Strange to see a majority of Clothesfreeforums Posts not on naturist or nudist topics

[NakedGary]

Just take a look at the latest posts and replies, and you will see a majority of clothesfreeforums topic/threads are "open conversation" category or non-naturist/nudist categories & subjects.

With weather being nudist compatible most place especially west with sunny temperatures in the mid 80's to almost 100 degrees F. I find it strange [especially in the evenings] that the forums and posts are mostly off of nudist and naturist topics and categories.

Are the majority of members of the forums non nudist, or why are the majority of posts non naturist and nudist related?

The trend also to non nude images and avatars in profiles seems to be a majority, considering there are almost 20,000 registered users.

[NakedGary]

Just take a look at the latest posts and replies, and you will see a majority of clothesfreeforums topic/threads are "open conversation" category or non-naturist/nudist categories & subjects.

With weather being nudist compatible most place especially west with sunny temperatures in the mid 80's to almost 100 degrees F. I find it strange [especially in the evenings] that the forums and posts are mostly off of nudist and naturist topics and categories.

Are the majority of members of the forums non nudist, or why are the majority of posts non naturist and nudist related?

The trend also to non nude images and avatars in profiles seems to be a majority, considering there are almost 20,000 registered users.

[hm0504]

Well, where I am the weather today is about -10C.

Do we consider the "erection" threads to be nudism threads? Once you remove those from the nudist rolls, then there is indeed not much talk on nudism/naturism.

I'm not sure that's a bad thing. After all, nudism/naturism is a relatively simple, straight-forward thing so there's not that much to talk about -- except for those who do not find it so simple and straight-forward.

Still, though there are obviously many other interesting topics, there is also sufficient nudism/naturism-specific topics to call CFF a naturist forum.

[Sanslines]

The forum has changed over time. In the past more people contributed and there were more discussions and give and take topics. Now, the only topics where there is much discussion are in the 'vanilla' type of topics that are simplistic and safe ie what kind of tea do you like or what are you listening to. There are also many, many penis and penis related topics which seem to continue forever. The political topics have morphed into personal blogs and most posters avoid those topics as they most probably do not wish to be called trolls. The unabated nastiness that is obviously allowed here will scare many people away and so is it really any surprise that many posters seem to be very cautious and guarded and most will not even post?

You are correct in your observations in that this forum seems to have changed and it has very little to do with nudism anymore. Perhaps most people would rather go out and experience nudism then come to a forum which seems to represent real nudism less and less as time goes on. There really is only so much that people will talk about concerning nudism. It is a lifestyle that is really meant to be lived and experienced and not spent talking about.

You ask the question "are the majority of forum members non nudist?" The answer is obviously yes to a TNS or AANR type of nudist. Anyone who has ever been to a resort knows that people do not sit around a pool or spa and talk about penis topics or personally and continuously rant about political blogs. People are for the most part too busy being engaged in civil conversations, playing volleyball, swimming, hiking, tennis, relaxing and experiencing a real nudist lifestyle.

You mention 20,000 members but by far most people will create a profile, look around for photos, and then leave never to come back. The actual number of active posters is quite small and seems to be on a downward trend as time progresses. The real reasons for this are actually quite obvious.

[NakedGary]

hm0504

Erection posts usually have something to do relating to experiences at resorts or the beach, or while practicing nudity socially with others.

. . . .

Energy, transportation costs, less young people posting, fewer regular posters, saturation of nudist/naturists subjects and things to do nude, and privacy issues have or must have effect on the type of posts on the forums.

It’s like the saturation of microwave ovens & personal computers, most all have one or more and it becomes rather generic to talk about them. After 6 years of talking do you think we have burnt out talking about breasts, genitals, shaving, circumcision, religion, erections, and things to do nude, or is there nothing new to talk about while being nude that’s any different than being textile?

After all when your nude or naked everyone is pretty generic with skin, features, and genitals, except socially being nude were no different than textiles except were comfortable exposed and showing all. Now its down to our thoughts, minds, vision and experiences nude at the same types of recreation, activities, sports, and leisure as textiles but we seem to end up talking about [at least in the Forums, and not at nude social venues] that are different and about experiences and things which textiles don't see, experience doing the same things such as [and usually result in talking about] shaving, size, shape and forms, genitals, breasts, erections, shyness and such.

So you think we have reached saturation on things to talk about, do, experience, being nude that is any different than textiles or since the 1940's?

[Naturist Mark]

It is normal for good forums to develop into communities - and in communities it is normal to discuss just about anything with your friends.

We have one section of the forum for all the non nudism related stuff, which is where we tend to discuss mundane personal stuff, politics, current events, etc. Those discussions tend to generate lots of back and forth, so the post count is high.

When I come to the forum I usually start with the "See latest Posts/Replies" page. I think it would be just fine it that only listed posts in the nudism sections of the forum. A separate 'new posts' function could be available for the "Fun and Humor" and "Open Conversations" sections.

-Mark

[Big-Thinker]

I only wish the temperature was 80-100 up here in the midwest nowadays. Perhaps the chilly last few weeks has weakened enthusiasm for nudity temporarily in some parts.

I don't think we've reached full saturation on nudism/nudity-related subjects. There is always more, although I think all obvious topics have been covered many, many times.

I do think it's good that we can talk about nudism and non-nudism related things here. Even if something is not really nudist-related, a connection may emerge - or at least we feel safer talking about anything with people we have at least one thing in common with.

I would think that 95% of the people on the forums are nudists, to some degree, nudist-wannabes, or at least curious, but I don't know - just guessing.

[NakedGary]

Great Idea and suggestion "Naturist Mark"

I hope Corky, and Sandman see this [I will link it to them], and hope it can be implemented in this new forum program/software we heard about coming online [and pre testing by moderators]some time ago, but nothing recently.

[hm0504]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by NakedGary:
hm0504
...(see above)
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I can only speak for myself but when I'm at a naturist beach or gathering, I don't spend much time talking about naturism there either. So yes, I'd say that, other than new news items, we've pretty well covered the topic from a philosophy perspective. From an activism perspective, there should be more discussion but you'll note that there doesn't seem to be much interest in that.

Finally, with the Iraq war going on, and on, it would seem to me that that major issue is going to be a hot topic here and elsewhere and it is a hugely serious event.

[Sanslines]

Well Gary, I get the strange feeling that you only want to hear the 'politically correct' answers to your questions.

[NakedGary]

By "Big-Thinker"
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I would think that 95% of the people on the forums are nudists, to some degree, nudist-wannabes, or at least curious, but I don't know - just guessing. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Big Thinker - I really would be interesting to know, but not a reality. From the majority of guests over members listed at the top of the forums main page [On-line] I think many come to checkout the forums as the result of search engine link listings, and as soon as naked, nude nudist is seen they want to see or curious of seeing others nude other than in porno or online sites. I’m sure many find and specifically come to Clothesfree and the Forums directly searching for nudist and naturist information, and one must assume others come here for other than nudist purposes to gawk.

Where else could you read, look and sometimes listen to news, events, and get nudist and naturist information or others nudist experiences other than going to a book or magazine store and looking at or buying a nudist magazine which is probably out of date.

As I type this post, “There are 148 guests and 29 members in this forum now. Members online now (unless hidden by user).

The internet has done wonders in bringing the world together almost instantly.

[nacktman]

Gary, the answers to your questions are simple.
There is more to life than nudism/naturism and people talk about things in their lives, so it would follow that most of the topics would not be about nudism/naturism.
The proportion of actual nudist/naturist members to curious/newbie members to 'joined for the wrong reasons and were disappointed' members is most likely around 30% to 30% to 40% respectively, as this the most common pattern within most group dynamics.
Therefore, I do not see it as strange that the majority of posts are not about nudism/naturism.
As to the type of avatars being used, that is a personal preference, and there are some that do not have any nude photos of themselves to post as an avatar in the first place.
I cannot speak for others but I cannot look at only nude people and they are some 'interesting' avatars out there in cyberspace, some 'very interesting' ones indeed.

[EricNY]

I am sure that most will agree that real naturists have more to talk about than being naked. We are all regular people with many interests,why would we not talk about them.

There is only so many ways to discuss nude topics, my thoughts are that it would be awful boring if that is all we discussed.

If you are female, you are not likely to do much posting here as this is a male dominated forum with too many threads about penises, erections or discussing items like Sports Illustrated or Playboy where women bodies are exploited in a sexual matter. These threads are not going to interest many women.

Then you have the political threads which use to be interesting until two members came rolling in with spit and fire and took them over. There use to be great debate; a good exchanging of ideas. Not anymore.

I think Sanslines has posted some valid information also about the majority of non-nudists' threads.

Think threads that have discussed people's experiences at the different resorts are good threads and informative. Sharing such information on the forum is an excellent way to apprise others here of resorts others have found to be very good or not-so-good. Threads about camping trips, hiking trips, etc., have been good threads and informative.

Just some thoughts here.

Allie

[Walt Iliff]

All I know is that from my personal experience, when a group of textile friends, not involved in nudist activities gets together, I have yet to hear anyone talk about what it's like to wear clothes. I would guess that among nudists, talking about being nude would be pretty boring.

Walt Iliff

[hm0504]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Walt Iliff:
All I know is that from my personal experience, when a group of textile friends, not involved in nudist activities gets together, I have yet to hear anyone talk about what it's like to wear clothes. I would guess that among nudists, talking about being nude would be pretty boring.

Walt Iliff </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yup!

[Sanslines]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Walt Iliff:
All I know is that from my personal experience, when a group of textile friends, not involved in nudist activities gets together, I have yet to hear anyone talk about what it's like to wear clothes. I would guess that among nudists, talking about being nude would be pretty boring.

Walt Iliff </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Walt,

Think about your times and activities with AANR and the kinds of things that people talk about. If someone is involved with a specific AANR activity, such as involving more young people in AANR style naturism, then that person will talk specifically about that. If someone is involved with AANR government affairs, then that person will talk about that. If active in sports ie volleyball, then the discussion is about that. Most AANR nudists take the nude part for granted and don't really feel a need to discuss it. They would rather discuss personal or activity related topics with people that they know in real life. In the virtual world, it is just to dangerous to reveal personal information or information concerning specific locations of secret nudist places that would be ruined if the general population found out about them.

[Nude in the North]

I agree that it get's boring talking about the same ol' nudist topics. I've been comming here on a regular basis since 2001.
The main reason I looked for a site like this was to find out more about nude vacation spots. I guess I can say I have learned where to look for them, but I'm a bit dissapointed that there arn't very many posters here that have actually been to any.
I was hoping for a regular diet of "trip reports" and details on the best things to do around many of the popular nudist resorts. Yet even my own posts on my trips to Haulover and Mazzo Beach died a quick and painless death.

I don't know enough big words to join in the great debates that go on here. And frankly I'm not all that interested. All I know about politics is that it takes a majority to elect someone. And the day after the election, the majority wants them out of office.

I try to read along as much as I can. But I get tired of looking up the big words.

Steve

[nudeM]

I agree that most of the topics may not be nudist related, but that doesn't mean the posters aren't nudists, or nude at the time of posting. We come here for information, mostly for nudist related material, but sometimes, other subjects come up that offer informaton of more interest.

I have complained in the past about political and religious subjects due in part, because they end up becoming heated discussions, which in turn, turn into personal attacks. Since the moderators have jumped on board, the name calling has come to a halt, for the most part.

Overall, it's nice to have discussions on all subjects, nudist related or not. By the looks of things, there are a lot of new forum members posting now. There are a lot of old questions are beginning to re-surface. To me, this is what these forums are all about, trying to inform the new naturists of the lifestyle.

A lot of time and effort has been put in to get these forums up and running, and thus far, has been quite a success. With the help of the moderators, this is the best nude forums on the web, that I have seen, definately the most members.

From day one, when I first dropped my shorts in front of my wife in the living room and told her I was becoming a nudist, it was here I came to, to get answers (5 years ago). Boy, that took guts (lol). She has since become accepting of my practice, and she and I have made many friends as well.

So in short, just because the topics are not nudist related or not, I wouldn't worry about the members being nudists or not. Chances are, they are nudists or are thinking about the idea and want to seek out answers. For that, this is the place to be. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/smoking.gif

[fred950]

Gary, There is more to life than just being naked. (EEEEuuuwwwwwwww, but none theless...) If I were to dig up posts about nude topics from, say, five years ago and transpose them over the current topics, I doubt if anyone whould notice. Meanwhile, over in the Open Conversation side of the house, topics are continually evolving. Nor is this anything new. At over 56,000 views, over 2300 posts, HW's "are my voices..." over in Fun and Humor is the all-time champ topic.

Cogligo(sp) Ergo Nude!

[Nudony]

Every nudist forum experiences posting "droughts." About two years ago, there were always at least two or more good threads going on at the same time, with a lot of good questions and responses. Then good topics started getting slimmer and slimmer because:

- the people with the challenging/insightful thoughts and opinions (Whitestokes, cyndiann, etc...) moved on and away.
- the same topics started surfacing again...and again...and again; creating redundancy and boredom.

I myself have a few good stories and ideas, but how often can I contribute these same ones before they start getting redundant? But I do hope this forum doesn't wane like some of the others, which once flourished, but now have only one or two contris per day.

[nacktman]

Nudony is quite correct with the exception that not all with challenging/insightful thoughts and opinions have moved on and away, some do still drop in once in a while.
Though they have moved on and upwards to where real debate and discussions do take place ... and civilly, as well, some return in hopes of reviving such herein and at times those hopes seem bright and then the trolls return from wherever it is they slither off to when some semblence of civility is displayed here.

[stcloud50]

I have been disappointed for some time. I will not open ones on any type of politics as they belong on another web site. In my opinion this site is to help each of us more fully enjoy our nudists activities,

[newdust]

I have been reading this forum for a few years now, but haven't posted much at all. My first post was about my first trip to Paradise Lakes, and for some reason it quickly got hijacked and morphed into some kind of thread about why only "Phisically Fit" people should be nude. My second topic didn't go much better.

So, some of us read through the posts just looking for something of interest. And I have no interest in posting my Political/Religous views...so I will continue to read the topics that interest me, and it doesn't matter if it is about about nude recreation or UFO's or the next meeting of the Elvis Corvette Club...if it trips my trigger, I'm going to read it.