Extropianism and Nudism

Robin Hanson (hanson@hss.caltech.edu)
Tue, 6 May 1997 08:49:37 -0700 (PDT)


ShawnJ99@aol.com wrote:
> As an independent thinking extopian, I would like to ask everyone of
> their opinion on the following idea. Since we do not believe in coercion,
> and we don't believe in using force against others (except in self defense),
> then it would seem to me that there would be no "crime" committed by being
> nude in public.
> In an Extropian type, anarcho-capitalistic society, clothing would
> definately be optional.

"Perry E. Metzger" replied:
>That seems like a reasonable assessment. Of course, people might
>contractually agree not to go nude within common areas of a private
>contractually based community, but that's of course not what you are
>talking about.

In an anarcho-capitalistic society, what else is there besides private
areas and "common areas of a private contractually based community"?
Assuming all land is owned by someone, and all law is by private
contract, all laws regarding display of nudity would also be by
private contract.

I would predict that in most common areas, nudity would be illegal.
As Perry indicated, most people find it tasteless, and it is an
especialy easy to define and enforce tasteless behavior in this area.
That is, most people are willing to pay more to have nudity go away
than the potential nudists are willing to pay to parade around nude.

I would also predict widespread exceptions, accessible from most
locations, where common nudity is legal.

Robin D. Hanson hanson@hss.caltech.edu http://hss.caltech.edu/~hanson/