AlectronaShine: hey would you mind if i sent you my questions so i have your answers in writing? So that way i dont screw anything up and you can just type them to me
the real Birdin: ok
AlectronaShine: okay
AlectronaShine: okay some of them might be stupid so bear with me
the real Birdin: ok
AlectronaShine: How did you find out about nudism
the real Birdin: actually im not sure where i first heard of it... could have been a beavis and butthead cartoon... but i found out what it really was mostly with internet research
AlectronaShine: do you remember what made you want to look more into it?
the real Birdin: one day in 7th grade i was at home, getting ready to get in the shower, and i realized that i was just more comfortable without clothes
the real Birdin: after thinking about it some more over the next few weeks and months, i started thinking that it might be nice if i could live nude
the real Birdin: eventually i came up with some ideas about how society might be better off if more people went nude... but that was a few years later
AlectronaShine: when you first started thinking about it would be nice to live nude did you think that was wrong in anyway?
the real Birdin: not really
the real Birdin: i could see how some people might think so, but i personally didnt
AlectronaShine: you just said you could see how some people might think it is, and some people do think it's deviant why do you think they think that way
the real Birdin: its just the way some people are raised... they are taught and retaught that nudity is sexual and therefore forbidden...
the real Birdin: the problem is that its the whole taboo aspect that makes it so sexy to begin with
the real Birdin: or, at least, that plays a major role
AlectronaShine: could you explain that the last statement a little more to me
the real Birdin: well, people are naturally curious
the real Birdin: what is left to the imagination is often glorified
the real Birdin: and seeing what is normally covered becomes a kind of treat
AlectronaShine: i never thought of it that way before
AlectronaShine: if your parents know how do you think they feel about it
the real Birdin: well i first told my dad
the real Birdin: he was a bit surprised, but he didnt get mad or anything
the real Birdin: the way he saw it, i was exploring who i am
AlectronaShine: uh huh
the real Birdin: he doesnt really have a problem with it, unless i ask to be nude in his prescense
AlectronaShine: what does he say then
the real Birdin: to him, its just something i am interested in, and he is actually rather indifferent
AlectronaShine: what about your mom
the real Birdin: she wasnt surprised at all
the real Birdin: i dont think she expected it, but the news was no bombshell
AlectronaShine: thats good
the real Birdin: the way she explained it, i had always done my own thing, taken my own path
the real Birdin: this was just another example
the real Birdin: she is actually very supportive...
AlectronaShine: good
AlectronaShine: where do you pratice this at?
the real Birdin: in the summer she lets me take the family car for a couple of days to camp at nudist resorts
the real Birdin: transitioning into the next question... (lol)
AlectronaShine: :-)
the real Birdin: in the summer, i make visits to resorts... there are seven of these facilities in Ohio
the real Birdin: i have been to 2 of them, and one in Pennsylvania
the real Birdin: most of them are basically campgrounds with swimming pools and hot tubs, and maybe a couple of rental cabins
the real Birdin: i usually spend about 24 hours at a resort, camping overnight in a tent
AlectronaShine: is this the only time you pratice it
the real Birdin: well, that and when i can around the home... my single dorm room is great for that
the real Birdin: and at mom's house, i have my own room too
AlectronaShine: okay What are the people like and the enviroment at the resorts?
the real Birdin: in the winter time, travel clubs often rent swimming or exercise facilities for nude use
the real Birdin: (sorry, late answer)
AlectronaShine: dont worry about it take your time
the real Birdin: at the resorts, people are generally friendly
the real Birdin: some places are better than others though
the real Birdin: sometimes the resident members might seem slightly annoyed if you try to strike up a conversation...
AlectronaShine: yeah
the real Birdin: but usually people at the resorts are willing to get to know new people
AlectronaShine: good
AlectronaShine: when you get married if you do will you expect your family to pratice this or is it up to them
the real Birdin: it will be their choice, but i will certainly encourage it
the real Birdin: i especially don't want to deprive my children of the opportunity to experience clothes-free living
AlectronaShine: would you ever walk around your kids naked? Because a lot of teachers and other parents might now approve of that and might take action
the real Birdin: i certainly would
the real Birdin: there is nothing about my body that my children shouldnt see
AlectronaShine: what if the law comes and tells you that you cant walk around naked or your kids tell you they dont want you ro
AlectronaShine: to
the real Birdin: and the objections people have are almost exclusively based on the assumption that nudity significantly increases the likelihood of sexual contact - an assumption i entirely reject
the real Birdin: i intend to obey the law... however i will oppose such legislation before it becomes effective
the real Birdin: there is an organization called the Naturist Action Committee that watches out for such legislation
AlectronaShine: oh
AlectronaShine: can you tell me some more about that
the real Birdin: they constantly watch various sources for potentially harmful legislation
the real Birdin: and inform nudists what they can do to oppose such legislation
the real Birdin: last spring i missed math class a couple of times so i could attend legislative hearings at the statehouse to oppose a bill which would have shut down all nudist resorts in the state
AlectronaShine: did they state why they wanted to close them down
the real Birdin: ...the bill was intended to reduce the number of strip clubs
the real Birdin: but the language was overbroad
the real Birdin: strict enforcement would have made use of public restrooms illegal
AlectronaShine: oh
the real Birdin: the bill did pass, but the part that modified the definition of public indecency was removed
the real Birdin: so nudist resorts continue to operate lawfully
AlectronaShine: okay next question
AlectronaShine: what do you know about religion and nudism how do they go hand in hand
the real Birdin: i must admit that i am not the most informed on the subject
the real Birdin: but i have listened to many arguments on that
AlectronaShine: okay well what do you know about it
the real Birdin: most religious objections to nudism are based on bible passages...
the real Birdin: but those passages are often taken out of context
AlectronaShine: okay
the real Birdin: and many of the passages dealing with nudity between family members are actually referring to sex between family members
AlectronaShine: oh
the real Birdin: when it was translated to english, several such euphamisms were employed
AlectronaShine: So why do you do ?
AlectronaShine: it
the real Birdin: mostly it is for personal comfort
the real Birdin: it is also very relaxing for me
the real Birdin: and besides, the less i wear clothes, the less laundry i have to do
AlectronaShine: lol
AlectronaShine: okay well thats all of my ?'s is there anything you would like to add
the real Birdin: sure
the real Birdin: i have already written a lot about this subject on my website, if you want to take a look
AlectronaShine: yeah what is it
the real Birdin: http://www.oocities.org/therealbirdin/Nudist/
the real Birdin: is it alright if i post a copy of this transcript on my website?
the real Birdin: it would make a nice Q&A
AlectronaShine: sure
AlectronaShine: do you want a copy of my paper when im done?
the real Birdin: that would be great
AlectronaShine: cool do you mind if i use your name or would you rather me not
the real Birdin: with your permission i may post that online as well, without your identifying information
the real Birdin: hmm
AlectronaShine: yep thats fine
the real Birdin: sure you can use my name
the real Birdin: David [Smith]
AlectronaShine: okay
the real Birdin: but if you are putting anything online, change [Smith] to Smith
AlectronaShine: okay
AlectronaShine: well im going to start working on it thanks so much this is awesome information
the real Birdin: im glad it helped
the real Birdin: really it was my pleasure
AlectronaShine: good if i have any questions i will come over
the real Birdin: ok
the real Birdin: ttyl
AlectronaShine: later