The Platypus Philosophy on Twitter Followers

When the Bare Platypus team began this blog more than five years ago, Twitter was not on our radar screen.  Indeed, it took several years before Platypus tweets and retweets started appearing. As more and more activity takes place on the Twitter forum, we figured the beginning of a New Year would be as good a time as any to explain and clarify our approach to maintaining a Twitter following.

First, we'll note with some regret that there are more than one Twitter users who claim to be "nudists,"  yet make it fairly clear, fairly on in their posts and images that they are seeking a much more risque' audience and conversation.  (We're putting this mildly for the benefit of sensitive folk who may be reading).  If we had a dollar for every Twitter account that began with the disclaimer that "nudism is not about (you know what)" and then went on to present (you know what) in very graphic detail and images... well, we'd have enough dollars that we could arrange to have our Platypus fur dry cleaned, that's for sure.

The approach of many legitimate Twitter nudists is to announce, up front, that any followers with such graphic material will be blocked. While we understand the concerns associated with blurring the lines between nudism and "something else" we're not exactly sure what the term being "blocked" entails.

If, on the one hand, blocking a non-nudist tweeter who doesn't get nudism means that legitimate nudists don't want to (return) follow those accounts, we understand and observe that principle ourselves.  To the best of our ability we do not sign up to receive objectionable tweets and periodically review postings to cull those who post objectionable risque material from our "who we follow" list.  It would not be our practice, of course, to retweet or like objectionable material either.

On the other hand, The Platypus does not usually try to block Twitter accounts from following us.  It's not about trying to inflate lists and numbers...it's from a genuine hope that some folks, at some time, may receive, review, and actually learn something about the difference between exploiting the human body and articles or images legitimately celebrating these creations in a way that respects persons from all walks of life, gray hair, wrinkles and all.

You get the idea.

Occasionally the Platypus Team blocks a follower who consistently demonstrates particularly disturbing trends (such as advocating violence, abuse of persons, etc.) but we try to show more latitude for followers as opposed to those we select to follow for the above-stated reasons.

If you happen to review the list of those who we "allow" to follow Bare Platypus and find some of them objectionable, please understand that allowing people to read legitimate messages about nudism does not mean that we "endorse" those who choose to read what we print.

A bit complicated to explain, but we appreciate your patience.  And your alternative views in the comments to this blog.

Happy Nude Year in 2018 - We Really Mean It!

If you follow nudist blogs or Twitter accounts you know it's fairly common for us to use the pun "Happy Nude Year!"  We say, or type, it enough each January 1st that it tends to lose some of the meaning over time.  But we really mean it... We hope you will make a New Year Resolution to spend more time naked over the next 365 days.

Start by climbing in between the sheets with nothing on to sleep.  If it's cold where you live (where is it NOT cold right now????) just add an extra blanket or two.  Keep a bath robe handy if you need to get up during the night.

Weatherproof one room in your home with extra insulation and turn the heat up so you can enjoy it au naturale.  Plan to take a vacation week in a warm climate and visit a nudist park for at least one day while on winter holiday. 

When it gets warmer be among the first of families to visit a nudist club Memorial Day weekend.  Be sure to celebrate World Naked Gardening Day naked.

You get the idea.

Have a happy NUDE year!

No Shame in THIS Easter Nudity (Repost from previous years)

Reposted from years past...

Platypus Note:  The members of the Bare Platypus team respect that there are people from many different faiths who live together in this world and who also enjoy nudism.  We celebrate that. At the same time, we have never made a secret of the fact that our Christian faith is very important to us.  This post is primarily intended for our Christian brothers and sisters as we look toward the Easter holiday weekend.

“Nudity is shameful” we sometimes hear.  Especially when someone is making a complaint to the Federal Communications Commission about a glimpse of bare breast or buttocks they saw during a Super Bowl halftime show, or TV program.

Bare Platypuses know that their friends within the nudist community will disagree with the statement that "nudity is shameful," but we hope some within our Christian community will disagree also.  At least when it comes to the nudity we know and read about during Easter. 

See, as Christians we believe that about 2000 years ago the very Son of God, creator of mankind and the universe, chose to come to earth and live like us before experiencing a gruesome death and resurrection that set things right again after we had messed them up big time.  During His last week on earth, Christ spent a lot of time naked, but there was nothing shameful about it. Oh no.

On the evening of the Last Supper (now celebrated as Maunday Thursday), we read that Jesus stripped to very little, then proceeded to wash His disciples’ feet, using what little he had on Him to wipe them dry.  In doing so, He personally provided one of the most powerful examples in history of what it takes to be GREAT in the kingdom of the Almighty.   And that’s being least.  A servant. Stripped to the bare essentials of what we need to serve others.

Within just a few hours of that powerful demonstration, Jesus made “nakedness” a gem of honor in his everlasting crown when he allowed himself to be stripped so that his back could be whipped in preparation of redeeming Adam and Eve’s race. And while Roman soldiers tossed dice to see who would get what few clothes he owned.  Being hung on a cross---naked or in a loincloth--- was meant to make Him suffer more and to subject Him to humiliation.  But Christians recognize that we deserve the humiliation for our sins that made it necessary for Him to be there.

At the moment of Christ’s death a fabric curtain in the Temple meant to be the barrier between God and man ripped in two from top to bottom.  No shame with the destruction of a piece of cloth that wasn’t necessary anymore because of what had just happened. Finally, when Jesus arose on Easter morning, the grave clothes were left behind and He was risen.  No shame conquering those wrappings either!

No, we have a bit too much faith to say nudity is shameful at a time like Easter.

Mainstreaming Nudity: "What's Nude" Art Show

This morning the Bare Platypus read an interesting announcement about a "What's Nude" Art Show in New England that will feature work from more than forty artists.  What's more, this one is put on / sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce.  The linked article notes that pieces with both the male and female form will be included in the exhibition.

Kudos for mainstreaming nudity within the arts.  When human bodies are accepted as fitting for display as paintings of sunsets, seashores, or architecture (as they most certainly have been for centuries... if with sporadic "celebration" as standards change) this helps change mindsets for the better!

The Joys of Gardening Bare

Bare Platypus lives South of the Mason-Dixon line.  With this geography, plus an unseasonably warm winter, there have been several days warm enough to go outside without clothing and remain quite comfortable.  There's a patch in the backyard which, after several years of taking enhanced non-offense measures, is sufficiently secluded to allow total nakedness.  Enjoying such nakedness in FEBRUARY can only be described as sheer joy.

So while it may be premature to celebrate World Naked Gardening Day, it is certainly fitting to celebrate simply gardening bare.  If it's too cold where you are to enjoy this simple pleasure at this time of year, no problem.  Water your houseplants nude.  Start some seedlings in your kitchen window and experience the luxury of doing that nude.  You owe it to yourself.  And you'll score one for God's green earth while you're at it.

Enjoy!

Nudity and the Superbowl - For Your Consideration

The American Association for Nude Recreation ( AANR ) 's publication, The Bulletin carries stories and recipes this month commemorating the Big Game and suggesting we celebrate it by going naked if we can.  Great idea!

Bare Platypus has echoed these sentiments in past blog posts.  Here's a sampling:

• Superbowl Suggestion: Watch Naked!
• Superbowl Lesson Part II
• Looking to Superbowl Sunday with a Sigh
• and Commentary About Kia's Half Time Superbowl Add Where Nudists Know Better

Whichever team you route for today, the Platypus hopes you can do so in your birthday suit.  And... if not... there's always the day after the Superbowl to celebrate too.

Scientific Proof Nudism Boosts Body Image - Great News Opens 2017

Okay... We've always known that being nudists makes us happy.  But it's nice to see that now there's some added scientific proof.  From articles running today in Men's Health (Being Naked Could Make You Happier) to iTech post (Getting Naked Makes Us Happier) to Expose'.ie - Being Naked = Better Body Satisfaction there are several sites promoting the same basic story: University researchers in Britain are reporting the results of a scientific study that found people who attended nudist functions had a demonstrably better self image and more joy following their experiences.

It's good news to open 2017!