When Promoting Nakedness A Snapshot Is Worth A Thousand Words

The Bare Platypus finds it somewhat ironic that he spent years and years learning how to construct sentences and paragraphs in high school, college, and grad school.  And now... many of those skills are becoming obsolete.  Let me explain further.

This blog allows for writing essays and lengthier articles.  However, in the world of social media-- be it Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, or Instagram, messages are served up in bite sized morsels. Usually conveying one simple thought or idea.  Often juxtaposed over a photograph or illustration that emphasizes the point.

Think about how many of these eCards, memes, advertisements, or whatever you want to call them, that show up in your Facebook feed each morning.  No expository writing on the level of an H.L. Mencken, a James Thurber, or an E.B. White there.  Just a picture and a few quick words to get the viewer thinking.  Then it's on to a hundred other posts in the news feed, on to breakfast, and the morning radio show..

Now, this blog post is not meant to be a Luddite's manifesto against the way things are going in journalism.  Just a realization that the depth of information once found on a full website, or feature length article just isn't the way folks exchange information in the marketplace of ideas much anymore.  That means that nudists must be prepared to convey messages in new ways.  On Tumblr it's not much of an issue... Tumblr is liberal about depicting nudity..We note, somewhat wryly, that this may attract those who merely collect images of nude people rather than reaching the "outside" world.with the message of nudism.

We're interested in what it will take to get nude messaging in front of more of the mainstream viewership. We get religious, political, humorous and slice-of-life messages.  We get recipes, celebrations of sporting events... even see what our former classmates had for dinner last night?  Couldn't we do a better job of getting people to think about getting naked?  True, many social media have policies that ban any nudity and get Draconian about enforcing those policies. But surely we can do more within the parameters we do have.

Is there room for line drawings?  Is there room for diagrams, pie charts, or something else we can use???

We don't use much in the way of images on this site now.  But we may have to work on generating more of these "meme shots" than we have in the past if we wish to remain relevant in the fast-paced dialogue of today.

Nudity and Autism: Many Visits to the Bare Platypus Pages on that Subject this Week

Not sure what brought on a sudden interest in a topic that the Bare Platypus has been posting about for years, but this week our Nudity and Autism Page got substantial traffic.  To commemorate the increased awareness, we're posting the ecard below which we have seen elsewhere on the net.

We welcome thoughts and comments from those of you who deal with autism yourselves or in your families.

UK Bans Skinny Dipping Ad - But NOT for the Reasons You Think

Here's some interesting news.  The UK advertising standards board struck down an advertisement for a hostel featuring skinny dippers because the ad depicted the college aged swimmers jumping from cliffs into water of unknown depth.  In other words, it showed DANGEROUS activity.  Not objectionable nudity.

See the story yourself Naked ad banned for depicting dangerous activity .

Is it just an excuse?  Knowing that many persons have become disabled through such jumps, we think it's a valid point.  But for what it's worth, we like the ad!

Sleeping Naked - Yet Another Article Advocates Bedtime in the Buff

Once again there's an online article advising folks to Sleep Naked for Health Benefits .  This is becoming regular news, but it's always fun reading new, and different, reasons for doing what we like to do.  Remember, you spend about 1/3 of your life sleeping.  Why not spend that time naked???

Naked in the NFL – Network Shows Players’ Bare Butts

It was during locker room interviews on broadcast TV.  Not much of a story, but it’s something for Platypus readers to review on a Monday afternoon…  The fact that folks chose to "grin and bare" it rather than turn some simple cheek into "scandal" is probably a good sign too.

Click link below to watch on You Tube.

NFL Network Shows Bare Butts

Shed Clothes when Trees Shed Their Leaves

Okay, summer is officially over.  But that doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy some naked time outdoors before it turns really cold.  In some places we’re still enjoying “Indian Summer” with a few warm days here and there.  When this happens, ‘Don’t waste the opportunity!  Get bare while you can!”

If you are already experiencing chilly weather, you may find it warm enough to sit outside by one of those nice fire pits you can purchase for your deck or patio.  This will keep you warm enough (while you sip hot chocolate or hot cider) and embrace fall.

And if all else fails?  Break out the bearskin rug (or reasonable facsimile thereof) some logs, and get a toasty fire going to get naked near.

For many nudists, Fall is actually a favorite time of year.  Be a Bare in the woods! 

Why Nudists MUST Be

Platypus Note: The Bare Platypus appreciates visitors to this blog who come from all walks of life, from all religious faiths, and those who profess no faith at all.  At the same time, the Platypus family has not been secretive about our own Christian faith, which is of the utmost importance to us.  This post is primarily directed to our Christian brothers and sisters, though all readers are invited.

This post has been long, long overdue on the Bare Platypus. However, we have been prompted to write it after recent developments at the church we have attended for the past two and a half years. Summarized, the church leadership informed Mrs. Platypus that they did not feel comfortable with her in the role of teaching Bible study.  The issue was not one of qualifications.  Mrs. Platypus has a minor in religious studies from a large, well-respected university and more than thirty years of experience as a Sunday School teacher, youth group director, church secretary, and student of scripture.  The issue was not one of doctrine either: she has orthodox beliefs about the authority of scripture, the divinity of Christ, and other key tenets of the faith.

No. In this case it was because some people had whispered to said leadership that Mr. and Mrs. Platypus and family are nudists and advocates for nudism. Please understand that Mrs. Platypus has never used her classes as a platform to promote nudism. Our family does not try to "recruit" among church members - we have never found that to be appropriate.  At the same time, it would not be difficult to learn about this aspect of our family's life with a bit of time spent online.  If asked about it, we're honest.  We have never felt a need to be ashamed about enjoying time naked outdoors, in our backyards and swimming pools, at clubs, and on appropriate beaches where it is allowed.

But what would people think?  And won't we tempt others to sin by what we're doing?  Could we be  promoting lustful thoughts in others? (Anyone who has seen our aging, sagging skins must surely know this would not be the case. But, oh well.)

So it has come time to state it for the record: There MUST be nudists in this world and they must be there for a DIVINE reason.  Specifically, there MUST be people who bare witness to God's most incredible of creations: the human body. Scripture teaches that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made."  It teaches us in Genesis that after God finished creating man, in his naked state, mind you, He pronounced His creation "very good."  We were originally intended to live life naked. It is the most comfortable, refreshing, awesome state of being. Every toddler in their birthday suit who squeals with glee gets this. (Didn't Jesus speak of entering God's kingdom as a child??? Hmmm. Maybe there's something there.) Naked is how we were made by our Almighty Creator and how we were meant to be.

Whatever events have past and sins that have entered this world, there MUST be people to live naked and attest to how incredible it is. If only to preserve that critical remnant of God's glorious work among us.

Ask yourself, if a human artist with incredible skill such as Picasso, or Michelangelo, or Raphael (who all created nudes at one time or another by the way) painted or sculpted their ultimate masterpiece, would it be as special if it were confined to a dark closet as if it were viewed with admiration in the Louve?  Genuine nudists view the human body as a beautiful, awesome testimony to God's best work.  Making creations worth dying for.

Genuine nudists can do this without automatically resorting to lust-filled thoughts, even if some cannot. It is among our most important purposes in life: to give our Creator glory by admiring what He has done.

Don't denigrate this.

Don't codify anti-nudity laws in subheadings of statutes such as "obscenity."

See every body as beautiful in its own way.

Understand that a naked toddler's bare bottom is not automatically pornographic.

Breasts are, really, an incredible and healthy way to feed infants.

Nieman Marcus, Ralph Lauren, Saville Row, and Tiffany's cannot improve on perfection nor hope to duplicate it.

There MUST be people around to say these things.  Patrons to appreciate the Artist's handiwork.

Nudists MUST Be.