What makes something "shocking"?
In this #UndressedThread, we’re looking at how cultural norms shape what we find surprising, uncomfortable, or even offensive
At different points in history, things we now see as normal—like women wearing pants or people getting tattoos—were considered shocking. Yet, as norms shift, so does what we consider “too much.” So what makes something shocking, and why does that change over time?
In this #UndressedThread, we’re asking:
Have you ever been shocked by something, only to later see it as normal?
How much of “shock” is real, and how much is cultural conditioning?
What’s considered normal today that you think might shock people 100 years from now?
Share your thoughts in the comments. 🪐
I would like to turn the question around. Is it normal not to be shocked at anything? Maybe it is living in nudist communities for decades or working in an Emergency Room, or even being a birder/RVer and being on the road more than most and saying "I have seen everything." Maybe because I am constantly looking for birds in that I see things most don't pay attention to? I remember driving down US 81 West of Alpine Texas in my RV where the road follows the railroad. It is long straight and flat there. I see a car parked in the other lane. As I get closer I see a naked woman taking a selfie while she is laying "spread eagle" in middle of tracks. I make a comment to my wife in co-pilot seat, she doesn't even look up and just notes "was she using a selfie stick or a tripod?" Seen naked people in cars, drug drops/deal, stumbled upon naked wiccan ceremonies basically naked people doing almost everything, people having sex, dead bodies, bodies that looked dead that weren't, cars, car parts, even beer barrels bouncing towards us on the highway, UFOs, tornadoes, etc. In the ER, you have to get out in the weeds to tell me a story that even remotely shocks me, and language? I have had the gamut said to me. The list is long. Probably the most shocking thing was a herd of elephants that refused to let us pass, but it was in South Africa and how "shocking" should that have been? I have been shot at. I wasn't shocked but decided a quick retreat was in the cards, that was just self preservation. Like I said, nothing shocks us, are we abnormal?
I believe in this day and time very little is considered shocking. As a society, we have become numb to many things we once thought were sacred or held to a higher standard. The argument could be made that when standards or expectations are lowered, we allow ourselves to be less critical of a situation or outcome. However, the underlying issue relates to one's perception based on experience, knowledge, and open-mindedness. We all are a reflection of our willingness to accept others as it pertains to Naturism. Being Shocked... is relative to the inability to adapt or consider others and what they may consider normal.