Excellent review. I haven’t watched this series yet but the points you’ve touched on make it feel worth watching, and stir up all of the inconsistencies in naturist philosophy that frustrate me these days.
I started watching Nu but am only an episode in. Looking forward to more. And I get to practice my forgotten high school French.
I don't want to live in a dogmatic, authoritarian culture, nude or not. I just want everyone to have the basics and feel safe and free to find and express themselves. We are far from that.
Your closing paragraph about the inarticulate goals of modern naturism being up an important question about our "movement." We don't have goals and a vibrant organization because we don't have leadership and hierarchy. There is no shared philosophy and structure, even in the clubs, just the general exhortation that naked is better. Adding the risk of sexuality association marginalizing us as perverts keeps us mostly in the closet. There's no Lee Baxandall (with his flaws and all) to bring it all together as a coherent practice good for body and aoul.
There are lots of great blogs, vlogs and podcasts (yours chief among them) that present us well, but none have really reached the mainstream.
I wish I had a good answer to present with my response. But naked people have little or no I fluence on society.
This is an interesting read, and an interesting concept for a show.
My attitude toward being seen physically naked is pretty much, "So what?" This has led me to claim, falsely, that I have nothing to hide; yet I actually consider myself a rather private person. Mere nudity is just skin deep, but there's much of my life that I don't often share.
What a fantastic summation and a really keen introspective into some of the problems we have today with the promotion, understanding and acceptance of, and in, nudism today.
Mant of the points Camp touches on are things I've experienced first hand with 'naturism' online. I put that in single quotes because my experiences have mostly led me to believe that online naturism is farcical. A hyperbole of generated feel-goodism with great intention, but next to no real substance.
From the continued silence from organizations on real issues ranging from racist problems to knowingly promoting transphobes, to consistent little posts and replies by people that clearly only have sex and attraction in their hearts, it's a never ending smorgasbord of negativity wrapped up in glittery packaging.
It sort of brings to mind the last post on Planet Nude about who your naked hero is. I refrained from commenting on that one because, to me, hero worship has become a REAL problem in the naturist world. Especially online. We have some deeply problematic people being placed on high pedestals, and if you even begin to point out some of those problems, the masses that see those people as their saviours come after you like there is no tomorrow... And that attitude ties in to what was spoken of here, because that's how dictators and authoritarians begin. Charismatic manipulation of the populace, and I'm afraid there are a few out there that have all the charisma, but very little true intent.
Anyway, enough of my rambling for now. It's certainly not all doom and gloom, and we have many wonderful voices and personalities as well, which I have tried to find and focus on. Since leaving social media nudism behind I've become a happier person, and I intend to leave the online fight to people better suited for it.
There was a book written about a century ago about a storm that comes through England. Its impact was to dissolve all paper and fabric. It reviews the initial shock, but then moves to the impacts on class structure without the outward signs of clothing and politics as people are forced to remember things as all books and documents are gone. This was a natural event as opposed to a political one.
Thank you for posting this, a very interesting read. I haven't seen the series, but from the description, it appears that it takes an idea to the extreme when in reality there are areas of grey.
The questions raised by one paragraph in particular need answering.
If naturists argue ferociously for a woman's right to bare her body, do they also support a woman's right to make certain medical decisions involving that same body? Absolutely yes. This naturist does.
If naturists assert that going nude represents a freedom of expression, do they also advocate for a person's right to wear the clothing of their choice, even when it does not conform to their perceived gender? Absolutely yes. This naturist does.
If naturists protest censorship of their lifestyle on social media, do they also condemn book bans? Absolutely yes. This naturist does.
If naturists insist the movement is not about sex, do they disavow decades of pinup girl “nudist” magazines and the beauty pageants and lingerie dances that have occurred at some of their resorts? Absolutely yes. This naturist does.
While I accept that a total state of enforced nudity for everyone does not solve the issues raised, that is not what many naturists are fighting for. Most of us just want the option of not wearing clothes to be a valid dress choice. I don't care if others don't want to go naked, I simply want the right to do so myself.
Powerfully written with sharp insights. Thank you for not pulling punches.
I think people do become more passionate and "sticky" in opinion when provoked into a threat state many times. The humbleness and willingness to change means being at peace with being wrong. It usually means growth and maturing your morals. It can also mean uncertainty and a loss of power compared to when you felt you knew before.
A saving grace, though, at least the way I see it, is that due to the fringe nature of nudism, most people enjoy a bit of subversion, a side of eff-you, a laugh at too much morality. As much as we want to be taken seriously, this piece of humanity will keep us more real than we know.
I find it interesting that this show is six years old, yet I have never heard of it until now. Which makes me wonder/ask, what other shows similar to this exist? I don't think this is such a good idea anyway, as utopia does not exist without God.
I have an essay, I'd love to share. It Has to do with the awakening to the dichotomy that you have uncovered here. For many years, I truly believed to be comfortable in one's skin., one must feel an extraordinary sense of gratitude and connection to the Earth, and to nature. To community, and with ones own health and wellness. Then, one day I was in a socially naked space that was deemed naked friendly, and I found some people who were very unkind and hurtful. Very selfish and independent minded, completely disconnected from caring about the health and well-being of their own bodies. End of some members of the community. The cognitive dissonance was overwhelming. I asked myself what is going on? How can one feel the beauty and connection of being in their own skin and yet not show gratitude?
I Started doing more research. And I started interacting with different groups, and while I understand, many people would take issue with my labels. I have made sense of this dichotomy by using the words, nudism and naturism to define different expressions of nakedness.
For me personally, nudism is about individualism and independent mindedness. Nudists in my observation are those who just want to be nude and are not naked as a result of feeling connected to nature. They are naked because they want to be and have a "don't tread on me", Leave me alone I want my personal freedom, perspective.
Naturists on the other hand are naked as a result of recognizing their inter-dependents. That independence is a symbolic feeling. It is imaginary and not a Naturists on the other hand are naked as a result of recognizing their inter-dependents. That independence is a symbolic feeling. It is imaginary and not a physical state of being. Naturists are naked, in my opinion, as a result of understanding their connection to nature, and that we are an animal on earth, as part of nature, not separate from it. This awakening to our interdependence dictates an obligation that we have to the health and well-being to ourselves, and our community and the Earth.
In your article, you use the word naturists where I would interpret what you're talking about as nudists. I have learned over time that a whole bunch of naked people together will not bring sense of kindness and compassion in and of itself. What Has to happen is within each of those individuals. There Has to be a collective awakening to their interdependence. When that happens, that naked community is one that will flourish. Not because they're naked but because they're interdependent Connection which will in turn be expressed through many healthy means. One of them will be body acceptance and value placed on social nakedness.
Nice review of the TV series. It just confirms that any of the philosophy is not perfect & can't suffice for the ideal society which someone may dream of. Naturism can't be a exception..
I think this film is not only about naturism, but rather a parody of our current society with its authoritarian attitude towards nudity. I think the author of the film is trying in such an inverted way to show all people the moral evils of a clothed society through the eyes of naturists, offering to take their place in society for the duration of the film.
Excellent review. I haven’t watched this series yet but the points you’ve touched on make it feel worth watching, and stir up all of the inconsistencies in naturist philosophy that frustrate me these days.
Excellent post, Evan.
I started watching Nu but am only an episode in. Looking forward to more. And I get to practice my forgotten high school French.
I don't want to live in a dogmatic, authoritarian culture, nude or not. I just want everyone to have the basics and feel safe and free to find and express themselves. We are far from that.
Your closing paragraph about the inarticulate goals of modern naturism being up an important question about our "movement." We don't have goals and a vibrant organization because we don't have leadership and hierarchy. There is no shared philosophy and structure, even in the clubs, just the general exhortation that naked is better. Adding the risk of sexuality association marginalizing us as perverts keeps us mostly in the closet. There's no Lee Baxandall (with his flaws and all) to bring it all together as a coherent practice good for body and aoul.
There are lots of great blogs, vlogs and podcasts (yours chief among them) that present us well, but none have really reached the mainstream.
I wish I had a good answer to present with my response. But naked people have little or no I fluence on society.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment, Greg! I generally agree. However just for clarity I actually didn’t write this article, it was authored by @Camp
Oh, then kudos to @Camp for the great observations.
That's what Mark Twain said.... 😉
This is an interesting read, and an interesting concept for a show.
My attitude toward being seen physically naked is pretty much, "So what?" This has led me to claim, falsely, that I have nothing to hide; yet I actually consider myself a rather private person. Mere nudity is just skin deep, but there's much of my life that I don't often share.
What a fantastic summation and a really keen introspective into some of the problems we have today with the promotion, understanding and acceptance of, and in, nudism today.
Mant of the points Camp touches on are things I've experienced first hand with 'naturism' online. I put that in single quotes because my experiences have mostly led me to believe that online naturism is farcical. A hyperbole of generated feel-goodism with great intention, but next to no real substance.
From the continued silence from organizations on real issues ranging from racist problems to knowingly promoting transphobes, to consistent little posts and replies by people that clearly only have sex and attraction in their hearts, it's a never ending smorgasbord of negativity wrapped up in glittery packaging.
It sort of brings to mind the last post on Planet Nude about who your naked hero is. I refrained from commenting on that one because, to me, hero worship has become a REAL problem in the naturist world. Especially online. We have some deeply problematic people being placed on high pedestals, and if you even begin to point out some of those problems, the masses that see those people as their saviours come after you like there is no tomorrow... And that attitude ties in to what was spoken of here, because that's how dictators and authoritarians begin. Charismatic manipulation of the populace, and I'm afraid there are a few out there that have all the charisma, but very little true intent.
Anyway, enough of my rambling for now. It's certainly not all doom and gloom, and we have many wonderful voices and personalities as well, which I have tried to find and focus on. Since leaving social media nudism behind I've become a happier person, and I intend to leave the online fight to people better suited for it.
There was a book written about a century ago about a storm that comes through England. Its impact was to dissolve all paper and fabric. It reviews the initial shock, but then moves to the impacts on class structure without the outward signs of clothing and politics as people are forced to remember things as all books and documents are gone. This was a natural event as opposed to a political one.
Thank you for posting this, a very interesting read. I haven't seen the series, but from the description, it appears that it takes an idea to the extreme when in reality there are areas of grey.
The questions raised by one paragraph in particular need answering.
If naturists argue ferociously for a woman's right to bare her body, do they also support a woman's right to make certain medical decisions involving that same body? Absolutely yes. This naturist does.
If naturists assert that going nude represents a freedom of expression, do they also advocate for a person's right to wear the clothing of their choice, even when it does not conform to their perceived gender? Absolutely yes. This naturist does.
If naturists protest censorship of their lifestyle on social media, do they also condemn book bans? Absolutely yes. This naturist does.
If naturists insist the movement is not about sex, do they disavow decades of pinup girl “nudist” magazines and the beauty pageants and lingerie dances that have occurred at some of their resorts? Absolutely yes. This naturist does.
While I accept that a total state of enforced nudity for everyone does not solve the issues raised, that is not what many naturists are fighting for. Most of us just want the option of not wearing clothes to be a valid dress choice. I don't care if others don't want to go naked, I simply want the right to do so myself.
Powerfully written with sharp insights. Thank you for not pulling punches.
I think people do become more passionate and "sticky" in opinion when provoked into a threat state many times. The humbleness and willingness to change means being at peace with being wrong. It usually means growth and maturing your morals. It can also mean uncertainty and a loss of power compared to when you felt you knew before.
A saving grace, though, at least the way I see it, is that due to the fringe nature of nudism, most people enjoy a bit of subversion, a side of eff-you, a laugh at too much morality. As much as we want to be taken seriously, this piece of humanity will keep us more real than we know.
Never forget that the purpose of government is to perpetuate government. The transparency act is nothing but a naked power grab. 😎
Can this been seen somewhere other than Amazon Prime?
I find it interesting that this show is six years old, yet I have never heard of it until now. Which makes me wonder/ask, what other shows similar to this exist? I don't think this is such a good idea anyway, as utopia does not exist without God.
I have an essay, I'd love to share. It Has to do with the awakening to the dichotomy that you have uncovered here. For many years, I truly believed to be comfortable in one's skin., one must feel an extraordinary sense of gratitude and connection to the Earth, and to nature. To community, and with ones own health and wellness. Then, one day I was in a socially naked space that was deemed naked friendly, and I found some people who were very unkind and hurtful. Very selfish and independent minded, completely disconnected from caring about the health and well-being of their own bodies. End of some members of the community. The cognitive dissonance was overwhelming. I asked myself what is going on? How can one feel the beauty and connection of being in their own skin and yet not show gratitude?
I Started doing more research. And I started interacting with different groups, and while I understand, many people would take issue with my labels. I have made sense of this dichotomy by using the words, nudism and naturism to define different expressions of nakedness.
For me personally, nudism is about individualism and independent mindedness. Nudists in my observation are those who just want to be nude and are not naked as a result of feeling connected to nature. They are naked because they want to be and have a "don't tread on me", Leave me alone I want my personal freedom, perspective.
Naturists on the other hand are naked as a result of recognizing their inter-dependents. That independence is a symbolic feeling. It is imaginary and not a Naturists on the other hand are naked as a result of recognizing their inter-dependents. That independence is a symbolic feeling. It is imaginary and not a physical state of being. Naturists are naked, in my opinion, as a result of understanding their connection to nature, and that we are an animal on earth, as part of nature, not separate from it. This awakening to our interdependence dictates an obligation that we have to the health and well-being to ourselves, and our community and the Earth.
In your article, you use the word naturists where I would interpret what you're talking about as nudists. I have learned over time that a whole bunch of naked people together will not bring sense of kindness and compassion in and of itself. What Has to happen is within each of those individuals. There Has to be a collective awakening to their interdependence. When that happens, that naked community is one that will flourish. Not because they're naked but because they're interdependent Connection which will in turn be expressed through many healthy means. One of them will be body acceptance and value placed on social nakedness.
Nice review of the TV series. It just confirms that any of the philosophy is not perfect & can't suffice for the ideal society which someone may dream of. Naturism can't be a exception..
I think this film is not only about naturism, but rather a parody of our current society with its authoritarian attitude towards nudity. I think the author of the film is trying in such an inverted way to show all people the moral evils of a clothed society through the eyes of naturists, offering to take their place in society for the duration of the film.