Obscene… but oh so good!

Trying to find a blog from outside of class definitely took sometime.  But after looking over some blogs I found one that made me laugh. This person's blogs are hysterical.  I looked over their past statements too and they have good points but made me laugh while reading it.  He writes this is a blog on obscenity with a girl in her bra and underwear and adds.. oh and hot Brazilian ass too.  I just think that if one thinks thinks this is an obscene picture but just because she's hot doesn't make any sense.  This is where our society falls into excepting wrong images.  This guy agrees with it being obscene but because she's beautiful it seems to make it OK.  Our society is so desensitized because men think it's good for these images to be out and it gives them pleasure.  But at the same time women see them as discriminating and piggish.  While it is a girl with her back to the camera and not really showing anything I still think that these images give people and especially younger children the wrong messages for what is right. Where will these ads and company's stop?  How far will they go in order to sell there product?

Want some candy little girl?

     I think that idea of sexual predators is just wrong.  I mean, you really have to have something wrong with you mentally if you spend the day on the computer trying to talk it up with children and trying to get in their pants.

     The Internet is one of the biggest threats because anyone can be on the other end.  It's anonymous and anyone can lie about their information that they are giving you.  I think this goes back to parental control and teaching your child that you never talk to anyone that you don't know.  I know that when AIM became popular and I was always on it talking to my friends, random messages would pop up asking a/s/l?  Although curiosity sparked my interest I was told never to answer these because you don't know who your responding to.  If you do decide to respond I would hope that it's as far as it would go and that a meet up time would not be discussed. 

     These sexual predators are friendly and tell the children what they want and need to hear.  They comfort them and become their friends, who they think they can trust.  This is when things go wrong.  You can turn on the news and hear about another child missing day after day.  There are sick people in this world and they will stop at no cost to get what they want.  I think the computer should be in a room where it can be seen and this way the parents can monitor the sites their children are viewing and the conversations that they are having.  I also think that parents should have the same talk, as mine did with me, about not talking to people you don't know even if they have something to say to you that interests you.  Just like we are told not to talk to strangers, help someone find their puppy, or take candy from someone we don't know… this is the same thing just with a computer between the two of you.  If more parents took the time and the precautions needed, I think a lot of this could and would be avoided. 

Slap a label on that!

     The think the proposal about mandatory web labeling is a very good one. This has been a long time in coming as well.  This proposal states: Website operators posting sexually explicit information must place official government warning labels on their pages or risk being imprisoned for up to 5 years.  This way the information on websites can hopefully be controlled more and the explicit context can be limited to those who are looking to view it not those who stumble upon it.   Also parents can set up a parental code to block all the sites that have this posting on it so that their children will not see anything they are not supposed to see.  I agree with every part of this proposal except that part where Internet service providers have to begin collecting record of their customers activities.  To me I think this is invasion of someones privacy.  There would of course have to be guidelines followed.  If here are children in the house and there is a lot of porn activity or child porn and other weird unfitting websites then there's a problem but if there are normal porn listings I would let something like this go.  People can do what they want in the privacy of their own home as long as they don't abuse this right.  I also think the government should have some control over what is being viewed and who is viewing it.  Porn is so easy to get your hands on these days and with technology growing and children learning to become more and more computer geniuses their access to pornographic material will just increase.  I am for this law to be passed and it can only help our future and protect our young minds from seeing dirty pictures and movies that are not meant for their eyes.

What a class!!

     I'll be honest, I didn't know what to except when I first registered to take this class.  I heard good things and bad things and even thought I might drop it.  My father was also not very happy and a little curious why I would want to take a class about Cyberporn.  But despite what others thought and after viewing a couple weeks of lectures I made the right decision.  This class taught me to view pornography in a different way and the many different aspects of it.  Also, how it affects our society and the people living in it. 

     After figuring out how to blog, seeing it was my first experience, the class went pretty smoothly.  Some topics were more interesting than others and I found myself having more to say during some weeks opposed to others.  What I found to be interesting is how straight males perform in gay movies because the pay is so much higher and also, that anyone can make a naughty video and put it on the Internet to make some extra money.  From week to week I enjoyed reading the other students comments and ideas. 

     I will take the knowledge I have gained from this class with me and apply it to my future.  I had no idea how much of an impact technology plays on pornography and how easy porn is to get a hold of, including all ages.  I think this is a very useful course to take and it helps open eyes to a topic that is so rarely talked about on a educational level. When people hear the word "porn" they right away think of gross and obscene material when really there is a whole different side to this topic, as we were shown during this class. 

     I also enjoyed the syllabus changes and the option to take the final or not.  As we all know finals week is very hectic and for those of us who busted our butts and took the time to complete our work from week to week it's a huge relief off our shoulders.  I think this should be a option if this class was to be taught again because then maybe everyone would keep up on their blogging throughout the entire semester to look forward to a reward well done and not having to do another final.   I give this class 2 thumbs up and would suggest it to other students.

I’ll take the top because I like to give ;)

     The Michael Lucas article is very interesting and insightful.  He is very dedicated to his work and has strict guidelines for his models and the environment that he wants to portray in his movies.  I thought that the topics of gay porn used as an outlet for people to express their sexuality and fantasies and the decision one makes to either be on top or bottom were the most interesting. 

     When one chooses to be on the top or the bottom they think what will turn them on and their views on the most.  If you have a huge penis you would choose the top so show off your goods.  Men that choose the bottom enjoy being roughed up and if a normal top switches to the bottom… excitement breaks out!  In today's society men on men porn is frowned upon and is considered nasty and dirty.  But girl on girl is OK?  There is something for everybody and I feel if you don't like it then don't look at it.  Just because one chooses the same sex partner or opposite sex partner doesn't make them any dirtier than you.  Both couples are going to end up having sex and enjoying themselves while doing so. 

     Lucas draws very strict guidlines for his models before and during performance.  Every model wears a condom and they are tested for drug use before each of their scenes.  Lucas makes them sign a form stating that they have never performed unprotected sex and if they are caught lying they are banned from the films.  He provides health insurance and gym memberships for his exclusive models.  Sun exposure is to be limited and tanning makeup is preferred to be used.  He does these things to show that sex can be a great time while sober and using condoms.  This way his actors are 100% in control of what they are doing and it shows the true male beauty.   

     Fulfilling their fantasies through porn is often the only way one can act out their desires because they are suppressed by society. They can be themselves and get enjoyment out of it and not have to worry about being judged.  Gay porn validates homosexuality and creates community.  Television rarely shows anything with gay men as partners, kissing, or any love scenes.  I think this is why our society shuts out gay figures and thinks that it's wrong.  We are so desensitized with heterosexual relationships because those are the relationships depicted on every show you turn on.  In shows such as Will and Grace, the gay guys, Jack and Will, are seen as a best friend figures to the ladies and while they do have relationship problems they are briefly touched on.  Truth is there are many people in today's society who choose to be gay, lesbians, and bi.  But these people are not trying to throw it in our faces they have normal lives just like you and I.  So maybe gay porn can help gay men liberate and educate our society to except this way of life that they choose to live and maybe our society would grow to be more excepting because issues of gays and them in porn are not decreasing. 

     Two questions that I have for Mr. Lucas are:

           1.)  You had mentioned that you pay for health insurance and gym memberships for your exclusive models. Are they your stars or do you do this for all your models? Do you use the "prettier" guys for the top positions so their faces are the ones being seen?  Does one position get paid more than another? Do your models have to have certain body features to be used in your movies?

           2.)  Do you think that if gay and lesbian relationships were shown more commonly on prime time television, society would become more open and accepting of this lifestyle? 

Addicting Stuff

      I found the topics covered in the On Point Radio segment to be interesting.  Paula Paul, author of Pornified, stated how the Internet has transformed porn in society by the people who view it, what they are viewing and how often they view it.   The Internet makes accessing porn easier and it is always there waiting for you.  Whatever your interests and fantasies are you can find it just a couple clicks away.  This makes it easier for everyone to get a hold of… including children.  Children are beginning to look at porn at an earlier age because of the easy access the Internet leaves.  Porn was harder to find before and now on websites and pop ups there are advertisements for XXX websites.  Even if a child was looking up information for a class project, by typing in certain search words porn sites pop up as well.  But I believe it is the parents responsibility when their child is on the computer to be watching over their shoulder to make sure they do not end up on a site that is not permitted for their viewing.  As much as the Internet is one of the best things that has happened to technology I think people, advertisers and promoters, have taken it a little far.  People know where to go to look for porn it shouldn't be so easy to get to.  Passwords should be assigned to the dirty websites or parental controls, just like on the TV.  This way your child can do their homework and you can have a peace of mind that they are not being subjected to XXX websites. 

     Many children look at porn because their friends are doing it and tell them that it's ok and maybe that's it's the "cool" thing to do.  Many boys by the age of 13 or 14 are addicted to porn and are viewing the wrong kind and this gives them the wrong ideas.  Some porn sites show women crying and in pain and this can make the boys think this is what women want when they have sex.  They are just babies themselves and are trying to figure out whats going on already without the help of the Internet and the XXX websites. 

     The thought that my boyfriend may be thinking about the porn he viewed earlier during sex disturbs me.  Sex is an intimate thing and for him to be thinking about porn or picturing me as one of the porn stars while were in the middle of things is just weird.  I can see the good and the bad impacts porn has.  Oh course people are always going to be viewing porn for different reasons.  Like Paula said men watch porn to have images in their head to help keep them aroused, to help achieve climax or even watch it during sex to help. But there is a time and a place when using it.  I mean I'm always up for bringing new things into the relationship but other times I think it should be just the two of you.  Nothing wrong with that.  I think men use the excuse that porn helps them out just so they can watch it without feeling dirty. But when is it enough?  Men and women can and are addicted to porn.  They just can't get enough of it and that's the bad part. 

     Men are in therapy for their addiction and the rate is growing.  It's kind of like they are addicted to drugs in a sense because as their addiction grows they need more and more, and harder material to keep themselves aroused.  Porn makes men want more from women because they ant their ideas that they see acted out in their relationships.  But porn destroys relationships and causes problems at work because they find themselves sneaking to watch porn late at night, they may stop actual sex with their partners, and they spend money to watch movies and enter into sites.    So are all these issues worth it?  Is destroying your "real" relationship worth your fantasy relationships? 

     There has to be a stop to all this.  Young minds are become corrupted over porn.  How will this shape the future?  If the Internet is affected society so much already how will it be in years to come?  Will it cause more sexual predators and abusers?  We have to take preventative steps to protect our future generations and be careful what our children are getting their hands and eyes on.

I love f*ck*ng porn!!

     First of all I have to say I loved the music that opened up this lecture and the first minute and a half of all the people and celebrities cursing.  To me it’s funny but to other people it’s indecent.  But what really makes this indecent?  I can see if this language is used around children that pick up everything and repeat it.  But who doesn’t curse every once and a while?  We may say it not even meaning to but it’s become accustomed to our society that these words when used do not have the same effect as they use to. 

      Do zoning laws really stop to secondary affects porn causes on society?  I found the zoning laws talked about in lecture very interesting and a little much.  Porn shops should be located anywhere they want to be… within reason.. there shouldn’t be one on every corner.  The only thing I agree on is that porn shops should be located away from school with young children attending.  High school students already know and probably have viewed porn and magazines so to me it’s not a big deal. They are probably more educated on this issue then us these days.  Children surprise me with the information that the know at such an early age.  I also found it interesting that each state has it’s own zoning laws and how different each one is.  Especially in Michigan where porn shops couldn’t be 500 ft from a tavern, bar, church, or school…. and that leaves no place for one.   I believe it’s not the porn shops that cause the adverse secondary effects on the community but it’s the people in our society that do. Porn stores do not show any dirty images or wording outside of their venue.  So to see something dirty you would have to be inside of the store and of age.  It’s your own opinion to go into that store and make a purchase.  So yes, it’s putting more porn into your community by having these stores located anywhere but, it’s the people in the community making their own decision to enter into that store.  As long as your going to view it in the privacy of your own home and not be vulgar with the material I see that as being ok. People will always have the craving for viewing porn and keeping their collection up to date.  I do not see the need for these strict zoning laws as long as we keep it clear from the reach of young children.

I’m naked… but I have cute cowgirl boots on ;)

Httpornthink posted a very interesting picture of a man half naked with three women straddling him from the front… I think to promote cowboy/ girl boots? This ad is eye catching of course and obscene at the same time.  Fashion ads, billboards,commercials, magazines, TV, etc. are starting to cross the line and their ads are obscene.  I mean where will it stop?  If us, college students, are viewing this kind of ad then who else is?  Promoters of a product feel they have to do something out of the ordinary to catch the buyers eye and interest.  But each one has to do it better than their competition so the more risky and inappropriate their ads become.  When driving down the thruway you see very sexual images on billboards.  Children are in the car as well looking out the window seeing the same images we see.  Is this right? I understand that sex sells but I think there should be a limit where you can be able to advertise such provocative images.  I do agree with the author that posted this picture, that it is scary to see how stimulated our society has become by sexuality in the media.  Throughout the past years ads like this have desensitized people and the society we live in.  If this is the pattern our society is going to follow just think what it will do to the young minds of generations to come.  While the companies are mainly just looking to help sell their product, they are not realizing that all different ages can view their ads.  Girls especially want to have the latest fashion and will read the magazines to see how to get it.  What kind of message is this giving to them?  I think ads like this will cause more problems than we already have in our society.  Just because you have half naked people next to alcohol, cigarettes, in lingerie or hardly anything at all does it really sell their product more?  Or do people get turned off and disgusted and end up not even bothering with it?  To me, this ad doesn’t make me want to go straight to the mall and buy boots but for others they will do anything to fit into society’s mold and these are the company’s favorite people.  This ad does cross the line and is obscene.  Although there are worse examples but having a half naked man to promote shoe wear… they have went too far.  How far will fashion ads and TV go?  What are we in for?  What will it do to our society and the people growing up in it?

You did WHAT!?!?!

     So what really is obscenity?  What makes something obscene?  Everybody has their own personal thoughts and definitions on this issue.  To one person something may be obscene or crude and to another it may not be.  The difference in opinions may be because of how the person was brought up, what they believe in, or from their surroundings of friends and society.    Is something really obscene if it is done in the privacy of your own home?  I don't believe so because it is in your home and you are free to do whatever you please because you are not endangering or hurting anyone in the process.  But, if you were to do an obscene jester in public then I see that as wrong and obscene.  Using certain language can be difficult because depending on the crowd your in and where you are it can be taken in different ways.  With a group of friends you can talk and say things because you know the company your in but if you were to talk like that around others that were not use to the slang and terms you and your friends use they may think that your language may be a little off color.  I know myself, I act differently depending on the company that I am in.  When I am with my friends hanging out or at the bar you can goof around and do things that are a little risky.  But when I am with my family or even at work, I wouldn't dare to do some of the things or repeat the language used.  I believe this is done out of respect.    This issue will be around forever  because everyone does view everything differently and in their own context.  It has to do with cultural, social, and personal beliefs.  Also, where it is being done and how it is being represented.  Obscenity is everywhere but I guess in this day and age people get use to it and it doesn't bother them or they make it known that it is wrong. 

Are you for real?!?

Myth #9- "Porn actually enhances relationships"

     I agree that bringing porn into your relationship can help spark things up.  Everything is new, fun, and exciting when you first enter into a relationship.  After awhile things may become repetitive and by bringing porn into the bedroom could do the job and spice up the relationship.  By performing certain acts you see on a porn may help bring you two closer to one another.  By watching porn with each other, you can act out each other's fantasies.  This way you both know what each other want and this way you don't have to sneak in porn at other times to fulfill your desires.   

Myth #5- "Men like variety in their women so porn helps a man stay faithful to his woman"

     To me, I feel men get bored quickly and they are always wondering if the grass is greener.  When he finally decides to settle down porn may be the thing that keeps him faithful to his significant other.  He can experience many different woman going at it including blondes, brunettes, red heads, African Americans, Asians, old, young, fetishes, and whatever else his heart desires.  Their partner may not want to experiment with their fantasies so by viewing porn this keeps them faithful because they are not doing it with anyone else but, they have to watch it to get it out of their system.  Watching porn can help a relationship stay healthy or become healthier because men can explore their fantasies without hurting their relationship with someone they care about.  I do disagree with strip clubs and that it is OK for men to go and watch woman dance to get it out of their system.  Strip clubs are full of beautiful, naked women and most men just go there to have a good time.  But, sometime things do get out of hand and men become unfaithful.  I guess it's a trust factor and how often he visits.  But if he's going out for a night with the boys that's cool as long as he's coming home to me and his visit doesn't get out of control.

Myth #6- "Everyone knows porn is just a fantasy, so no one would try to apply it to real life"

     Or do they?  I think people watch porn because they want to make it a reality.  It puts different ideas into people's heads and then that makes them want to try it out on their partners.  Porn is just another tool to help make one's sex life better and for self gratification.  I do believe people know in the porn world anything can happen:  Your nurse can start giving you a blow job while you are in bed trying to recover or you could bang your teacher for an A in your class.  These are fantasies, yes, but are also ideas people would love to have be played out in reality.  So, I do think people use porn and apply it to their everyday life or watch it so they can then apply it in some way to their life.

    Again, porn sparks up relationships, keeps guys and woman faithful and fullfills fantasies that may not be able to be fulfilled in their own bedroom.  These are just my opinions on some of the myths found on the website.  I would be interested to see what sides and views the rest of you have on these topics.