All I can say is that if anyone is masturbating to those pictures they realy need an introduction to the wonderful world of porn. Even the Sears catalog is better, at least they feature attractive people in underwear.
Of course its creepy. Of course I am going to look. I just don’t think the pictures are getting the reaction the posters intended. Only here could a nerd post a naked picture in a robe and wizard staff and thnk that arousal is the general reaction.
Well, see what I get for trying to be generous?!?
That I can’t argue with.
I bet you people would be a lot less fired up over this whole thing if the Dopers involved were hot, svelte chicks. Preferably redheaded ones. In stockings.
Have you seen DocCathode’s picture? He looks *exactly *like the type of guy you would imagine getting aroused by a thread like this.
No, actually he’s hurt because people don’t realize that his picture in that thread IS an art photo. With costumes and props and everything.
Yeah, man. It was, like, totally artistic. Didn’t you notice my veiny, turgid prop? It was poking out of my wizard’s hat and robe.
It did cause me to remember that a wizard’s staff has a knob on the end.
I find it just tacky, rude, and arrogant to post in threads like that if your intention to show off.
But I just didn’t know “regular” people (ie not porn stars, nude models, etc) found it entirely appropriate, “normal,” or even arousing to post naked photos of themselves on a website such as this one. There are lots of other websites to do this sort of thing. I just never expected it at the dope.
I don’t think the ridiculously small number of photos seem to demand any hand-wringing over the state of the message board. Thousands of penises remain unseen.
People on the Internet do love to complain about stuff, though.
I think you’re a prime example of the half Sleeps With Butterflies is talking about.
Yeah I complain a lot. 3 pit threads in 3 years of posting.
I’m not even really complaining here. I was genuinely curious to know whether I was the only one that though the NSFW thread was an odd idea. I’m not offended by it, go ahead and post your naked photos, dopers. I’ve never felt the need to show my body off to near strangers. I like my body, my boyfriend does too, and I don’t give a shit if anyone else does.
Oh, get up off me. Who asked you, anyway?
Speaking strictly for myself, there are all kinds of ways to seek attention, and not all of them are bad. Humans are social animals, a need for attention is basic, normal, and healthy. A particular method of seeking it out can be either healthy or whoring, however.
I think wanting and seeking attention for achievements, and acknowledgment for things like (genuine) generosity, are great. Just got a promotion? Feel free to post and I’ll celebrate with you. I gave you a gift? Please say thank you and a hug wouldn’t be bad either.
Anything that smacks of bragging, for me, falls on the other end of the scale. So yes, an assertion of “I’m brilliant” is about as crass as a dick-measuring contest. It’s less about it being a physical thing, than it is about being an ego thing.
Where exactly the line is between bragging ego and healthy self-esteem can be a judgment call, and I have no vested interest in making every one else’s line the same as mine. Just recognize and respect that mine may not be the same as yours. This is why I’ve neither posted in the photo thread nor called for its closure. The topic gets a total “meh” from me, but if it floats your boat, whatever. I’ll be elsewhere, no big deal.
[QUOTE=WhyNot]
No, actually he’s hurt because people don’t realize that his picture in that thread IS an art photo. With costumes and props and everything.
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If that’s the case (I haven’t been back to the thread), then it’s a flaw in the photo that it’s unclear why his erection is important to the rest of the photo, the costumes, everything. As an art piece it doesn’t have a clear “voice” as far as I can tell. No one can seriously say that an erection won’t get a primary amount of attention, but I can’t tell what he’s trying to say with the photo or how the parts of the composition are interrelated to either capture a moment or tell a story.
It’s not an epic failure of his artistic vision, by any means. What it does mean is he (or the photographer) needs to be clearer himself about what that vision is and what he wants the viewer to come away with (uh, pun not intended).
Again, if you’re showing me your hard-on, I need a compelling reason to care. 
[QUOTE=WhyNot]
Hey, thanks! It was a snapshot, btw, from a rather crappy digital camera. IANAPhotographer, nor was the person taking it. But I’ll take credit for the “composition”, such as it is, since I cropped it out of a bigger photo including two of my friends who were also nude!
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Aside from the fact that you’re one of my Doper Crushes 
it honestly is a really beautiful photo – lots of texture, and I really like the simplicity and freedom of it. The one of the girl walking in the stream is gorgeous too – VERY well framed and composed, really captures a moment. I could go on at length about why both of them are awesome, but I think I’ve hijacked enough.
Who asked you for your opinion?
I’ve been at work since I knew about the picture.
I have no interest in seeing random genitals. I’ve never seen an attractive one.
And I’ve met DocCathode and thus have even less interest in seeing more of him. (I also have no interest in seeing nude pictures of most of the male dopers I’ve met. It’s not him; it’s me.)
Why does the fact that his penis is showing preclude any artistic merit?
In a way you are right. I would have laughed at the picture fully clothed. With the ahem added element it becomes both hysterical and creepy all at once. Seriously, someone, besides Doc Cathode, defend the artistic merit of the picture. The fact that he takes it seriously makes it all the more funny.
You think the photo was “art” then? Did you have “feelings” running up your leg?
I have no idea. The link was clearly labeled with a description, so you know what I did? I don’t click it. It’s a no-brainer.