Let’s Get Naked!: A Progressive View of Artifactual Communication (or the lack thereof)

Artifactual Communication is a link into our personalities (Canterbury, 2010). In essence, we make conscious decisions about how we adorn ourselves. The clothes we choose, the clothes we do not choose, our watches, bracelets, purses, wallets, hats, hair styles, glasses, earrings, tattoos, and the like, communicate something about who we are. The link between artifactual adornment and self-expression [identity] is extra-evident when observing young men who are entering the work force. They often display resistance toward “society” and their parents in regards to professional dress codes. “Boy, you are going to have cut your hair to be taken seriously!” “Do NOT wear those sneakers with that suit!” Along with learning dress etiquette for the professional world, young women who are coming of age, also learn how certain dress may attract male sexual attention they may not want. Where we shop says something. What we shop for says something. Some of us are buy our clothes at Wal-Mart and Target. Some of us may shop at the malls. Some of us shop at a combination of both places. Some of us are strictly whores to high-end labels. Outside of the United States, the artifacts people adorn themselves with changes yet again. In any regard, every culture has certain artifactual norms and mores that are followed—and though not expressed vocally and verbally, this communication is POWERFUL.

Lately, I have been focused on what makes human beings SIMILAR as opposed to what makes us DIFFERENT. Consequently, I’ve stumbled upon something: We all possess a BODY. That’s right. We all possess a BODY. Our Bodies are Ours; and our Bodies are Immediate. Strip us of Food, Clothing, and Shelter, and we would be left with our Bodies. (Sure at this point, they maybe hungry, dirty, and poor--but we would still possess them.) And because our Bodies are OURS--and so essential to our Identity, I argue we should embrace our Bodies in their natural form. We should all GET NAKED.

Shed the designer suit! Drop the trendy jeans! Let go of the skirts, shirts, blouses, and trousers! Embrace your Nakedness. Enjoy your Nakedness! No need to hide it. Be free. Enjoy your vessel. Look at it. Feel it. Touch it. Hold it. Strike a pose! Your Body is You. It is Essential that you enjoy and appreciate You.

You entered this world Naked, and sometime between that moment and this--you have been taught to cover Your Self. In that process of covering, you have grown insecure about your physique and your inner- person; you have placed a priority on clothing; you have judged others by their clothing; and in the act of placing your personal security in artifacts you have invested hard-earned money in clothing. And for what? Nothing. Nothing but Poor Health.

Clothing has not only separated us from Nature, but clothing has essentially, separated us from Ourselves. The most obvious symptoms of our separation from Nature are the physical symptoms. Clothing has provided an outlet for over-consumption. All one must do is consider the obesity rates, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol percentages, and other symptoms of over-eating. The National Institute of Health reports that “97 million Americans are obese” (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov, 2010). That equates to approximately 1/3 of the entire American population. The American Heart Association states “74.5 million people over the age of 20 have high blood pressure” (http://www.americanheart.org, 2010). That number is approximately 20% of the total population. Homosapien has lost a major connection to the rhythm of the Nature. You eat do that you may work. You must give something back to Nature. Eating is to gain energy...so that energy may go back into the World. Now, many of us, eat and don't work it off---and we conceal/disguise this habit behind clothing. We seem to be paying a high price for this behavior in Poor Health.

In a Nudist culture, you would have to develop a positive attitude about your appearance; and the things you want to change would require a sincere invest time, exercise, and diet. No longer could you go to the store and purchase a way to conceal or add to these things you did not like. You would go to the health club, gym, basketball court, or jump on the bicycle to make improvements in your appearance. You would avoid McDonald’s for lunch, and go to your local grocery store and have a lunch that is strictly from the Produce Section. It might be cheaper---and it would definitely be healthier. Whether you are overweight, athletic, busty, or poor, you would know longer be able to conceal these “flaws.” In the process of running errands, going to work, and handling day-to-day activities, you would grow comfortable with looking at yourself. You would grow comfortable in your OWN skin. And should you dislike something about your physique, you wouldn’t have to wait for a doctor to tell you about the importance of Diet and Exercise. You would develop the respect for Diet and Exercise independent of medical advice.

You entered this world Naked, and sometime between that moment and this--you have been taught to cover Your Self. In that process of covering, you have grown insecure about your physique and your inner- person; you have placed a priority on clothing; you have judged others by their clothing; and in the act of placing your personal security in artifacts you have invested hard earned money in clothing. And for what? Nothing. Nothing but Emotional/Social Weakness.

Let me be clear: our physiques are not the only things that are affected by Clothing. Strong self-respect, self-esteem, and civility have also been adversely affected by anti-nudist cultural attitudes. With the addition of clothing to human communication physio-psychological makeup, it seems that ruthlessness, dishonesty, and status-seeking tendencies are not only permissible; but valued. But, when a person is absent of anything that would obfuscate, conceal, or embellish exactly who they are; that person MATURES. For a reasons very few people could articulate, Nudity is generally looked down upon. It is understood as obscene---as graphic---as lowly. But, Nudity is natural. Your Identity is found in your Nudity. And if more people would actually look at themselves, and allow others to look at them in the Nude, strange things would begin to happen. For one, your self-esteem would see an immediate impact. Regardless of your physical health issues, the discipline, pride, humility, empathy, and self-esteem required to be a productive citizen in a Nudist culture would grow tremendously. When you strip something of all additives and preservatives, the natural beauty and potency of said object is revealed. Human beings are no different—our Core would naturally grow stronger.

There would be a resurgence of respect for natural temporal rhythms, organic production of food stuffs, respect for Mother Earth, spiritual understandings of Life and Death, Care, Concern, and respect for our neighbors would return. Understandings of Sexuality might improve—we would definitely be less insecure about the subject. Racism might dissipate. I’m sure if we are all “Butt-Booty-Ball-Naked” many racial myths would be dispelled. Are Black Men truly more endowed than their White counterparts? And many other racial-sexual mythologies would be exposed for the nonsense they are. Spirtual maturity/enlightenment/respect may be achieved...it would definitely heightened. Often times, those of us who are the most fanatic about religion become judgemental and often use the "Jeremiad" to scare people into obedience. The dimiension of religion and spirituality that calls for Self-Reflexivity often gets missed. Nudity would keep egotistical religious postures in check by bringing Humility to the fore. Your eyes and mind would evaluate other people, yourself, and the entire world differently. You would learn to accept people for who they are because you are simultaneously accepting yourself for who you are.

Physique is linked to Persona. Explicitly stated, a nudist culture would transfer into a less insecure culture. Nudism allows one to accept the things they can not change. For the things they can change, nudism requires core values, assumptions, and beliefs such as, dedication, discipline, perseverance, humility and sacrifice. Nudism does not allow people mask as easily. As a result, the persons in the nudist cultures learn to be secure about not only their person, but the people around them as well. This would inevitably lead to a drastic change in what we consider Beautiful in the world.

Take Them Clothes Off!



WeBeGeekin'
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