AANR vs Gaga? WTF!

[sargent]

  I just think the AANR doesn't want people to be nude where they can get in trouble for doing so, like walking nude into the nearest McDonald's.

I think that's probably what their main motive is, definitely. There has to be an aspect of decency and appropriateness given cultural stigma, and obviously it looks bad for all naturists and nudists if there isn't some sort of standard, and I think that AANR feels compelled to enforce that standard in order to not perturb the non-nudists of the world. However, they do come across as though they are attempting to confine nudist activities to resorts and facilities from which they receive membership fees, when it would be more beneficial to naturism as a movement or ideology to promote naturist activities on a personal level, be it in the home, at a club, at an event or wherever permitted.

And I am sure that AANR has trouble themselves in juggling how much effort they want to put into the promotion of everyday naturism versus pay-as-you-go naturism, since they wouldn't survive without the latter and therefore wouldn't be around to stand up for the former.

Meh... 

[jlaidler]

I really think Americans can often be the most irrational people out there when it comes to nudity.  A mass desensitation is what's needed.  Starting with our younger generations.  :)

Case in point?  Girl is at the pool with mixed company in a bikini, and doesn't give a shit who sees her.  Same girl starts changing back into her normal clothes, but is accidentally seen in her bra and panties by one of the guys and freaks the hell out.

That's actually a very excellent point.  Since most (practical) bras and panties aren't the lacy see through type, there really is no difference.  And yet guys get crap here for speedos.  What the crap guys?

[Dan]

I disagree. For one, it's not "the American public" its Lady Gaga fans. I believe if the hype machine was in full effect for the event there would be a huge turnout.

She sings about sex, I do not dare to imagine the possible consequences.

This is another reason why AANR's mouth ran faster than its brain when they invited Gaga because she's selling sex (an excellent product I approve of) and AANR makes great efforts to distance itself from it.

[Riot.EXE]

I disagree. For one, it's not "the American public" its Lady Gaga fans. I believe if the hype machine was in full effect for the event there would be a huge turnout.

She sings about sex, I do not dare to imagine the possible consequences.

This is another reason why AANR's mouth ran faster than its brain when they invited Gaga because she's selling sex (an excellent product I approve of) and AANR makes great efforts to distance itself from it.

THIS IS WHAT I MEANT WHEN I SAID "Different Fanbases", Y'ALL!

[Baseballfan]

I disagree. For one, it's not "the American public" its Lady Gaga fans. I believe if the hype machine was in full effect for the event there would be a huge turnout.

Gaga because she's selling sex (an excellent product I approve of) and AANR makes great efforts to distance itself from it.

I thought she is selling Awful music.    I wonder if the AANR is just distancing its self from awful top 40 pop music. 

[jlaidler]

I like a few of her songs and she does have amazing singing talent, but goodness, could she please start singing good songs for once? And stop being so bizarre?  Talk about wasted talent.

[Riot.EXE]

I like a few of her songs and she does have amazing singing talent, boy goodness, could she please start singing good songs for once? And stop being so bizarre?  Talk about wasted talent.

She can also play the fuck out of a piano...but that was before she became LADYGAGA and stuff...

[Cabding]

I don't think she sells sex or dresses sexy to be honest. I've always gotten the feel that she was comfortable with herself and her experiences so it's a no biggie to show skin or talk about certain things. At any rate I think she would use nudity as a peice for art and not porn. AANR just comes off like they seem to know better than everyone else. Even the article points out the decision is unexpected they wouldn't approve of her doing this.

[Dan]

At any rate I think she would use nudity as a peice for art and not porn.

I said she sells sex, not porn. Sex is definitely part of her art.

[jlaidler]

Well either way this whole business is insane.  I think both the AANR and Lady Gaga and similar people to her should stop for a moment, breathe, then step back and take a look at things and how they've been done and really think about how things should be.

[sargent]

I like a few of her songs and she does have amazing singing talent, but goodness, could she please start singing good songs for once? And stop being so bizarre?  Talk about wasted talent.

"Good music" is not really an objective idea. For a lot of people, her music is a breath of fresh air for the simple reason that it's edgy, different and catchy. Her bizarreness is what's special about her. Don't you think that the textile world would say the same about most of the members of this forum: "Why don't they just stop being so bizarre and act like the rest of us!" In no way would I call her talent wasted; whether you like her music or not, you have to admit that she stands up for being an individual and for pushing the envelope. Isn't that what we should embrace? It is what it is.

[Dan]

"Good music" is not really an objective idea. For a lot of people, her music is a breath of fresh air for the simple reason that it's edgy, different and catchy. Her bizarreness is what's special about her.

Her clips are shock full of references. A lot of work goes into what she does. It's not garbage written in an afternoon like some other pop stars it's not written for her by a label. She's working pretty hard at this. She's also very nice to her fan and even to people parodying her (she links to them on Twitter).

Her songs are reasonably catchy. It's not my favourite genre but I have a lot of respect for her as an artist.

[Camper]

Most of today’s artists are products designed to appeal to the least common denominator and to conform to a pretty specific aesthetic.  As long as the individual is thin, under thirty and attractive by mainstream standards, the rest can be mixed, dubbed, and pieced together in a studio.  If nothing else, I think Lady Gaga inspires a little creativity.  Personally, I’m not a big fan of her music, but if her wearing a meat dress and arriving at an awards show in a giant egg encourages more kids to question their own adherence to the generic “norm,” then I’m all for it.  Weirdness demonstrates the possibilities of the imagination, something we need more of.

It seems to me that musicians of the 60’s, 70’s and even 80’s really impacted the culture and shaped the social, artistic and political ideas of the times.  Today’s assembly-line, American Idol clones don’t seem to make much of an impact, outside of fashion trends.  The fact that her intelligent characterization of nudity drew a response from AANR demonstrates that she is moving certain pop culture discussions, even if just a little.  Can anyone imagine Ke$ha or Bieber describing nudity as a “timeless” look? 

[Dan]

Can anyone imagine Ke$ha or Bieber describing nudity as a “timeless” look? 

I can imagine Gaga in a few decades being studied in school along with other artists who brought something new. I don't think the other two will even have a mention.

[Riot.EXE]

Most of today’s artists are products designed to appeal to the least common denominator and to conform to a pretty specific aesthetic.  As long as the individual is thin, under thirty and attractive by mainstream standards, the rest can be mixed, dubbed, and pieced together in a studio.  If nothing else, I think Lady Gaga inspires a little creativity.  Personally, I’m not a big fan of her music, but if her wearing a meat dress and arriving at an awards show in a giant egg encourages more kids to question their own adherence to the generic “norm,” then I’m all for it.  Weirdness demonstrates the possibilities of the imagination, something we need more of.

It seems to me that musicians of the 60’s, 70’s and even 80’s really impacted the culture and shaped the social, artistic and political ideas of the times.  Today’s assembly-line, American Idol clones don’t seem to make much of an impact, outside of fashion trends.  The fact that her intelligent characterization of nudity drew a response from AANR demonstrates that she is moving certain pop culture discussions, even if just a little.  Can anyone imagine Ke$ha or Bieber describing nudity as a “timeless” look? 

This is not a new phenomenon.  At all.