MeWe really took off after Tumblr committed suicide back in 2018 when it completely banned nudity. A lot of the nudist/naturist community migrated. It felt more like Facebook in its early days than X or Tumblr. But it has the same issues all social media sites have that Evan mentioned here. It is more open minded so far, but even after 6 years, still hasn’t grown as large as the bigger sites.
For many people, the online world is their only connection to their tribe or community. For those of us lucky enough to have real-world connections, the online option may seem like the poor cousin to these friendships, but many who are isolated or in countries where social nudity is illegal, the online community is a vital lifeline.
Definitely not migrating to BlueSky. It's being overhyped by a small group of criers about the election and I suspect BlueSky won't last long. People like to ignore that 1 in 2 people voted for him.
I use both, but (X)witter is still my primary, even more so after Elon bought it. I liked BlueSky since there wasn't any mention of politics, which was a nice break. I use it less and less since the election cycle was coming to a close. I had to stop following a few people to still be free of the whining and crying by the good results.
Sigh. Some people unhappy with Elon and others who are speaking truth with a lack of elegance have "left" X for other platforms, but it's hardly an exodus. The naturist community is alive and well on X, probably will continue to be. Stop the disinformation and pearl-clutching.
Wow. Sad times when being a racist ignorant is seeing as "speaking truth" by some. Funny how all of this has become this big specially because of social media and how the extreme right uses it.
When I read the first couple paragraphs of the article I thought to myself more social media is not the answer. I'm so pleased, Evan, that is not the point you ultimately make here. Less social media and greater connection with others, ourselves and nature is what we should strive for. I'm in complete agreement with you about that!
Thank you John! I definitely don't mean this in a proscriptive or absolutist way. I am as chronically online as anyone. More to suggest that it's real life interaction that many are missing and in a way, seeking through these apps, but they can never truly fulfill. Balance is what we all have to navigate. But sometimes it feels like a losing battle.
To me, as a solo naturist (my partner of 38 years respects my choice but in no way will ever participate), it is a battle almost lost.
The “engaging authentically with others, and fostering the real, lasting bonds” is next to impossible for someone living in a rural area with the closest naturist beach being 2 hours away and where everyone basically keeps to themselves. At least I can be nude at home, indoors and outdoors (alone). Also taking a dream trip to Zipolite very soon (alone).
Social media, when it comes to true nudism/naturism, also seems to be slowly going the way of landed resorts. It’s sad, but you do get used to being the only member of your own little club.
If there's a TL;DR distillation of what I'm trying to say here, it's that I think it's vital that we stop and think about the absurdity of this "switch" with some self awareness... to consider that we might be replacing one bandaid for another without stopping to inspect the wound. And to remember that this wasn't spurred as a positive thing with people flocking to a wonderful new place with blue skies... it's really rooted in people fleeing from another (nearly identical) platform that has become a dystopian hellscape. We should at least stop and question this, while working to balance these apps with the real and tactile world that real naturism truly inhabits.
Why ate people migrating to platforms that are more of the same, it is like blind sheep leading other blind sheep. Especially when there are better networks out there. Mastadon (body.social) is much better, being a non commercial platform, and Mewe has an anti advertising platform that is much better than Farcebook. Both platforms are naturist friendly.
There is a small cadre of naturists on the Fediverse. This is a truly decentralized network of social networks, unlike BlueSky, which is decentralized in name only. Because it is really decentralized, there is no danger that one day the reigning oligarch will start to push their own agenda. Within the Fediverse, the only algorithm is chronological; there is no money to be made, so there is nobody to try to steal and sell your attention or to drive misinformation. Even better, if the naturist sub-net, body.social, does go bad that way one day, the rules make it easy to find a new sub-net.
So between switching off altogether, and trading one abhorrent social network for another, there is a third alternative.
For what it’s worth, Musk has NOT been “appointed to a federal agency”. DOGE is NOT part of the government at all and has no authority to make any changes. Heck, near as I can tell it doesn’t even exist as any kind of actual “thing” yet.
Evan, terrific, terrific piece. As an older millennial who experienced almost exactly half my life with and half without social media I’m ready to be done. You’re right that naturism is in many ways an antidote to the harms that have come from social media. Even the simplicity of not having pockets to hold devices helps us to disconnect. Without being able to articulate it as well you have I think I have struggles with the contradiction of trying to fit naturism into a social media world. I do think that Substack in its long form has been a really healthy contrast to Twitter, Facebook etc. and I’m rally grateful for the work you do at Planet Nude.
I was thinking as I read through some of the other comments how the generational divide might be playing out here. As the first generation of social media we’re probably also going to be the first to leave it.
I returned to BlueSky this week after leaving it and you and I had a nice chat there. I often call all of it “anti-social” media and I think there’s something to be said for not sinking into it the way I think many of us have over the years.
But I think the onus is on us to make positive connections on social media. And to notice if there’s an attempt to rile us up. I’ve seen people post that BlueSky doesn’t utilize the outrage drivers as seen elsewhere. I don’t know if that’s true or not but I haven’t seen it to be false.
Up here in the northeast, I can’t replicate your photo til May at best. And I already don’t know many folks who are naturist here. So a place like BlueSky (for now) is one where I can see what other likeminded folks are up to and potentially to interact. As I said there, it’s a conduit to connection for me, but not a replacement for the real thing.
And if that place elevates my blood pressure, I’ll jump off again.
Always thoughtful, Evan. I hope Jack doesn’t sell this one.
I agree with some of this and disagree with other parts. It's worthwhile to "question the real necessity [of] social media in general.") But the questioning should address both sides. Social media has two sides - just like in-person socializing. There's a Janus factor in both cases. (The Roman image of Janus has two faces.) According to ChatGPT, "Janus often represents dualities and contradictions... This paradoxical nature can spark contemplation about the complexities of life.") (Incidentally, AI like ChatGPT also has this Janus quality. NB: ChatGPT didn't write any of the rest of this.)
I agree that "Social media may offer the appearance of community, but it cannot replace the real connections that come from stepping outside and embracing the world as it is." However, I think social media provide a means for social connection that "stepping outside" CAN'T do. How can naturists connect with naturists who don't live nearby and learn about how naturism is enjoyed in places far from where they live - in more nudity-tolerant countries like Spain and France? Or even in more distant places in their own country or state.
Consider this: although the U.S. population is about 346 million, the country is so large that the overall population density is about 90 people per square mile. Contrast that with England, which has a very strong national naturist organization and many local naturist clubs, both landed and non-landed. England's current population is about 57 million and the density is about 430 per square mile - almost 5 times the U.S. density. In practical terms that means any naturist is likely to live much closer to other naturists and established naturist venues. Not coincidently, naturism in England is thriving, while it's withering in the U.S. Is it any wonder that U.S. naturist venues keep disappearing?
Naturist clubs and resorts are EXACTLY the places where naturists can meet and socialize with other naturists. And there are fewer such places every year. So what alternatives do most U.S. naturists have to make contact with other naturists - except for online social media? Sure, we can all enjoy naturism in our own homes and outdoors in places where it's safe to be naked (which usually aren't nearby). In the U.S. and most other countries, there are "naturist deserts" where social nudity in "real life" becomes more difficult every year.
Wouldn't it be great if there were easy ways to find other naturists living fairly nearby? Well, such ways exist - online. Facebook isn't hospitable to naturism, but it has hundreds of local naturist groups, though many aren't very active. Naturist online social media have existed for at least 45 years. Some once-popular examples - that weren't commercial - include Rec.nude (on Usenet), Netnude, and Rixplace. These were all free to use and had little or no advertising. A commercial service known as CompuServe - funded by user fees - began to gain popularity around 1980 and had a couple of active naturist forums. Rec.nude was unmoderated and had problems with trolls, but the others were moderated to deter abuse.
I'm well aware of the problems of most current large-scale social media - such as Facebook/Instagram/Threads, Twitter/X, Bluesky, Reddit, MeWe, Mastodon, etc. The obvious problems are noxious advertising and collection of personal information to be sold to advertisers. They need that to exist without user fees. However, there are also dedicated naturist social media that are typically funded by user fees. (There's no free lunch.) Examples: A Naturist World, Naturist Hub, and a few others. British Naturism has a very active "discussion forum" system. Although the BN system is mainly for Brits, naturists anywhere can join BN and use it. (AANR tried to run one, but it flopped.) These at least try to vet users to keep out trolls and predators.
Completely agree Charles. While I agree with some of what Evan had to say, I also felt social media does really have an important place in naturism/nudism. Mainly like you pointed out, the ability to connect with those we will never connect with in “real life” and the ability share experiences we may never actually be able to do.
I started on Facebook long before most of the world knew it existed. Best thing I ever did with that platform was turn off notifications. It has its place, serves some purpose, but isn’t my life. I can take it or leave it.
The very early days of social media, Usenet especially, taught me what true actual nudism was. While I knew it existed, I didn’t understand it like I do now. The people I interacted with, online only, explained nudism to me in words, as I didn’t have the opportunity to learn in person as a single male. I became an actual nudist without having to visit a nudist venue, by accepting the naturist/nudist mindset. It helped me explain to my wife why and how I accepted myself, my body, and the love of nature we both now adore.
I’ve met online, hundreds of beautiful fellow naturists/nudists that I’ll never actually see or meet in person. I’m fine with that. In fact I’m thrilled with that. I enjoy interacting with like minded people. Don’t we all? After all, that’s a huge part of naturism/nudism. It’s not about seeing others nudists, but being with other nudists. And thanks to social media, I can do that.
If true naturists leave social media and stop exposing misinformation about naturism, this place will be occupied by propagandists of pornography under the guise of naturism. This will finally compromise the ideas of naturism.
If true naturists leave social media and stop exposing misinformation about naturism, this place will be occupied by propagandists of pornography under the guise of naturism. This will finally compromise the ideas of naturism.
I believe people have to experience naturism to understand it. I feel that we vastly overestimate how much sharing our photos online does to promote naturism. Non naturists look at those nudes and think it’s porn too. Let’s be honest with ourselves about the effectiveness of social media “advocacy”
Further, doesn’t this type of promotion become a type of propaganda in itself?
I am all for the powers of the internet to promote ideas (I’m typing this on my social media blog and sharing it out to all my social networks as well)—yes, the internet helps us reach many people we wouldn’t otherwise be able to… but advocacy aside, is social media making us happier? Are we sharing real naturist experiences there? Isn’t it also sort of tearing at the seams of society and causing a lot of problems for us?
So we don’t divest from social media all together. Fine. I probably can’t anyway… I’m hopelessly addicted. But can we think and talk and try to find a better solution? Can we help each other strike the right balance? Not just as naturists, but as humans?
I was surprised that the article didn't cover MeWe which many naturists have migrated to.
What is MeWe?
mewe.com.
It is another social media app etc. which is extremely private and ensures personal privacy. Naked content is not removed or censored.
MeWe really took off after Tumblr committed suicide back in 2018 when it completely banned nudity. A lot of the nudist/naturist community migrated. It felt more like Facebook in its early days than X or Tumblr. But it has the same issues all social media sites have that Evan mentioned here. It is more open minded so far, but even after 6 years, still hasn’t grown as large as the bigger sites.
mewe is good
For many people, the online world is their only connection to their tribe or community. For those of us lucky enough to have real-world connections, the online option may seem like the poor cousin to these friendships, but many who are isolated or in countries where social nudity is illegal, the online community is a vital lifeline.
Definitely not migrating to BlueSky. It's being overhyped by a small group of criers about the election and I suspect BlueSky won't last long. People like to ignore that 1 in 2 people voted for him.
I use both, but (X)witter is still my primary, even more so after Elon bought it. I liked BlueSky since there wasn't any mention of politics, which was a nice break. I use it less and less since the election cycle was coming to a close. I had to stop following a few people to still be free of the whining and crying by the good results.
agreed and x is not some bad boogey man it beats fb for sure
Sigh. Some people unhappy with Elon and others who are speaking truth with a lack of elegance have "left" X for other platforms, but it's hardly an exodus. The naturist community is alive and well on X, probably will continue to be. Stop the disinformation and pearl-clutching.
"speaking truth with a lack of elegance"
Wow. Sad times when being a racist ignorant is seeing as "speaking truth" by some. Funny how all of this has become this big specially because of social media and how the extreme right uses it.
When I read the first couple paragraphs of the article I thought to myself more social media is not the answer. I'm so pleased, Evan, that is not the point you ultimately make here. Less social media and greater connection with others, ourselves and nature is what we should strive for. I'm in complete agreement with you about that!
Thank you John! I definitely don't mean this in a proscriptive or absolutist way. I am as chronically online as anyone. More to suggest that it's real life interaction that many are missing and in a way, seeking through these apps, but they can never truly fulfill. Balance is what we all have to navigate. But sometimes it feels like a losing battle.
To me, as a solo naturist (my partner of 38 years respects my choice but in no way will ever participate), it is a battle almost lost.
The “engaging authentically with others, and fostering the real, lasting bonds” is next to impossible for someone living in a rural area with the closest naturist beach being 2 hours away and where everyone basically keeps to themselves. At least I can be nude at home, indoors and outdoors (alone). Also taking a dream trip to Zipolite very soon (alone).
Social media, when it comes to true nudism/naturism, also seems to be slowly going the way of landed resorts. It’s sad, but you do get used to being the only member of your own little club.
If there's a TL;DR distillation of what I'm trying to say here, it's that I think it's vital that we stop and think about the absurdity of this "switch" with some self awareness... to consider that we might be replacing one bandaid for another without stopping to inspect the wound. And to remember that this wasn't spurred as a positive thing with people flocking to a wonderful new place with blue skies... it's really rooted in people fleeing from another (nearly identical) platform that has become a dystopian hellscape. We should at least stop and question this, while working to balance these apps with the real and tactile world that real naturism truly inhabits.
Why ate people migrating to platforms that are more of the same, it is like blind sheep leading other blind sheep. Especially when there are better networks out there. Mastadon (body.social) is much better, being a non commercial platform, and Mewe has an anti advertising platform that is much better than Farcebook. Both platforms are naturist friendly.
Nicely stated, Matthew.
There is a small cadre of naturists on the Fediverse. This is a truly decentralized network of social networks, unlike BlueSky, which is decentralized in name only. Because it is really decentralized, there is no danger that one day the reigning oligarch will start to push their own agenda. Within the Fediverse, the only algorithm is chronological; there is no money to be made, so there is nobody to try to steal and sell your attention or to drive misinformation. Even better, if the naturist sub-net, body.social, does go bad that way one day, the rules make it easy to find a new sub-net.
So between switching off altogether, and trading one abhorrent social network for another, there is a third alternative.
For what it’s worth, Musk has NOT been “appointed to a federal agency”. DOGE is NOT part of the government at all and has no authority to make any changes. Heck, near as I can tell it doesn’t even exist as any kind of actual “thing” yet.
Evan, terrific, terrific piece. As an older millennial who experienced almost exactly half my life with and half without social media I’m ready to be done. You’re right that naturism is in many ways an antidote to the harms that have come from social media. Even the simplicity of not having pockets to hold devices helps us to disconnect. Without being able to articulate it as well you have I think I have struggles with the contradiction of trying to fit naturism into a social media world. I do think that Substack in its long form has been a really healthy contrast to Twitter, Facebook etc. and I’m rally grateful for the work you do at Planet Nude.
Thank you for the kind words. I suspect you and I are probably close in age.
I was thinking as I read through some of the other comments how the generational divide might be playing out here. As the first generation of social media we’re probably also going to be the first to leave it.
Why do I have this image of lemmings throwing themselves off a cliff?
I returned to BlueSky this week after leaving it and you and I had a nice chat there. I often call all of it “anti-social” media and I think there’s something to be said for not sinking into it the way I think many of us have over the years.
But I think the onus is on us to make positive connections on social media. And to notice if there’s an attempt to rile us up. I’ve seen people post that BlueSky doesn’t utilize the outrage drivers as seen elsewhere. I don’t know if that’s true or not but I haven’t seen it to be false.
Up here in the northeast, I can’t replicate your photo til May at best. And I already don’t know many folks who are naturist here. So a place like BlueSky (for now) is one where I can see what other likeminded folks are up to and potentially to interact. As I said there, it’s a conduit to connection for me, but not a replacement for the real thing.
And if that place elevates my blood pressure, I’ll jump off again.
Always thoughtful, Evan. I hope Jack doesn’t sell this one.
I appreciate your conscientious engagement
I agree with some of this and disagree with other parts. It's worthwhile to "question the real necessity [of] social media in general.") But the questioning should address both sides. Social media has two sides - just like in-person socializing. There's a Janus factor in both cases. (The Roman image of Janus has two faces.) According to ChatGPT, "Janus often represents dualities and contradictions... This paradoxical nature can spark contemplation about the complexities of life.") (Incidentally, AI like ChatGPT also has this Janus quality. NB: ChatGPT didn't write any of the rest of this.)
I agree that "Social media may offer the appearance of community, but it cannot replace the real connections that come from stepping outside and embracing the world as it is." However, I think social media provide a means for social connection that "stepping outside" CAN'T do. How can naturists connect with naturists who don't live nearby and learn about how naturism is enjoyed in places far from where they live - in more nudity-tolerant countries like Spain and France? Or even in more distant places in their own country or state.
Consider this: although the U.S. population is about 346 million, the country is so large that the overall population density is about 90 people per square mile. Contrast that with England, which has a very strong national naturist organization and many local naturist clubs, both landed and non-landed. England's current population is about 57 million and the density is about 430 per square mile - almost 5 times the U.S. density. In practical terms that means any naturist is likely to live much closer to other naturists and established naturist venues. Not coincidently, naturism in England is thriving, while it's withering in the U.S. Is it any wonder that U.S. naturist venues keep disappearing?
Naturist clubs and resorts are EXACTLY the places where naturists can meet and socialize with other naturists. And there are fewer such places every year. So what alternatives do most U.S. naturists have to make contact with other naturists - except for online social media? Sure, we can all enjoy naturism in our own homes and outdoors in places where it's safe to be naked (which usually aren't nearby). In the U.S. and most other countries, there are "naturist deserts" where social nudity in "real life" becomes more difficult every year.
Wouldn't it be great if there were easy ways to find other naturists living fairly nearby? Well, such ways exist - online. Facebook isn't hospitable to naturism, but it has hundreds of local naturist groups, though many aren't very active. Naturist online social media have existed for at least 45 years. Some once-popular examples - that weren't commercial - include Rec.nude (on Usenet), Netnude, and Rixplace. These were all free to use and had little or no advertising. A commercial service known as CompuServe - funded by user fees - began to gain popularity around 1980 and had a couple of active naturist forums. Rec.nude was unmoderated and had problems with trolls, but the others were moderated to deter abuse.
I'm well aware of the problems of most current large-scale social media - such as Facebook/Instagram/Threads, Twitter/X, Bluesky, Reddit, MeWe, Mastodon, etc. The obvious problems are noxious advertising and collection of personal information to be sold to advertisers. They need that to exist without user fees. However, there are also dedicated naturist social media that are typically funded by user fees. (There's no free lunch.) Examples: A Naturist World, Naturist Hub, and a few others. British Naturism has a very active "discussion forum" system. Although the BN system is mainly for Brits, naturists anywhere can join BN and use it. (AANR tried to run one, but it flopped.) These at least try to vet users to keep out trolls and predators.
Completely agree Charles. While I agree with some of what Evan had to say, I also felt social media does really have an important place in naturism/nudism. Mainly like you pointed out, the ability to connect with those we will never connect with in “real life” and the ability share experiences we may never actually be able to do.
I started on Facebook long before most of the world knew it existed. Best thing I ever did with that platform was turn off notifications. It has its place, serves some purpose, but isn’t my life. I can take it or leave it.
The very early days of social media, Usenet especially, taught me what true actual nudism was. While I knew it existed, I didn’t understand it like I do now. The people I interacted with, online only, explained nudism to me in words, as I didn’t have the opportunity to learn in person as a single male. I became an actual nudist without having to visit a nudist venue, by accepting the naturist/nudist mindset. It helped me explain to my wife why and how I accepted myself, my body, and the love of nature we both now adore.
I’ve met online, hundreds of beautiful fellow naturists/nudists that I’ll never actually see or meet in person. I’m fine with that. In fact I’m thrilled with that. I enjoy interacting with like minded people. Don’t we all? After all, that’s a huge part of naturism/nudism. It’s not about seeing others nudists, but being with other nudists. And thanks to social media, I can do that.
If true naturists leave social media and stop exposing misinformation about naturism, this place will be occupied by propagandists of pornography under the guise of naturism. This will finally compromise the ideas of naturism.
If true naturists leave social media and stop exposing misinformation about naturism, this place will be occupied by propagandists of pornography under the guise of naturism. This will finally compromise the ideas of naturism.
I believe people have to experience naturism to understand it. I feel that we vastly overestimate how much sharing our photos online does to promote naturism. Non naturists look at those nudes and think it’s porn too. Let’s be honest with ourselves about the effectiveness of social media “advocacy”
Further, doesn’t this type of promotion become a type of propaganda in itself?
I am all for the powers of the internet to promote ideas (I’m typing this on my social media blog and sharing it out to all my social networks as well)—yes, the internet helps us reach many people we wouldn’t otherwise be able to… but advocacy aside, is social media making us happier? Are we sharing real naturist experiences there? Isn’t it also sort of tearing at the seams of society and causing a lot of problems for us?
So we don’t divest from social media all together. Fine. I probably can’t anyway… I’m hopelessly addicted. But can we think and talk and try to find a better solution? Can we help each other strike the right balance? Not just as naturists, but as humans?
Thank you for this Evan. You are a bright shining light in an ever increasingly dark landscape.
Thank you for the kind words, friend.
So I set up a Bluesky account and - the server immediately crashed. There may be some growing pains happening.
Yes, that has been happening.
Entering into the endeavor with an expectation of disappointment is really probably a pretty good way to go about this.
Probably wise 😂