticity, our force of habit, and developing real will. So that whole film is in some ways a parable for Gurdjieff's key message of breaking our cycles and finally learning how to really 'do', I guess...

    -

    I was remembering Emma last night, as I was skating at Somerset House, near the RSA - with my wife, and some RSA colleagues. Last time lots of us went was two years ago - and I remember Emma, in particular, having a great time gliding around in those beautiful surroundings, and chatting with me about life, the universe and everything (and the usual relationship issues...).

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