Nudity
More than eighty people run through the UC Berkeley library nude, some wearing absolutely nothing, some with a backpack, some doing cartwheels, and the last with "The End" written on her buttocks. Apparently it's a regular event done every finals week. The blog entry where I found this includes a few user comments, and links for downloading a spectator's video of the event. Here are some mirrors of that file (22.7MB):
Mirror 1: YouSendIt direct link
Mirror 2: RapidShare (click the "Free" button and then wait 20sec for the download to start)
The video is in quicktime format (.mov), so you need a compatible player. If you don't want to install Apple's bloated player (33.8MB download), you can get a copy of the freeware Quicktime Alternative v1.67 (11.6MB download). It's what I prefer.
Yeah, 80 of 'em. That's a lot of nude college students running through a library. That's something you'd just have to see for yourself to believe.
I encourage you to view the video. It's "required reading" for the rest of this article. Trust me.
So you're saying to yourself, "I'm not a perv; I don't want to look at naked people." You couldn't be more wrong, my friend.
I'm not saying you are a perv. I'm not saying that you really do want to look at naked people. (While either/or might in reality be entirely true, that's not my point.)
My point is that nudity is seen as taboo in mainstream American society. It doesn't seem logical to me, though. Under normal social circumstances, there is nothing wrong in going without clothes. As unreasonable taboos fall away with our clothes, seeing folks naked in public might be a bit unusual. But it won't be that way for long. It's our natural state; we're born that way. Certainly clothes serve a functional purpose; they keep us warm, protect us from the sun/wind/rain, protect us from injury when we're working and playing. But that functional use has transformed into a perceived sociological need.
Watch the library-streaking video again. (You know you want to.) There isn't shame in what they are doing. In fact, there's a certain freedom and happiness conveyed by the participants. Some even hug (albeit a bit cautiously) afterwards. Why is nudity so taboo? By restricting nudity to private/intimate times, we are in fact part of the cause for social nudity being taboo.
I'm not the only one questioning it. A Christian (yes, you heard me) nudist camp, Natura, is opening in Florida.
"As evidenced by Adam and Eve, we believe that when God's children are in the right relationship to Him, they will be naked and unashamed," explains one of Natura's brochures...Martin and his supporters argue that nudism is unhealthy, especially for children, unless it occurs in a proper Christian context. He has criticized non-religious nudist camps for encouraging alcohol and sensuality. "We are going after a totally different group, a group that doesn't want a sexual atmosphere," he said. "There is absolutely no relationship between nudity and sex."
-- Source
If you find the idea of a Christian nudist intriguing, you need to check out Naturist Christians, including their news and forum pages. Take special note of the photo-articles about social nudity, modesty, and living as a nudist/naturist.
As you read through the photo-journals, and yes... look at the pictures too, you'll be able to gain a better understanding that being nude isn't a naughty thing. It's simply who you are... and most people cover up who they are, both physically and emotionally. It doesn't have to be that way. It's simply a matter of choosing to be open and honest with yourself and the world around you.
Related story on this site: Science blindness
Comments
I suppose in a perfect world everyone could walk around naked and that would be all right. I read that shame and guilt felt when we are naked in public is pretty much learned. Toddlers are naked and unashamed. . until their parents/society teach them to be. Shame/guilt is a very strong tool used by parents and society to get people to act the way they want them to. Society and parents generally use this tool far too literally though and many are made to feel ashamed of things that are trivial such as weird clothes or strange hairstyles. However, I believe guilt and shame have its place. When used correctly, it can be a useful tool that parents and society can use to teach right and wrong. It is true that in the garden there was no guilt or shame, but there was also no sin. If there were no sin, there would be no need for guilt and shame. Is public nakedness a sin? If it is then we should feel guilty about being naked in public, but if not we shouldn't. Personally, I believe 90 percent of the time it is and therefore the guilt is warranted and we should steer clear of it. We either do it with the wrong motives, or cause others to stumble, etc. I believe if you somehow see the real intentions behind the students who ran through the library or the Christian nudists you would see that they have sinful motivations. I have more to say on this, but my comment is too long as it is so I will just leave it at that.
Posted by: Craig | January 2, 2006 02:06 AM