# Buttcrack montage: social commentary or cyberbullying? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 25, 2014, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989 "2014-04-25T20:54:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/41 "2014-04-26T18:31:14Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > This is, incidentally, exactly the same logic used to defend the egregious sexism in a lot of geek/convention culture. But it is also the same logic that explains why I try to wear matching socks when I’m at work, while wearing mismatched ones when I’m at home or at the grocery store. Or when I’m chilling out at someone’s house. I’m sure we all have different standards of decorum depending on who and what we are doing. (Just to reiterate, I’m not defending asscracks or poor hygiene. It’s just that these discussions can be boring without hearing the other side. And for whatever reason, I think I kinda get the other side.) ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/42 "2014-04-26T18:36:46Z")
**monstro** , you really believe that parade of asscracks is a fashion statement? Well, it’s even stupider than all the guys around here with their pants belted around their knees. But I’m not the least convinced this is a chosen style choice. If it was, why are they so upset someone took a picture of it? ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/43 "2014-04-26T18:42:58Z")
I believe a ‘style’ could be defined as actions deliberately done. So throwing a pair of jeans in a dryer with some rocks to give them a beat up ‘weathered’ look. Grunge, gutterpunk, etc actively work torward acheiving this look. A nerd that isn’t self aware to realize his ass is hanging out is not doing this on purpose. These aren’t a bunch of baboons working hard to get their asses as big and puffy as possible for some goofy dominance display 😛 If my zipper is down and someone laughs and says, “your fly is down”, to respond with “how dare you insult my style you bully!” is a gross overreaction. Could Concerned Neckbeard quietly taken each crack-hanger aside and pointed it out? Sure, but there were a LOT of guys; the tournament would probably end before he could point it out to half of them! And these folks don’t seem like the type of people to take that kind of feedback graciously. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/44 "2014-04-26T18:45:53Z")
> [@Incubus](#): > > THANK YOU. This isn’t a ‘style’. If someone took a picture of my butt at a tournament, I’d be embarassed. I wouldn’t take it out on the photographer, he’s just pointing out the obvious. I’d make it a point to keep my pants up when sitting down and have a little more self awareness in the future. Yes. I have some experience here because I have a butt crack and I wear pants and shirts. Whenever the shirt rides up above the pants or the pants below the shirt (whether or not any butt crack is visible - hopefully NONE), I feel the difference in temperature and I pull the shirt down. If that happens again, I change/add garments because I don’t want my back/butt showing in public and I don’t want to be constantly adjusting my clothing. These guys know their butts are hanging out and they don’t care. Well, they don’t care until someone takes a bunch of pictures. Not sure what image they had in their minds’ eyes of what their bare butts look like from behind, but apparently reality has disappointed them. Looking at that gallery of butt cracks makes me think of cruising through the room with a tray of ice cubes. 😉 Now THAT would be mean! ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/45 "2014-04-26T18:46:22Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > **monstro** , you really believe that parade of asscracks is a fashion statement? Well, it’s even stupider than all the guys around here with their pants belted around their knees. But I’m not the least convinced this is a chosen style choice. If it was, why are they so upset someone took a picture of it? I’m not saying the asscracks themselves are a fashion statement. Just that in the geeks’ minds, it’s probably not THAT big of a deal. Maybe it’s not 100% analogous, but for some reason the first thing to come to mind is VPL. In some people’s minds, bad VPL is just as embarrassing as asscrack. While in other people’s minds, it’s a trivial concern. Even if you thought it was a trivial concern, wouldn’t you be embarrassed if someone took a picture of your VPL for the world to laugh at? Maybe I’m the weirdo in the thread, but I think I would be. Ya’ll are acting like feelings are supposed to be rational. They aren’t. ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/46 "2014-04-26T18:54:44Z")
> [@Dr.Woo](#): > > These guys know their butts are hanging out and they don’t care. Well, they don’t care until someone takes a bunch of pictures. Not sure what image they had in their minds’ eyes of what their bare butts look like from behind, but apparently reality has disappointed them. > > Looking at that gallery of butt cracks makes me think of cruising through the room with a tray of ice cubes. 😉 Now THAT would be mean! I’m not sure which would be better, blunt-tipped toy darts or a small squirt gun filled with mountain dew. “Pew Pew! Han Shot first! Nerrrrds!” ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/47 "2014-04-26T19:52:20Z")
> [@Incubus](#): > > The sad fact is that nowadays at many Conventions/CCG tournaments/etc they will have notices advising guests to maintain proper hygene. I actually don’t think this is as common as it used to be. Most of us have gotten the message. Which is why the buttcrack caused such a huge ruckus because it exposed those that still don’t get it and intersected with the new topic du jour of bullying. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/48 "2014-04-26T20:07:12Z")
Don’t know how it could be categorized as “cyber bullying” when no one is identified. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/49 "2014-04-26T20:18:20Z")
> [@Incubus](#): > > I’m not sure which would be better, blunt-tipped toy darts or a small squirt gun filled with mountain dew. “Pew Pew! Han Shot first! Nerrrrds!” I think “Greedo shot first!” (even putting on a Greedo mask to really emphasize your point) would be even more fun. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/50 "2014-04-26T20:51:56Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > I think some people really do cultivate a “slob” aesthetic. It is possible that people actually intend to look like they don’t care. Don’t know if geeks are like this, but the whole grunge scene was based on this mentality. As a general rule, no. I used to be the type of person who went to game stores, played in tournaments, and bought the nerd fodder and being a slob and a lack hygienic care generally wasn’t something we cultivated as a group. The ass crackers and cat piss men were a minority, a significant minority at times, but a minority who often drew ire from the rest of us. There are a lot of theories as to why gamers tolerate these things but basically I think it boils down to avoiding confrontation and trying to remain polite. There’s just no good way to tell someone they stink and most people will avoid confrontation when they can. I’ve had to kick a few people out of the building I work at because of their offensive odor. It was really hard the first time but it was easier the second and third time. > [@](#): > > OK, but the guy didn’t gently pull these geeks to the side and let them know their cracks were showing, in a gesture of friendship and sincere caring. His montage was essentially putting these geeks on blast in a public way. Those are two different approaches. Yeah, it was kind of a dick move on his part. I got no objection to him being banned for 6 months. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/51 "2014-04-26T20:56:36Z")
> [@Incubus](#): > > You have a point, but I also want to add that most people that smell bad seem pretty unaware of it. My wife and I are the type of people that are self-conscious that we _might_ smell bad, so our showering/grooming habits are very rigorous. But other people don’t seem to get the association. I wasn’t talking about people who smell bad. I was pointing out to **Askthepizzaguy** that plants can smell like cat pee and that might be what he smells 50 feet away from customers’ houses. Has nothing to do with the personal grooming habits of other people (especially you and your amazing, awesome, perfect wife who is also from humble backgrounds). > [@monstro](#): > > I’m not saying the asscracks themselves are a fashion statement. Just that in the geeks’ minds, it’s probably not THAT big of a deal. That’s what I’m guessing. They’re there to play a game and they’re concentrating on the game. Their pants look and feel fine when they stand up, yes maybe they know their pants pull down when they sit but no one is expecting someone to be walking around with their face at butt level during gameplay. The buttcrack is just something that happens with those pants. They just don’t care. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/52 "2014-04-26T21:00:04Z")
double ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/53 "2014-04-26T21:32:29Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > There are a lot of theories as to why gamers tolerate these things but basically I think it boils down to avoiding confrontation and trying to remain polite. There’s just no good way to tell someone they stink and most people will avoid confrontation when they can. I’ve had to kick a few people out of the building I work at because of their offensive odor. It was really hard the first time but it was easier the second and third time. [5 Geek Social Fallacies](http://plausiblydeniable.com/opinion/gsf.html) helps explain some of this. It can be summarized with fallacy 1 (Ostracizers are Evil) and fallacy 2 (Friends accept me as I am). Essentially to the geek within the geek circle, he will believe that none of his friends will criticize him (nor will he to they) and anybody that does criticize him is not his friend. So when a guy in this group reeks, the other geeks are afraid to point it out because they don’t want to neccessarily alienate him. Not only that, but when people are assertive enough to point it out (even in the nicest, most supportive and nonjudgemental kind of way) he’s going to see it as a personal attack and be less likely to believe them or take any action. So the situation just escalates to the point where one (or several) people snap and simply eject him from the group due to the issue. But you are right, **Odesio** , that geeks are scared of confrontation. I think that’s one of the reasons they take to the internet so readily- because its easier for them to avoid getting in those situations and they don’t have to deal with the awkwardness of their best friend telling them that they smell and please take a shower once in a while. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/54 "2014-04-27T01:21:59Z")
It is very easy to tell people they have an offensive odor. Tell them you are very concerned about their health, and they have to go to an ENT specialist because their sinus problem. If (okay, when) they respond they do not have a sinus problem, assure them, gently, that they must, because their olfactory receptors are not functioning very well. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/55 "2014-04-27T02:42:14Z")
> [@j666](#): > > It is very easy to tell people they have an offensive odor. Tell them you are very concerned about their health, and they have to go to an ENT specialist because their sinus problem. If (okay, when) they respond they do not have a sinus problem, assure them, gently, that they must, because their olfactory receptors are not functioning very well. That’s just passive aggressive bullshit and I’d have a bigger problem trying to do that than I would with telling someone flat out that they smell bad. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/56 "2014-04-27T02:53:26Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > That’s just passive aggressive bullshit and I’d have a bigger problem trying to do that than I would with telling someone flat out that they smell bad. No, it is tact, and yes, please do so. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/57 "2014-04-27T03:45:57Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > Last week, there was this guy in my yoga class. All the women tend to wear form-fitting yoga pants, but the men tend to wear sweat pants and the like. There were a couple of times when the poor guy’s crack was showing whenever he bent over (which happens all the time in yoga). I was embarrassed for him, especially since he was the only guy in the class. It would have been funny if I had taken a picture of him downward-facing-dogging it with his exposed crack in the air. But it also would have been kind of mean, and it wouldn’t be shocking if the guy–despite his embarrassment–told me I was being a bully for doing so. I work at a chemical plant. Lots of engineers. Lots of overweight folks. They started a yoga class for people who were concerned about their weight. Two guys and about fifteen women. One of the guys is an engineer who I’m pretty sure has undiagnosed Asberger’s. Utterly no social awareness. Also, older and fairly overweight. He was apparently wearing super-shorty shorts and a threadbare babydoll t-shirt to yoga. From the descriptions, there was asscrack, freeballin’, and God knows what all else being presented for public display. Baboons flashing their butts for mating probably show less skin. His boss had to pull him aside and tell him to wear suitable clothes, or to stop going to yoga. Seems a discreet way to handle it, no? _Everyone_ in the plant had heard about his outfit, and _everyone_ at the plant knew he had been talked to. So, not even as anonymous as these MtG butts. But it was not something that could be allowed to go on; his right to be socially clueless does not trump everyone else’s right to not be squicked out. Fortunately, as I said, he’s fairly unaware about that sort of stuff, so he just got new shorts and kept going to yoga. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/58 "2014-04-27T03:59:15Z")
> [@j666](#): > > No, it is tact, and yes, please do so. There’s nothing tactful about your suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/59 "2014-04-27T04:46:00Z")
> [@j666](#): > > No, it is tact, and yes, please do so. No, it’s really insulting. It’s the equivalent of Moe waving his left hand in front of Curly in an effort to distract him long enough to smack him across the face with his right hand. Rather than being tactful it seems deliberately cruel to me. It’s dishonest, disrespectful, and won’t spare anyone’s feelings. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989/60 "2014-04-27T04:48:37Z")
Was the montage made for any other purpose other than to point and laugh derisively? I don’t see how that could NOT be its main, if not sole, purpose. I would hope there was no attempt made to cast this little project as something that was doing its subjects any kind of favor… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buttcrack-montage-social-commentary-or-cyberbullying/686989.md?page=4)