Don't look directly into it, Lois.
March 10, 2007 12:31 PM Subscribe
Nudes! Nudes! Nudes! and more Nudes! Naturism is alive and well (and supporting the sunblock conspiracy).
I don't really get the concept of non-sexual nudism. I mean, other then sexual titillation, what's the point of being naked all the time?
posted by delmoi at 12:46 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by delmoi at 12:46 PM on March 10, 2007
Bad Naked - Unattractive actions performed in the nude such as crouching, coughing, straining to open a pickle jar or belt sanding. See Good Naked
posted by basicchannel at 12:47 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by basicchannel at 12:47 PM on March 10, 2007
delmoi, the there are multiple non-sexual reasons to be naked all the time:
1) Feeling superior to people who are "ashamed of their bodies"
2) Love of being chilly all the time
posted by DU at 12:52 PM on March 10, 2007 [2 favorites]
1) Feeling superior to people who are "ashamed of their bodies"
2) Love of being chilly all the time
posted by DU at 12:52 PM on March 10, 2007 [2 favorites]
That image of the elderly couple in the third link pretty much does the exact opposite of promoting nudism.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 12:55 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 12:55 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
There were some kooky ones there. But enjoying being clothing-free isn't necessarily weird. At least I don't think so. Delmoi, are you kidding? It feels good to feel the breeze and sun on your skin. Not that I especially want to do it with a bunch of strangers. It can be weird, especially when you are a young female, as I once was. I don't know about these group enthusiasts. Actually, I remember some famously kooky ones from Vancouver. Like this guy who is now a fully clothed real estate agent, apparently.
posted by Listener at 12:56 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by Listener at 12:56 PM on March 10, 2007
I always take my clothes off before posting to Metafilter.
posted by KokuRyu at 1:31 PM on March 10, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by KokuRyu at 1:31 PM on March 10, 2007 [2 favorites]
1) Feeling superior to people who are "ashamed of their bodies"
2) Love of being chilly all the time
Let us never forget 3) Getting your ass all over everything.
posted by Divine_Wino at 1:40 PM on March 10, 2007
2) Love of being chilly all the time
Let us never forget 3) Getting your ass all over everything.
posted by Divine_Wino at 1:40 PM on March 10, 2007
delmoi, the there are multiple non-sexual reasons to be naked all the time:
1) Feeling superior to people who are "ashamed of their bodies"
2) Love of being chilly all the time
3) The challenge of peeling off a head-to-toe skin-suit after a really nasty full-body sunburn?
obligatory "It puts the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again!"
posted by CKmtl at 1:40 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
1) Feeling superior to people who are "ashamed of their bodies"
2) Love of being chilly all the time
3) The challenge of peeling off a head-to-toe skin-suit after a really nasty full-body sunburn?
obligatory "It puts the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again!"
posted by CKmtl at 1:40 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
I used to think nudism was pretty weird. Then a nudist friend convinced me to try hanging out at a nude beach. Believe it or not, after a remarkably short time you stop noticing that everybody's OMG NAKED and you start just hanging out on the beach. Haven't done it since, but I can see how if you feel constricted by clothing (as my friend does) it would be an attractive way to spend time.
posted by languagehat at 1:41 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by languagehat at 1:41 PM on March 10, 2007
I grew up on the nude pebble beaches (quarries) of West Germany. It made me comfortable with my body in ways that I might otherwise not be. I wish more people would experience a similar dose of reality, if only to remove a bit of pretension from the world.
Having said that, thank goodness I didn't have to go to the nude beach as a teenager. *guffaw*
posted by furtive at 1:56 PM on March 10, 2007
Having said that, thank goodness I didn't have to go to the nude beach as a teenager. *guffaw*
posted by furtive at 1:56 PM on March 10, 2007
Wow, that comment about the older couple was exceptionally lame. They look very happy to me. It made me smile.
posted by Nelson at 1:57 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by Nelson at 1:57 PM on March 10, 2007
"Time to move on" - Not everywhere is naturism alive and well
posted by growabrain at 2:00 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by growabrain at 2:00 PM on March 10, 2007
I don't mind nudists, I just like having pockets. Plus Mark Twain's thoughts on the matter always summed it up for me: "Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society."
Anyway, the http://nudistbeginnings.blogspot.com/ is out there and it's not coming back. It has a cause and by god, it'sa going to find everything it can to support/prove/spread said cause
Choice quotes:
quoted from the essay Naked beneath your clothes:
"When people use clothing as a means of shutting out the world and covering up to stop the world from seeing their distorted inner self image, they create a tragedy of immense proportions."
.....
"Humans need clothing, don't they? Let's dispel the myth of clothing. A brief sampling of works by other authors makes it clear that living nude is more common than you may think."
.....
"When we finally are in a nude, we have no fabric to define us. We have the freedom of our own skin."
....
"Of course "first-time" is a misnomer. If you can read this, you were probably born nude."
WTF, is this where liberals go die?!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:00 PM on March 10, 2007
Anyway, the http://nudistbeginnings.blogspot.com/ is out there and it's not coming back. It has a cause and by god, it'sa going to find everything it can to support/prove/spread said cause
Choice quotes:
quoted from the essay Naked beneath your clothes:
"When people use clothing as a means of shutting out the world and covering up to stop the world from seeing their distorted inner self image, they create a tragedy of immense proportions."
.....
"Humans need clothing, don't they? Let's dispel the myth of clothing. A brief sampling of works by other authors makes it clear that living nude is more common than you may think."
.....
"When we finally are in a nude, we have no fabric to define us. We have the freedom of our own skin."
....
"Of course "first-time" is a misnomer. If you can read this, you were probably born nude."
WTF, is this where liberals go die?!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:00 PM on March 10, 2007
I really liked the older couple picture Enough to save it to my hard drive. It's nice to escape from society, even temporarily. This humanizes (or animalizes) them by eliminating all the signifiers that say things like "Ubiquitous Golf Course" or "Saskatchewan Wheat Pool" or "Isn't this cute!".
posted by Listener at 2:10 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by Listener at 2:10 PM on March 10, 2007
"Humans need clothing, don't they? Let's dispel the myth of clothing. A brief sampling of works by other authors makes it clear that living nude is more common than you may think."
Sure, it's great to live nude in tropical / slightly sub-tropical areas, or where you have good shelter and indoor heating. I bet wearing worked skins and furs (or this mythical "clothing") sure helped the spread and development of humans...
Let the nudists be nude, or curious people try it out... but c'mon now, that 'myth of clothing' stuff is just silly.
posted by CKmtl at 2:11 PM on March 10, 2007
Sure, it's great to live nude in tropical / slightly sub-tropical areas, or where you have good shelter and indoor heating. I bet wearing worked skins and furs (or this mythical "clothing") sure helped the spread and development of humans...
Let the nudists be nude, or curious people try it out... but c'mon now, that 'myth of clothing' stuff is just silly.
posted by CKmtl at 2:11 PM on March 10, 2007
Nothing turns me on to nudism more than old naked lady ass. It looks a full body puss-filled blister. Gonna take me a while to forget that.
posted by puke & cry at 2:13 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by puke & cry at 2:13 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
3) Getting your ass all over everything.
Everyone knows you are supposed to sit on a towel.
posted by Listener at 2:14 PM on March 10, 2007
Everyone knows you are supposed to sit on a towel.
posted by Listener at 2:14 PM on March 10, 2007
Nothing turns me on to nudism more than old naked lady ass. It looks a full body puss-filled blister.
That's your problem. Women aren't there for your pleasure so roll up your fuckedup attitudes and deal with it.
posted by Listener at 2:15 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
That's your problem. Women aren't there for your pleasure so roll up your fuckedup attitudes and deal with it.
posted by Listener at 2:15 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
It’s an EQUALIZER! When members take off their clothes, they don’t know a bank president from a bus driver.
But they sure know a gym trainer from a professional competitive eater.
posted by saraswati at 2:16 PM on March 10, 2007
But they sure know a gym trainer from a professional competitive eater.
posted by saraswati at 2:16 PM on March 10, 2007
"I don't really get the concept of non-sexual nudism. I mean, other then sexual titillation, what's the point of being naked all the time?"
I hate doing laundry.
I'm not a nudist, but I can understand the appeal. When it's warm, I don't particularly like getting dressed, and having swum (a word that always looks odd to me) naked, I can understand the appeal.
posted by klangklangston at 2:16 PM on March 10, 2007
I hate doing laundry.
I'm not a nudist, but I can understand the appeal. When it's warm, I don't particularly like getting dressed, and having swum (a word that always looks odd to me) naked, I can understand the appeal.
posted by klangklangston at 2:16 PM on March 10, 2007
Sorry Listener, if not enjoying naked old people makes me a bad guy I'm pretty ok with it. And I'm dealing with it nicely thanks.
posted by puke & cry at 2:31 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by puke & cry at 2:31 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
Nude Beach.
(Lest you think I'm anti-nude, I'm naked right now. Er. Anyway, when I was a kid, we lived on the beach near Evergreen State College, a bastion of liberal thought and generally hippiness. I was trudging along the beach one day, aged 13 or so, walked around a boulder and came upon two young ladies from the college sunbathing au natural.
Though in a better movie I would have been made "a man" that day instead of, er, beating an embarrassed retreat, I can still see every detail of their glorious forms in my mind's eye almost 30 years hence. The experience made me a lifetime fan of nudism.)
posted by maxwelton at 2:36 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
(Lest you think I'm anti-nude, I'm naked right now. Er. Anyway, when I was a kid, we lived on the beach near Evergreen State College, a bastion of liberal thought and generally hippiness. I was trudging along the beach one day, aged 13 or so, walked around a boulder and came upon two young ladies from the college sunbathing au natural.
Though in a better movie I would have been made "a man" that day instead of, er, beating an embarrassed retreat, I can still see every detail of their glorious forms in my mind's eye almost 30 years hence. The experience made me a lifetime fan of nudism.)
posted by maxwelton at 2:36 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
Nude beach.
What's the joke here? Is it that when he saw the beautiful naturist women, he abandoned his shame and flung the beach ball into the air? Or is it that his penis was acting as some sort of catapult device?
By which I mean, is this intentionally unfunny or accidentally unfunny?
posted by roll truck roll at 2:38 PM on March 10, 2007
What's the joke here? Is it that when he saw the beautiful naturist women, he abandoned his shame and flung the beach ball into the air? Or is it that his penis was acting as some sort of catapult device?
By which I mean, is this intentionally unfunny or accidentally unfunny?
posted by roll truck roll at 2:38 PM on March 10, 2007
First time I ever had to face this, I was 24 and went to a nude park off the Danube in Vienna. We weren't nude (you didn't have to be) but I was trying to be open minded & observe this little subculture without judgment. As I looked around, I saw an old man jogging... another man riding a bicycle... and then the piece de resistance, a middle aged, overweight mother of three, sitting cross-legged (facing me), stuffing herself with some kind of egg-salad sandwich that was inadvertently dripping on her naked lap. I closed my eyes tightly and wished to be teleported to a place that wouldn't make my retinas burn so.
In my personal experience, the people who like being naked in public are generally the people you REALLY DO NOT WANT TO SEE NAKED.
posted by miss lynnster at 2:41 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
In my personal experience, the people who like being naked in public are generally the people you REALLY DO NOT WANT TO SEE NAKED.
posted by miss lynnster at 2:41 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
::typing this while naked::
posted by miss lynnster at 2:43 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 2:43 PM on March 10, 2007
I'm not saying anything disparaging about the elderly couple in particular, I'm sure they're quite happy in a "This is the last enjoyable thing we can do naked" sort of way. I'm just saying if your goal is to promote nudism awareness and win new people over into the lifestyle reminding them of naked pasty wrinkled old ass is not the way to go about it.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 2:44 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 2:44 PM on March 10, 2007
Naturism seems ok, but I'd be afraid of catching a sunburn... you know... there.
I'd certainly freak out when it started to peel.
posted by clevershark at 2:47 PM on March 10, 2007
I'd certainly freak out when it started to peel.
posted by clevershark at 2:47 PM on March 10, 2007
miss lynnster: ...egg-salad sandwich that was inadvertently dripping on her naked lap.
See, I was okay with that scenario until that tidbit. Then I threw up in my mouth a little. Thanks. Why, oh why, couldn't it have been something non-chunky like icecream?
posted by CKmtl at 2:57 PM on March 10, 2007
See, I was okay with that scenario until that tidbit. Then I threw up in my mouth a little. Thanks. Why, oh why, couldn't it have been something non-chunky like icecream?
posted by CKmtl at 2:57 PM on March 10, 2007
You're asking ME? I'm the one spending the rest of my life with burned retinas...
posted by miss lynnster at 3:05 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 3:05 PM on March 10, 2007
Two other observations from trawling that site— It's hilarious how many people who go naked seem to really hate natural pubic hair. There's almost endless advice to trim or shave it all off.
The second thing was that they have a nude ATV/4wheeler club. Having burned my leg something fierce on an ATV by wearing shorts instead of jeans and brushing the side while shifting, this seems like an infinitely bad idea.
posted by klangklangston at 3:07 PM on March 10, 2007
The second thing was that they have a nude ATV/4wheeler club. Having burned my leg something fierce on an ATV by wearing shorts instead of jeans and brushing the side while shifting, this seems like an infinitely bad idea.
posted by klangklangston at 3:07 PM on March 10, 2007
Nudists are some of the biggest snobs on the planet. Sexual arousal = automatic banishment.
posted by Gnostic Novelist at 3:18 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by Gnostic Novelist at 3:18 PM on March 10, 2007
Though in a better movie I would have been made "a man" that day
Only if they were Swedish.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 3:19 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
Only if they were Swedish.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 3:19 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
no nude post is complete without my favorite nudist!
posted by lester's sock puppet at 3:48 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by lester's sock puppet at 3:48 PM on March 10, 2007
Wow. Well after getting a glimpse of your favorite nudist coming totally & completely unhinged, I'm sure feeling awfully happy to be the clothing-wearing, mostly-hinged girl that I am. Yikes.
posted by miss lynnster at 4:27 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 4:27 PM on March 10, 2007
There's some kinds of naked nobody needs to see. Everybody knows the solution to shirt cocking is the pants cannon.
posted by scalefree at 4:30 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by scalefree at 4:30 PM on March 10, 2007
Listen to David Sedaris read excerpts from his essay on nudism from his book Naked, courtesy of This American Life.
posted by squalor at 4:33 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by squalor at 4:33 PM on March 10, 2007
Huh. When viewing this thread without being logged in, there's a bunch of cat-related google ads. At first I thought it was weird to have cat ads pop up in relation to nudist/naturalist keywords... but after viewing Kring's site and video, maybe there is something to it.
(nudity + non-declawed cat = trouble. A guy once told me about getting to shower without closing the bathroom door. Cat wandered in while he was naked and bending over to test the water temperature before getting in... Cat mistook his nuts for a cat-toy.)
posted by CKmtl at 4:41 PM on March 10, 2007
(nudity + non-declawed cat = trouble. A guy once told me about getting to shower without closing the bathroom door. Cat wandered in while he was naked and bending over to test the water temperature before getting in... Cat mistook his nuts for a cat-toy.)
posted by CKmtl at 4:41 PM on March 10, 2007
Well according to the video I linked to above, "Goddess Kring" is apparently doing heavy mourning for her cat... who died. Oh, and the death of her dad's cat. And the death of her other friend's cat. And the death of her grandmother. Who probably had a cat too. And the death of her abusive but sexually-charged relationships. Which may or may not have involved cats but nothing would surprise me.
posted by miss lynnster at 5:00 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 5:00 PM on March 10, 2007
That image of the elderly couple in the third link pretty much does the exact opposite of promoting nudism.
Lamer.
posted by five fresh fish at 5:01 PM on March 10, 2007
Lamer.
posted by five fresh fish at 5:01 PM on March 10, 2007
Nothing turns me on to nudism more than old naked lady ass. It looks a full body puss-filled blister. Gonna take me a while to forget that.
Idiot.
posted by five fresh fish at 5:02 PM on March 10, 2007
Idiot.
posted by five fresh fish at 5:02 PM on March 10, 2007
other then sexual titillation, what's the point of being naked all the time?
Clothing = Uniform
Uniform = Prison
Nudity = Freedom
At least for me. It's non-erotic. Even sporting a contemporary haircut is, in a way, bowing to sociocultural pressure. Dreadlocks1 or a shaved head would be a plus - I'd be even more "me".
NO GIFS
[1] Dreadlocks, not "braids"
posted by sidereal at 5:05 PM on March 10, 2007
Clothing = Uniform
Uniform = Prison
Nudity = Freedom
At least for me. It's non-erotic. Even sporting a contemporary haircut is, in a way, bowing to sociocultural pressure. Dreadlocks1 or a shaved head would be a plus - I'd be even more "me".
NO GIFS
[1] Dreadlocks, not "braids"
posted by sidereal at 5:05 PM on March 10, 2007
Vis-a-vis your favorite nudist: isn't it jonmc who loves shag carpet? [warning: NSFW] This one's for you, jonmc.
posted by jayder at 5:11 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by jayder at 5:11 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
I feel bad about how I expressed myself in that last post. It's been bugging me all day. I hate dealing with people. Apologies for lashing out. I felt it strongly and should have expressed it differently.
Um: if not enjoying naked old people makes me a bad guy
No, you said old LADY, originally. It's a sexism thing. I hope you see a hell of a lot more old woman butts, like 100 a day, 'til the end of time. That is my wish for you. :P
Those nude old people were ADORABLE.
They were!!!
posted by Listener at 5:19 PM on March 10, 2007
Um: if not enjoying naked old people makes me a bad guy
No, you said old LADY, originally. It's a sexism thing. I hope you see a hell of a lot more old woman butts, like 100 a day, 'til the end of time. That is my wish for you. :P
Those nude old people were ADORABLE.
They were!!!
posted by Listener at 5:19 PM on March 10, 2007
"Everyone knows you are supposed to sit on a towel."
That's what pants are for. It's like having a towel that places itself wherever you sit nanoseconds before you sit there.
I'm gonna test this theory. I'm gonna go right now and get a towel, and then I'm gonna take all my clothes off. And then I'm gonna set the towel on my chair. Then I'm gonna post to MetaFilter.
..be righhhhhhht back!
posted by ZachsMind at 5:22 PM on March 10, 2007
That's what pants are for. It's like having a towel that places itself wherever you sit nanoseconds before you sit there.
I'm gonna test this theory. I'm gonna go right now and get a towel, and then I'm gonna take all my clothes off. And then I'm gonna set the towel on my chair. Then I'm gonna post to MetaFilter.
..be righhhhhhht back!
posted by ZachsMind at 5:22 PM on March 10, 2007
I'm sorry, sidereal, but I have to ignore any sentence with the phrase "bowing to sociocultural pressure" in it. Furthermore, my clothing is not a uniform, and even if it were, it's only as much of a prison as I make it. One might say our bodies are the true uniforms...
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 5:25 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 5:25 PM on March 10, 2007
I'm just saying if your goal is to promote nudism awareness and win new people over into the lifestyle reminding them of naked pasty wrinkled old ass is not the way to go about it.
Yeah, but nudists are probably the last to be about marketing and putting up a false front (just a trimmed front, heh) and so the picture is perfect for driving away the kind of people who would be unwelcome in the community? Just guessing here. Maybe showing the *least* acceptable bodies is a way of welcoming most of us and not just the pretty ones?
When I went to Wreck Beach I was quite young and I was shocked to see 40 and 50 year old bodies hanging out all over the place.
posted by Listener at 5:28 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
Yeah, but nudists are probably the last to be about marketing and putting up a false front (just a trimmed front, heh) and so the picture is perfect for driving away the kind of people who would be unwelcome in the community? Just guessing here. Maybe showing the *least* acceptable bodies is a way of welcoming most of us and not just the pretty ones?
When I went to Wreck Beach I was quite young and I was shocked to see 40 and 50 year old bodies hanging out all over the place.
posted by Listener at 5:28 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
I am now posting these words completely naked, except for a towel that is between me and the chair.
...
I think this experiment proves that there is absolutely no difference between being clothed and being naked, in regards to posting to MetaFilter. In fact it's rather silly not to dress up for MetaFilter, even if no one sees you. I mean, for all you know, I didn't bother taking off my clothes, and I'm just lying for comic effect. I hereby recommend, based on this experience, that people should wear clothes when posting to MetaFilter, but there certainly is no way to police this. So you do what works best for you. I just think nudist posting is rather silly, having experienced it.
...
I'm going to go put my clothes back on now.
posted by ZachsMind at 5:29 PM on March 10, 2007
...
I think this experiment proves that there is absolutely no difference between being clothed and being naked, in regards to posting to MetaFilter. In fact it's rather silly not to dress up for MetaFilter, even if no one sees you. I mean, for all you know, I didn't bother taking off my clothes, and I'm just lying for comic effect. I hereby recommend, based on this experience, that people should wear clothes when posting to MetaFilter, but there certainly is no way to police this. So you do what works best for you. I just think nudist posting is rather silly, having experienced it.
...
I'm going to go put my clothes back on now.
posted by ZachsMind at 5:29 PM on March 10, 2007
Maybe showing the *least* acceptable bodies is a way of welcoming most of us and not just the pretty ones?
Yes, I think the entire point is that you don't care what your own or anyone else's body looks like. Nudism is a way of being, not a way of showing off your perfect body.
posted by languagehat at 5:32 PM on March 10, 2007
Yes, I think the entire point is that you don't care what your own or anyone else's body looks like. Nudism is a way of being, not a way of showing off your perfect body.
posted by languagehat at 5:32 PM on March 10, 2007
Huh. You know, I'm going to have to try posting to Metafilter NOT naked. Don't think I've ever done that.
Be right back.
posted by miss lynnster at 5:33 PM on March 10, 2007
Be right back.
posted by miss lynnster at 5:33 PM on March 10, 2007
BLF, you're wearing a uniform whether you know it or not. Sociocultural blow me :)
posted by sidereal at 5:39 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by sidereal at 5:39 PM on March 10, 2007
I don't get the nudism + shaving thing. Surely if nudism is meant to celebrate the body or free folks who participate from their inhibitions about their odies, the real truth would be presenting the body completely as it is, with hair in those places it grows naturally?
posted by maxwelton at 5:58 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by maxwelton at 5:58 PM on March 10, 2007
sidereal, damn... you caught on. All us clothing-wearing conformist sheep have been trying to baa away the snowflake that you are. And those of us that aren't actively trying to baa away your uniqueness are just going with the flow, because our little wooly minds aren't as actualized as yours. I'll have to alert The Shepherd. [eyeroll]
If you want to be naked, wear your hair in dreads, or have 3-inch washers in your earlobes, rock on. You do that. It doesn't make you some advanced form of consciousness though.
Perhaps people could do with being more comfortable with their bodies and self-image. If nudism helps some people in that way, rock on again. But it's not the Only Way.
I doubt the Inuit are bemoaning their lack of freedom from their clothes, and would go out fishing on the ice bareassed if only The Man weren't keeping them down.
posted by CKmtl at 5:59 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
If you want to be naked, wear your hair in dreads, or have 3-inch washers in your earlobes, rock on. You do that. It doesn't make you some advanced form of consciousness though.
Perhaps people could do with being more comfortable with their bodies and self-image. If nudism helps some people in that way, rock on again. But it's not the Only Way.
I doubt the Inuit are bemoaning their lack of freedom from their clothes, and would go out fishing on the ice bareassed if only The Man weren't keeping them down.
posted by CKmtl at 5:59 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
I was trying to tell Delmoi why I do it, not persuade anyone else. (My second comment is a Lenny Bruce paraphrase). As you say, rock on. I can't get my shorts in a bunch about it because, well...
posted by sidereal at 6:06 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by sidereal at 6:06 PM on March 10, 2007
I was trying to tell Delmoi why I do it, not persuade anyone else.
Fine, but when you use the phrase "bowing to sociocultural pressure" and the whole "clothes = uniform = non-freedom" thing... it comes off as nudist preaching and claimed superiority.
posted by CKmtl at 6:15 PM on March 10, 2007
Fine, but when you use the phrase "bowing to sociocultural pressure" and the whole "clothes = uniform = non-freedom" thing... it comes off as nudist preaching and claimed superiority.
posted by CKmtl at 6:15 PM on March 10, 2007
According to David Sedaris, you keep the pubes trim because when you're sitting around the house naked, the hairs end up on everything.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 6:17 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 6:17 PM on March 10, 2007
I think this experiment proves that there is absolutely no difference between being clothed and being naked, in regards to posting to MetaFilter.
Well, that's the first time I've ever noticed that ZachsMind has a really flabby ASCII.
posted by swell at 6:19 PM on March 10, 2007 [2 favorites]
Well, that's the first time I've ever noticed that ZachsMind has a really flabby ASCII.
posted by swell at 6:19 PM on March 10, 2007 [2 favorites]
I don't really like the idea of running around without clothes, myself. I like that most of my body is protected against brushing up against things, having insects land on it, getting sunburned, etc. It's like running around without shoes, which tends to lend inevitably to me stubbing my toes or stepping on something pointy.
I tend to think having some light protection against the world's unpleasantries makes me freer, not less. I sure as hell wouldn't want to try hiking through the underbrush undressed.
But that's just my personal preference.
posted by Mitrovarr at 6:22 PM on March 10, 2007
I tend to think having some light protection against the world's unpleasantries makes me freer, not less. I sure as hell wouldn't want to try hiking through the underbrush undressed.
But that's just my personal preference.
posted by Mitrovarr at 6:22 PM on March 10, 2007
Few people hike through underbrush, Mitrovarr, unless they've made a big mistake.
Mind, if they'd been naked in the first place, he probably wouldn't have persisted in continuing downhill. He'd probably have looked a bit more closely for the trail, which, when they'd finally scrambled back up the damned slope, wasn't really all that difficult to spot.
Er, not that I'd know anything about such things.
Still, naked in the sunshine on the top of a mountain, there's nothing much finer than that.
posted by five fresh fish at 6:51 PM on March 10, 2007
Mind, if they'd been naked in the first place, he probably wouldn't have persisted in continuing downhill. He'd probably have looked a bit more closely for the trail, which, when they'd finally scrambled back up the damned slope, wasn't really all that difficult to spot.
Er, not that I'd know anything about such things.
Still, naked in the sunshine on the top of a mountain, there's nothing much finer than that.
posted by five fresh fish at 6:51 PM on March 10, 2007
five fresh fish: Few people hike through underbrush, Mitrovarr, unless they've made a big mistake.
Well, I do, because I like to do a bit of botany and mycology when I'm out in the wilderness, and that means getting off the trail to go examine things. Also, sometimes I hike up and down rivers looking for places to fish.
Maybe it's just me, but I think I'd get scratched to hell even staying on the trail. I've come home from short backpacking expeditions with lots of scratches all over my exposed arms. I'd hate to see what kind of shape my legs would be in without pants.
Plus, it keeps off the mosquitos and bees.
posted by Mitrovarr at 7:00 PM on March 10, 2007
Well, I do, because I like to do a bit of botany and mycology when I'm out in the wilderness, and that means getting off the trail to go examine things. Also, sometimes I hike up and down rivers looking for places to fish.
Maybe it's just me, but I think I'd get scratched to hell even staying on the trail. I've come home from short backpacking expeditions with lots of scratches all over my exposed arms. I'd hate to see what kind of shape my legs would be in without pants.
Plus, it keeps off the mosquitos and bees.
posted by Mitrovarr at 7:00 PM on March 10, 2007
Do nudists wear shoes? Because people don't have hobbit feet, and shouldn't.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 7:00 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 7:00 PM on March 10, 2007
Whenever I go to a beach, lake or hot springs, I prefer to be nude, if it's an option. It simply feels more refreshing and relaxing. And it's not a big deal, regardless of how hot or not the crowd is (and it's usually a mix.) You get used to it like any other social situation.
Still, naked in the sunshine on the top of a mountain, there's nothing much finer than that.
Hear, hear!
posted by homunculus at 7:11 PM on March 10, 2007
Still, naked in the sunshine on the top of a mountain, there's nothing much finer than that.
Hear, hear!
posted by homunculus at 7:11 PM on March 10, 2007
Truth is, I've only hiked nekkid a couple of times, Mitrovarr. It really wasn't a great thrill. Backpacks and bare skin are not companionable.
posted by five fresh fish at 7:27 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by five fresh fish at 7:27 PM on March 10, 2007
Hot-tubbing is infinitely better when naked. Enough so to warrant purchasing a hot-tub.
Come to think of it, hot-tubbing while wearing a swimsuit is like showering while wearing a swimsuit.
And were it not for a silly paranoia about the feeding habits of fish, and a distaste for slimy weeds, lord knows how gross it would be to have them slithering along one's groin, omg!, I'd probably say swimming while wearing a swimsuit is silly. But I can't.
Taking the risk of skin cancer to get tan lines is beyond stupid. Suntanning requires being nekkid. Being exposed to UV is the whole point of the process.
posted by five fresh fish at 7:37 PM on March 10, 2007
Come to think of it, hot-tubbing while wearing a swimsuit is like showering while wearing a swimsuit.
And were it not for a silly paranoia about the feeding habits of fish, and a distaste for slimy weeds, lord knows how gross it would be to have them slithering along one's groin, omg!, I'd probably say swimming while wearing a swimsuit is silly. But I can't.
Taking the risk of skin cancer to get tan lines is beyond stupid. Suntanning requires being nekkid. Being exposed to UV is the whole point of the process.
posted by five fresh fish at 7:37 PM on March 10, 2007
"I think this experiment proves that there is absolutely no difference between being clothed and being naked, in regards to posting to MetaFilter. In fact it's rather silly not to dress up for MetaFilter, even if no one sees you."
I've heard that the cabal (IF THEY EXISTED) would always visit Mefi sans pants.
Again, this is just what I've heard of the non-existent cabal.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:47 PM on March 10, 2007
I've heard that the cabal (IF THEY EXISTED) would always visit Mefi sans pants.
Again, this is just what I've heard of the non-existent cabal.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:47 PM on March 10, 2007
I participated in a Naked for Peace sign when I was younger and it was a blast. It is not necessarily something I would do regularly (and I haven't in the last five years), but it is a lot more invigorating then I anticipated.
A friend of mine really talked me into it and I've always been grateful for it. Sadly, none of the aerial photographs turned-out well (which is unfortunate since hundreds of people participated) but that's hardly the point.
posted by purephase at 7:52 PM on March 10, 2007
A friend of mine really talked me into it and I've always been grateful for it. Sadly, none of the aerial photographs turned-out well (which is unfortunate since hundreds of people participated) but that's hardly the point.
posted by purephase at 7:52 PM on March 10, 2007
I personally don't have any problem with being naked in public, and I don't really have any problem if people did it wherever they went. Then again, I'm a fan of hard-to-reach natural hotsprings, and those are pretty much by default nudist or clothing-optional.
There's reasons why such hotsprings are clothing optional - one, clothes can carry more dirt and such into the spring, two, wet clothes and towels are HEAVY and hard to pack, and even less fun to wear on the hike out. Three, since it's a HOT spring, you go in it naked and pretty much stay in until you're done, because getting out sucks. When you do get out, all the water flash-dries from you because it's so hot, and you've been in there all day and the sun went down hours ago.
So, the rule of thumb is "If you don't want to see it, don't look." It's really your choice whether or not you want to stare at someone's naked junk. There are many other places to look.
I realize that for some people idoing so is going to be a difficult exercise in zenlike self-control, but, really, it's not that hard. Look elsewhere. Or just stare at it, you apparently want to. Just quit bitching about it.
It's just people, man. They're funny looking. Go stand naked in front of the mirror and tell me with a straight face that that shit isn't funny looking. Yeah, I thought so.
However, this rule of thumb would quickly break down if everyone started walking around naked. I doubt I would ever ride a bus sitting down or with my eyes open ever again.
But I seriously doubt people are going to start walking around naked any time soon. Clothes are useful. I like pockets. I like shoes, I really like shoes, they keep my feet safe and not poked at by glass, thorns, splinters, etc. Hats keep the rain off. Underpants keep the bees off.
posted by loquacious at 7:55 PM on March 10, 2007
There's reasons why such hotsprings are clothing optional - one, clothes can carry more dirt and such into the spring, two, wet clothes and towels are HEAVY and hard to pack, and even less fun to wear on the hike out. Three, since it's a HOT spring, you go in it naked and pretty much stay in until you're done, because getting out sucks. When you do get out, all the water flash-dries from you because it's so hot, and you've been in there all day and the sun went down hours ago.
So, the rule of thumb is "If you don't want to see it, don't look." It's really your choice whether or not you want to stare at someone's naked junk. There are many other places to look.
I realize that for some people idoing so is going to be a difficult exercise in zenlike self-control, but, really, it's not that hard. Look elsewhere. Or just stare at it, you apparently want to. Just quit bitching about it.
It's just people, man. They're funny looking. Go stand naked in front of the mirror and tell me with a straight face that that shit isn't funny looking. Yeah, I thought so.
However, this rule of thumb would quickly break down if everyone started walking around naked. I doubt I would ever ride a bus sitting down or with my eyes open ever again.
But I seriously doubt people are going to start walking around naked any time soon. Clothes are useful. I like pockets. I like shoes, I really like shoes, they keep my feet safe and not poked at by glass, thorns, splinters, etc. Hats keep the rain off. Underpants keep the bees off.
posted by loquacious at 7:55 PM on March 10, 2007
"So how does one go about finding a nude house cleaner? There isn't exactly a listing in the yellow pages."
posted by pwb503 at 7:56 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by pwb503 at 7:56 PM on March 10, 2007
No, you said old LADY, originally. It's a sexism thing. I hope you see a hell of a lot more old woman butts, like 100 a day, 'til the end of time. That is my wish for you. :P
Oh, well that's not how it was meant. I don't like old naked man ass either. The lady was just the first thing I focused on.
posted by puke & cry at 8:01 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
Oh, well that's not how it was meant. I don't like old naked man ass either. The lady was just the first thing I focused on.
posted by puke & cry at 8:01 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
Towelie says, "When you go to the nude beach, don't forget to bring a towel!"
posted by saladpants at 8:10 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by saladpants at 8:10 PM on March 10, 2007
I'll say it again. Nudity is a-ok, but not when combined (cross-legged) with egg salad. Just trust me on this, people.
posted by miss lynnster at 8:25 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 8:25 PM on March 10, 2007
The yolks on you, miss lynnster. It was all a test!
posted by five fresh fish at 9:38 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by five fresh fish at 9:38 PM on March 10, 2007
I failed then. And auf deutsch, no less.
Blanke Leute sind haßlich und furchtsam!!! Ach mein Gott im Himmel.
posted by miss lynnster at 9:52 PM on March 10, 2007
Blanke Leute sind haßlich und furchtsam!!! Ach mein Gott im Himmel.
posted by miss lynnster at 9:52 PM on March 10, 2007
Funny thing... I wanted to see how babelfish would translate that sentence ("Naked people are ugly & scary!!! Oh my God in heaven.") back to me. And here's what it said: "Bright people are hasslich and fear SAM!!! Oh my God in the sky."
So I am wondering who Sam is... and if he's naked.
posted by miss lynnster at 9:56 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
So I am wondering who Sam is... and if he's naked.
posted by miss lynnster at 9:56 PM on March 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
I like my spiderman underpants too darn much.
posted by jimmythefish at 10:49 PM on March 10, 2007
posted by jimmythefish at 10:49 PM on March 10, 2007
I've only hiked nekkid a couple of times, Mitrovarr. It really wasn't a great thrill. Backpacks and bare skin are not companionable.
Used to do 1-2 week hikes alone in some fairly rough country, and it's the between-times where you get to enjoy the nudity. Hadn't even planned it the first time. Just found it hot, miles from anywhere, and a nice sunny day. So there I am, not a stitch of clothing, chopping firewood by a stream in the afternoon sun. It was great.
Fortunately, for whatever reason I decided to don some clothes only about ten minutes before a Boy Scout troup marched by.
posted by dreamsign at 3:36 AM on March 11, 2007
Used to do 1-2 week hikes alone in some fairly rough country, and it's the between-times where you get to enjoy the nudity. Hadn't even planned it the first time. Just found it hot, miles from anywhere, and a nice sunny day. So there I am, not a stitch of clothing, chopping firewood by a stream in the afternoon sun. It was great.
Fortunately, for whatever reason I decided to don some clothes only about ten minutes before a Boy Scout troup marched by.
posted by dreamsign at 3:36 AM on March 11, 2007
Also: Wreck Beach is weird. I can't handle that "shirt cocking" stuff (hey, new term for me).
posted by dreamsign at 3:37 AM on March 11, 2007
posted by dreamsign at 3:37 AM on March 11, 2007
I've done the nude beach thing. It's fun and it's amajor confidence booster. Most people look better naked than clothed.
posted by jonmc at 5:26 AM on March 11, 2007
posted by jonmc at 5:26 AM on March 11, 2007
I was only kidding about saying naked people were ugly & scary by the way... I only meant naked people with egg salad sandwiches (obviously I really like some people naked). Thing is, my German vocabulary is limited though.
posted by miss lynnster at 6:22 AM on March 11, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 6:22 AM on March 11, 2007
I would be absolutely willing to bet that the majority of people here who are going "EWWWWW NAKED OLD MAN ASS" have either never been in a situation where there is casual public nudity, or were only in that situation for a few minutes.
Nude beaches are fun. Social nudity is pleasant. (In the right context; for example, I'm not a fan of the perennial nude contingent in Toronto's Pride parade. There is a time and a place for everything, and while I certainly think that we in North America need to become rather more relaxed about the human body, parading down the street in the middle of the day, naked, is not that time or place wherever in the world you are.)
The thing about social nudity is that within 5-10 minutes, you completely forget that everyone's naked. It's just people.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 7:56 AM on March 11, 2007
Nude beaches are fun. Social nudity is pleasant. (In the right context; for example, I'm not a fan of the perennial nude contingent in Toronto's Pride parade. There is a time and a place for everything, and while I certainly think that we in North America need to become rather more relaxed about the human body, parading down the street in the middle of the day, naked, is not that time or place wherever in the world you are.)
The thing about social nudity is that within 5-10 minutes, you completely forget that everyone's naked. It's just people.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 7:56 AM on March 11, 2007
(Of course, nude cross-legged egg-salad-sandwich eating is exempt. That's just... wrong. Clothed or not.)
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 8:35 AM on March 11, 2007
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 8:35 AM on March 11, 2007
Also: Wreck Beach is weird. I can't handle that "shirt cocking" stuff (hey, new term for me).
Define, please.
I suppose there are still people who sleep in pjamas, too.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:07 AM on March 11, 2007
Define, please.
I suppose there are still people who sleep in pjamas, too.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:07 AM on March 11, 2007
Ah. That's not nudism; it's man-whoring. Which, from what I know of Wreck Beach, isn't unusual.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:31 AM on March 11, 2007
posted by five fresh fish at 10:31 AM on March 11, 2007
saraswati: "But they sure know a gym trainer from a professional competitive eater."
Methinks you haven't seen pictures of the world-champion hot-dog eater. He's more built than any trainer I've ever seen. Less bodyfat, too.
posted by koeselitz at 11:44 AM on March 11, 2007
Methinks you haven't seen pictures of the world-champion hot-dog eater. He's more built than any trainer I've ever seen. Less bodyfat, too.
posted by koeselitz at 11:44 AM on March 11, 2007
I briefly embraced nudism and felt it was very liberating and empowering. However it all ended in tears, and since the incident I'm not allowed to shop at Wal-Mart anymore.
posted by clevershark at 8:32 PM on March 11, 2007
posted by clevershark at 8:32 PM on March 11, 2007
The promoters of nudism must own stock in companies that make bug repellent and sunblock.
posted by bad grammar at 8:34 PM on March 11, 2007
posted by bad grammar at 8:34 PM on March 11, 2007
Poagao: Perhaps because only white people have the strong body taboo? Pretty obvious, I should think.
I like being nude outdoors. I've typed in threads where it's come up before. However, I have to disagree with Jonmc about people looking better nude--If 'better' means sexier. I find them more attractive clothed. I likes me a hint of mystery.
To whoever it was going on (and on) about the naked old lady ass: LOL! Thou fool ! One day you too shall have an ugly old ass. And you shall discover yourself naked, in public, for all to behold your ugliness.
posted by Goofyy at 8:19 AM on March 12, 2007
I like being nude outdoors. I've typed in threads where it's come up before. However, I have to disagree with Jonmc about people looking better nude--If 'better' means sexier. I find them more attractive clothed. I likes me a hint of mystery.
To whoever it was going on (and on) about the naked old lady ass: LOL! Thou fool ! One day you too shall have an ugly old ass. And you shall discover yourself naked, in public, for all to behold your ugliness.
posted by Goofyy at 8:19 AM on March 12, 2007
The promoters of nudism must own stock in companies that make bug repellent and sunblock.
The promoters of textilism must own stock in companies that make clothes.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 10:24 AM on March 13, 2007
The promoters of textilism must own stock in companies that make clothes.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 10:24 AM on March 13, 2007
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posted by rasmusnor at 12:37 PM on March 10, 2007