This is "Naked swim 117, trying one's hand at Ipernity type censorship . . . " It was an inside joke about how my former internet home, Ipernity, was finicky about just how and in what state penises were shown. It's a French site, so one would expect them to be liberal, but no. All frontal nudity had to be in members only groups, and they would shut us down for anything that resembled an erection or hinted at sexual activity. (And no, that's not why I don't post those things. It's a matter of personal taste.) Ken told me privately that he posted this mostly to see if they would suspend him. They didn't.
I lost patience with Ipernity because they keep messaging and threatening me with accusations that I wasn't posting original content. All of my postings were original, but they ignored my repeated attestations to that. I gave up-Dee Exx
ReplyDeleteWhat a coy photograph. Yes, most people think of the French as socially liberal, particularly about nudity, but it is a misconception. On the surface, France appears very liberal but society itself is very polarized between the progressive left and the Catholic right, a scar that is the principal legacy of the Revolution. The French talk about "la France profonde" and we have "Middle England". It's difficult to find an American equivalent but Ronald Reagan's "Silent Majority" might serve. Pornography is readily obtainable - but behind closed doors. Racy or risqué photography is not allowed on billboards. Open air, municipal swimming pools are surrounded by high walls. Swearing is not allowed on TV or radio. The people of la France profonde tend to be quite puritan and buttoned up with their emotions, too, contrary to the Anglosphere's portrayal of the Latin-speaking world as being emotionally incontinent. I remember once a friend of mine tell me that he visited his uncle's apartment in the 16th Arrondissement of Paris, perhaps one of the richest neighbourhoods in Europe, to find that burglars had managed to breach the security at the front door and had robbed one of the apartments. He and his cousin found a woman on the public stairway, her hands cupping her mouth, saying "Au secours! Au secours!" (Help! Help!) in a loud stage whisper because it wasn't the done thing to make a noise and disturb the neighbours. There is plenty of "oh là là" on the surface but far, less of it beneath.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Stereotypes die hard. My image of the tolerance question in in France was set by late 19th C. postcards, which now seems silly.
DeleteOui et non. Je trouve que tous les pays sont contradictoires.La merde urbaine contre rurale me viente a l'esprit. En ce qui concerne la censure, c'est un numero d'equilibiste joue devant le public. Les politiciens et les groups de pression qui feront tout leur possible pour etre offenses par n'importe quoi, puis reviendront en arriere lorsqu'il s'avereront etre de menteurs et des imbeciles ! Le public est en partie a blamer, il semble que tout le monde veuille tout dans les deux sens..
ReplyDeleteGentilhomme a Paris
I appreciate your input on this subject, GP. In my own country, we frequently talk of two Americas, one red and one blue. It's sad, really.
DeleteJe voulais ajouter - en ce qui concerne le temperament latin, nous les Francais somme reserves, comme les Piemontais du Nord de l'Italie et les Asturiens et Galiciens du Nord d l'Espagne.
DeleteGentilhomme a Paris
I am crazy about the above photograph. I could write short stories about this duo. This tribute to your friend is a winning series. Keep doing it, King.
ReplyDeletePlease do write a story or two. I'll help you with editing.
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