Category Archives: nudism

history, links, medical, natural history, nudism, science

Monthly Links

Behold, this month’s collection of links to items you may have missed. Let’s dive straight in as there’s quite a bit of science-y stuff this month.

Science, Technology, Natural World

Astronomers have been seeking the so-called Planet 9 for decades, but still can’t even agree that it is likely to exist.

Deep within Earth there are two giant mystery blobs. What do we know about them?

We all happily talk about the average this or the average that, but what do we mean by average, and why isn’t it always, well, average?

Now to the animal kingdom …

Many animals, including our pets, have a third eyelid, so why don’t we?

Try to get your head round this … Alan Turing’s pattern-generating mechanism for spots and stripes on animal coats; and how the mechanism is modified. [LONG READ]

Despite their size, gorillas have extremely small penises, and it turns out that the genetic mutations which cause this may also help human male fertility.

group of sperm whales

Scientists have been investigating the vocalisations of sperm whales for years, and some now think that they may be the elements of a language, with dialects.

A new to Britain exotic jumping spider has been found in Cornwall, and it isn’t the only one.

And on the subject of foreign arrivals, the Guardian has a sensible and thoughtful piece about the invasive Asian Yellow-Legged Hornet (Vespa velutina) which has invaded continental Europe and is trying to get a foothold in the UK. [LONG READ]
Here’s the BBC article which triggered my recent blog post on these hornets.
STOP PRESS: The Asian Yellow-Legged Hornet has now been discovered in a southern state of USA (Georgia to be precise)!

face of an Asian yellow-legged hornet

Still with wasps … It seems that many parasitic wasps have tamed viruses so they can use them to help subdue their prey. [LONG READ]

From hornets to their forest home … there’s a theory that trees are social and communicate with each other across the “wood wide web” of fungal filaments. But it is only a theory and some are arguing it is fantasy. [LONG READ]

Treat with extreme care … Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is quite a pretty American Spring flower. But don’t go messing with it as the roots contain a blood red alkaloid, sanguinarine, which will shut down and kill any cells it comes in contact with, and more.

We all contain vestiges of our evolutionary past like goose bumps, extra nipples and the ability to waggle our ears. [££££]

Which brings us to several items about Neanderthals …
So what is the difference between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens? We interbred so there can’t be a lot, right?
There’s still debate about Neanderthals ability to talk.
Some aspects of our health seem to depend on DNA we inherited from Neanderthals.
And most weirdly, apparently the Neanderthal Y chromosome (which codes for male) has been lost, suggesting that human/Neanderthal hybrid males were infertile (in some form).

Health, Medicine

So is the menopause like puberty in reverse? Well, yes, and then again no. [LONG READ]

Most of us guzzle diet drinks and other low calorie goodies, but research is now indicating that the sweeteners are actually harmful to our gut and its microbes.

Archaeological research is now suggesting that (red) squirrels were instrumental is spreading leprosy and transmitting it to humans.

Sexuality

What is the art of lasting sexual connections?

History, Archaeology, Anthropology

Egyptian Goddess Nut

One astrophysicist has been exploring the connection between the Milk Way and Nut, the ancient Egyptian Sky Goddess.

There’s a rare and very strange, apparently Roman, object (below) which was found at Norton Disney, Lincolnshire. The trouble is no-one knows what it is, or was used for, and there are a number of theories.

mystery Roman dodecahedron

A 1,700-year-old Roman shipwreck found on the coast at Mallorca was loaded with fish sauce when it sank.

We know there was a thriving, early medieval Norse colony in Greenland, but why did it suddenly vanish in the 13th century?

On fake medieval devices for torture and sex.

So what was going on in London during the English Civil War (January 1642 to April 1646). [LONG READ]

London

Specifically now to modern London … London’s Royal Parks have their own plant nursery in the middle of Hyde Park, and IanVisits went to look.

Lifestyle, Personal Development, Beliefs

Bhutan, the Dragon Kingdom, strictly limits visitors in order to protect its environment and heritage. But what is it like when you do go there?

Bhutan

Kate Lister asks how you know when you’re in love, and when you’re falling out of it. [££££]

A growing number of women are choosing to not have children. Here some tell what that’s like.

And finally on one of my hobbyhorses … the need to normalise and desexualise nudity if we are to achieve a well balanced society.

freedom of speech, nudism, personal, thoughts

Some Thoughts on Social Nudity (Again!)

A while back, over on Medium and on Quora James Grigg posited the question:

Why do men seem more comfortable with nudity?

As well he might; there is historically a greater preponderance of “single men” in the nudist movement. But why?

Grigg is an artist and photographer who does a lot of nude positive work, photographing ordinary people, including himself, in the nude in ordinary poses. So in some ways he is in a good position to judge. In other ways, because he’s male, he isn’t (and neither am I!).

His basic thesis is that women tend to avoid social nudity because

Slut shaming and rape culture are not conducive to women being able to be naked … comfortably.

This is based on the misplaced but widespread belief that nudity and sex are interchangeable, and that

Women … are expected to gatekeep sex from men who apparently … have no control over their … desires or actions.

There’s also the question of objectifying the female body, such that perfectly ordinary bodies are not seen as adequate. All of which basically says to me: lads you need to grow up.

While I wouldn’t disagree this is a significant element of the problem, I think there are other factors at play although perhaps not as predominant. Let’s turn the arguments somewhat on their head and look at the male side of the question. I see a further three possible reasons why men are more comfortable with social nudity, but they’re big generalisations.

First there is the macho need to show off, to be top lad, and attract a mate – the biological need to be the alpha male. This is not necessarily about shagging any eligible nubile (attractive though that might be!); it’s more about male pecking order. This makes nudity below the waist acceptable, even essential, for bragging and showing off; and above the waist neutral or irrelevant as there’s nothing much to show off. Females are the opposite: it is (mostly) OK to be bare above the waist (bragging rights or showing off, again, maybe?) but there’s no imperative for nudity below the waist – again because there is nothing very visible to show off (although the fashion for removing pubic hair does change that).

The second factor – which goes along with this – is all about physical comfort, and not having all your appendages constrained within clothing. Hence, simplistically, females are more likely to be physically comfortable bare chested, and not having their tits clad in armour. Conversely males are more comfortable with their dangly bits free to air – especially as ventilation also mitigates against the annoyances of jock itch etc.; something of which many blokes appear unaware.

I also suspect there is another, subconscious, factor at play. As a very big generalisation, guys tend to experience spontaneous desire: they’re always up for it even from a cold start. Contrarywise females mostly have responsive desire: they need warming up, enticing, encouraging, before they become actively aroused and eager. Yes, that is a generalisation, and there are many who don’t conform to this model, but it could be another factor playing into the “alpha male culture”.

I’ll accept that most guys and girls probably don’t actively think very much about any of this – it’s mostly subconscious. Basically therefore, while I don’t disagree with James Grigg’s thesis, I think the situation may well be more complex than he makes out – although, given our social conditioning, much of the time the reasoning will be entirely subconscious.

Getting this levelled out – as we should if we’re going to have a really well balanced society – will take time, and a willingness on everyone’s part to adjust and to grow up. Much as we’d like it to, it won’t happen overnight. Which just amplifies my oft repeated belief in respecting one another and treating everyone the same. We’re all people. No-one is better (or worse) than anyone else. And, give or take, we all know what’s under each other’s t-shirt and jeans. So, really, there shouldn’t be a problem with nudity, should there!

history, links, medical, nudism, science, sexuality

Monthly Links

OK, guys and gals, it’s time for our monthly round up of links to items you may have missed the first time round. So here goes …

Science, Technology, Natural World

There’s this giant star-shaped sand dune in Morocco whose mysteries are now beginning to be understood.

There are some mathematical techniques which can not only tell use where we’re going, but where we’ve been.

teenage brains graphic

Most parents would agree that teenagers are odd. Here are two reasons why.
First it seems there may be evolutionary advantages to the affliction of “teenage brain“. [£££]
Secondly apparently puberty triggers “teenage armpit odour” of cheese, goat and urine.

Now to something more wholesome … Every cat has a strange pouch under its belly and scientists still don’t know why.

Health, Medicine

Girls are entering puberty ever earlier, and for some it is proving a significant mental health risk. [LONG READ]

Along with this we must stop trying to normalise and ignore women’s menstrual pain and bleeding. [LONG READ]

coloured woman's hands over her pubic area

Mind you, it doesn’t help matters when menstrual health literacy is so alarmingly low.

Progressing through the reproductive cycle, here’s a piece of pregnancy and childbirth in 17th-century England.

Now for something different. Unusually some people are totally unable to picture things in their mind, they have no mind’s eye. [LONG READ]

Sexuality

This one’s not for the squeamish … Why do some people find it pleasurable to insert objects into their urethra? [LONG READ]

On safer ground, here’s a look at some new insights into people’s motivation for polyamory.

four people grpahic

Social Sciences, Business, Law, Politics

It is much believed that girls avoid studying physics because the maths is too hard, but that is not the case.

History, Archaeology, Anthropology

The world’s oldest known fossilized forest has been discovered in England.

A Copper Age necropolis, containing skeletons and still sharp weapons, has been found in Italy.

Burginda was an early medieval English woman who was not just educated but well-versed in African poetry.

A guy fishing with a magnet from an Oxfordshire bridge has pulled up an 1100-year-old Viking sword.

Viking sword

So how do historians sensibly divide the 1100-ish years of the Middle Ages into manageable chunks of time.

Just as today, medieval women had informal social networks to share health problems and medical advice.

In which 17th-century ladies go dildo shopping.

Don’t like a seven day week? How does a 10 day week sound? The French Revolutionary Calendar tried it for 13 years until Napoleon abandoned it in favour of keeping step with the rest of Europe.

French Republican timepiece

Food, Drink

There’s an impending risotto crisis as it seems the key Italian rice crops are dying due to drought. [LONG READ]

Lifestyle, Personal Development, Beliefs

Here’s one neurologist who makes a good case against daylight saving time. [LONG READ]

Meanwhile one sex researcher has vowed to never share her bed with anyone anymore. [££££]

There’s a growing belief that many of our ills, and especially those of younger generations, are all down to our dependence on smartphones.

You’ve doubtless heard of incels, now we need to start understanding the psychology of femcels.

And finally I’ll leave you with one (naturist) writer’s take on understanding the difference between naturism and primitive living. [LONG READ]

girls nude cricket
It’s very unlikely that “primitives” played cricket. ☺
nudism, thoughts

Mixed Nudity

[LONG POST]

I’ve been thinking, again, about naturism & nudity, and our attitudes towards it.

As many here will know, I had a somewhat bohemian upbringing in the 1950/60s.

  • Nudity was considered normal.
  • Little (rooms, books etc.) at home was off limits.
  • Internal doors, including the bathroom door, were never shut unless we had visitors. Even in my mid-20s when N was visiting and we were sleeping together, my bedroom door was always at least ajar.
  • Many times I would stand in the bathroom talking with my mother in the bath; and I was regularly conscripted to scrub my father’s back.
  • At around age 8/9/10 we had two, 2-week, holidays at a nudist club. While this was doubtless for my education, my parents must both have been up for it themselves. Subsequently things within the family conspired to restrict holidays, and nudist club visits, rather than my parents becoming disinterested.

OK so like all teenagers I went through the phase of not wanting to be parading around the school changing rooms in the nude. But I don’t think I was worse than average about this, and indeed probably less so. And from the time I was a student it has bothered me not one iota. As soon as I had a student room to myself I slept in the nude, and have continued to do so ever since (barring the odd occasion in hospital) – I don’t even possess a pair of pyjamas, and haven’t done for 30 years or more!

Now I spend as much time as possible in the nude when at home. At this time of year, when it’s warm, I will don a pair of shorts if I have to go further than 6 feet from the back door, if I have to answer the door, or there is anyone other than N in the house. I wear clothes to cover other people’s embarrassment. I’m naturally warm (the blubber helps) so even in winter I’ll mostly wear a t-shirt and lounging bottoms – you know it’s really cold if I put on a sweater and socks. Sure it helps that we have a naturally warm house; and no, we don’t run the heating 24/7 or on a high temperature – the thermostat is set at about 20&deg.C and the timer is still set as it was when we were working: on for a few hours morning and evening.

Why do I do this? Well firstly because I find it comfortable; not that I find clothes particularly uncomfortable. Secondly, it is more ecologically sound: fewer clothes to buy (I have a wardrobe full and need few now I’m not working), and less washing (less water, detergent, energy used). And thirdly because it is healthier: the more fresh air one gets to body parts, especially sticky/icky ones, the better they are; less itchy etc. Overall it just feels right and natural. If it was good enough for Benjamin Franklin, who took a daily “air bath” it’s good enough for me.

Given all that, I struggle to understand why most people have issues with nudity. It seems to be no more than conditioning, originally imposed by patriarchal religion. Religions in general imposed clothing as the norm because they perceived it as reducing sexuality (wrong!) and wanting to keep the populous under control. So of course political entities from Lords of the Manor to national governments were going to jump on the bandwagon. This in turn has engendered a self-perpetuating prudishness. As author Mokokoma Mokhonoana has said “It’s the invention of clothes, not nature, that made ‘private parts’ private”.

No, don’t come at me with “But it’ll corrupt the children”, because it won’t. As I’ve written here before British Naturism have looked at this in some depth and concluded it will do the opposite of “corrupting” children. They’re even backed by child psychologist Lee Salk (1926-1992) who observed [McCall’s magazine, June 1976]:

Being natural and matter-of-fact about nudity prevents your children from developing an attitude of shame or disgust about the human body. If parents are very secretive about their bodies and go to great lengths to prevent their children from ever seeing a buttock or breast, children will wonder what is so unusual, and even alarming, about human nudity.

And research by academic Keon West has also found that nudity generally improves body image.

Naturally, people from ancient times onwards have wanted some form of clothing – anything from an animal skin to a fleecy nylon onesie – for warmth, when needed. But that doesn’t account for the need to wear a bikini or speedos on a boiling hot Caribbean beach (or in the swimming pool, or gym).

mixed pool

So where, and why, is there a problem? Why in these more liberal times can we not throw off the shackles of prudishness and patriarchal religion? What can we do to shift our thinking and quell our hang-ups?

I recall in the mid-1970s, when I was a Resident Tutor at university and sitting on a university accommodation committee, there was a move not just for mixed student residences but mixed corridors in the residences. A couple of the older Accommodation Office staff had apoplexy; while the students and I all said “Where’s the problem?”. Students can lock their doors; there are doors on the toilet cubicles, the bath and at least a curtain on the shower (which could easily be made to fasten at both sides, or be replaced by a door). I don’t know if his was implemented as I left at the end of that academic year, but it was a big step to even be discussing it in 1975/6.

So while it is not the full answer, and not something which could be instituted overnight, I’ve long been in favour of not just mixed sports but mixed changing rooms. When I was a student I regularly played squash against girls of my acquaintance (boys too). I remember thinking then how daft it was that at the courts there were two changing rooms (male & female), each comfortably sized for maybe six or eight people but each invariably being used by only one or two at a time. How much more efficient to combine the changing rooms to make one space for eight, with just one loo and one shower cubicle. Moreover I feel morally certain that the girls would have a civilizing influence on the less savoury habits of the male (think smelly socks and sports bags).

Why could this not be extended to all changing rooms? And make swimming pools & gyms “costumes optional”? Really, where is the problem. What do you mean “It’s not nice!”; “It would be a rampant orgy” or “There’ll be two rapes an hour”? That’s just rubbish. Think about it …

  • Give or take the odd scar (and scars tell interesting stories), we all know what’s under your t-shirt and jeans, my t-shirt and jeans. So we can hardly claim to be surprised.
  • We all know that people have hairy bits, and some people shave them – just like some men shave their faces and others have beards.
  • We all know that women have periods, get pregnant, go through the menopause; and we all know men have erections (sometimes involuntary). Again, we can hardly claim to be surprised.
  • At some point in our lives (and for many of us, most of our lives) we’re going to live with, or at least flat share, with someone of the opposite sex – even the homosexuals (of both genders) and asexuals are likely to do so somewhere along the way. So we have “domestic exposure” to the opposite sex in a non-partnered, non-family, situation, and it isn’t a sexual free-for-all.
  • We have to live and work in a mixed community. And, if we think about it at all, we all recognise that clothing is actually much more sexual than nudity. Men are not rampant sex maniacs; neither are women. Nudity is much more boring than clothing; and a great social leveller – no fashion etc.

Yes, of course we would have toilet cubicles with doors, and maybe even a few cubicles for those who feel an overwhelming need for modesty when changing (transgender people in transition, perhaps). Beyond that where is the need? Really?

OK I’ll buy that it would be strange at first and take time for people to become accustomed; but over time, as younger generations are increasingly brought up this way, and the rest of us adjust, it would be a natural part of life. Think how the Scandinavians find mixed saunas perfectly normal.

And from there it would be only a short step to the acceptance of public nudity as a lifestyle choice.

beliefs, nudism

Saturday Nudes

What are you doing on Saturday?

Me? I’m planning to spend as much of the day as possible without clothes because this Saturday is BN’s (British Naturism) Great British Take-off.

The idea is just to experience naturism and home nudity, so all are encouraged to spend as much of the day as possible without clothes to enjoy the liberated and exhilarating feeling that comes from being naked whether indoors or out in the fresh air and sunshine. The event is also part of BN’s efforts to raise money for their charity of the year: British Heart Foundation.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that during lockdown people are dressing less (and maybe not at all) and are keen to throw out the rule book and try something new. At any time, even in lockdown, you can be nude at home: indoors or in your garden – and it is perfectly legal.

As a general rule, nudity is not illegal in UK. You are entitled to go nude in your garden even if the garden is overlooked – unless you do so with intent to cause alarm and distress. You do not need to tell your neighbours, although you may wish to.

Public nudity is also not illegal, unless (again) it is done with intent to cause offence, alarm and distress, or it is likely to result in public disorder. Going about one’s normal activities in the nude is unlikely to fall foul of such laws; the Police and CPS have clear guidelines on this. However do note that some local authorities may have bye-laws prohibiting nudity (and even toplessness), for example in parks or on beaches; the law may also be different outside England & Wales – so it is wise to check first.

I’ve blogged before about the benefits of nudity and it isn’t just that feeling of liberation that makes nudism so worthwhile. Nudity is actually good for you, both mentally and physically. There is scientific evidence (see for example here) that nudist experience has a positive effect on body image and self-esteem. Moreover nudity helps children rather than harming them; if safely exposed to nudity they seem to grow up to become more aware and better adjusted adults.

So, temperature permitting, I shall doubtless be spending as much of Saturday as possible without raiment – as I often do – around the house. Do I go nude in the garden? Yes, but discretely! I generally don’t stray more than 12 feet or so from the backdoor; although we are overlooked the neighbours would have to peer hard to see down into this space. Most times (like 99%) if I’m going beyond the ha-ha I do at least put on a pair of shorts – there’s a fine line between being free and frightening the horses.

Here I am at a nudist club, aged 8 or 9, trying to drown my mother

Notwithstanding the above, I still hear you say “How can you do this?”. Well, I don’t have a problem with nudity – anyone’s nudity. I was introduced to naturism by my parents at the age of 8 or 9 and regularly saw my parents in the nude at home. In consequence I have never had a problem with nudity: whether seeing others or being seen. I’m comfortable in my skin, even if I maybe don’t like the amount of flesh it contains. So why do people have a problem? We all know what’s under your t-shirt and jeans, my t-shirt and jeans. I wear clothes to cover other people’s embarrassment (or if I’m cold).

So why not join in and spend Saturday tous déshabillés. You never know, you might enjoy it. And if not you don’t have to do it again.

beliefs, nudism, people

Lewd in Utah

The headline in Thursday’s (23 January 2020) Guardian was

Forget ‘lewd behaviour’ – is being naked around your own kids good for them?

The writer, Poppy Noor, takes issue with a recent Utah court ruling that children seeing their mother’s (presumably any female’s) naked breasts is “lewd behaviour” and damages the kids.

Noor is right. This ruling is completely off-its-tits bonkers, and flies in the face of the available evidence – as I’ve written about many times before.

But then this is Utah, home of Salt Lake City and the Mormons, so what does one really expect?

Do grow up guys!

beliefs, nudism

More on Nudism

I happened on a blog post the other day under the title 10 Things Only Nudists Understand.

While I’m not convinced that only nudists understand these things, they are a quick introduction/FAQ to some of the common misconceptions about nudism.

The ten things are:

  1. Nude is not sexual
  2. Life is better without clothes
  3. Everybody has beautiful imperfections
  4. Nudism gives you a sense of freedom
  5. Nudism is great within the family
  6. Nudists don’t live in nudist colonies
  7. Nudists can be everybody
  8. There are many different kinds of nudism
  9. Nudism brings people together
  10. Nudism is just so much fun

Detailed discussion in the actual blog post.

beliefs, nudism, personal

Nudity (again)

I came across an interesting post on the Naked Wanderings blog. It is overtly about the influences nudism has on our (intimate) relationships, but I found it interesting because it also throws some light on why many people find nudity (and thus nudism/naturism) so scary and taboo. Here’s the cut down version:

[N]udism has a positive influence on both our physical and mental health.
. . .
But how does nudism effect relationships?
. . .
[Apparently] the divorce rate among nudist couples is a lot lower than among textiles . . . are nudist couples sharing different values than textiles which are more likely to keep them together?
. . .
The level of trust in our relationship is high enough that we wouldn’t be threatened knowing that our partner was spending time naked among other nudies.
. . .
[But] in many relationships, trust is often linked with an inevitable idea of not letting the fox into the hen house . . . We want our partner to be sexy as hell when we go out together but we wonder why they have to look so fancy when they will spend a night with friends. We know that a couple of her well placed hip movements in that dress can make a guy go crazy or that with his three day beard in combination with that certain shirt he’ll have girls hanging on his lips. Imagine what it would be like if everyone was naked.
. . .
If we allow our partner to be seen naked and to see others in their purest form, have we conquered jealousy? [Maybe.] It’s all about the intention.
. . .
For us, it seems unimaginable not to see our partner nude at least a couple of times a day, but we would probably be surprised if we knew for how many people it has been weeks, months, sometimes even years since they last saw their partner’s naked body.
. . .
According to [one] poll . . . 40% of the interviewees preferred to only have sex when the lights are out . . . because then you avoid getting caught up in thoughts about your physical appearance . . . If you have any intention to spend at least some part of your life with this person, you still feel that you have to hide your own body?
. . .
[T]here is no hiding, we see each other naked so often that . . . we became aware of our bodies and we accept how we and our partner looks . . . nudity still gets us excited, but it depends on the situation. 
. . .
We get the question about how to convince your partner into nudism . . . Propose that they give it a try. Only once, in a secure and not very crowded place.
. . .
[W]e are completely okay with others who prefer to wear clothes. We are not saying that our lifestyle is the only right one.

If even half of this is true, then I find it a very sad reflection on the state of our minds, and the prudish control which has been exerted on us for generations – this is nothing new. A lot of it can certainly be laid at the door of Western religions and the patriarchy; although there are doubtless other influences too.

Isn’t it time we accepted that we’re basically all the same. We all know what’s under your t-shirt and jeans; my t-shirt and jeans.

So where is the problem? Yes, like so many things the problem really is only in your mind, if you allow it to be.

arts, beliefs, nudism, sexuality

Life Drawing

Thanks to @ldsdrawingclub on Twitter for drawing attention to this piece from the Daily Telegraph of a few days ago.

Life drawing can help teens overcome
social media body confidence issues

The Telegraph website is paywalled, so here are a few snippets:

Experts including the former president of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters have advised that drawing nude models could help youngsters understand what “real” people look like, compared to those on social media.

What is out there online for youngsters is often superficial and does not accurately represent what people look like in real life … images seen online and on social media are having an impact of distorting reality and … cause people to have body confidence issues or think how they look is different.

I would urge people to get involved in life drawing which has the benefit of allowing people to question what the ‘ideal’ body is.

Life drawing is an opportunity to study the human form, folds, blemishes and all – not wondering if the image you’re obsessing over has been photoshopped.

Those who follow along here won’t be surprised to learn that I entirely agree. I can’t draw for toffee – I was so bad I wasn’t allowed to take O-level Art at school, but I have been to an art class since school (to little effect, I may say). But in many ways one’s drawing ability doesn’t matter. What’s important is the exposure, the ability to see so many different forms, the opportunity through drawing to see how all the pieces and shapes fit together, and to realise it is all normal.

More power to these people for doing their bit to cure us of this toxic ethos and these ridiculous taboos.