The official justification reads like an involuntary glimpse into the censor's psyche:
Content containing nudity that serves sexual gratification is not allowed on YouTube.
I had to read that sentence several times. Then I imagined how these same people might approach a visit to a sauna. Probably with a mixture of horror and secret anticipation, permanently swinging between "Oh God!" and "Oh yes!"
As a nude photographer who works for Playboy among others and publishes artistic photo books, I'm used to people having different approaches to nudity. But the notion that someone would misinterpret a high-quality photo book as an aid for masturbation leaves me oscillating between amusement and head-shaking.
The story reminds me of those moments when people giggle in art museums because they see a naked marble statue. Except in this case, the gigglers unfortunately have the power to censor art. Despite having cut out more from my trailer than I would have liked. Nipples? None to be found. But apparently, even the mere suggestion of artistic nudity was enough to set off YouTube's alarm bells.
One could laugh about it if it weren't so tragic. While YouTube hourly serves up scenes of violence, conspiracy theories, and questionable cosmetic surgery videos to its audience, nude photography is treated like a bomb threat in the executive suite. Yet the difference between art and pornography is actually quite easy to recognize. Similar to the difference between a sauna and a swingers club. But perhaps we shouldn't mention this to YouTube's staff. They might end up banning saunas next.
For now, I can only apologize to my followers: The trailer is only available on my website. There, however, it's uncensored — for all adults who understand the difference between art and "sexual gratification". And fortunately, there are more of those than YouTube would have us believe.
By the way, personally I have nothing against masturbation. However, I don't see any connection at all between my illustrated books and getting it on. That is solely an issue for the prudish block watchers.
