Nudist Nation

Today I'm talking all things German nudism. Last week, Berlin officially allowed all women to bathe topless at public pools, a massive win for the culture at large.

After a trip to a co-ed sauna which shocked my little anglophone brain, I wanted to learn more about the Freikörperkultur, or Free Body Culture, which originated in the late 19th century. These origins are shrouded in mystery and debate, but the German tradition of nudism interacted with Victorian custom, gymnastics, Nazi eugenics, freedom under restrictive regimes, and of course, the desire to desexualize the human body. I end by exploring how some see German nudism to be dwindling, and tensions between FKK traditionalists and more progressive forms of nudism. 

Digressions include an extensive Oscars review and some thoughts on the Jonathan Groff-ification of Sam Claflin...