ADULT PROFILE PHOTOS
ARTFUL PRESENTATION vs. PORNOGRAPHY
I have only been a member of BodyBuilding.com for a little more than five weeks, but I have seen more beautifully developed, motivating, muscular bodies in that short time than any other time in my life. Unfortunately, I have also noticed a good number of nearly nude photos, topless women, butt cracks, pubic hair, treasure trails, underwear, and even a few totally nude photos or photos with just a towel or hand covering their privates. It seems several Bodybuilding.com members will bear it all, but feel the need to cut off or black out their face – there has to be at least a little irony in that!
I am not a prude, but the fact remains, this is NOT an adult website. Anyone, any age can sign-on and look at profiles and photos. There are a ton of teenage members, with a good number under 16 years old. I think it’s great that we are confident and comfortable enough with our bodies to take revealing photos, but, I do not believe this material is appropriate for a family friendly website. I don’t even think its appropriate for an adult website unless the photos are “private” and you have to intentionally view them.
I also know there is a fine line between artful presentation and pornography. But, BodyBuilding.com is a place we can show muscular development, body sculpting and goal achievement, not a place to relieve sexual tension. I believe it qualifies as a social networking site, but I don’t think it’s intended to be a sexual website, but that is exactly what some members are making it.
If this IS a bodybuilding forum, it would seem appropriate for members to wear no less in their profile or progress photos than they would wear in a competition or on a public beach. If a woman walked on stage and her one-piece suit was just a bottom or panties, she would be disqualified. If a man walked on stage in a g-string or just holding a towel, he would be disqualified. Profile photos show on the BodyBuilding.com home page and are displayed whether we want to see them or not. If you want to have topless or naked photos, tell you friends you can e-mail them privately and don’t include them in your public profile.
My opinion is - CHEAP PHOTOS CHEAPEN US. They add to the stereotype cheesecake, beefcake, meatmarket image society has placed on bodybuilders becasue they don’t understand us, what drives us, and they don’t seem to care to try.
I’m sure some will disagree. Everyone has their own opinion of what is acceptable, but if you have a choice, why not ere on the side of modesty while still having a broad forum to display our bodybuilding progress and achievements.
As always, this is just my opinion. -Ray
June 3, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Well said. I agree with you wholeheartedly.
June 4, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Thanks for speaking up!
You are totally right.
June 5, 2008 at 9:06 am
I have been thinking about writing this blog content for some time….and I agree many will disagree…but I don’t think I could have said this any better. Thank you for taking a stand, for sharing and bringing up very valid points as to the depravity of this site.
June 5, 2008 at 9:40 am
Awesome post Ray! Some people around here will put up just about any picture of themselves just to get a few extra hits…..pathetic.
June 7, 2008 at 7:26 am
okay i say i agree! but to be honest.. that could possibly be said about my pics or anyone elses! what u see and some else does are not always the same…. are they????
June 14, 2008 at 7:04 pm
I thank you too for writing this blog. I completely agree. I also feel that women would be alot more appealing and would be taken more seriously if they wore some cool fitness apparel to show off their physiques rather then their underwear and like you mentioned in another blog especially mothers. Don’t they care if their kids or their kids friends from school see these pictures?