Pornography

Mr. Mopery · 07-03-2003, 04:22 AM

First off, the topic is not a "current event" in the sense that I'm not bringing up a specific, recent example (although it's fine to do so). Mainly I'm posting here because I figure fewer trolls are likely to meander into this forum and more, um, grown up type people. Which is not to say that anybody posting on this site is likely to be very mature. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Anyway, I'm interested in your opinions on this topic. Is pornography good, bad or neutral? Does it degrade the participants? Does it degrade the observer? What need does it serve? And, well, any thoughts you might have.

1. I'd appreciate it if anybody who post's opinion is respected, though that goes without saying.

2. In saying "pornography" I mean that which involves CONSENTING ADULTS. Not interested in hearing about anything else. And before anybody brings it up, I'm not interested in anything that you think involves a consenting animal. Show me an animal with reasoning skills on par with a high-school graduate and we'll consider it.

3. Um...no personal stories please. At least no DESCRIPTIVE ones. No offense guys, but I've had a look at the photoalbum and I don't need any more weird Freudian or Ruthian dreams floating around in my head.

Raistlin Majere · 07-03-2003, 06:14 AM

BAD, BAD AND BAD!!! it takes too much harddrive space(WHOA, i didnt say what think i said, did i?

)

seriously though, i think its sorta neutral...adults are allowed to have their fun too, i guess, but it is way too easily gotten by the perverted teens like m...err...my friend [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

07-03-2003, 08:21 AM

Like all inanimate objects, it is neither good nor evil. Only living breathing human beings posses the traits of good and evil.

That said, one man's porn is another man's art. Some places in the US for example will not allow you to show the "David" or the "Venus DeMilo".

Personally I like viewing the wonders of nature and the beauty that is the human body.

johnny · 07-03-2003, 09:24 AM

I'm with MagiK on this, there's nothing wrong with it. After all, it's just sex, and what sane human doesn't like sex ?

And it's obviously big business, it sells as if it were food.

Timber Loftis · 07-03-2003, 10:48 AM

Well, I'd go without food before I'd go without porn, Johnny.

I like porn and support it completely. Even the nasty stuff that's out there that most sane folks won't even look at.

Here's what gets me though -- the arbitrary distinctions that are really class prejudices in society. A woman gets paid about $5K to make a film where she gets rammed by 10 guys in a prison scene (not kidding -- true story I saw on Dateline). Okay. But, the poor hooker on the street trying to sell her body for $300 is somehow doing something illegal??? You mean if I'm rich I can buy or sell sex, but not if I'm poor?? The girl in the porn video got paid for sex. Halle Berry got paid for sex in Monster's Ball. Hollywood can pay for sex but I, the lowly lonely John Doe, can't??? [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img] That's BS, don't you think?

We sell sex in every way imaginable -- Charlie's Angels movies, Bud commercials, Doritos commercials, game shows like Dog Eat Dog and Fear Factor (which always find some way to get contestants into skimpy bathing suits -- and one-pieces are aparently not allowed), strip bars. All we see is sex sex sex. What's This Girl from UPN's Top Model show selling?? (Link is PG-13 at worst btw). Diamonds. Yep. Diamonds. If you can quit looking at her breast you can see it. Are you kidding me?? [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img] Yet, hooking is illegal??

*walks away shaking head and trying to understand*

07-03-2003, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Timber Loftis:
Well, I'd go without food before I'd go without porn, Johnny.

I like porn and support it completely. Even the nasty stuff that's out there that most sane folks won't even look at.

Here's what gets me though -- the arbitrary distinctions that are really class prejudices in society. A woman gets paid about $5K to make a film where she gets rammed by 10 guys in a prison scene (not kidding -- true story I saw on Dateline). Okay. But, the poor hooker on the street trying to sell her body for $300 is somehow doing something illegal??? You mean if I'm rich I can buy or sell sex, but not if I'm poor?? The girl in the porn video got paid for sex. Halle Berry got paid for sex in Monster's Ball. Hollywood can pay for sex but I, the lowly lonely John Doe, can't??? [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img] That's BS, don't you think?

Technically Halle was having "Simulated" sex.

We sell sex in every way imaginable -- Charlie's Angels movies, Bud commercials, Doritos commercials, game shows like Dog Eat Dog and Fear Factor (which always find some way to get contestants into skimpy bathing suits -- and one-pieces are aparently not allowed), strip bars. All we see is sex sex sex. What's This Girl from UPN's Top Model show selling?? (Link is PG-13 at worst btw). Diamonds. Yep. Diamonds. If you can quit looking at her breast you can see it. Are you kidding me?? [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img] Yet, hooking is illegal??

*walks away shaking head and trying to understand*

Memnoch · 07-03-2003, 11:16 AM

My 2c: maybe the issues that people have with pornography are not necessarily the fact that pornography abuses/exploits those who star in it, but rather what their effect on society is. After all, pornography isn't just nudity - porn is the presentation of nudity for the specific purpose of sexual arousal. Now to most normal human beings this is natural, and healthy - sex is a natural human drive, after all. But what about those loonies for whom it turns into an obsession and maybe drives them to start doing things like voyeurism, being peeping toms and maybe even rape? [img]graemlins/wow.gif[/img]

Just some things on the flip side to think about. I'd be interested to hear what women think about this issue.

On a personal note, I don't have a problem with nudity per se (I live in Australia after all) and porn does not personally offend me. But I do think that when it comes to porn it shouldn't be available to minors - at least not until they're able to differentiate between right and wrong. And like smoking - there's a time and place for it. I would hardly think that reading a XXX magazine on a crowded train on the way to work would be tactful and appropriate. On the other hand I have no problem taking my girlfriend and a few friends to a strip club for a few drinks on a Friday night - it's all just a bit of fun.

Interesting topic, keep it going, keep it CLEAN, keep it from getting sleazy, and no dodgy links please. This might be the Current Affairs forum, but we're still PG-13, don't forget.

Rokenn · 07-03-2003, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Memnoch:
But what about those loonies for whom it turns into an obsession and maybe drives them to start doing things like voyeurism, being peeping toms and maybe even rape?

The loonies will always find something to fixate on, weither it is sex, guns, swords, cars, etc... Just becaused a mentally unbalanced person takes something to a criminal extreme does not mean what they are focusing on is the source of the evil.

Tell me is something like this normal?

Timber Loftis · 07-03-2003, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Memnoch:
My 2c: maybe the issues that people have with pornography are not necessarily the fact that pornography abuses/exploits those who star in it, but rather what their effect on society is.... But what about those loonies for whom it turns into an obsession and maybe drives them to start doing things like voyeurism, being peeping toms and maybe even rape?

I doubt there is much danger of this. I think those folks would find enough skin and arousal in other sources -- a Victoria's Secret catalog for instance. I remember an old cartoon depicting the two sides of this notion. In one frame labelled "What Some Would Have Us Believe" it depicted a crazed-looking man with a porn mag open touching himself thinking "Yeah, I'm gonna go rape me some women." In the second frame, labelled "Reality" it depicted the same man asleep in his easy chair, hand on crotch and stained magazine laying open beside him. I'm thinking that except in extremely rare cases that sums it up. In my mind, porn is an outlet for those weird fetish tastes people may have, and I would argue actually *prevents* more sexual crimes than it causes.

Quote:

Just some things on the flip side to think about. I'd be interested to hear what women think about this issue.

I know lots of women who watch it. Barring one girl I dated in high school, I don't think I've dated a girl who was not open to the idea of watching it. But, you're right, female input is needed in the thread.

Quote:

On a personal note, I don't have a problem with nudity per se (I live in Australia after all) and porn does not personally offend me. But I do think that when it comes to porn it shouldn't be available to minors - at least not until they're able to differentiate between right and wrong. And like smoking - there's a time and place for it. I would hardly think that reading a XXX magazine on a crowded train on the way to work would be tactful and appropriate. On the other hand I have no problem taking my girlfriend and a few friends to a strip club for a few drinks on a Friday night - it's all just a bit of fun.

I agree with everything you say here. Chicago strip bars SUCK though -- so I haven't been to one in a loooong time. On an interesting note, last Saturday I go to get my hair cut, and while waiting at the salon (very posh, in Chicago's Gold Coast district), I look around for a magazine. I see one and grab it -- it's Playboy. No other mags were around, just Playboy. Well, since they really do put things to read in Playboy, I figured wtf and started reading. No one batted an eye or said anything at all.

pritchke · 07-03-2003, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Timber Loftis:
Well, I'd go without food before I'd go without porn, Johnny.

I like porn and support it completely. Even the nasty stuff that's out there that most sane folks won't even look at.

Here's what gets me though -- the arbitrary distinctions that are really class prejudices in society. A woman gets paid about $5K to make a film where she gets rammed by 10 guys in a prison scene (not kidding -- true story I saw on Dateline). Okay. But, the poor hooker on the street trying to sell her body for $300 is somehow doing something illegal??? You mean if I'm rich I can buy or sell sex, but not if I'm poor?? The girl in the porn video got paid for sex. Halle Berry got paid for sex in Monster's Ball. Hollywood can pay for sex but I, the lowly lonely John Doe, can't??? [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img] That's BS, don't you think?

We sell sex in every way imaginable -- Charlie's Angels movies, Bud commercials, Doritos commercials, game shows like Dog Eat Dog and Fear Factor (which always find some way to get contestants into skimpy bathing suits -- and one-pieces are aparently not allowed), strip bars. All we see is sex sex sex. What's This Girl from UPN's Top Model show selling?? (Link is PG-13 at worst btw). Diamonds. Yep. Diamonds. If you can quit looking at her breast you can see it. Are you kidding me?? [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img] Yet, hooking is illegal??

*walks away shaking head and trying to understand*

Up here hooking is not illegal but paying for it is. If you get caught I am not sure how it works, I think it may be a warning first, and a second offence is a rehab course to that informs you about STD's, the harm paying for sex is doing to your family etc. Sounds cheesy but I heard the rehab course can get very emotional, and it is usually very effective in dissuading repeat offenders. A lot of these men you pick up prostitutes have a serious problem kind of like an addiction. I guess it is like gambling addicts. The third time I believe they toss the book at you (send you to jail as you arn't going to change).

[ 07-03-2003, 11:43 AM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

07-03-2003, 04:22 AM	#1
Mr. Mopery Zhentarim Guard Join Date: December 13, 2001 Location: Warsaw Age: 49 Posts: 328	First off, the topic is not a "current event" in the sense that I'm not bringing up a specific, recent example (although it's fine to do so). Mainly I'm posting here because I figure fewer trolls are likely to meander into this forum and more, um, grown up type people. Which is not to say that anybody posting on this site is likely to be very mature. [img]smile.gif[/img] Anyway, I'm interested in your opinions on this topic. Is pornography good, bad or neutral? Does it degrade the participants? Does it degrade the observer? What need does it serve? And, well, any thoughts you might have. 1. I'd appreciate it if anybody who post's opinion is respected, though that goes without saying. 2. In saying "pornography" I mean that which involves CONSENTING ADULTS. Not interested in hearing about anything else. And before anybody brings it up, I'm not interested in anything that you think involves a consenting animal. Show me an animal with reasoning skills on par with a high-school graduate and we'll consider it. 3. Um...no personal stories please. At least no DESCRIPTIVE ones. No offense guys, but I've had a look at the photoalbum and I don't need any more weird Freudian or Ruthian dreams floating around in my head. __________________ Never argue with a woman who\'s holding your schmeckle...

07-03-2003, 06:14 AM	#2
Raistlin Majere Ra Join Date: March 26, 2002 Location: Finland Age: 37 Posts: 2,323	BAD, BAD AND BAD!!! it takes too much harddrive space(WHOA, i didnt say what think i said, did i? ) seriously though, i think its sorta neutral...adults are allowed to have their fun too, i guess, but it is way too easily gotten by the perverted teens like m...err...my friend [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] __________________ If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst forth at once in the sky, that would be like the splendor of the Mighty One. "I am become death, the destroyer of worlds."

07-03-2003, 09:24 AM	#4
johnny 40th Level Warrior Join Date: April 15, 2002 Location: Utrecht The Netherlands Age: 59 Posts: 16,981	I'm with MagiK on this, there's nothing wrong with it. After all, it's just sex, and what sane human doesn't like sex ? And it's obviously big business, it sells as if it were food. __________________

07-03-2003, 10:48 AM	#5
Timber Loftis 40th Level Warrior Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 11,916	Well, I'd go without food before I'd go without porn, Johnny. I like porn and support it completely. Even the nasty stuff that's out there that most sane folks won't even look at. Here's what gets me though -- the arbitrary distinctions that are really class prejudices in society. A woman gets paid about $5K to make a film where she gets rammed by 10 guys in a prison scene (not kidding -- true story I saw on Dateline). Okay. But, the poor hooker on the street trying to sell her body for $300 is somehow doing something illegal??? You mean if I'm rich I can buy or sell sex, but not if I'm poor?? The girl in the porn video got paid for sex. Halle Berry got paid for sex in Monster's Ball. Hollywood can pay for sex but I, the lowly lonely John Doe, can't??? [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img] That's BS, don't you think? We sell sex in every way imaginable -- Charlie's Angels movies, Bud commercials, Doritos commercials, game shows like Dog Eat Dog and Fear Factor (which always find some way to get contestants into skimpy bathing suits -- and one-pieces are aparently not allowed), strip bars. All we see is sex sex sex. What's This Girl from UPN's Top Model show selling?? (Link is PG-13 at worst btw). Diamonds. Yep. Diamonds. If you can quit looking at her breast you can see it. Are you kidding me?? [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img] Yet, hooking is illegal?? walks away shaking head and trying to understand __________________

07-03-2003, 11:16 AM	#7
Memnoch Ironworks Moderator Join Date: February 28, 2001 Location: Boston/Sydney Posts: 11,771	My 2c: maybe the issues that people have with pornography are not necessarily the fact that pornography abuses/exploits those who star in it, but rather what their effect on society is. After all, pornography isn't just nudity - porn is the presentation of nudity for the specific purpose of sexual arousal. Now to most normal human beings this is natural, and healthy - sex is a natural human drive, after all. But what about those loonies for whom it turns into an obsession and maybe drives them to start doing things like voyeurism, being peeping toms and maybe even rape? [img]graemlins/wow.gif[/img] Just some things on the flip side to think about. I'd be interested to hear what women think about this issue. On a personal note, I don't have a problem with nudity per se (I live in Australia after all) and porn does not personally offend me. But I do think that when it comes to porn it shouldn't be available to minors - at least not until they're able to differentiate between right and wrong. And like smoking - there's a time and place for it. I would hardly think that reading a XXX magazine on a crowded train on the way to work would be tactful and appropriate. On the other hand I have no problem taking my girlfriend and a few friends to a strip club for a few drinks on a Friday night - it's all just a bit of fun. Interesting topic, keep it going, keep it CLEAN, keep it from getting sleazy, and no dodgy links please. This might be the Current Affairs forum, but we're still PG-13, don't forget. __________________

07-03-2003, 08:21 AM	#3
MagiK Guest Posts: n/a	Like all inanimate objects, it is neither good nor evil. Only living breathing human beings posses the traits of good and evil. That said, one man's porn is another man's art. Some places in the US for example will not allow you to show the "David" or the "Venus DeMilo". Personally I like viewing the wonders of nature and the beauty that is the human body.

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