RubySoho
Winston
The Right to Bare Arms (and Legs and Everything in Between)?
July 16th 2007 15:27
MSNBC: Vermont town considers banning nudity
I’m not offended by nudity or sexuality. Unlike millions of Americans who apparently believe that a .02 second glimpse of Janet Jackson’s nipple caused irreparable harm to their children, I don’t think nudity is something to be all that upset about. Sure, I don’t want kids seeing overtly sexual acts at too young an age – that really might cause some problems. But glimpsing a nipple slip? C’mon. With all the violence in TV and movies today, do we really think that boobs and butts are what is ripping apart the fabric of society?
Not only am I not overly troubled by nudity, but the libertarian streak (no pun intended) in me favors allowing people to have all manner of personal rights and liberties, provided that those rights cause no harm to anyone else. Therefore, it is with some reluctance that I find myself leaning towards agreement with the town of Brattleboro, VT., in considering banning public nudity.
The side of me that agrees with the proposed ban feels that, just as Board member Dick DeGray says in the article, "just because you can” stroll around naked downtown, it “doesn't mean you should." If you’re a 68-year-old man, chances are that the townsfolk don’t want to see your frank and beans hanging out when they run to the pharmacy. There's a time and a place for everything, including stripping down. Sure, if you’re a 22-year-old female, blond swimsuit model, you’ll probably get less complaints about wearing nothing but a smile in public, but still…
One teen in the article opposes the ban, because he and his friends like swimming naked at the swimming hole. However, there is a big difference between whipping off your swim trunks at the local swimming hole with a few friends and sitting naked outside the Starbucks downtown. The biggest problem isn't that the majority of people in the world aren’t all that much fun to see naked (and I put myself in this category). No, the biggest problem is that it makes people uncomfortable, because our society does not embrace public nudity. When confronted with such a sight, many people go into hyper-confusion mode: where to look? how to act? We’re not prepared to deal with public nudity in America. There's still too much Quaker modesty in us, despite our fascination with MTV and sexy beer commercials. It's one of the great paradoxes of American culture. Besides, with TV and movies you can just change the channel, but if you need groceries you need groceries, naked man outside the store or no. The unease caused by seeing naked people, in close proximity and in public places, is significant for many. Which leads to the part of me that disagrees with the ban….
We all have genitalia. Every last prudish one of us. Somehow, somewhere along the line, we got the idea that these parts of ourselves were super-top-secret items. We are alternately fascinated, excited and repulsed by the idea of seeing something on someone else that we have on ourselves, that our parents have, and that presidents and peasants have. Our entire advertising media industry runs on the idea of exploiting our titillation concerning the human form. Is this healthy? I think that it is not. Something as natural as the human body should not be so mystifying. Public nudity certainly shouldn't inspire the horror that it does in most places in this country; no one is seeing anything that they haven't seen before (well, unless there's some very unique nudists out there). Perhaps Vermont has been on the right track all along by trying to break down conventional objections to what is, in the end, something completely harmless and natural.
But, then again, there are lots of people I just don’t want to see naked. Ever. I'm not offended by it, anymore than I'm offended by the fashion makeover or home decorating shows that my wife likes to watch on occasion. I just don't find seeing certain shows (or bodies) enjoyable. The difference is, unlike when my wife watches those shows, with public nudity I can't just go in the other room and watch a Godzilla movie. I'm forced to see it if I need to be where the naked people are (although that's OK if it's that blond swimsuit model I mentioned earlier). So, what ultimately is the problem? Do people who like being nude have to stay covered up, or does society have to loosen up and realize that the human body is no big deal?
What do you think?
I’m not offended by nudity or sexuality. Unlike millions of Americans who apparently believe that a .02 second glimpse of Janet Jackson’s nipple caused irreparable harm to their children, I don’t think nudity is something to be all that upset about. Sure, I don’t want kids seeing overtly sexual acts at too young an age – that really might cause some problems. But glimpsing a nipple slip? C’mon. With all the violence in TV and movies today, do we really think that boobs and butts are what is ripping apart the fabric of society?
Not only am I not overly troubled by nudity, but the libertarian streak (no pun intended) in me favors allowing people to have all manner of personal rights and liberties, provided that those rights cause no harm to anyone else. Therefore, it is with some reluctance that I find myself leaning towards agreement with the town of Brattleboro, VT., in considering banning public nudity.
The side of me that agrees with the proposed ban feels that, just as Board member Dick DeGray says in the article, "just because you can” stroll around naked downtown, it “doesn't mean you should." If you’re a 68-year-old man, chances are that the townsfolk don’t want to see your frank and beans hanging out when they run to the pharmacy. There's a time and a place for everything, including stripping down. Sure, if you’re a 22-year-old female, blond swimsuit model, you’ll probably get less complaints about wearing nothing but a smile in public, but still…
One teen in the article opposes the ban, because he and his friends like swimming naked at the swimming hole. However, there is a big difference between whipping off your swim trunks at the local swimming hole with a few friends and sitting naked outside the Starbucks downtown. The biggest problem isn't that the majority of people in the world aren’t all that much fun to see naked (and I put myself in this category). No, the biggest problem is that it makes people uncomfortable, because our society does not embrace public nudity. When confronted with such a sight, many people go into hyper-confusion mode: where to look? how to act? We’re not prepared to deal with public nudity in America. There's still too much Quaker modesty in us, despite our fascination with MTV and sexy beer commercials. It's one of the great paradoxes of American culture. Besides, with TV and movies you can just change the channel, but if you need groceries you need groceries, naked man outside the store or no. The unease caused by seeing naked people, in close proximity and in public places, is significant for many. Which leads to the part of me that disagrees with the ban….
We all have genitalia. Every last prudish one of us. Somehow, somewhere along the line, we got the idea that these parts of ourselves were super-top-secret items. We are alternately fascinated, excited and repulsed by the idea of seeing something on someone else that we have on ourselves, that our parents have, and that presidents and peasants have. Our entire advertising media industry runs on the idea of exploiting our titillation concerning the human form. Is this healthy? I think that it is not. Something as natural as the human body should not be so mystifying. Public nudity certainly shouldn't inspire the horror that it does in most places in this country; no one is seeing anything that they haven't seen before (well, unless there's some very unique nudists out there). Perhaps Vermont has been on the right track all along by trying to break down conventional objections to what is, in the end, something completely harmless and natural.
But, then again, there are lots of people I just don’t want to see naked. Ever. I'm not offended by it, anymore than I'm offended by the fashion makeover or home decorating shows that my wife likes to watch on occasion. I just don't find seeing certain shows (or bodies) enjoyable. The difference is, unlike when my wife watches those shows, with public nudity I can't just go in the other room and watch a Godzilla movie. I'm forced to see it if I need to be where the naked people are (although that's OK if it's that blond swimsuit model I mentioned earlier). So, what ultimately is the problem? Do people who like being nude have to stay covered up, or does society have to loosen up and realize that the human body is no big deal?
What do you think?
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Comment by Onesnap
It's always amusing to me how many fines etc came out of the Janet J incident, and how it made us look even dumber to other countries.
I myself would not mind naked Yoplait commercials here in the US.
Although the last time I was at a beach that allowed nudity it was only the 60 crowd that was naked (I was a teenager, it has scarred me for life).
*shivers*
Anyway, we just need to stop being so uptight about nudity in our media. A little naked never hurt anyone.
Comment by youranter
youranter
Opinions
opinionatedranter
Tales From The Green Lantern
Great post. I loved it. I'll keep my nudity inside for me and the wife, thank you very much.
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
Although you're right, in nudist situations it seems like it's always the senior citizens who seem ready to drop their drawers first. Those crazy, perverted octogenarians!
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
Still, there's a difference between not wanting to see it and getting hysterical over it. I do think that public nudity in settings such as a downtown is not the best idea. However, I also don't think that nudity deserves the hysterical reactions it gets around here sometimes. It might not be pretty, but it certainly isn't "dirty" or "pornographic". That's what worries me about this ban (even though I sympathize with it). Do bans like this just reinforce the notion that human bodies are a source of shame? The most rational part of me says that seeing a naked person should be entirely inconsequential. But man, there's another part of my brain that would object strenuously to seeing certain people in the buff.
Thanks for the comment!
Comment by Achilliez_Heel
World opinion of the US.
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WhatEver~
Food~for~Thought
Comment by Onesnap
I just thought of this...There's some funny bumper stickers out there for various nudist colonies in New England *draws a blank*
I have no idea what they are and one of my former co-workers (in the 60 crowd, and I guess a nudist in his spare time) had one of the coffee mugs. Again, not one of the co-workers you would want to see naked.
I remember in Elementary School there was a family in my town who gardened in the nude. That particular family was odd, and the kids never wore underware on the merry-go-round (free peep shows for little kids, not good).
I had a conversation recently with my next door neighbor about nude beaches (we joke about stuff like this in our 'hood all of the time, we're pretty silly/preverted) We decided that keeping your bathing suit on means less sunscreen and less risk of burning your tender parts.
Comment by Wendi
What a great topic! And wow, so hard to choose a side!
I'm not a prude by any means, but I do believe there's a time and a place for everyting. Want to sun-bathe naked in your back yard? Go for it. Want to dance naked in the living room? Have at it! Want to jump naked on a bed in a motel room? All power to ya... but if you're out in public and I have to see it? Nah... cover it up, man!
I don't mind the sex-filled advertisements, the mostly sex t.v. shows, or the occasional nipple slip... but those are things we see from a distance, not something we're next to in the flesh - and I do agree that the human body is not something of which we should feel ashamed. But there are some things I believe should be kept personal, something left to the imagination, unless you're in a nudist camp or something.
I certainly don't want to go pull up a chair after some harry naked guy just got up out of it.... (no offense, harry naked guys).
W
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
Thanks for the feedback!
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
Great comment
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
And oh the sunburn or freezing one's....... off.
Bare arms and legs are the way to go. And being a little bit naughty some people cover everything up, but then again that would be wise baring in mind the 'calibre' of some males around here and I'm talking attitudes not measurements, funny about that word calibre, isn't it?
There are always nudist's camps for those so inclined, even the inclined has connotations.
Winston, obviously, you have won favour with this post but I'm just about to cover up a little more, it's cold outside.
katyzzz
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by Anonymous
Nudity has its place...Naturalists have holiday camps here in Australia where they can get together and let it all hang out...we also have nude beaches...
When I was in Germany, (and I had some small idea about how nudity just isnt something that most Germans find anything but natural), I was rendered...speechless by the sight of literally hundreds of folk sunbaking nude in a park in the centre of Munich on a sunny summer's day.
I was not offended..just astonished...
On the other hand the nude scenes in Borat...well I found them so incredibly gross, (but in the context of the movie), funny.....
Some people I know say that nudity is fine if the person going nude has a nice body....I say that it shouldnt make a difference...
Anyhow I havent really added much...just relaying a couple of experiences... X Miss Nomer
Comment by Miss Nomer
Comment by JoshZ
generally speaking, public nudity, not something I would want to see everywhere. LIterally.
Seriously though, I think that covering up the human body with clothing is a good idea.Not because some of them are ugly, but because I do think it is a priveledge that should only be given to certain people in our lives.
In my case, the only woman I am going to get nude for is my wife. Doctors are different, but thankfully, they don't need me to turn my head and cough in the middle of the street.
JZ
Comment by Deorre
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Comment by Brenton
Dr Spin
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If there was more culture of nakedness being ordinary, I might be able to start up a buisness of bathhouses like they have in Japan. Bathouse = AWESOME. nobody cares about the nudity thing. IT just seems so normal. Everyones just chilled the heck out. It's great.
Oh. But this is only if the Drought breaks.
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
I wouldn't worry about the fashion industry just yet. I doubt enough people are itching to fling off their clothes to impact any runway shows. Of course, nipple slips and near nudity are staples of fashion shows in any case. Maybe nudity is coming into style.
Ouch! Sunburns in certain places would be very, very bad. It hurts enough on your arms, imagine it on your....
Ouch.
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
The Borat scenes were highly disturbing, but that just made it all the funnier. The whole theater was practically holding their stomachs in pain after laughing through that. Some nudity is just not pretty, natural or no
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
Clothing does seem to be a consequence of our having become civilized. Or perhaps it's just a scam run by the fabric industry. Hmmmmm.....I might be on to something.....
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
You first. We're right behind you.
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
For a lot of her life, my mum believed that to get pregnant - AKA have SEX you had to go to the doctor where they would have this special sheild so male and female do not actually see each other! How fucked is that!
Yes, we all got it! The old "imagine them in their underwear" doesnt help me - in public speaking I think "imagine them all having sex!" Thats what Ive got to do to remember we are all HUMAN! We all got the same bits, so GET OVER IT!!
Comment by JoshZ
not for me it ain't!
Comment by JoshZ
It SHOULD be a mystery. A wonderful one. An enticing, provocative mystery. The kind of mystery that draws you in, and doesn't become mundane through over use.
JZ
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I've found the American's prudishness about nudity to be amusing. Hey, letting a 13 yr old kid get a gun and then hunt down an animal is perfectly normal. But let that child see Janet Jackson's nipple for half a second and they'll be permanently damaged?? Though in fairness, the thought of Janet Jackson naked leaves me a bit traumatised!!!!
Comment by Jessicca
Learning Something Everyday
Nudity has not problem, it is natural, we were born like that. But the problem is, our minds are the problem.
If everyone sees it as natural and not manifesting anything harmful (that results molesting or rape or any indecent behaviour) then there will be no problem. Yet in this society at this point of time, even gals all covered up (like the Muslims from hair and covered from neck to toes) are raped (even killed). It's the violation of improper thoughts is causing the problem.
If a day when you see a naked woman walking by (not offending you in anyway) and doesn't have your dick harden and want to attack her for the excuse of "it's her fault, she is seducing me." then probably nudity is fine.
Have a blessed day.
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
Her wedding night must have come as a hell of a shock!
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
One point that my wife raised was that, while most public nudity is harmless, there are those people in the world that get a sexual charge out of revealing themselves to women and children. This is a fairly small number of people, and probably not something that would become a real problem, but it's a creepy thought all the same.....
There's worse nipples in the world than Janet's
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
Thanks!
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis