Naked Photo Test
 

The naked photo test is interesting. Suppose you had a naked photo of yourself. Not just naked but doing something that would embarrass you and your family so much, should it surface, you'd have to move to another town...maybe state.
Now you can't destroy it and you don't want to have it in your possession.

How many people do you know, you would trust that photo to? :eek:

According to this article.....The name of the article is, "Seven Reasons the 21st Century is Making you Miserable". The reasons he gives are:
1. Not enough annoying strangers in our lives.
2. Not enough annoying friends, either.
3. Text = Bad Communication
5. We're not criticized enough.
6. The Outrage Machine
7. We feel worthless because we actually are worth less.

Now reading that list at face value, one could reasonably and logically say....what are you, nuts?
But actually the seven are only slightly misleading and he makes a very good case for each of them.
It would appear that more and more people are playing it cool, by making their life a little colder. Good line, huh? You can use that.

Anyway, the link is safe for work...or home, and I think well worth reading.;)

I've been puzzling recently what I would do if I had to go away for a few days. I'd have to take my cats to a cattery as I have no-one I could ask for that kind of help. My co-worker asked, "Couldn't you ask one of your friends" forcing me to admit I didn't have any.

BUT.

This thread is cheering me up no end, as I realised I simply don't have any friends in Leicester. There are 3 people I would trust with that kind of material, who just happen to live too far away to catsit effectively. As do all my family.

But the article was definitely worth reading. I'm further down the path to cutting myself off from the world than my colleagues, so I tend to think of it as a bizarre accident that has happened to me, rather than a result of choices I have made. I think perhaps it is time to start reversing the process. Because he is right in some ways - not least the fact that the more you rub along with people the less corners you have.

Our decision to settle in Grifftopia had a lot to do with this. Even though family can be much more annoying than friends of choice, we're all stuck with each other. In America it is almost subversive not to move when all the economic forces say move. Pete has a friend at work who has moved (long distances) about three times in the last five years. He is intrigued with our way of life as we are with his, thing is you can't do both.

oh my god. I would come to your house in a heartbeat! I'm a nice girl . Polite in every way. I find you charming, entertaining,smart and fun. I'm sure Id be grinning ear to ear.:D

If I ever do manage to buy a ticket to Europe you just remember me. I'm comming over! :ipray:


I'll actually read the article later. I would also like to know what that
bizarre accident was SG.

Yup, kinda sums it up :)
I just mean that I haven't always taken responsibility for the lack of social interaction in my life, preferring to believe it happened quite by chance.

Thanks for the kind words. You're definitely welcome any time you want to drop by. I'd love to show someone round and I'd buy you a wonderful curry. And if we didn't get on, I'd leave you babysitting my cats and bugger off to my parent!

[hijack] Just to clarify - the issue with my cats is that they are house cats and people-dependant. It wouldn't be a question of someone popping in once a day to dish up food - I could find someone to do that. They would cry themselves hoarse if left alone for more than 24 hours. So I'd need a real friend, who was willing to move in for as long as I was away - that's what I don't have (closer than 70m away).

This was an issue this weekend as Dad was rushed into hospital Friday night and at the time it was a suspected heart attack. He's still in for observation, but it's been diagnosed as angina. They're being careful because he had a blood clot on his lung last year following his knee replacement. He goes for a full set of tests Monday. Anyway, it made me realise that without friends nearby it is harder to cut and run. If it had been serious I'd have had to take them with me.

[/hijack] and apologies for interrupting an interesting thread!

Tell Dad a bunch of yanks are rooting for him. For you too, we care and were here 'round the clock for you're convenience.

Oh dear, cat owners are so naive. You think because they treat you like slaves, they're dependent.

The truth is, you wouldn't be two blocks away before they would have their buddies in, playing cards, with Chinese food or pizza on the way. :lol:

SG--we ARE pulling for dad...tell him, it'll cheer him up! (or, send him over the edge, depending on how he feels about Yanks! ;)

And I'd watch your cats, too. It'd just take me a while to get to your place! (step one: cross that pond...)


I'll be honest-most people bug me or bore me. I don't like to be around many of them and those that I do like being around, it's not for a long time. I didn't always used to be this way--I chalk it up to my life experiences, my work experiences and my experiences with organized religion. Yep, those three things kinda messed me up to the point of near-misanthropy.

The meat of his first point rings true for me. Of the half dozen good friends I had, four are dead, and one is dying. The remaining one I don't see often enough.

Probably when I lived in Boston, riding the subway/trolley line, I was immersed in people the most. Of all the annoying things people do rated on a scale of 1 to 10, being bombarded with it every day, I wouldn't notice anything less than 5, half the time.
Then, I could press my weight and dead lift double, too. :)

Now I find going out in the world, most everything they do is 8 or higher. I know it's not them getting worse, although there may be more of them, because they're a % of the population. Everything changes, including us.
It's my tolerance has eroded....and I probably couldn't dead lift my weight.:(


You could say, so what, in this electronic world I can live in my virtual reality. Yes some, maybe even most of the time. But unless you're Howard Hughes, not completely. Even if you do, it's not healthy.

I'm sure some of you, considering all the technical expertise here, have created yourselves what could be electronic retreats. I wonder how much you use it to keep people at arms length?

I'm well aware that I choose to live on the edge of civilisation because most people irritate me and that most people irritate me because I live on the edge of civilisation.
(The edge, by the way, is not just a physical location, but also defined by the fact that I don't buy a newspaper, don't listen to the music that most people do, don't watch the TV programmes that most people do ...)
That being said, I'd trust most of my "neighbours" with that photo ... so I'm one of the lucky ones ...

So they refer to you as the odd one, or strange one, without being derogatory? :question:

I suppose so ...:alien:

I live right smack bang in the middle of civilization. There are a lot of people I trust, and the sad thing is, a lot of people will read that statement and suggest I'm naive or careless.

For me though, I have a large and closeknit family, every one of which I'd trust with the lives of my children or even a naked photo of myself.

As to cats, well, we have three of them and two dogs. When we go away I just ask one of my younger cousins to house sit for me. They live in my house and eat the food out of the cupboards and in return, they feed the animals and water the plants etc.

I also have a small group of friends that I trust, but the ones I really rely on are my family.

I find this whole idea of cutting ourselves off from society in small or big ways very odd and I've always wondered why people choose to do so when there are so many benefits to be had from being a part of it. Even the school environment is a good thing to look at. When you've got kids, and something comes up, isn't it better to be able to call the parents of your kids friends and ask for help if you've got an appointment? You can't do that if you don't know them, so that's why we've always made a point of getting our kids in the habit of socializing with their school friends as well as family. It just gives you so many more options when you're in a tight spot.

Anyway, that's the end of my rant.

Its a matter of genetics, our ancestors left the isles because it was too crowded, yours because they needed to go to the penal colony.:eek:
I kid I kid...:)

lol...so you've been reading other threads huh?

we were sent here because of overcrowding too you know.

Just a note. I'm pretty fucking stoked that i ended up here instead of elsewhere. :)

Ya, that conversation wasn't really going anywhere was it? I think you Australians are pretty fortunate.

I think most Aussies would agree with that. We have it pretty sweet down here.

this whole thing assumes that the photographer has been dealt with, i presume?

It comes down to logic. i can't destroy or keep it? if it is bad enough to make me want to relocate, it has to be pretty freakin bad, cuz, i'm not all that shy. i'd trust jinx. mainly because she'd have to move too, and i know her tendency toward being mortified is much more sensitive than mine..... beyond that, why take the risk? I mean, i suppose i could trust my immediate family, and probably my sister in law......but.....if it was that bad, i wouldn't want them knowing either. if it were possible, i'd say zero......I'd rather harbor my own demons, thanks.

This is about how close we let our friends get, i suppose. That's the real question. I've had it illustrated too often that you should be nice to your enemies, because your friends might just turn out to be assholes. Keep your own secrets....you're much less likely to betray yourself.

Dont any of you ever look in the locked box on my dresser....OK???

Promise??

Sure, kids change your dynamics, force you to interact with more people and the government. Families in close proximity also tend to intrude on your life, whether you want it or not. Family is more likely to drop by, ask for favors, nag you into going places and tough to say no to. Of course that works both ways.... gives you people to drop in on, ask favors of and nag. :haha:

I've always found when it comes to family, 300 miles is about right. Too far to just swing by, or borrow a cup of sugar, but close enough to get there fairly quickly(4or5hrs), without flying, if need be.

I have a lot of problems trusting people, and I've found there is good reason for it. There are just some really mean people on earth and I have a knack for attracting users, or people who really don't have my best interest at heart though they might act as if they do. My ex warned me of a few women I had become friends with who he just didn't trust, and it turned out he was right. Thus, I can't trust my own judgment in such matters.


I live close to my family, but find there isn't a whole lot of "stopping by" by the 'rents or my brothers. One reason, they've always been great at respecting my privacy...but I think the lack of kids thing does make a difference. My younger brother's house is constant activity of friends and kids; I have no qualms about stopping by if I drive by and see activity, cars, etc. But I do love my alone time, and I don't think I'd enjoy a whole lot of drop-ins.

Who would I trust with a nekkid pic of me? NO ONE!!!!!

I think there are pros and cons to most situations and yeah, sometimes it can be a bit wearing, but as you say, there are some pretty great benefits too. I've never noticed any nagging though. My family is very supportive on the whole. I have a lot to be grateful for in my life, and the number one thing is my family.

My closest relative lives within walking distance of our house, and the rest are all within about half an hours drive, apart from the few that live out of town. I think it's fantastic, and xmas is awesome. We have about 80 or so people at our family do on xmas night. I love it, and so does everyone else. Geez I can't wait for xmas to roll around again. :)

Well there were some pics at one time , but that situation was DELT with , even the negitives ( pre Digi cam )

Now as to who I would trust with such , well my wife and that is about it ,

One neighber has a set of keys for our house , that is ALL .

I have ALL ways been a lowner , going down my own path , I guess that has to do with how I was raised , My father died when I was 5 and I was raised by my Mom , big sis , my Moms best friend and her 3 daughters , the lone dude in the crowd , it could be fun and it DID have its perks , but it was sorta lonely ,
As to my family , well mom didn't get along well with any of them , they all just sorta tollerated each other , nothing has changed since she died in 96 , , and my sister is or was a junkie and scamming the Gubment any way she can to get Any money she can and she raised her 4 boys to be the same way , all ways Scamming any body any time , even family .

I work HARD for what I have and it irks the PISS out of me that she doesn't have any more pride in her self or her boys !!!

I haven't spoken to her in about 3-4 years now , and as hard hearted as this sounds , that is OK with me !

I would probably use it more if it worked out for me but apparently I am better on this side of the screen :p

Now about the original post. I read the article finally.

The original idea just wasn't about nudity. We have nudity galore these days so that isn't a big deal.I say the bar was set too high to gauge trust and friendship. Is there any normal friendship that can stand under the weight of having sex with a beast? no,so I think the whole premise of the test is off. :eek:

Now if it would have said 'child porn of yourself' surfacing I would have said sure. Lots of people I could trust with that.

I like low gauges of friendship like someone pulling your dress out of your panty hose when comming out of the bathroom. Anyone who does that is a friend indeed! :D hehe

About the list . #1. I think kids get a big dose of annoyance these days.Every walked in a middle shoool?
#2. I grew up in the country. I do agree that the sense of community isn't like it was when I was growing up. People were just nicer back then.
#3 & #4. There should be a law where we all have to 'text' all pretty and flowery like SG's story telling OR at least old world of some sort then even the insults would sound nice :) ( j/k)
#5 Constructive critism is a good thing.
#6 I don't watch the news.
#7 see number 5.

I actually trust a lot of people. Maybe too many. Maybe I'm just too much of an optimist when it comes to some people. Maybe I'm just friendly?

Maybe I'm just too much of an optimist when it comes to some people

Give it time , with age comes cinisizm ( if'n you know what I meen )

Oh believe me I'm a complete cynic (if you cant TELL by a lot of what I say...), but when it comes to people I actually KNOW and to some extent LIKE, I'm more of an optimist I guess.

Am I the only person that would just broadcast the photo far and wide?

I'd rather not have the terrible secret and be able to move on rather than constantly worry about it.

I really can't conceive of a photo of anything short of a felony that I would care that much about other people seeing...

Ibram, the world is full of cynics. You don't need to jump on the bandwagon. Be an individual. ;)

yeah, I like friendly people. They're just so...... friendly. :3eye:

meen?? oh and notice the date stamp. Ibram ages three days then he's all cynical now. ;)

( just teasing you Ibram :) )

Perhaps reserved is a better word? Until you get to know someone you hang back. I know I do....unless they are friendly as all get out.

It's not just a nakid photo.... it's a photo of you doing a beast.
I know it's too outrageous a notion. I know what you mean though. I don't think people care much about a nakid picture.

That's just it. I'm trying to think of something that I might actually do that I wouldn't want anyone to know about.

How about screwing a goat? Or your Mom? No offense to your Mom, but I don't think that's something you'd spread around.
The point however is how many people would you trust with something incriminating. :question:

In the years ahead you'll cross paths with people who will break your trust, break your heart and maybe break your bones......but only you can break your spirit.
Being cynical won't protect you from them......even being cautious to the point of paranoia, won't completely protect you.

That being the case, why subject yourself to the side effects, the down side, of being cynical and/or excessively cautious. Why be relieved the worst didn't happen, when you can be genuinely happy that something good did. Why avoid making a new friend, the one you'd write to reader's Digest about being the most unforgettable character you ever met, just to avoid the possibility of being offended by them.

Cynics don't suffer any more or less, at the hands of the world, than optimists. But they do suffer considerably more of their own doing.
Your choice, Bro. You don't have declare yourself one way or the other and to commit to one way, would be foolish. Just keep the above thoughts in mind when making choices rather than pre-plan your choices ahead of time.

Would I lie to you.... my oldest and dearest friend?
Unless, of course, there was money or women involved. :lol2:

I try not to be too optimistic or pessimistic. Both can hurt you badly. It really doesn't matter if the glass is half full or half empty because there is the same amount of water in it no matter which way you look at it. No reason to kid yourself.

Prepare for the worst hope for the best.


For the photo thing, I have one friend that I would trust with it completely. I have others that I am sure wouldn't do anything with it but I have been screwed over with things like that in the past so it takes a while for me to get a full trust in people.

I trust very few people completely. I will give you the shirt off my back if you really need it, but I would not trust you to give it back when you were done with it, so you may not get it in the first place. I trust my wife completely. I am not so sure I trust all my kids because they are probably just like me when I was a kid, not very trust worthy. I trust my brothers, some more than others. Outside of that I really don't trust anyone. Even the people that you think are your best friends in life can turn on you. Ask anyone who has had a really bad divorce. Think of the most noble of people in life who have fallen from grace due to actions where they took advantage of others for personal gain and got caught. The list is pretty long. Preachers, politicians, lovers, family... Yea, I pretty much don't trust anyone.

I can think of three people off the top of my head. No, wait, four or five at least. I'm pretty lucky, I guess. :)

I would like to have more friends so that if I ever felt like going out drinking with "the girls," I would have a ready supply of girls to go with me, but as it is I know that if anything really bad were to happen I would be supported by people I love. Back in college, it was the opposite -- I had an active social life and lots of fun on weekends, but as soon as I had a major change in my life most of them dumped me like a hot potato.

I miss people being friendlier. I like having random conversations, and most people in my city are clearly not up for them. At work I do a lot of business over the phone, and I have noticed that people are really rude to me sometimes, even though I'm generally trying to help them. I like my iPod for the gym, but I can't stand wearing it most of the time because actual *people* are so much more interesting to me.

EDIT: for the record, it's seven. My fiance, my brother, my two best friends, my aunt, my sister-in-law, and a family friend who is like my big sister.