A new magazine article has very important implications for naturism.

It may help understand why naturism's popularity has been declining for years and even how AI may enter the picture - in a positive way.

The article in question is in the February 2025 Atlantic Monthly - already available online: The Anti-Social Century. Currently, it can be read without a subscription. (Not clear how long that may last.)

The article is rather long - about 8200 words - so about a half-hour read. And that’s if you don’t pause to really absorb the information. The general theme is that there are strong cultural and technological trends that have resulted in most people spending considerably less time interacting with others in person, rather than telephonically or electronically. That includes close family, neighbors, friends, and even casual acquaintances in one’s community. One large part of the matter was covered at length in my post: What explains the way participation in naturism rose from 1930 until around 1990, but has declined since then? A lot of that is based on ideas in sociologist Robert Putnam’s book Bowling Alone. The Atlantic article prominently cites that book also.

What does this have to do with naturism? I’ve summarized this as follows:

Naturists often lament that naturist participation has declined in the U.S. (and many other countries) for years. Each succeeding "new" generation seems less interested in social nudity than its predecessor. This is usually blamed on increasing distaste for socializing naked. It's seldom considered that the problem may not be with nudity itself but instead results from the waning of socializing in general. A new article in The Atlantic magazine argues that we're now in an "Anti-Social Century". Even non-subscribers should be able to access the article. It's long but well worth the time if you wonder why finding other naturists to socialize with seems difficult. (Online conversations don't count!)

But what does AI have to do with this? In their current stage of development, AI chatbots can easily fail to be completely accurate in their responses to user prompts. However, as of quite recently they can not only be accurate but also respond reasonably and empathetically (even though their results are wholly synthetic).

The author, Derek Thompson, of the Atlantic article devotes a lot of space to discussing how AI may affect human interactions, not just human-computer ones. And his take is not as negative as might be supposed. He cites an example of a demonstration last year where a male employee of OpenAI (which developed ChatGPT) had a conversation with the chatbot via cellphone. As planned, the person told the chatbot that he was nervous and wanted help handling his discomfort. The bot responded in a cheerful and sympathetic female voice that began by saying “Just take a deep breath and remember: You’re the expert here.”

Even though the AI response was 100% synthetic, it was indistinguishable from how a thoughtful female friend or acquaintance might respond. Millions of people of either gender currently are spending as much as one and a half hours a day chatting with AI “friends”. The company Character.ai is currently the most popular venue for AI “companions”. (I haven’t tried it myself, to be honest.) To many people, such things will seem bizarre, “unnatural”, and potentially harmful. But it’s happening and probably isn’t going away.

I’m not going to argue for or against the use of chatbot “friends”. But the truth is that there are now many millions of lonely Eleanor Rigbys (and male equivalents) in the U.S. alone. I too look at all the lonely people. Where did they all come from? So I had to try a very small experiment with ChatGPT to pose a simple question.

My prompt to the chatbot: “Suppose you are a naturist who's explaining naturism to an acquaintance who knows little about naturism and is skeptical of it. What could you say to change their attitude to a more favorable one?”

And ChatGPT responded at some length (by text, since I wasn’t on a phone):

If you're a naturist explaining the philosophy to a skeptical acquaintance, the key is to present naturism in a positive, relatable, and non-confrontational way. Here's how you might approach it:

1. Start with the Philosophy

Emphasize the values and principles behind naturism, rather than just the practice of nudity.

Example: "Naturism is really about embracing a lifestyle that focuses on body positivity, personal freedom, and a deeper connection with nature. It's less about being 'naked' and more about feeling comfortable in your own skin."

2. Address Common Misconceptions

Acknowledge their skepticism by addressing myths directly and calmly.

Example: "A lot of people think naturism is inherently sexual or awkward, but it’s not about that at all. In fact, it tends to foster respect and acceptance because people are seen for who they are, not what they wear."

3. Share Personal Benefits

Talk about how naturism has positively impacted your life.

Example: "For me, naturism has been a great way to feel more confident and less judgmental of myself and others. It’s also incredibly relaxing to disconnect from the pressures of society and just enjoy nature without pretense."

4. Highlight Community and Respect

Describe the social aspect of naturism as one of mutual respect and acceptance.

Example: "In naturist communities, people are very respectful. It’s about creating a judgment-free zone where everyone is equal, regardless of age, shape, or background."

5. Link It to Universal Experiences

Relate naturism to experiences they might already enjoy, such as feeling free or connected to nature.

Example: "Have you ever gone swimming in the ocean or a lake and felt how freeing it is? Naturism is like that—it's about removing barriers and reconnecting with the natural world in a simple way."

6. Invite Curiosity, Not Commitment

Encourage them to explore the idea without pressure.

Example: "I know it might sound unconventional, but if you’re ever curious, there are places and events where you can ease into it, like clothing-optional beaches or beginner-friendly gatherings. It’s all about what feels comfortable for you."

7. Be Understanding and Non-Judgmental

Respect their perspective while sharing yours.

Example: "I understand it’s not for everyone, and that’s okay. I just wanted to share how it’s been a really positive experience for me. Even if it’s not your thing, I hope it gives you a better sense of why some people choose it."

By presenting naturism as a thoughtful, respectful philosophy and connecting it to shared human values, you can help shift their attitude to a more open and favorable one.

Does any naturist reading this think they could concoct an equally cogent and helpful response - especially with no delay at all? If you’re in a situation similar to this one where you’d like advice on how to explain and recommend naturism to someone else, do you think you could do much better than this (short of a much longer reply), no matter how much experience you’ve had with naturism?

The Atlantic’s article began with an overview of how social trends have seriously constrained the occurrence of many sorts of in-person interactions with family, friends, and acquaintances. And how those trends likely explain much of why interest and participation in naturism have significantly declined in the past several decades in the U.S. and most other countries where naturism has existed (for as much as 125 years in some places).

The takeaway from Derek Thompson’s article is that the problem is not that socializing naked with other people is often considered “weird” or “unnatural” - from one’s own family, to friends and acquaintances, and to anyone else who might already or potentially enjoy social nudity. The problem, instead, is mainly that trends in society at large discourage people from any in-person interaction - either clothed or naked. Even the best cellphone or internet interaction with other naturists is a very unsatisfactory alternative to being naked together in the same place - home, naturist resort, clothing-optional beach, or other nude-friendly location.