I was out taking some pictures of the Waterfront on Kaiya
Islands and whilst taking my pictures I was also profile surfing ….. as I am
want to do, when I came across a profile of a chap who said he was an
introvert, yet there he was dancing in the buff at Turtle Coast.
Being ever inquisitive I IM’d him about it and asked if
introversion and exhibitionism were not conflicting concepts. He then replied by asking if I knew what
introversion is and I had to admit that I didn’t know what exactly it
encompasses only my own preconceived ideas.
So for those of you, who like me thought being and introvert
meant being shy and retiring and basically a wall flower apparently that is not
correct -
Definition: Contrary to what most people think,
an introvert is not simply a person who is shy. In fact, being shy has little
to do with being an introvert! Shyness has an element of apprehension,
nervousness and anxiety, and while an introvert may also be shy, introversion
itself is not shyness. Basically, an introvert is a person who is energized by
being alone and whose energy is drained by being around other people.
Introverts are more concerned with the inner world of the mind. They enjoy
thinking, exploring their thoughts and feelings. They often avoid social
situations because being around people drains their energy. This is true even
if they have good social skills. After being with people for any length of
time, such as at a party, they need time alone to "recharge."
“Introverts, in contrast, may have strong social
skills and enjoy parties and business meetings, but after a while wish they
were home in their pyjamas. They prefer to devote their social energies to
close friends, colleagues, and family. They listen more than they talk, think
before they speak, and often feel as if they express themselves better
in writing than in conversation. They tend to dislike conflict. Many have a
horror of small talk, but enjoy deep discussions.” Susan Cain
This in turn
got me thinking about exhibitionism and nudism, as I had basically accused him
of being an exhibitionist, when actually that is not the case. An exhibitionist gets nude for the purpose of
exposing their naked body to other people and getting some sort of response or
attention from it. Exhibitionism is a mental condition characterized by the
compulsion to display one’s genitals in public. It falls under a category of
psychiatric sexual disorders known as “paraphilias.” (Psychology Today)
Paraphilias are a group of mental disorders marked by obsession with unusual
sexual practices. Nudists get naked
because they feel more comfortable without clothes. Nudists “just want to be nude. If they like
to be with others, it’s because humans are social creatures.” (www.webnaturists.com) Nudism has nothing to do with sexual
gratification but rather from the simple belief that nude is better.
I still wonder though if you can really be an introvert and
also a nudist. Apparently in Second Life
you can!
There are many nude beaches in Second Life which makes one ponder
whether SL nudism is not really just a form of voyeurism, I mean what are the
chances that the human behind the avatar is sitting at their computer in the
nude?
While I recognize the definition of introversy, I don't really like the definition of exhibitionism that is mentioned here. At least, I don't think it applies in those words either to me or to a lot of other patrons at Turtle Beach. Especially the words 'compulsion' and 'obsession' have quite a negative connotation.
ReplyDeleteLet me quote from the group charter of Turtle Beach:
"From sensual to downright erotic, expose your inner voyeur or exhibitionist."
The crowd at TB tends to enjoy being nude, enjoy being watched and enjoy watching in return. The only compulsion being that clothing is not allowed there.
As an introvert in RL, I flourish in SL, as I can create my own world... I can meet new people to have those deep discussions. I can experience things in SL that would make me uncomfortable in RL, with an easy escape into solitude if necessary. It also allows me to explore my inner thoughts that occur following those encounters, eventually making me a better person, hopefully.
It's a shame you wrote that penultimate paragraph. SL is your *second* life.. why do you need to be nude in RL to be an SL nudist? Why do you need to be a RL woman to have a female avatar (or the other way round)? There can be so many reasons people want to be SL nudists... and sure there will be voyeurs too, and that's fine as long as it's all consenting. But your generalization is completely out of order in my opinion.
Thank you for bringing out this attention to introversy and SL though :)
So if a nude person is just standing in the open not doing anything how can one tell if the nude person is a nudist, exhibitionist or just another introvert?
ReplyDelete"I still wonder though if you can really be an introvert and also a nudist. Apparently in Second Life you can!"
ReplyDeleteYes, though rl makes it harder because of the stigmas against nudity.
Those have caused many people to associate any level of nudity (it's now got to where wearing a bikini or a pair of shorts is considered being naked...) as being an immoral sex addict.
"There are many nude beaches in Second Life which makes one ponder whether SL nudism is not really just a form of voyeurism, I mean what are the chances that the human behind the avatar is sitting at their computer in the nude?"
pretty good actually :)
SL nude beaches are just as likely to suffer from voyeurs as rl nude beaches. Which means highly likely, sadly.
Which is one of the reasons I rarely visit nude beaches rl, the crowds of gawkers and people jerking off (yes, it happens) just make them uncomfortable places to be.
SL it's not as bad, at least people tend to be a bit more discreet about their peeping Tom bevaviour. Having camera controls helps I guess ;)
"If you are an introvert in RL how do you portray yourself in Second Life? "
SL's a good way to help overcome severe introversion. Since joining up I've become more open, more comfortable being around people (though I still don't like crowds).
"So if a nude person is just standing in the open not doing anything how can one tell if the nude person is a nudist, exhibitionist or just another introvert?"
you can't, rl (except maybe by the direction they're facing, the way they're standing. If they're facing towards where it's known gawkers often hide out they're more likely to be exhibitionists...). SL of course it's more often the case that exhibitionists will feature prim or mesh genitals, boobs, ass, etc. and have overly inflated sizes of those.
I find this article about introverts versus extroverts kind of amusing in relation to the Turtle Coast....
ReplyDeleteThe Turtle Coast is a bad subject for discussing nudism for one simple reason; Turtle is (or has largely become - or always has been?) a meatmarket. *Most* people who go to the Turtle Coast go for a pickup (yes, there are exceptions). Turtle's sister sim, The Wild Coast, was a much happier and friendlier place - but the owner placed a higher priority on Turtle's success. Very few people go to the Turtle Coast simply for nudity for nudity's sake (i.e. to just relax and be nude). It's a pickup place very much like any other adult sim that allows nudity.
If the writer of this article wants to discuss nudity in second life, there are better places to focus on.