Spring Break
Filthy things not as disgusting as you might think
Tim Pfarr
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Forum
Think back and try to remember the most disgusting thing you have ever experienced in your lifetime. Got it? Good. Hang on to it because we're going to come back to it later.
Today I would like to consult the nasty elements of life: the things that make us uncomfortable, the things that make us squirm, and the things that make us wish we had gotten that vaccination. I would like to begin by discussing nudity.
As humans, we have evolved to the point where fur is no longer necessary (except for maybe that hairy Mexican guy on Ripley's Believe It or Not) and as a result, we are forced to wear clothing to warm ourselves. But clothing also serves an alternative purpose: It conceals our bodies. Many argue that this alternative purpose is highly unnecessary. In fact, they may even argue that it is unnecessary to the point that clothing should be boycotted altogether. As you likely know, we call these individuals nudists.
My question is this: Are the nudists right? After all, each and every one of us entered the world kicking, screaming and naked. Cats run around naked, dogs run around naked, and fish swim naked too. However, if we walk naked down the sidewalk, go to the gym naked, or go to class naked, we get arrested for violation of decency laws.
But does the use of clothing make us more evolved? Is clothing just the next tool our species has adapted to using? Conservative individuals would argue positively to these questions. And they seem to have made a greater impression on society (i.e. nudity receives an R rating for a motion picture).
However, I would like to offer a parallel theory: Nudity is natural but can be offensive in the context of society. Since birth we have lived in a world of clothing and physical "decency." To find somebody who is not compliant with these standards can be shocking and repulsive, most often when this person is a member of a gender not found sexually attractive. Men seem to have a greater sensitivity to this.
Today I would like to consult the nasty elements of life: the things that make us uncomfortable, the things that make us squirm, and the things that make us wish we had gotten that vaccination. I would like to begin by discussing nudity.
As humans, we have evolved to the point where fur is no longer necessary (except for maybe that hairy Mexican guy on Ripley's Believe It or Not) and as a result, we are forced to wear clothing to warm ourselves. But clothing also serves an alternative purpose: It conceals our bodies. Many argue that this alternative purpose is highly unnecessary. In fact, they may even argue that it is unnecessary to the point that clothing should be boycotted altogether. As you likely know, we call these individuals nudists.
My question is this: Are the nudists right? After all, each and every one of us entered the world kicking, screaming and naked. Cats run around naked, dogs run around naked, and fish swim naked too. However, if we walk naked down the sidewalk, go to the gym naked, or go to class naked, we get arrested for violation of decency laws.
But does the use of clothing make us more evolved? Is clothing just the next tool our species has adapted to using? Conservative individuals would argue positively to these questions. And they seem to have made a greater impression on society (i.e. nudity receives an R rating for a motion picture).
However, I would like to offer a parallel theory: Nudity is natural but can be offensive in the context of society. Since birth we have lived in a world of clothing and physical "decency." To find somebody who is not compliant with these standards can be shocking and repulsive, most often when this person is a member of a gender not found sexually attractive. Men seem to have a greater sensitivity to this.
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