The Naked Body:

[IndorilTheGreat]

So yeah, those people that say that public nudity will cause more crimes have a point, but that is due largely to their labeling it as taboo. Just because you are able to control yourself doesn't mean that others can. A good portion of society isn't really much better than animals. And they seem to enjoy being animals.

 

Basically, taboo is fun, and people like going against the rules of society. One infraction invites another. Or something. (don't read too much into it, it's late for me).

 

 

You know, the reason some people like going nude, is because of the sense of freedom it offers. Plus, you save a bunch on clothing items! :P

 

But I agree with you where you said that it is taboo in Western Culture. But what if it was the norm? What if wearing clothes was considered taboo? If the norm was to walk around with your "bits" hanging out, and someone wore clothes, we would most likely find that sensual and "wrong."

 

"Oh my God, that person is wearing clothes! Cover your eyes honey!"

 

Look at ancient chinese culture with foot binding and slippers being considered very erotic. Much more than a bare foot.

 

True. It seems to me that people (myself included) find wearing a little bit of something more enticing than nothing at all.

[Torren]

I think the truth of the matter is that there are far too many possible sides and issues associated to one going nude/topless in todays western culture. I'm not going to say that going naked will invite sex crimes upon a person all the time, however to think that it would not incite it would be silly, especially with how closed in our own society we are.

The problem is, and though I agree with you Lisnuppy, a good portion of society no longer has that self control. Take a very good look at people my age and a little younger, especially the men. Between the ages of 17 and 26, most men dress and act tough, talk trash to others, drink when they want, and find it perfectly acceptible to grab any woman they see or shout at them from cars asking if they want a 'ride' (make of that what you will). It is as said before, a good portion of society, Western mainly, are animals and preffer it, it gives them a feeling of power (falling into your comment earlier, Lis)...and to the people that follow that mentality of society, power and dominance are everything, and most will do anything to show it...be it violating some poor woman who was dressed a little less conservative that normal to go to a club, or some woman who figured she would enjoy the freedoms of a bylaw out this way and walk topless.

It isn't the nudity itself thats the issue, its the compounding faults of society, and the taboos behind revealing ones self.

My comment on nudity still stands, however. People should embrace it for it is them, and them alone that they see and can be viewed as beautiful. Societies failings or not.

[Vagrant0]

You know, the reason some people like going nude, is because of the sense of freedom it offers. Plus, you save a bunch on clothing items! :P

 

But I agree with you where you said that it is taboo in Western Culture. But what if it was the norm? What if wearing clothes was considered taboo? If the norm was to walk around with your "bits" hanging out, and someone wore clothes, we would most likely find that sensual and "wrong."

 

"Oh my God, that person is wearing clothes! Cover your eyes honey!"

Next time you find a woman wearing pants, ask them if they feel liberated in their being allowed to wear pants. At best, you'll probably get a mean look, at worst, you may get slapped, hit, kneed in the groin. However 100 years ago, this question would probably be recieved differently (still maybe hostile, but differently). This is because what was once taboo has now become the norm, so that feeling of liberation, or freedom doesn't really exist as it pertains to those actions. One whole generation grew up with it being acceptable (WWI and WWII era) and two generations have grown up with it being fairly common. The same is true for other taboos which have been accepted by society. Once they have become acceptable, some of the qualities which made that act seem special, or meaningful, went away.

 

The simple fact of the matter is that clothing for many people, throughout history, was seen as a better alternative than being nude, even before it was mandated by anything we would considder law. Afterall, we as humans, probably spent most of our existance walking around nude, or practically nude, and it wasn't until we traveled to areas with harsh environments (sun, wind, rain, snow) that clothing became a tool of survival. Many people around the world would not survive if they did not have clothing. In the desert it helps retain your moisture and protects your skin, in cold, or significantly elevated areas it keeps you from freezing to death. It is really only in moderate climates, and where mankind is allowed leisure time that clothing is seen as a luxary and a symbol of status. This is why there is a perception of needing clothing in these climates, it helped distinguish between rich and poor. It cost alot to wear clothing, it costs nothing to be naked. Being naked also comes with certain hygene issues, which many commoners aren't capable of handling any way other than wearing clothing. One of the reasons why the black plague ravaged the lower and middle class in europe was because there was so little cleanliness. When people who were better clothed, and maintained a cleaner way of life were less likely to catch the disease, people took notice. Victorian era garb was designed around this premise, it was just explained to people as "modesty", when it was really about wearing clean clothing, and having next to no skin to skin contact with others. Religion afterall tends to be alot more effective, and easier to understand by uneducated masses, than what was at the time, an unexplainable relationship. Would you really want to sit down at a city bus stop when everyone is naked? Even the toilets aren't exactly free from question. Nude beaches, or closed communities are one thing, public places where you have people from all walks of life, and all the diseases they may have is another.

[IndorilTheGreat]

You know, the reason some people like going nude, is because of the sense of freedom it offers. Plus, you save a bunch on clothing items! :P

 

But I agree with you where you said that it is taboo in Western Culture. But what if it was the norm? What if wearing clothes was considered taboo? If the norm was to walk around with your "bits" hanging out, and someone wore clothes, we would most likely find that sensual and "wrong."

 

"Oh my God, that person is wearing clothes! Cover your eyes honey!"

Next time you find a woman wearing pants, ask them if they feel liberated in their being allowed to wear pants. At best, you'll probably get a mean look, at worst, you may get slapped, hit, kneed in the groin. However 100 years ago, this question would probably be recieved differently (still maybe hostile, but differently). This is because what was once taboo has now become the norm, so that feeling of liberation, or freedom doesn't really exist as it pertains to those actions. One whole generation grew up with it being acceptable (WWI and WWII era) and two generations have grown up with it being fairly common. The same is true for other taboos which have been accepted by society. Once they have become acceptable, some of the qualities which made that act seem special, or meaningful, went away.

 

The simple fact of the matter is that clothing for many people, throughout history, was seen as a better alternative than being nude, even before it was mandated by anything we would considder law. Afterall, we as humans, probably spent most of our existance walking around nude, or practically nude, and it wasn't until we traveled to areas with harsh environments (sun, wind, rain, snow) that clothing became a tool of survival. Many people around the world would not survive if they did not have clothing. In the desert it helps retain your moisture and protects your skin, in cold, or significantly elevated areas it keeps you from freezing to death. It is really only in moderate climates, and where mankind is allowed leisure time that clothing is seen as a luxary and a symbol of status. This is why there is a perception of needing clothing in these climates, it helped distinguish between rich and poor. It cost alot to wear clothing, it costs nothing to be naked. Being naked also comes with certain hygene issues, which many commoners aren't capable of handling any way other than wearing clothing. One of the reasons why the black plague ravaged the lower and middle class in europe was because there was so little cleanliness. When people who were better clothed, and maintained a cleaner way of life were less likely to catch the disease, people took notice. Victorian era garb was designed around this premise, it was just explained to people as "modesty", when it was really about wearing clean clothing, and having next to no skin to skin contact with others. Religion afterall tends to be alot more effective, and easier to understand by uneducated masses, than what was at the time, an unexplainable relationship. Would you really want to sit down at a city bus stop when everyone is naked? Even the toilets aren't exactly free from question. Nude beaches, or closed communities are one thing, public places where you have people from all walks of life, and all the diseases they may have is another.

 

Thousands of years ago, clothing was a form of protection, yes. Sadly, nowadays it has become a social icon. One must dress according to the social "norm." No one wears just jeans and a T-Shirt anymore! It's so complex! :P

 

Okay. I am not going to walk up to a woman and ask what you said, because it's just downright rude. I believe in equality between the sexes.

 

 

As for your last sentence, what do you mean by, "avoid those who walk down the street with their diseases." ? Are you implying that nudity is "a disease?" (Forgive me for not understanding. My English is not the best at times. :no: ).

[Vagrant0]

Thousands of years ago, clothing was a form of protection, yes. Sadly, nowadays it has become a social icon. One must dress according to the social "norm." No one wears just jeans and a T-Shirt anymore! It's so complex! :P

 

Okay. I am not going to walk up to a woman and ask what you said, because it's just downright rude. I believe in equality between the sexes.

Which is exactly the point I was making, and 100 years ago, it would have been an issue since that equallity didn't exist, and was never even considdered by most people. What was taboo has become commonplace, and no longer has the meaning it once had. If nudity, or anything else became common, it too would lose its significance.

 

And it is not so much a social norm, but a way of presenting ones status within society to those around them. The better dressed you are, the better service you tend to get since people think you have money. Or in some cases, the more "common" you look the more likely you will appear poor, and gain sympathy (car dealerships). And in many cases, it acts as a badge of identification. Take police uniforms for example... Kinda hard to have the same, immediate, reaction to someone who lacks those obvious signs of station. In many cases, you are what you wear.

 

And in other ways, if we were not judged based on clothing, we would likely be judged based on other things, like anatomy. Nudist colonies are too far removed from the rest of society to be used as an example. They are filled with mostly open minded people who aren't in absolute competition with eachother. The rest of society however is not. Anything which makes you look better, more important than those around you usually results in your benefit. Clothing, as an extention of who you want others to see, is one of the easiest ways of dong this.

 

As for your last sentence, what do you mean by, "avoid those who walk down the street with their diseases." ? Are you implying that nudity is "a disease?" (Forgive me for not understanding. My English is not the best at times. :no: ).

What I meant is that in general, you never know what actual (medical) diseases people around you have. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not catch herpies, or god knows what else because I sat in a chair somewhere. Skin to skin contact, even indirect is the main cause of most diseases. There is a reason why most gyms have a policy where people have to wipe off equipment they've used. In the general public there is no policy, and few would follow it if they did. Maybe you just happen to be fortunate enough to live in an area where people actually bother to keep themselves clean... Most however do not.

[nosisab]

The focus was lost at some point. The real question as I understood is: Seeing our body at any media, be a game, a movie or anything alike, is something that 'perverts'?

 

My answer is that is not in 'what', is in 'how' things are taken or done. Excessive puritan education will create non equilibrated people so much as the libertine one does. Maybe more.

The right answer is in the word 'equilibrium', the wrong one is in the word 'exploit'. The worse one is in shaming our nature, if not for another reason than allowing and encouraging that last.

[IndorilTheGreat]

The focus was lost at some point. The real question as I understood is: Seeing our body at any media, be a game, a movie or anything alike, is something that 'perverts'?

 

My answer is that is not in 'what', is in 'how' things are taken or done. Excessive puritan education will create non equilibrated people so much as the libertine one does. Maybe more.

The right answer is in the word 'equilibrium', the wrong one is in the word 'exploit'. The worse one is in shaming our nature, if not for another reason than allowing and encouraging that last.

 

Very well said. :yes:

 

If I see a naked woman just standing there, I will not get turned on or offended.

 

Now, if that same woman is in some sort of seductive and sultry pose, I am most likely to become aroused.

 

It's just like art: nude art will not make me "sexually active" unlike pornography.

 

 

Very well written nosisab! :D

[Tchos]

The second part of the question has no satisfactory answer. There should be a:

 

Is the nude human form associated with sexual activities?

Yes, sometimes, and it is natural and should be celebrated.

[Vagrant0]

Now, if that same woman is in some sort of seductive and sultry pose, I am most likely to become aroused.

 

And yet there is nothing fundimentially seductive about naked mud wrestling. However...

 

My point being that what can be interpreted as seductive and sultry can vary alot depending on who you ask, and what sort of area they live in. Just as how pornography can have different meanings depending on who you ask. As unthinkable as it might be, to some, the naked form, regardless of context can be seen as pornographic. And while yes, most of those people are the kind that found one good book, and have made it the basis for all their thoughts, they do make this point clear. It is not what the act or thing actually is, but rather how an individual precieves that thing. For those who only see the naked body within the context of sex, they will always make that connection regardless of what else is presented. The sad truth is that as long as there is a population who makes those connections, any sort of doctrine of nudity will be regarded with suspicion. And as it turns out, those people usually either speak the loudest, or commit the most dispicable acts because of those connections.

 

And while yes, rape is ultimately about power, there is always an aspect of "she looked like she wanted it" which tends to trigger that behavior. Or do you think those people just wake up with the notion of just raping the first woman (or man) they see? There is usually a behavior, or feature which triggers those thoughts. For some, it could be nudity. Just because you don't have that association doesn't mean that there aren't those out there who do, and may act upon it. Nudist colonies aren't there just so that people can be away from any political problems, they're also there to keep most of the dangerous people out. They are closed, organized communities of like minded people... The rest of society is the exact opposite.

 

Just look around here. Most of the uploaded images containing nudity aren't there for some sort of celebration of the human form (not even close since most body mods emulate something which isn't realistically possible). They're uploaded by people who classify nudity as sex, for other people who classify nudity as sex.

[stephanie]

Now, if that same woman is in some sort of seductive and sultry pose, I am most likely to become aroused.

 

And yet there is nothing fundimentially seductive about naked mud wrestling. However...

 

My point being that what can be interpreted as seductive and sultry can vary alot depending on who you ask, and what sort of area they live in.

 

In some parts of the South, being seductive is considered 'slutty', but wearing a pair of shorts that shows my butt is ok .. :wallbash:

 

Just as how pornography can have different meanings depending on who you ask. As unthinkable as it might be, to some, the naked form, regardless of context can be seen as pornographic. And while yes, most of those people are the kind that found one good book, and have made it the basis for all their thoughts, they do make this point clear. It is not what the act or thing actually is, but rather how an individual precieves that thing. For those who only see the naked body within the context of sex, they will always make that connection regardless of what else is presented. The sad truth is that as long as there is a population who makes those connections, any sort of doctrine of nudity will be regarded with suspicion. And as it turns out, those people usually either speak the loudest, or commit the most dispicable acts because of those connections.

 

The sad part is those are the people who are in charge ..

 

 

And while yes, rape is ultimately about power, there is always an aspect of "she looked like she wanted it" which tends to trigger that behavior. Or do you think those people just wake up with the notion of just raping the first woman (or man) they see? There is usually a behavior, or feature which triggers those thoughts. For some, it could be nudity. Just because you don't have that association doesn't mean that there aren't those out there who do, and may act upon it. Nudist colonies aren't there just so that people can be away from any political problems, they're also there to keep most of the dangerous people out. They are closed, organized communities of like minded people... The rest of society is the exact opposite.

 

To some males, we females always look like we want it. Can't change that.

 

Nudists even have their problems. Most resorts have signs that say something like - "don't do anything in public while nude that you wouldn't do in public with clothes on". Most nudist camps are very strict about what can and cannot be done, and enforce their rules with an iron hand.

 

Just look around here. Most of the uploaded images containing nudity aren't there for some sort of celebration of the human form (not even close since most body mods emulate something which isn't realistically possible). They're uploaded by people who classify nudity as sex, for other people who classify nudity as sex.

 

And most of the people uploading them are snotnosed adolescents who have never seen a real female naked.