Burning Life has been marred somewhat by the nude statue drama, where a piece of art depicting a naked woman which was placed in a PG sim had been censored. There are other works of naked art on the grid , and more importantly, on other PG sims, but this was deemed broadly offensive. The reaction I can gauge seems to be outrage at a selective act of censorship and also disbelief of the Lindens' reaction to the enquiry made by the Burning Life Blog, which was basically Iridium Linden asking the artist who created the statue to alter it, to 'make the breast without so much detail'.
This got me thinking about the SL fashion feed, and the blogs it feeds from. We all check it, probably once a day, and a lot of us maybe more, but where do you do it? From work? Public transport? Designers post their creations, and fashion bloggers post their photos and opinions, and I'm curious where people's tastes are when it comes to nudity in the feed. Sure enough, a person's blog is their domain, and therefore they're free to fill it with whatever you like, but the question is, when your blog feeds into bigger resources like the fashion feed and the world of SL feed, should the blogger have to think of censorship of their own blog, or should blogs featuring nudity for reasons other than designer displays cut the size of the post shown on the feed? Alternatively, is it just plain arrogant and rude to assume that because you may not like it, it should be censored or cut to please your own personal tastes?
Particularly in the fashion feed, I noticed London Spengler's posts about new builds coming together and her choice to use naked photos. From what I could see, there was nothing offensive in the selected photos, and although I'm not keen to see women parading around naked in their new build for the sake of nothing but fun, and the nudity wasn't really related to the post, I wasn't offended she'd posted the photos. Is it unacceptable only because it isn't using nudity in a direct marketing exercise, or because you may be checking from a public place or workplace? Did the shots appear to some people offensive because it was two women nude? I'm not seeing any open discussion about it apart from a comment.
We see lots of nude displays for skin creators, although carefully covered in the sensitive areas. We see nude photos from fashion blogs, although not often, where a pose is the only tool used to conceal genitals. We all live, play, and create on an over 18 grid, and it's pixels, not flesh. It seems a matter of personal taste where some won't even stand for nudity in art that is displayed to the public whether in SL or RL (although no-one I have met in SL yet agrees with this), but a vast majority seem to either tolerate or celebrate nudity and are spread out on the spectrum of nudity for the sake of art, to nudity because it's natural and should never be censored or villified, We all seem so forward and open about SL being a place where everyone can just be. So I'd like to know, if anyone would like to contribute, where do you believe nudity belongs in the fashion feed in particular, but generally as well. I'll be posting a poll, but if you have a differing opinion or strong feelings about the subject, feel free to leave a comment.
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While I have absolutely nothing against nudity, am not homophobic or whatever, I do have a problem with having those types of photos showing up on the Fashion feed (FASHION feed), especially in full view of my family.
When I peruse the fashion feed, I expect to see everyone fully clothed and not doing anything sexual. It's fashion. Most people who review skins at least bleep out bits or use a cut to reveal the rest of the skin. Or wear underwear.
London's pictures were unnecessary in full public view.
As the offending one, I want to say that I apologiced, asked how to do a "more" cut and applied it in all my feed related posts.
This said, let's target "I'm not keen to see women parading around naked in their new build for the sake of nothing but fun".
The building I was writing about is dedicated to naked bathing/cuddling (but no to sexual activities), in the park associated to my shop. Next time, I'd love you to take the effort to read the text :-p.
Now, Tenshi comment: I agree with "London's pictures were unnecessary in full public view."... we shouldn't get exposed to things we don't like in a public feed, if it can be avoided; as I said, I apologice for it and took the steps to correct that.
But "Most people who review skins at least bleep out bits or use a cut to reveal the rest of the skin". Really! Then shadow the transparencies and fishnets, and put a cardigan over clothes that show too much skin.
I try to consider everybody's point of view, and whouldn't mind to have to press a "more" button to see the skin review, but I find offensive the censure, as the thought that nipples and pubic areas are offensive. Notice that I didn't use c*ks and c*nts... but words CAN be offensive, as some ways we choose to show our bodies.
When you look at the nipples on a skin review like something dirty, something children should be protected of... sigh. They will grow fearing they own bodies, as I did; when you teach fear and repulsion, you fail them.
OMG! I can't believe I'm agreeing with Tenshi.
Privates were covered while I was growing up, and I don't have any fears of nipples, vaginas, penises, or butts. In fact, I have been known to enjoy varying degrees of nudity as well as full nuditiy. I worked in many clubs where woman danced wearing only g-strings and heels, and one club where they wore only heels. After my education, I worked with woman that had just delivered, and saw vaginas and anuses almost every day I worked. I usually look at celebrity slips when I'm able to also. I would guess that many enjoy nudity while in an appropriate place (no kids, elderly, or bosses around).
London, dear, you have issues! And you're a whiner. Do shut up with the 'but it's art' crying! From your comment: "(but no to sexual activities)", a woman's face was within licking distance of anther woman's labia! No sexual activities indeed!
Fashion World's feed is great for making it easy to sub to just one feed to see many great new outfits, skins and hair. It's also great for the designers since there's so many subscribers. I've only been subbed to FW's feed a short time, so I haven't seen many posts from this London person, but from what I saw of her posts, it's not even friggin fashion!! Photos like hers should be categorized as ART, or more correctly as Sensual Art -- that should NOT be displayed in public feeds unless the sensual photos are places under the fold/more link.
I feel the same way for skins designers, and adult/fetish clothing design posts. Put a no-naughty bits photo in the portion of the post that appears on the feed, then put a MORE link after that photo and teaser text.
And while on the topic of MORE links, I'm also tired of seeing 5-20 photos of a COMPLETE post in a mixed feed. Even if your photos aren't nude/sensual, stop jamming so many photos into a public feed! Especially the repetitive copies where the only difference is color of the clothing! Put the other photos after the MORE link. If I like what I see in the teaser lede, I WILL click to your blog.
I wish the FW feed maintainer would enforce no more than two photos, also limit the paragrphs to two!
Did I say art? sorry, I was trying to say natural.
"a woman's face was within licking distance of anther woman's labia"... what a long tongue you have :-p
But, and it is a tired but, I agreed with the need for the more cut, and apologiced about not knowing how to do it.
"not even friggin fashion!!" I don't design clothes, my main product is a hug hud and the public park related to it, and it was agreed I could add posts about it in the feed. As I recall now, only 15 posts of my 89 had been feeded at Fashion world, so I don't think I am swarming it; but I take note of your point.
Btw..."OMG! I can't believe I'm agreeing with Tenshi" and "London, dear, you have issues! And you're a whiner". Offensive, trollist, and anonimous; tasty, but sad, combination.
'Tasty anon' again:
Actually, I should apologize to London, for she took the time to learn how to present her art to respect the majority's wishes. I suppose it was the but it's art argument that raises my ire (yes, I've been involved in these arguments before).
I'm hoping London's experiences, and willingness to place her sensual photos behind links will serve as an example to the skin designers and fetish clothing designers that post to FW's feed. Just because many feel that adult themed art and fashions should not be displayed in public, this does not make them prudes or frightened of sex. I feel that most are protecting their families and careers from racy images.
I've viewed sensual and adult art many times when young ones weren't around, and not at work, clicking authorization links that I'm old enough to view it, door people assessing my age to determine whether or not to card me, ect. I don't want senusal/erotic art made available to children/teens -- I don't think most will fear sex, it's because they don't need to be sexually stimulated anymore than they already are with their maturing bodies. Their minds and life-experiences need a bit more time before they're exposed to art that will arouse them.
Some might think I'm being dramatic, and I wish I were. I also wish I could move to where they live if they don't have to worry about young children being exposed to sex at too early an age.
I know two people that were exposed to sexuality as children, and both engaged in full sexual activities with other children after their exposures.
One watched their baby sitter with her boyfriend, and mimicked it with a willing young girl that also witnessed the baby sitter scene. The other child was most likely abused, based on his sad background; he raped another child. All involved were under seven years old.
When it comes to willing adults indulging in their wildest fantasies, as long as it's not around others that aren't involved, I'm all for them having fun. Just keep it out of the public eye.
Again, I'm sorry about my attack since London is placing her art behind links. But I will continue to go after the artists that insist on exhibiting erotic art in public, and arguing their cause with the "but it's just art" card.
Well, without having seen the posting in question, let me just say that I think it's a good idea to place photos of nudity below the cut, just as a courtesy to those who may be logging in from work or some other potentially nudity sensitive area.
That said, in a skin review, I want to see everything (below the cut is fine). I don't want the bits censored--they should be subject to review like everything else about a skin, since some people might care how realistic the nipples are or how much the kitty is shaved. I'm a big girl and SL is supposed to be for those old enough to deal. If I don't want someone peeking over my shoulder I don't read skin reviews when or where that's a possibility.
roisin, I agree with you. There should be an uncensored picture of the skins behind the cut.
"Tasty" :-) I want to apologice about calling you trollist. Probably whould accept your apologices, but since you only "should" say them, I am not sure if they are given :-p.
But please, stop calling my pictures art; I've never tried that approach or excuse. What I say is their sexual nature is on the eyes on the beholder, at least this time.
They where only the demostration of a small cove where nude bathing and cuddles are encouraged, and it whould be strange that the owners of the place showed it while clothed, isn't it?
But that cove is part of a classic greek floating island, that is part of a public park (where nakedness is allowed but not encouraged), that includes the wonderfull Diversionarium (word and construction games, Othello, chess, great events, clothes required).
And yes, all the thing started when I published the pictures without a cut, because truly, I had no idea I could do it, and the Bits & Bobs shower we where trying put her eyes a bit (but not bobs) too low... at least, for some tongues *smiles warmly*.
I agree that our children must be protected from sex until they are prepared to understand it... but I doubt they know that pose could seem sexual in nature, and if they do, it is a bit late to protect them.
In fact, two posts after that one, and taking advantage of the cut option, I published more pictures of the same shower to demostrate that a change of angle and timing could make it look from innocent to clearly sexual.
Ah, I got the I'm sorry at the end of your comment.. I accept your apologice, and present mine again; it was a mistake and it will not happen again. And no, it wasn't art, only pictures of a small place for naked people, with naked people on them, to make the viewers feel at easy with the idea of coming, and getting naked too.
Ahh, and another thing... I really like, and will apply, your idea about limiting the size of feeded posts, avoiding that way the dissapearance of other before people has the opportunity to read them. I was going to add a nasty comment about flowers and... *smiles* well, let's see that you second comment spoiled all the diversion *buries the war axe*
Not about nudity at all...but how do you do that cut thing where it cuts when you want it to cut?
I'd love to be able to do it, but the one time I tried it cut after like one sentence.
And I agree with Tenshi about the nudity thing(though I'm not going to say that I'm so surprised I am - I agree with her on quite a few things lol)
Thanks for the apology, and again I'm sorry I let my past battles come out against you.
I'm sorry I thought your photos were art photos, but I guess that's a disguised compliment 8^)
"Tasty"
Phoenix, about the way to do exact cuts, I've been told to change to source code (there should be a button for it on your blog) and then find the place I want, and press the cut button. Of course, that doesn't means that if you feed it you will not get cutted before of it, even in the middle of a phrase.
roisin, maybe you will like to know that there is a mermaid pond being builded under the Diversionarium (and remember, it isn't a nude place).
Thanks for the compliment, "tasty", but I think it is me the artwork, not the pictures. Ok, (mostly) kidding.
Sigh... time to go on a little holiday... I am sorry about ranting as I did, and about what and how I showed :-p.
*hopes the best to you all*
Hi all, thanks for your thoughts on this.
London, if this came across as me picking at your posts, I apologize, it was merely the reaction to them that made me think. I had no intention of making you feel as though you had to explain yourself or defend yourself in any way.
I wouldn't care if there were nudes all over the place, IMHO since we're all 18, non-sexual nudity doesn't need to be covered or posts containing it cut, but I also don't have kids or have the opportunity to use the net at work. For those who do though I'm in total agreement that cuts would be very appropriate.
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