Over the last few years I have noticed an interesting change in the world of cyber-art in relation to body types. I am not saying that I have seen the bodies change - there are still a massive variety of bodies out there - but I have seen how people respond change.

An evolution is taking place before our eyes. A few years ago, photos of large, curvaceous women almost exclusively attacked comments such as 'ewwwww', 'gross' and 'I just threw up a little' (I actually received that last comment on a photo of one of my larger models). Then views began to change. Attackers were attacked by a new breed of commenters. These new voices praised the models for their bravery, thanked them for showing how beautiful larger women could be and told them how sexy they were.

Meanwhile, the opposite was going on for the very thin models. They started out as glorified sex objects but a few years back things changed: comments went from 'hot' to 'FEED HER A CHEESEBURGER PLZ'; from 'nice model' to 'that is just gross'; from 'mmmm' to 'ANOREXIA', attacks on the photographer for photographing her and attacks on the model for making other women feel bad.

Today a third type of commenter has emerged; a backlash to the backlash, so to speak. Mixed in with the 'good on you' and 'work it girlfriend' messages, larger models are again being attacked but the tone has changed. Now people consider themselves doctors. Instead of 'ewwww' we get 'Why the fuck does everyone keep saying this is hot? This is unhealthy and by encouraging her you're only affirming her bad habits which are going to KILL HER!!!!!!! This is not hot! This is dangerous! GO FOR A FUCKING RUN AND STOP TELLING HER THIS IS A VALID LIFESTYLE CHOICE!' The skinny models have also seen a change: people are speaking out for them, defending their bodies and their health. 'I'm as skinny as that model and I eat constantly and never exercise. Women come up to me in the street and tell me to seek help for my anorexia and that I look sick. It feels like shit so maybe you should check your facts before you attack her.'

So this is my stance: kids, a stranger telling you that your body is 'gross', 'unhealthy' or 'dangerous', that you 'need to fucking eat something' or 'lay of the maccas' is not going to help anyone. It may make you, the commenter, feel better but that is all. You are not a dietitian or doctor, you do not know the full story behind someone's body type and thus comments such as this come off as ill-informed, judgmental and completely insensitive. Leave women to work out their own bodies and minds! Point and laugh at the bad photo shopping or call a models body 'gross' to your friends in the privacy of an offline conversation but please do not attack the model online or where she will read the comment! Do not think that you are helping anyone but yourself by doing this!

In short, be nice, be humane, be compassionate and be respectful. Look after yourself but not at the expense of someone else's mental health.

Thanks.