Think twice before you bare your essentials

If taking personal nude photos is one’s fetish, then one should really consider the grave consequences. In recent years, there has been an increase in people capturing nude pictures of themselves and posting them online, or keeping them on their phones.

People of all stripes are following this growing trend, and it’s becoming dangerous and self-degrading.

For centuries, the naked body was seen as a work of art, and was the central subject of many great works of art. In the Victorian era, public displays of nudity were seen as taboo.

Back then, nude pictures were kept in a locked box in the back of the closet, or in a safety deposit box. Today, people freely distribute photos of their private parts as a way to create a buzz about them, or to keep sexual attention.

Celebrities get publicity from naked photo leaks and normal folks get the attention they want from their peers.

This over-sexualized and narcissistic society has helped create this phenomenon of taking and sending naked photos.

People are more concerned with their appearances and appeal that they portray to others. Just look at the plethora of weight-loss plans and cosmetic surgery advertised, making people either more insecure or overly confident.

We want to be desirable to others, and the ultimate test for women is whether they look good in provocative clothing.

It is not uncommon in today’s newscasts to see a leaked celebrity’s nude photo.

In a day where being scandalous keeps you relevant, the reoccurrence of “hacked” naked photos is no coincidence. Celebrities who find themselves in that situation need the publicity and, as the proverb goes, sex sells.

Look at Kim Kardashian and her sisters, they have created a multi-million dollar entertainment empire and reached incredible celebrity status by selling themselves through the vehicle of sex.

In 2007, Kim Kardashian made a sex tape with her then boyfriend singer Ray-J.

The tape was shortly thereafter purportedly stolen and sold to the public.

Publicity stunt? Most likely; but ever since that watershed moment in celebrity porno history, there have been a slew of celebrities who have been granted their 15 minutes of fame by snapping naughty pictures.

Everyone has the right to take nude pictures. But why would anyone store them on a phone or computer, and risk them being sent out or viewed by the wrong people?

Why would anybody send a compromising photo to anyone knowing the rise of phone and cyber hackers? People need to be more aware of the lack of privacy that is affiliated with the Internet and phones.

Last July, George Samuel Bronk of Citrus Heights Calif., was convicted of hacking more than 230 email and Facebook accounts of women nationwide.

According to Information Week, Bronk stole naked pictures and personal information, and sent them to all of their email contacts, exposing women’s secrets.

Although this is a pretty extreme case, if these women had been a little more responsible and not stored naked photos of themselves on their Facebook and email accounts, would they have been affected as much?

Probably not, since hackers wouldn’t have been able to attain them.

Another fantastic example is the recent case of former U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner, who decided to send risqué photos of himself to a porn star in exchange for both sexually charged conversations and photos from her.

Due to of his impulsive decision to send provocative photos, he made what could possibly be described as the greatest gaffe of his political career.

The scandal became an international sensation, which ultimately led to his resignation.

Taking naked pictures isn’t wrong in and of itself, but be aware of the possible outcomes that can occur if someone hacks your computer or your phone for those photos. It can affect your career, family, and everyday life.