sure, go ahead.....your orthopedic surgeon will thank you
barefoot running has been a blessing for those guys the last few years
bench
Running in general is great for orthopedic surgeons, barefoot running by itself isn't the problem. The idiots getting a running start going barefoot (I've seen them jump into barefoot running 15 k first attempt) are almost certain to injure themselves. No different from idiots jumping on 4g of gear right away. The activity itself isn't the problem, it's the fact that they are idiots.
And yes, I have run barefoot (Vibrams). It's great. No knee pain, no ankle pain, no shin splints that I was always getting. You know why? Because I wasn't an idiot and, like anal with a virgin, I eased into it. Start walking a few miles in them every day. Then increase mileage. Then, a few months later, when your lower leg and foot musculature have caught upto a completely different gait, start running.
The whole point is a much softer heel strike. If you are only used to extremely cushioned shoes, then switching cold turkey will ruin your joints. Get used to walking on your forefoot, and all the pain will be gone. Hell, I can run on my forefoot (and only my forefoot, heels never touching the ground) for about eight minutes. In my teens I couldn't do a 100 yard dash without dropping back on my heels.
So yes, barefoot running is great. Unless you're an idiot, in which case it will fuck you up.