Growing Up Nudist: A Naked Childhood

[Fitz1980]

"Does a 9 year old have a choice" though as it seemed to suggest that the parents were forcing the kid into something a little inappropriate.

That's a common attitude I've seen among non-nudists who don't really understand nudist philosophy.  They figure that nudism is more "naughty fun for the grown ups" that kids shouldn't be a part of.  Obviously as nudists his parents don't feel that way.

As for "kid's shouldn't be forced"mentality; kids are "forced" to do all kinds of things.  Parents "bring their kids to church, to political protests, to do charity work, to sci-fi conventions and all manor of things before the kids are old enough to make an informed decision about it.  The parents generally feel that whatever thing they are bringing their child to is a positive good for them to involve their children in.

[Stuart]

As for "kid's shouldn't be forced"mentality; kids are "forced" to do all kinds of things.  Parents "bring their kids to church, to political protests, to do charity work, to sci-fi conventions and all manor of things before the kids are old enough to make an informed decision about it.  The parents generally feel that whatever thing they are bringing their child to is a positive good for them to involve their children in.

That suggests the type of person who goes to sci-fi conventions has ever even kissed a girl.

[Delta]

I saw the interview too.  Whilst it was great that Alex was confident being naked, he didn't come across as being an exceptionally intelligent or articulate kid.  Half the time I couldn't understand what he was saying, especially for a 9-year-old.

True. It makes me wonder - those parents who home-school their children tend to be the least fit for the task. At least allowing him to stay in the community he likes is a more noble goal than distorting facts in scientific education is.

As for "kid's shouldn't be forced"mentality; kids are "forced" to do all kinds of things.  Parents "bring their kids to church, to political protests, to do charity work, to sci-fi conventions and all manor of things before the kids are old enough to make an informed decision about it.  The parents generally feel that whatever thing they are bringing their child to is a positive good for them to involve their children in.

Kids are often forced to dress against their will, too.

[Fitz1980]

That suggests the type of person who goes to sci-fi conventions has ever even kissed a girl.

Clearly you have never been to Dragon*Con in Atlanta.

[The_Xenologer]

As for "kid's shouldn't be forced"mentality; kids are "forced" to do all kinds of things.  Parents "bring their kids to church, to political protests, to do charity work, to sci-fi conventions and all manor of things before the kids are old enough to make an informed decision about it.  The parents generally feel that whatever thing they are bringing their child to is a positive good for them to involve their children in.

That suggests the type of person who goes to sci-fi conventions has ever even kissed a girl.

That's pretty rude. There's plenty of geeks that have a functioning social life and are able to attract men or women. I really hate the stereotype that people who attend conventions or who play RPGs or who cosplay are all socially inept. 

[Delta]

Chill out - stereotypes are there to parody. Sure, not every geek is a pimple-faced basement dweller, but so what? The stereotype is funny. Just like knowing gay people who are indistinguishable from straight people aside from their romantic/sexual interests does not make the "fabulous" characters less funny.
On a related note, observing a bunch of geeks in one place from a distance, they seem ridiculous. But interacting with them, or even just pondering what it would be like, it turns out I have a lot in common with them. I consider myself a geek, I just do not have the courage and the spending habits to actually join them. And, for the domain of cosplay, I do not have the physique. I admire them for what they have and I lack. I am but a dreamer, but I immensely respect those that have what it takes to live such dreams. "What a bunch of freaks - wish I belonged to them"

[The_Xenologer]

Chill out - stereotypes are there to parody. Sure, not every geek is a pimple-faced basement dweller, but so what? The stereotype is funny. Just like knowing gay people who are indistinguishable from straight people aside from their romantic/sexual interests does not make the "fabulous" characters less funny.
On a related note, observing a bunch of geeks in one place from a distance, they seem ridiculous. But interacting with them, or even just pondering what it would be like, it turns out I have a lot in common with them. I consider myself a geek, I just do not have the courage and the spending habits to actually join them. And, for the domain of cosplay, I do not have the physique. I admire them for what they have and I lack. I am but a dreamer, but I immensely respect those that have what it takes to live such dreams. "What a bunch of freaks - wish I belonged to them"

Yes, and I generally don't mind jokes about geeks if they're funny. I just didn't find it that funny. To each their own I guess.

[Historybuff83]

I'm a geek (played White Wolf games and D&D, Warhammer 40k back in the day, and currently playing Star Wars the Old Republic as I type this) and I found it funny. 

[The_Xenologer]

I'm a geek (played White Wolf games and D&D, Warhammer 40k back in the day, and currently playing Star Wars the Old Republic as I type this) and I found it funny.

Ah well I was probably being too sensitive.   

[Historybuff83]

Don't take it too hard, ask my wife, she will crack the same joke on me 100 times, but one time she does I just get all offended.  It happens to the best of us (and even me!)

[Nude_not_rude]

Anyone who was offended by Stuart's one-liner obviously doesn't understand Stuart's sense of humour...yet. Relax and take it with the whimsy as it was intended.

[nudetrail]

Anyone who was offended by Stuart's one-liner obviously doesn't understand Stuart's sense of humour...yet. Relax and take it with the whimsy as it was intended.

with you 100%.

[Gman707]

As for "kid's shouldn't be forced"mentality; kids are "forced" to do all kinds of things.  Parents "bring their kids to church, to political protests, to do charity work, to sci-fi conventions and all manor of things before the kids are old enough to make an informed decision about it.  The parents generally feel that whatever thing they are bringing their child to is a positive good for them to involve their children in.

That suggests the type of person who goes to sci-fi conventions has ever even kissed a girl.

That's pretty rude. There's plenty of geeks that have a functioning social life and are able to attract men or women. I really hate the stereotype that people who attend conventions or who play RPGs or who cosplay are all socially inept.

the problem is that a lot of us are like that. I have played rpgs and tabletop games all my life (as well as reading comic books) and while i and most of my geeky friends are perfectly social i encounter the opposite on a regular basis. We have three gaming/comic stores in manchester, a forbidden pkanet, a traveling man (both great for comics and traveling man in paricular has great staff you can have a laugh with) and a specialist gaming store called fanboy 3. Even though fanboy 3 has the widest selection of rpg and boardgames, i always try to avoid going in. The place reeks of sweat and if you go in on a gaming night its full of people with greasy hair and overpowering body odour. Its basically a store full of geek steriotypes. I might be a geek but at least i shower and stay clean and smell pleasant.

The sad truth of it is that sterio types spring up because at some point they are based on truth (i.e a steriotype of the brittish is that we drink lots of tea...im not offended by this, especially since i am on my 5th cuo today). Steriotypes are not an ironcast rule but they do usyfally have some accuracy to them. The world would be such a better place if people stopped getting offended by steriotypes and just accepted them as what they are, an average representation of society (however negative that may seem.)

[Infinity Biscuit]

Chill out - stereotypes are there to parody. Sure, not every geek is a pimple-faced basement dweller, but so what? The stereotype is funny. Just like knowing gay people who are indistinguishable from straight people aside from their romantic/sexual interests does not make the "fabulous" characters less funny.

It may or may not be funny but stuff like the latter example can be harmful. One of the biggest things that helps combat homophobia is the realisation that non-straight people are just the same as straight people with the exception of what they're attracted to. A lot of people don't realise this in their gut and the rampant portrayal in media as campy, queeny types is certainly doing no favours.

I don't think there's quite as much danger in stereotyping a hobby, though. And I say that as someone who's cosplayed at conventions!

(Also, when it comes to conventions at hotels, I think that particular stereotype might be a bit off. There's a reason you avoid sitting on beds where con-goers are staying :L)

[The_Xenologer]

Chill out - stereotypes are there to parody. Sure, not every geek is a pimple-faced basement dweller, but so what? The stereotype is funny. Just like knowing gay people who are indistinguishable from straight people aside from their romantic/sexual interests does not make the "fabulous" characters less funny.

It may or may not be funny but stuff like the latter example can be harmful. One of the biggest things that helps combat homophobia is the realisation that non-straight people are just the same as straight people with the exception of what they're attracted to. A lot of people don't realise this in their gut and the rampant portrayal in media as campy, queeny types is certainly doing no favours.

I don't think there's quite as much danger in stereotyping a hobby, though. And I say that as someone who's cosplayed at conventions!

(Also, when it comes to conventions at hotels, I think that particular stereotype might be a bit off. There's a reason you avoid sitting on beds where con-goers are staying :L)

I agree that there is more harm in stereotyping certain groups (such as races or sexual orientations) than others (such as nerds or geeks). I suppose that I was sensitive before because even the latter differences can be used to bully others and make them feel inferior. I understand though that there was no malice intended in the original commenter's post.