... LiS'...bLoG...

In retrospect...

2006-04-25T15:12:00.000-07:00

When I first decided to take this course it was mostly due to the fact that it was online and fit into my schedule nicely. I decided to ignore the raise of some eyebrows over my decision, and took the course instead. Because I decided to do this I ended up learning quite a bit more than I thought I would. I had no idea the impact that cyberporn had on society as a whole. Just learning the starggering numbers of money involved was enough to show me that it's actually a pretty big deal. I mean, when you figure in all of these numbers and consider the size of society, a lot of people, and some that might be very close to you, actually spend a portion of their paychecks on cyberporn at some point or another. What does this say about society as a whole? What is this world coming to? We're so fixated on the internet that we can't even go out and find ourselves significant others to explore our sexuality with. Instead, we prefer to take out our little plastic credit cards and take care of the matter by ourselves with some cyber slut. I think it's scary that some of this explicit material is online and open to the eyes of many that don't want to see it, and others that should not see it. But I am thankful for this course to openning my eyes to all of these things that, for the most part, I was completely oblivious to.

Impact from sexual exposure

2006-04-25T14:54:00.000-07:00

There is a section in chapter 11 that talks about the impact of sexual exposure on children. While reading this section a very good point came to mind. How do we know for certain that these children are being effected negatively due to sexual exposure? Okay, now you're thinking, yep, she's nuts. But honestly, think about it. Very few tests could actually be taken to suggest this exact answer. Think about the ethics invlved in this research. It would be unethical to sit children down and expose them to sex in one form or another. You can't do this to children, and you certainly would not be allowed to legally. Also, you would not be allowed to interrogate children that have been sexually abused or been exposed to some sort of sexual acts unwillingly. It might bring up deeply seeded issues.

So then the question remains, how do we know exactly what sort of impact sexual exposure has on children? I mean obviously, there are things children should not know before it is time for them to know. But then, this chapter also makes another good point. In earlier eras preadolscents and older would be married. But it is not these eras, it is Western civilization in today's era. But the, when you think about it, just because society has evolved and takes on a different outlook of sex in general, does this mean that evolution has changed adolscents meaning that they should not be exposed to sexually explicit material until later on in life? I guess my point is that, as chapter eleven states, human beings are sexual. And, again, as hte chapter says, these children go to these sites for many of the same reasons as adults. So, therefore, is this interest in sex normal to these adolescents? And the fact that they are seeking it out, does that make it natural as well? Should they be allowed to do this?

Web labeling, like that's really going to stop someone...

2006-04-25T14:34:00.000-07:00

Okay... so this whole web labeling thing that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales wants to do, I can see how it might be helpful. But in the long run of things, is it really going to slow down adolescents and other observers from the web, from seeing obscene material? For one, what happens if they totally miss the labeling for an obscene site and open the page anyway? What if it is labelled, but it is labeled in such a way that it is hardly noticable? Secondly, I would like to add, aren't a lot of these obscene sites already labeled? They have some screen pop up before you can open the page where you check to make sure you are 18, or 21, or whatever the age is. But do you honestly think this deters someone like, say 12 year old boys from opening the page anyway?

To add to this I would have to say that I do not know why Mary Johnson, legislative counsel to the American Civil Liberties Union is making such a big deal about this labeling being, "antithetical to the First Amendment." The people that are posting this obscene material, which, by the way, most internet users probably do not want to see, are still able to post whatever material they want. Obviously there is no infringement on the First Amendment of freedom here.

If there was any infringment on rights here it would be against citizens who, whether they are looking up research, talkign with friends, or simply searching hte web, are being exposed to material that could possibly be damaging, especially to younger children. What about their rights? I think more should be done than just labeling these pages. I think that if this obscene material cannot be refrained from popping up when searching for such things as Dick's Sporting Goods, or other harmless searches within search engines, that maybe there should be a more strict way to keep this material that the majority find obscene.

Big Brother is Always Watching... no obscenity allowed

2006-04-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

I decided to link to this guy's site. Number one, because I liked his blogging name. Number two, because he had a lot of good evidence to back up his side of the story(he also has links to this evidence backing up his thoughts). Three, his title for this particular blog entry says it all. Also, I am not a huge fan of Bush...

Although I do not particular fully agree with everything this man has to say, I do think he has a good point. It just might be the most invasive thing the government has done in 50 years. Although, because the internet is so widely used, among people of all ages, across every nation, I do think it is a good idea to sensor these obscenities from young eyes, and those that just, in general, do not care to see it.

However, then, the problem remains. How do you go about shielding some peoples eyes, but allowing "free expression" for all others? That is an answer I do not have for you, and I'm not sure anyone does have that answer. Hence, the huge debate on the topic.

I do know that when I am researching a topic for one of my classes, or looking for something in my leisurely time I would rather not come across such disgusting titles as "watch these virgins get their cherries popped," etc. I think it's revolting and I could see other peoples view on the subject as well.

In this case another idea comes to mind. Why does this stuff even need to be on the web? Sure, people have the right to their freedom. I understand this. I do not understand why there is so much of it though. I mean, how much porn do you need? Really. Isn't it the same stuff over and over pretty much? Also, how much of it is creating, not out of "self-expression," but to build revenue? How much of this obscenity is actually through companies just trying to create a profit? And in this case, is it really considered self-expression?

If this obscenity that is getting put on the web is through organizations and companies just looking to earn a quick buck then I think that it should most certainly not be allowed on the internet. It just clogs up the entire web with disgusting material that the majority of the population do not, and should not have to, see.

Bravo Michael Lucas...

2006-04-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

To be honest, I had no idea who Michael Lucas was until I read his blog, visited his website, and read his thoughts on homosexual porn. I thought that, perhaps, I had heard of him, but the name didn't really ring any prominant bells.

After exploring these Michael Lucas outlets I must have to say, well done for coming so far in a world with such adversity. After reading his thoughts on homosexual porn I actually feel that homosexual porn serves more of a purpose for the gay male community than heterosexual porn serves for it's community.

I also think that Michael Lucas actually has a goal in creating his porn. I feel that what he says he means and is truly genuine. How many CEO's of other porn companies can you say actually tell you what they are really thinking, and mean it? For many CEO's, or directors, or even actors (As Michael Lucas is all three.), it is probably just an income. A way to make easy money quickly.

Having said all this, and learning that Lucas actually has a degree in Russian Law, my question is then this: What inspired you to get into this business in the first place? I mean clearly you are doing well, and I can see one side of it if you enjoy gay porn, etc. But you have a degree in Law. Why not put that to use? (Or perhaps you already have?)

What's the dif?

2006-04-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

It seems to me that indecency and obscenity run quite parallel to each other. I guess I'm just having a hard time keeping the two entirely separate. I suppose the reason we ended up doing them as separate units was becuase a) as the professor said, he is running out of steam, along with a few other differences. But in the whole I feel that the two very easily could have been covered together.

I think that the motions in place to take care of obscenity take care of indecency as well, and vice versa. With this said, I would have to concur that my opinion on both is very similar. Hence, for this blog. After writing about obscenity, and already writing a blog about indecency, I too am running out of steam and desperately scrambling for words.

To add more on the blog I just wrote about indecency, I do not feel that the Communications Decency Act is an infringement on the First Amendment. I feel that the first amendment is very important to everyone, not just United States of America. Hoewever, to those who are fighting against the CDA, do they really realize that there is a huge problem over the internet with stalkers and pornography? Perhaps they are a little biased and should do more research. However, since I have not reviewed the topic extensively, perhaps they do have the evidence to back up their claims.

I think it's good that indecency and obscenity are seen as immoral and need to be cleaned up in our society. After all, think about to the 1950's. You would not have seen any of these things that we see today as far as swearing and porn. It's kind of revolting to see how much things have changed since this time. On top of that I would like to add that just because we have gained more freedom of expression, it does not necessarily mean that we should be using this freedom in these ways.

Communications Decency Act

2006-04-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

After I read this chapter in our text for COM 497 I was actually really touched. When someone puts it that way, in prayer, you know that there is help needed. I did not realize that there was so many problems as far as stalking and harrassment online. I suppose one reason it's such a huge issue is because Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) has a lot higher chance of people going after others, for whatever reason, because they are not doing it face-to-face.

What really got me about the prayer though, was how thankful we should definitely be for the internet. It really does make life so much easier. From everything to keeping in touch with loved ones to doing reserach homework for classes. I think that we take the internet, along with many other things in this life, for granted. I think that if more people were more thankful for what they had they would not take it for granted. These people that do take it for granted, these stalkers and creeps that are apparantly do not hav ethe decency to conduct their problems in a civil manner, need to be stopped. They are taking away from other people's right to enjoy the internet.

I think the Communications Decency Act is a good idea. There definitely needs to be regulations, as with any source that millions of people use everyday. If we did not have it free reign would be given to people who are just totally out of control. Think about how much worse we would be off if there were no regulations what so ever in our society. Things would be a disaster.

I am not saying that people should have no freedom. I think freedom is the most important thing that we do have. Without it people would not be free to think, be different, to invent, to dream. I just feel that there needs to be more of the right kind of regulation cracking down on the disturbed individuals who feel the need to take their vengeance against society onto the internet.

Porn Gift Bags

2006-04-07T16:19:00.000-07:00

Yes, thats' right... I said porn gift bags. About a week ago now I was down on Chippewa with my friends. We decided to frequent a popular night club that we usually go to. Upon entering, with proper id, of course, and paying the cover charge, we were greeted with rows of white bags with little handles. Apparantly this was the party favor for the evening. Each of us grabbed one and proceeded into the club. As we were walking, curious as to what the little while bag contained, we decided to open it up and check it out. Within its contents we foudn a free porn video, condoms, planned parenthood pamplets, along with a number of other odds and ends.

Now, my question is to you: Is this found as obscene? I mean, my friends and I did not enter this place looking to find free porn so that we had somethign to do later. In fact, all of us ended up discarding the porn at some point or another. I mean, the covers on some of these DVD's I thought were obscene as it was. This is not something that I want to be caught walking around with, or in my home for that matter.

Come to find out I guess there was a huge article in the Spectrum, or some other UB paper. I guess the club was having some sort of 'erotic night.' I had no idea! To walk into some place that you're use to going, and have them hand you free porn, along with other things you are not particular interested at the time, is a little shocking! I don't know how they got away with it, but atleast it was good for a good laugh that evening!

While we're at it...

2006-04-07T16:14:00.000-07:00

It seems to me that figuring out what exactly is obscene, and what is not, is not all that difficult. The law makes a good point to say that whatever is not decent enough for the community is considered obscene. What more needs to be said?

It seems ot me that there are just some people with "different tastes." To say the least about it. If someone does have these different tastes then they should keep them to themselves, unless asked by another, to share this taste. If this does happen then I would think it would be gone about very discretely, especially because the U.S., NY State in particular, has such strict standards about what is found obscene and what is not.

Basically I do not understand why some people find it necessary to share their different tastes with the rest of society. It is not necessary. Here is a good site with a law definitoin of obsceneity. If you ask me, the definition is not that difficult to follow. In fact, I do not really get why, if someone knew they could possibly face criminal charges, would bother posting something that might even possibly be considered obscene.

about that cheating thing...

2006-03-30T18:30:00.000-08:00

It's a much debated topic... is having cybersex actually cheating on your significant other? Let's review...

When you have sex with someone generally you're physically involved, right? And, typically this person that you are physically involved with is someone of significant value to you, correct? So I suppose it would be safe to assume that if you were having cybersex another person would not physically be touching you, so in that sense, you are not actually cheating on your significant other.

However, sex involves much more than what is visible to the eye. If you are with someone obviously you care about them. If you did not you would not (or should not) be involved as their significant other in the first place. This brings me to my main point. If you are having cybersex with someone online, even if it is just for pleasures sake, no emotions involved, you are still hurting your significant other.

By hurting this person I mean emotionally. Your singificant other is probably thinking, what am I not giving this person to satisfy their needs? They are probably wondering why you need to go elsewhere to feel "satisfied." Even if your online renezvous is nothing more than something to waste some extra time in your day. In reality you're just making things more complicated for your relationship than it's worth, for both of you.

If you are engaging in cybersex maybe you should stop and ask yourself why you are doing this. Is it actually because you are missing something in yor relationship? If you sit down and actually think this out and this is your reaosning for engaging in cybersex perhaps you should spend a little less time on the comptuer and little more time communicating with your signifiicant other.

it's incredibly glamorous to be a porn star....

2006-03-30T18:05:00.000-08:00

"Strippers and porn stars lead glamarous lives, and men have nothing but respect for them." (keep in mind this is "opposite week")

Porn stars must lead glamarous lives, one could come to that conclusion simply by seeing an ad for a porn. They look like any other celebrity, with their hair done up and makeup on. It has to be obvious that there are hair and makeup specialists doing all this to make them look this good.

They probably get paid a ton of money to be able to pay their hair and makeup people too. Not to mention for performing sexual acts on television. Who knows all of the glamorous things they probably own because they make such a lucrative living off of doing porn.

Being a porn star must be great for their self-esteem too. All of these men wanting them so badly. I bet a porn star could have any man she wanted. It's obvious that these porn stars are enjoying themselves at their jobs. You can see it in their expressions and in the sounds that they make.

It must be a fulfilling life they lead. I mean here we are, just boring everyday people going to and from work, leaving our clothes on. These people must feel so free, so in charge of their lives. They get to take all their clothes off and make love everyday.

The best part is probably that there are no strings attached to anyone they have sex with. They have no real commitments to these people, so it makes life easier for them. They probably have a better sex life than the average person too because they get to practice so much. It's obvious that they probably have very fulfilling relationships.

Alright, I can't possibly be sarcastic for any longer. It's really just draining. I think by now you get the point.

and the nominees are...

2006-03-30T17:06:00.000-08:00

Sex4Thought, I felt that this blog was the most intriguing. The blogger gets pretty in-depth with topics, but they're not boring. This blogger actually has a lot of interesting things to say.

Vanessa's Ideas on Porn, I feel that I have similar thoughts and we think alike. The blogs are well thought out and make good points.

Liz's Remarks, this site is similar to Vanessa's, and I like it for similar reasons. While they are not as lengthy as some of Vanessa's blogs, I actually find them easier to read for their shorter lenght. Liz, like Vanessa, brings good points to the reader's eye.

Use a different research method....

2006-03-23T17:20:00.000-08:00

I found that most of the studies done in trying to figure out if hardcore, or violent porn makes people (men, in the case of these studies) violent after viewing it confusing. If there is evidence that supports it, does not support it, and is somewhere in between how can anyone really choose a side and actually build a report on it?

I realize that this sort of study is young, and there is still much to be learned about the effects of porn, but I'm not entirely sure that there should be entire reports done on the subject with inaccurate information. Sure, some of it might be correct, but as the Professor was saying, you're surveying all sorts of people, in all sorts of different settings. Depending on the person, where you survey them, and when you happen to survey them, you might get entirely different incomplete, inaccruate, untruthful responses.

There is not a real good way to survey people about porn unless it anonymous, as far as I'm concerned. Porn is such a taboo subject, and highly disgraced by society for the most part, that it is no wonder people lie about viewing it, or what sorts of effects it might have on them. I feel that more accurate ways of measuring the effects of porn on people need to be sought. I think these scientists need to sit down and brain storm some new ideas on how to get better research results.

Salman Rushdie is an interesting fellow

2006-03-22T17:07:00.000-08:00

I found the comment on what Salman Rushdie said about having a free country with free women and having lots of porn. I find it intruiging that in order for women to be free and treated as equals the best thing to do is show them being violated in various ways. I suppose the worst thing about it is that there's actual evidence proving that it works.

The part that I find most confusing is how the two correlate. I mean, how does violating women actually set them free? I suppose it shows that they're aren't afraid of the beauty (I guess?) that their own bodies contain? Or is it something along the lines of, this is what I've got, don't you wish you could get your hands on it? I suppose somewhere along those lines it's liberating to women to expose themselves. It shows that they aren't afraid of how they're being perceived. They're literally baring their true skin and showing who they are. If porn is allowed in a country and people are viewing it there is more of a chance that they will feel that all women have this general attitude, in turn giving strength not to just these porn stars, but women as a whole in society.

That is my best representation of how having lots of porn around would give women more equality in a society.

Harcore porn's connection to violent crimes

2006-03-21T16:51:00.000-08:00

I think there is something to be said about the connection between hardcore porn and vicious crime. I think it takes a certain type of individual to view this type of porn and commit these types of crime.

I guess a good way to put this is that within police forces, etc., criminiologists, or criminal profilers, look at cases and try to break down the personality of the criminals in order to catch them, or foresee where they will strike next. The reason these criminal profilers can do this is because everyone has certain characteristics and traits that lead them to have other traits, connected traits, if you will.

Therefore, if someone has the desire to watch hardcore porn, then, perhaps, this same person holds some sort of characteristic for committing violent crimes. If this is the case then you would think that it would be much more simpler to speculate who, or what type of person, would commit violent crimes. Although, because we have privacy, I suppose it would make it tougher to actually view who watches hardcore porn. So, in this case, the criminal profiling would not help. Also, there is no way to keep track of every person who views harcore porn. S

o, I suppose in this aspect, there is no hope in using this knowledge that we have in criminal profiling to help catch a killer before he strikes. However, when trying a case, or if someone is committed of a violent crime, using this knowledge of criminal profiling you could probably make a pretty good case of linking an individual to his crime using his viewing of hardcore porn.

Too Close to Home

2006-03-02T17:14:00.000-08:00

Browsing through the news I cam across THIS TOPIC and noticed that it related very much to the dateline special we just watched.

Pimps are beginning to actually recruite girls and boys for the prostitution/exotic dancer/sex trade. We're talking about boys and girls that are still in HIGH SCHOOL. These "recruiters" go to actual high schools, and actual high school dances, and seek out kids for this trade.

Kind of sickening, right? What's worse is that it's just north of us. This is happening as close as Niagara Falls. For some of New York that's not all that close, but to live here in Buffalo, for the time being, that's amazingly close. Who's to say it won't cross the border and begin happening right here in New York. One worse, what if it's already happening in New York and it just hasn't grown popular enough to get the word out so that anyone actually hears about it?

I can't even imagine being in high school and being confronted by someone asking me if I wanted to strip. The thought is ridiculous. What's worse is that the article says one reason for these kids actually accepting these jobs is to keep up with trends, to stay in the "cool crowd," basically to be popular. Kids from lower income families are probably working their butts off at places like McDonald's just to buy their Abercrombie and Fitch jeans, their American Eagle sweatshirts.

It's got to be tough having to work for seven bucks an hour and still do the entire school thing, and maybe even play a sport or an instrument for extracurricular school activities. So here comes an opportunity where they don't have to work as hard to get what they want. They have no reason, in their minds at the time, to not take the job. However, they have little knowledge ofwhat they're getting into, being so young and not having even experiences life really. They have no clue that by singning up for a career in the "exotic arts," I suppose I'll call it, that they are throwing away their entire childhood. They're radically changing their lives, and chances are, it's not for the better. Adolescents is a critical time in any person's life. Many ideals, morals, and how we view the world are shaped during this time. To throw it away so that you can wear the latest trends is such a waste.

The fact that these scum bags are perusing high schools is not only disturbing, it's sickening. I can't belive that they somehow infiltrate these systems and do their dirty work. Something needs to be done to stop this madness before it becomes worse, or even an epidemic. I mean, this is high school for crying out loud. For many kids it's the last time they will have their innocence before having to scrape by in the cruel real world. They should be allowed to enjoy it and not be bothered by creepy pimps.

Sympathy for Sex Slaves

2006-03-02T16:52:00.000-08:00

After watching the Dateline Special on 'Sex Slaves' I felt really bad for those women. I can't imagine what it would be like to endure what they have gone through. To be drugged, beaten and raped all while you're just trying to make a living because you can't find the means to do so in your own country is absolutely devastating.

What is also peculiar about these events is that public officials and police, by the sounds of it, are doing very little, if anything at all, to help or prevent these occurences from happening to these women. For instance, that guy that was trying to hunt down his wife. He went to the officials and had, what did he say, around 60 police officers at the station where he was to encounter that pimp and get his wife back. What happened? The pimp escaped, with this guy's wife. Now, as they were saying, how would this be possible if the station, as they had said, only had two openings and 60-some-odd police men standing guard? That is just ridiculous if you ask me. Clearly they are in on it, and that makes the entire thing that much more dispicable.

These women have nothing where they come from. They are only trying to survive. Most of them want nothing to do with prostitution. They just want to earn a living in order to survive and take care of their families. They do what they think is the right thing, going out of their way to work abroad in order to surivive. Here these pimps take advantage of their naivity and basically kidnap them. By the time anyone knows what's going on these women are sucked into their evil schemes and have no means or way to ever get out. It's really sad.

The one woman who actually managed to escape, with the help of a "client" that felt bad for her, was only trying to keep her younger brother alive. She went to Turkey to earn money so that he could have the surgery to fix whatever his problem was from the radioactive material. I can't imagine what it was like when she decided to go back and prostitute herself to come up with the cash. I guess she decided that since she was already wrecked emotionally, and probably physically as well, that she would just do the best she could to support her family. I think it was brave for her to do it. I don't know as though it was the smartest thing. But I suppose, in her preidcament, that it was the only choice she really had.

To think about what these women's lives must be like after they are put through these torturous events is also incredibly disheartening. For them it was all about surivival. Their travel into uknown territories was about making ends meet, being able to support those they love. They had no idea they were getting into such unimaginable pain and torture. I only hope that something is done to put these dispicable men behind bars, so that this cannot happen to more women who do not deserve such pain.

Erotic Smilies

2006-03-02T16:40:00.000-08:00

While conversing with a friend over lunch we happened to come across a rather intriguing topic. We were talking about another one of our friends when she mentioned that he had downloaded "erotic smiley faces." I guess I should do a better job of clarifying myself. On AIM instant messenger you have the choice of using smiley faces that come along with the program. In many cases you can download your own. They come in all different sorts, including hearts, clovers... you get the idea. But this topic of erotic smilies. That's just crazy.

Of course I had to laugh at the topic at first. I never even knew such a thing existed. Call me naive I guess, but who would think up such a thing? The bottom line is that when you stop to think about it our society is so engrossed in sex that someone took the time to write a program to develop the tiniest pornographic material. The "erotic smiley," it's incredible.

On the other hand, I'm not entirely sure it's such a fabulous idea. I mean yeh, it's just an icon, what hurt can it do, right? The only thing is younger adolescents use AIM all the time. What's stopping them from coming across downloading these smilies? That's the scary part. At this point I don't think they're available when downloading the standard AIM. But how long do you think it'll be before they are available with the standard version? I suppose only time will tell. But while we're waiting for this time I think that a lot more thought should go into internet sensoring.

Interesting topic, made better.....

2006-02-23T14:27:00.000-08:00

I took this blog and decided that I wanted to use it for the assignment to pick someones blog and make it better.... so here is the finished product:

A response to Lecture 13: During this lecture we talked about dealing with safety in the porn industry. Let me start off with something like this: You can not put a price on someone’s life. Even hooker’s have rules and regulations. The little knowledge I have about the making of porn video’s have come from movies such as Boogie Nights and anything on HBO regarding the industry. In any job everyone would want to protect themselves and others from injury or any diseases.

The topic makes me think of, The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair. The working conditions were horrible during the industrial revolution. People knew of the horrors, and yet for a long time nothing was done to fix these problems. It took a lot to bring the true circumstances of labor conditions to the public's eye, but with the help of, The Jungle, the public finally sit up and took action. I think the same goes for the porn industry. It has been through a lot as far as break outs of HIV and AIDS, people are finally taking notice, and now action needs to be taken.

I don’t think we are talking about if it’s right or wrong to have sex for money. That is not the issue here. Safety is the big issue here. Porn actors are tested and the same actors are being used over and over, this part in part, is good because you know what you are familiar with what you are dealing with. It's not like you are taking the guys or girls straight fromthe street. However, there is a problem when girls try to break the record. An actor by the name of “Houston” put out videos such as "Houston 500." The point of the film is to have sex with the most guys possible in X amount of time. (I think 24 hours but not sure.) The problem with this is the guys are coming off the street. Yes, I am sure they are tested, but what stops a guy from having sex after the tests, or faking the paper work?

I could see the problem with seeing the condom. But, in reality, what is the big deal about seeing the condom? It's not like someone who has engaged in sexual acitivity hasn't come across the use of a condom before. (Atleast I would hope not!) For the time being that is the safest way to go about protecting one's self from STD's. It's either that, or to abstain all-together. However, if you're in the porn industry I do not think the latter of the two is really an option.

I think as technology gets better, “Holloywood,” or, “Las Vegas,” could do something to hide the condom. I mean they made Arnold look 20 years younger in T3. Why couldn’t they hide a condom? I think they could make it work. In this industry you have to be higher level of safety than almost every other industry. We’re talking about one bad apple spoiling the bunch. How many industries do you know that could this?

Choice

2006-02-23T14:08:00.000-08:00

We all have it. We can all excersize it. But the fact is, do we make the right one? Many porn stars get into the business because they cannot see themselves doing anything else for a living. that is, doing anything else for a living and actually "making a living" while doing it. I can understand this. I suppose the question then is why don't these people take out loans and go to school much like many students across the United States do?

Perhaps it's because of the way they were raised. While watching the second lecture for this week I was surprised to hear one of the porn stars that were being interviewed say that her parents were proud of her. I think that says a lot by itself.

What sort of parents would be proud of their daughter for exposing her body to the world and getting paid for it? Yes, she might not have asked for anything, and yes, she may be taking care of herself on her own, but how can they see this morally right? You might blame me for having this opinion because of the way that I was raised but honestly, regardless if I was making more than enough to take care of myself you can bet your a** that my parents would certainly not be proud of me for making it by creating pornography.

This goes back to what I began to say earlier. Sure, maybe these people can't get into Harvard. I mean, few people can, and if we could then Harvard wouldn't be Harvard. But they could still find the means to go to school somehow, if that is what they decided to do with their lives.

I believe, then, that people become porn stars because they want more out of life, in a sense. They know that they will only be mediocre if pursuing school and a regular job like most of society does. Instead, they take this one chance that might lead them to become something more than at a regular desk job from 9-5. In this case I suppose these people have made the right choice for themselves. The highest paid porn stars make a ridiculous amount of money. They become celebrities. Because of this they are treated like royalty, how we here in America treat all of our celebrities.

Though this way to "stardom" may sicken some, in reality these people have, in their minds at the very least, become more than the mediocrity of society. They ahve escaped the monotony that many people are forced to endure every day. And I think part of the reason that some people despise the porn industry is because that deep down underneath it all they sort of envy these people for taking nothing other than what god gave them, and rising farther than anyone ever thought they would get.

2006-02-23T13:05:00.000-08:00

I was really surprised to hear all of that information about gay porn. To be honest the idea rarely crossed my mind. I mean, you hear about bi-sexual porn and that sort of thing, but gay porn by itself, I did not realize was such a huge seller. I don't think I truly understand what makes the salaries of gay porn stars so much higher than those of regular porn stars.

The amounts of money these guys make is incredible. I can't believe they make such a large sum more than regular porn people do. I decided to look up Jeff Stryker to learn some more information about him. I was really interested in actually knowing if he actually is gay or not. You can find the LINK here.

It says that he always claimed he was straight, except for the few times that he admitted that he was bi-sexual, and then took it back again. I guess we'll never really know. The important thing here is that he made a ton of money doing gay porn. Whether or not he actually enjoyed making the money is some what of a debate though by the looks of it.

cyberporn and phone sex and strip clubs... oh my!

2006-02-15T18:43:00.000-08:00

In Chapter 4, one of the Perdue chapters we were to read, I was really quite stricken by the amount of revenue created by strip clubs. I mean clearly, I'm old enough to know that they exist and they are frequented most often by many men, but I never realized that they actually turned that huge of a profit. I mean, most places you think about when you think of strip clubs are sort of run-down and placed in the middle of nowhere.

What you don't always think about are the "serious" strip clubs. The ones in Vegas, and all over in the large cities that are super upper class and clients pay big bucks to go to them and see those girls. I can't believe they make upwards of $20 million, just in revenue. Some owners of strip clubs, when they own as many as 6 or so clubs, pull in around $2 million, EACH. Other owners have one club that rakes in $3.5 million (in2000). After they analysed it they came to the conclusion that the average club probably pulls in a revenue of around $1.25 million per year. That makes strip clubs a $3.1 billion per year segment of the porn business. Blows your mind, huh? I think it's amazing that people pay that sort of money to watch other people walk around in the nude or take off their clothes.

Terry Richardson response...

2006-02-15T18:38:00.000-08:00

I read THIS article and then decided to check out the sites that were posted on that blog...

When I first read the blog i was prepared to state that I truly thought that Terry Richardson was not just a photographer, but, most certainly, a pornographer as well. However, after I checked out his website I actually think he's quite artistics. Yes, some of his pictures are clearly depicting certain sexual activites. But others are clearly unique and actually quite pleasing to the eye. I'm not talking about in a sexual way, although some are very sexual. I am actually talking about his use of color, placement and the shapes he uses in his photography. All in all I would now have to say that he is clearly quite an artist. His eye seems to catch things others wouldn't. His work is really quite unique, and I'd actually even have to say, extraordinary in some ways.

Respect for Porn... response to an article

2006-02-15T18:24:00.000-08:00

After reading THIS blog I got to thinking... This girl has a point. Porn, whether you invest in it or not, is an inevitable thing. You might as well invest in a billion dollar industry and make some money off of it. All porn, as this author has already stated, is not necessarily bad. I mean sex is human nature. In fact, as one grows up it's a hard subject not to come across. Better to be informed about these sorts of things than growing up in the dark.

However, I do agree that the porn industries has a few glitches it should definitely fix. Weeding out perverts that view and create child porn are definitely an issue, so is disease, and there are other areas that are quite revolting. I think a better effort to diminish these portions is in need. I also agree with this author when she states that they need to do something about the actual parties that are involved in creating this dirty porn, and not just attack those that are viewing or purchasing it.

Really Scary -->reply from Porn Industry Devastated....

2006-02-07T15:48:00.000-08:00

In THIS article a student brings to light the importance of safe sex and how ruined a porn star's career, life, and cost others in the porn industry thousands of dollars. But what I would also like to bring to light is the fact that this only took place less than two years ago. That should seem pretty scary to a lot of people. In our society today sex is more accepted before marriage than ever before.

This means that a lot more people are having sex more often, with more random partner and people they do not fully know. It seems foolish to me for anyone to engage in sex without being protected somehow, even if you are in a monogamous relationship, you never know when someone might slip and cheat. But it seems even worse to me that an individual having sex, so that it can be filmed, for a living would not use protection. With some of the people in the porn business being that of prostitutes, and who knows where they come from, it would only seem the intelligent thing to do before engaging in intercourse.

What makes it worse is that it sounds like he went right back to work after he knew he had AIDS. And before he actually knew how many people do you think he slept with in the mean time? Sketchy business, I tell you. By not doing a simple thing and using protection he not only risked his own life, but many people around him. And that goes without saying how many people he hurt in the process. In such a simple task as slipping on a condom all of this damage could have been prevented. Mind-boggling, isn't it?

Do You Want To Be Exposed?

2006-02-07T15:11:00.000-08:00

Since a huge amount of porn is on the internet it's understandable that one cannot always go around it. With some people ,all they do is look at porn online. And that is their right. With technology today one doesn't just have to view porn on the internet, but they can create their own. But why would someone make their own porn?

After watching pornography online, or anywhere for that matter, what would move people enough to want to make their own amateur porn? I don't really get that. I mean anyone could come across it, even your parents and friends. What would possess you to perform such acts, or even just put naked pictures of yourself where the entire world can see you? On top of that, with all of the media interrelated, as the Professor was talking about, you never really know where your "work" might show up. You have no idea what kind of situation it might get you in in the future. You could come across yourself on cable T.V. for some random reason, just by posting your porn online. Now do you really want to put yourself out there in that way?

Actually, that could be a reason. Maybe you want to become a porn star and want to get your work out there. But that's about the only reason I can come up with. But, for instance, you're not getting paid for it. There is no instance gratification for doing so. Unless it gives you some sort of pleasure to post such things where anyone can see them. To consider the reasons as to why someone would do these things is just very intriguing. It makes me interested in learning what goes on through their minds. Also, is there a certain type of person, or personality type, that is more apt to go about making their own amatuer porn and sharing it with the world?

yikes... replying to : pose as a 15 yr old and (shady) men will like you

2006-02-03T09:52:00.000-08:00

After reading this post I got to thinking. Thats really sick that older (sketchy) men want to get with 15 year olds. Seriously, what planet were they brought up on? When did it ever become okay to elicit such youngin's?

What's even scarier is to think about the fact that these men find nothing wrong with it. And, as stated in another reply to this particular blog, some men even get caught, and come back for more! How can they possiby think this is okay?

It would be one thing if the girls actually knew what they were getting themselves into and wanted it to be this way. But I do not believe that this is the case. How many 15 year olds do you know that actually know and realize what's happening around them in today's world? Probably, yep, none. I mean, don't these men have children of their own to be concerned about? Guess not. Guess hitting on 15 year olds over the internet is much more important.

Really, the entire thing is pretty disgusting. And the thought of how many men get away with this is even more revolting. I mean, there's no way that all of them can get caught, espeically if they are doing it over the internet. This just goes to show that child porn should just not be allowed, anywhere, at anytime, especially on the internet. Children do not have a whole sense of what is good or bad. It would be different if they could say for themselves okay, I want to do this. But they can't. And that's why they need to be protected from perverts like those men that are trying to hit on them.

"World's Largest Gang Bang" - 1995

2006-02-02T16:22:00.000-08:00

Annabel Chong announced on public adult television that she was looking for 300 participants for the largest gang bang ever filmed. Although only 80 something participants ended up showing up Chong still sets the milestone for gang bangs in pornography.

A gang bang had been filmed in the pornography business before Chong decided to attempt the feat. However, after she filmed her gang bang many many more followed. Her idea for coming up with the concept is actually quite interesting. Chong is actually a well educated individual, studying at Hwa Chong Junior College in Singapore, after which she studied law in London under a scholarship. She has also studied photography, and went on to do her graduate degree in feminist studies at University at Southern California. Among her studies she came across the story of Messalina, the wife of emperor Claudius. It was said that Messalina suffered because of being female. She was not widely liked because of her gender. This got Chong thinking about the double standard of men being able to have as many women as they chose, and women only suppose to be with one man. She decided, having some education in art as it was, to picture this stereotypic "slut" image on film. She decided the best way to go about this would be the gang bang. So, she announced her intentions on public adult television, and history was made.

However, one can also come to the conclusion that she decided to depict the gang bang on national adult television because she herself was gang bang raped while studying abroad in London. Thought it is a tragic thing to happen, especially to such a young girl, I would like to think that the previously mentioned idea would be far more interesting. Not to mention it would be a lot less painful to think about.

Chong won a "Double Achievement Award" from Esquire Magazine for the film. She also holds the world record for for having sex with 80-plus men, multiple times resulting in the total of 251 sexual acts in a 10 hour period. It was rumored that she never received the $12,000 she was promised for making the film.

Due to the film she sparked the interest of Gough Lewis, a film student. He made a documentary about her. Chong is now retired from porn.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annabel_Chong

http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?method=4&dsid=2222&dekey=Sex%3A+The+Annabel+Chong+Story&gwp=8&curtab=2222_1&linktext=Sex%3A%20The%20Annabel%20Chong%20Story

Deep Throat = Cha-Ching!

2006-01-31T18:37:00.000-08:00

First of all I'd like to say the numbers that came out of Deep Throat, as far as what they put into it in order to make it versus what they made out if it, are staggering! If it was the Mafia who invested in the making of the film they obviously made a fabulous decision. The profit is amazing. I'm not sure what to think about the Linda Lovelace thing as far as if she was forced into making the porn. I mean, if she made other porns before it how can she really say she was made to? If a woman really felt like she was being forced into doing something, especially something legal, why wouldn't she go to the authorities, or seek out someone that could help her get away from it all? I also feel bad hearing that her husband was abusive. It kind of makes you wonder what really goes on behind closed doors.

Although I've probably talked about it before I still find it incredible that porn had, and still has, so much to do with advertising. It makes you wonder where our technology would be today if we hadn't decided to use it as an advertising technique. I wonder if we would have ever made it out of the "dark ages" of technology. If it wasn't sex that sold, then what would it have been? Or was sex always written in the cards as far as far as what was going to lead our technology into its future years?

replying to: Sex Sells

2006-01-27T15:50:00.000-08:00

Sex Sells!

I totally agree. Sex certainly does sell. In fact, you can’t go anywhere today and not see it in every ad around you. Look at all of the magazines you see when you’re checking out at the grocery store. On every cover is some scantilly clad young woman.

I also like your comment about how we found the Calvin Klein ads with the children in their underwear to be porn, but the man with the ripped shirt we thought nothing of. You talk about how it’s about our choice. How we view both of these ads. And yo’ure entirely right.

So much of what we view as pornographic is about what we like to look at. If we don’t like to look at something we’re more apt to call it porn, because society views porn as bad, and we had that view about a particular item. I wonder how much of what we look at actually does have a lot to do with if we find it pleasing to our eye. And when we do not, do we label it as wrong, as we do pornography?

soooo much $$$ invested

2006-01-25T18:21:00.000-08:00

I find it very interested that porn is a multiobillion dollar industry, yet it remains such a taboo thing in the U.S. If you go to many European countries you can find it while flipping through regular channels. I just think its an amazing thing. I mean the government must see all of the money going into this industry, and yet they continue to look the other way, as if not to see anything at all. To be blunt I"m surprised they haven't taxed the crap out of it and milk it for all it's worth.

I also think that it's amazing how poorly pornography is actually defined in our language. It’s like this huge thing that no one wants to admit that’s there. It's the pink elephant that no one wants to admit is in the room. I find this weird because it’s been around since the beginning of time.

I cannot believe that the supreme court can say they cannot define what pornography is, but they can say that they know it when they see it??? That’s just messed up. That's saying, yeh, we have power, and we're just going to say.... this... and you're going to listen to us because we said so. It just seems like there's no reasoning behind it. It just blows my mind. Then again, when you stop to think about it how many things do you think our government says and does that they do just because they felt they had the right to. No other good reasoning behind it, just because they have the power. It really makes you stop to wonder. It's a scary thing.

the brits were hilarious

2006-01-24T17:46:00.000-08:00

I thought the first video clip that we were to watch this week was quite hilarious. The British clip was excellent. So far I really enjoy how the professor tries to make the class interesting. I also think its funny how they refer back to how the internet was created to have a better look at women’s “naked bottoms.” Like you said some say it is a theory that the internet was developed just for pornography.

Speaking of the Brit’s, I think it’s also interesting how other cultures, other than our own here in the U.S., find it so easy to speak about sex so freely. I don’t understand why we need to put all of these rules and regulations in order and make such a fuss. Actually, let me rephrase that. I do understand why we need some regulations. However, I do not understand why we are not more relaxed about the topic of sex. If we were more people would feel easier about talking about it, making it less of a huge issue.

So far I am enjoying this class and the professor. I actually find him quite witty. I feel as though I’m actually going to come away from this class with a lot of knowledge I had no idea about before it. In fact, I will probably come away with a lot of knowledge that I had no intention of ever knowing. Haha. That’s kind of funny when you think about it. But who knows where it might be useful. It could definitely make for interesting conversation at a party. And what a conversation that could turn out being.

A Little Bit About Me...

2006-01-18T12:15:00.000-08:00

Hey All,

My name's Melissa... I'm a senior at UB, and cannot wait to graduate in May!!! I'm interning this semester at a place called Neon Entertainment. I'll be doing some of their public relations and promotions for them. Along with interning I'm taking 18 credits as well, so it's definitely going to be a busy semester.

Well, I guess I'll be honest... I decided to take the class because it was online, so it was easily accessible, and I wouldn't have to drive to campus in the snowy winter. Haha. But after looking it over I think it's actually quite interesting. I'm sure I'll learn something I didn't already know... and that's what it's all about, right?

Ciao! ~Melissa