Why is There Such a Fascination with Porn?

[Sleeppy]

Why is there such a fascination with people pretending that natural human drives and behaviors don't apply to them?

Depends on the person.. Some to a lesser degree. Some are more resistant.

 

[Sunstone]

Several good takes here (TY). I agree that sex is (and this being a fact, inarguable) is a natural part of life. What I find to be unnatural is the obsession with it.

Americans are such prudes they call almost anything to do with sex "obsessive".

 

[apophenia]

People view porn because doing so results in a rush of hormones and dopamine.

In a similar way, watching sport raises hormone levels. Watching your team win produces a substantial rise in testosterone levels.

Our society complains of our children having sex at much younger ages and raising the population in which in turn is killing the very planet in which we depend to live (if you even try to argue this point, please don’t with me, you will not change my mind; it is what it is and facts are facts

On the subject of facts - the global population isn't rising because of " our children having sex at much younger ages". It is rising because couples have more than 2.1 children on average. The population has been rising throughout history. It is only developed countries which have recently reduced population growth. Generally speaking, more educated and wealthy populations have reduced population growth.

Most of the population growth in developed countries is actually coming from migrant populations who bring with them from poorer countries their tendency to larger families.

Nevertheless you are right that population pressure is trashing the earth, though to be accurate, it is not so much the population size as the insane levels of overconsumption and irresponsible environmental practices which is the problem there.

 

[horizon_mj1]

Americans are such prudes they call almost anything to do with sex "obsessive".

When you have people actually not living life, but just shoving their faces into pornography instead, I call this obsessive. Maybe several Americans are prudes, but I see prudes everywhere, its just the concept of "prude" maybe viewed differently

 

[horizon_mj1]

People view porn because doing so results in a rush of hormones and dopamine.

In a similar way, watching sport raises hormone levels. Watching your team win produces a substantial rise in testosterone levels.



On the subject of facts - the global population isn't rising because of " our children having sex at much younger ages". It is rising because couples have more than 2.1 children on average. The population has been rising throughout history. It is only developed countries which have recently reduced population growth. Generally speaking, more educated and wealthy populations have reduced population growth.

Most of the population growth in developed countries is actually coming from migrant populations who bring with them from poorer countries their tendency to larger families.

Nevertheless you are right that population pressure is trashing the earth, though to be accurate, it is not so much the population size as the insane levels of overconsumption and irresponsible environmental practices which is the problem there.

Thank you soooo much for your reply (finally I know the logical reason why some people find pornography so intriguing). Good point on the population levels, and I agree overconsumption and irresponsible environmental practices rule the list for species eradications

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Because quite often they will have you laughing more than a comedy will.

To address porn being desirable, there are many reasons that are rooted in several areas. One being it is a forbidden fruit. Our society is still rather quite Puritan when it comes to sexuality, which means sex and nudity become taboo which makes them desirable. We tend to be so prudish that general nudity in a non-sexual presentation is even a no-no. It is also a way to fantasize, vicariously indulge in fetishes, enjoyment, stimulation, and although a terrible teacher to sometimes even learn. And porn is also desirable because how can you keep a straight face through it? I watched one just the other day with a girl whose moans were just too much. :biglaugh:

But as for the media, it's to blame but not as much as people like to think it is. The media mostly just portrays what is sexual, which the woes of the "ideal woman" the media portrays is another discussion. And while the media portrays sexuality to an obscure degree (I saw a commercial awhile ago using a pretty lame sexual innuendo to sell a sleep-aid pill.), it is mostly because of it's forbidden fruit status. Janet's nipple causing such a controversy shows just how forbidden it is. It's on the same social par with Marilyn Manson and Eminem becoming huge hits because they got all the free advertising anyone could ever hope for by causing a large controversy.

 

[horizon_mj1]

Because quite often they will have you laughing more than a comedy will.

To address porn being desirable, there are many reasons that are rooted in several areas. One being it is a forbidden fruit. Our society is still rather quite Puritan when it comes to sexuality, which means sex and nudity become taboo which makes them desirable. We tend to be so prudish that general nudity in a non-sexual presentation is even a no-no. It is also a way to fantasize, vicariously indulge in fetishes, enjoyment, stimulation, and although a terrible teacher to sometimes even learn. And porn is also desirable because how can you keep a straight face through it? I watched one just the other day with a girl whose moans were just too much. :biglaugh:

But as for the media, it's to blame but not as much as people like to think it is. The media mostly just portrays what is sexual, which the woes of the "ideal woman" the media portrays is another discussion. And while the media portrays sexuality to an obscure degree (I saw a commercial awhile ago using a pretty lame sexual innuendo to sell a sleep-aid pill.), it is mostly because of it's forbidden fruit status. Janet's nipple causing such a controversy shows just how forbidden it is. It's on the same social par with Marilyn Manson and Eminem becoming huge hits because they got all the free advertising anyone could ever hope for by causing a large controversy.

I get your point (very well stated). IYO do you think maybe there would be less commercials using sexual innuendos if nudity was not so taboo? My thing is not so much with the nudity (or the scantily dressed) so much as it is how and to what it is pertaining to. A pool, beach etc. near nudity should be expected, but as you stated of the commercial using sexuality to try and sell a sleeping aid is pathetic IMO. My favorite one to rip on is a commercial showing a woman in bed with nothing but a pair of underwear and shoes on for the attempt to sell shoes designed to supposedly help you lose weight (Really!?). Let us not forget little miss gaga; she to me is a prime example of a self centered voyeur who's addiction is attention.

 

[Penumbra]

Sex/Reproduction is one of the fundamental drives of life. Humans are one of the only species who can take the concept of sex, and strip away the reproduction part of it and separate the process of enjoyment, and enjoy the two separately. So people can watch porn, look at erotic art, read erotic stories, masturbate, have sex with birth control, etc.

In certain forms, most of those are probably good things. It allows people to engage in their desires without creating offspring (and we have a population problem). In addition, with marriage occurring so late after puberty (often over a decade), the mismatch between biological readiness and psychological readiness is large.

If there's a problem with sexuality in culture, I don't think it's that people are obsessed with it. I think it's that people are repressed with it. Sex is often viewed as secret, dirty, inappropriate, and the result seems to be that it can manifest in unhealthy ways. Sex, and the enjoyment of sex, is natural.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Sex/Reproduction is one of the fundamental drives of life. Humans are one of the only species who can take the concept of sex, and strip away the reproduction part of it and separate the process of enjoyment, and enjoy the two separately. So people can watch porn, look at erotic art, read erotic stories, masturbate, have sex with birth control, etc.

We are far from the only species that has sex for reasons other than reproduction. Chimps, bonobos, and dolphins are especially known for having sex for pleasure, group bonding, and reconciliation. Even porcupines have seen to pleasure themselves.

IYO do you think maybe there would be less commercials using sexual innuendos if nudity was not so taboo?

Probably. Our sexual repression is what makes it a goal to work it into as many references as possible.

 

[Penumbra]

We are far from the only species that has sex for reasons other than reproduction. Chimps, bonobos, and dolphins are especially known for having sex for pleasure, group bonding, and reconciliation. Even porcupines have seen to pleasure themselves.

Probably. Our sexual repression is what makes it a goal to work it into as many references as possible.

I specifically said "one of the only species". Not "the only species".

 

[horizon_mj1]

Sex/Reproduction is one of the fundamental drives of life. Humans are one of the only species who can take the concept of sex, and strip away the reproduction part of it and separate the process of enjoyment, and enjoy the two separately. So people can watch porn, look at erotic art, read erotic stories, masturbate, have sex with birth control, etc.

In certain forms, most of those are probably good things. It allows people to engage in their desires without creating offspring (and we have a population problem). In addition, with marriage occurring so late after puberty (often over a decade), the mismatch between biological readiness and psychological readiness is large.

If there's a problem with sexuality in culture, I don't think it's that people are obsessed with it. I think it's that people are repressed with it. Sex is often viewed as secret, dirty, inappropriate, and the result seems to be that it can manifest in unhealthy ways. Sex, and the enjoyment of sex, is natural.

I agree. All of your key points are backed by science as well:angel2:

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I specifically said "one of the only species". Not "the only species".

We are far from one of the only.

 

[Penumbra]

We are far from one of the only.

Read the whole post please.

Humans are one of the only species who can take the concept of sex, and strip away the reproduction part of it and separate the process of enjoyment, and enjoy the two separately. So people can watch porn, look at erotic art, read erotic stories, masturbate, have sex with birth control, etc.

Humans are the only ones that can do that. There's a spectrum of behaviors that animals can do with regards to sex. Some only do it for reproduction, while some of the more intelligent animals tend to enjoy it for what it is. Not only can humans do that, but humans are the only ones that can take the concept of it and turn it into media, or construct devices to make sure reproduction doesn't happen.

It's no surprise, then, that sex would come up in multiple areas and in multiple ways.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Read the whole post please.

Humans are one of the only species who can take the concept of sex, and strip away the reproduction part of it and separate the process of enjoyment, and enjoy the two separately. So people can watch porn, look at erotic art, read erotic stories, masturbate, have sex with birth control, etc.

Humans are the only ones that can do that. There's a spectrum of behaviors that animals can do with regards to sex. Some only do it for reproduction, while some of the more intelligent animals tend to enjoy it for what it is. Not only can humans do that, but humans are the only ones that can take the concept of it and turn it into media, or construct devices to make sure reproduction doesn't happen.

I gotta ya know. I was reading too much into the first part of it.

 

[outhouse]

Humans are one of the only species who can take the concept of sex, and strip away the reproduction part of it and separate the process of enjoyment, and enjoy the two separately.

Dolphins are pretty horny im not so sure about that

 

[Drolefille]

Dolphins are pretty horny im not so sure about that

The post you quoted said "one of"

 

[Scott C.]

The Idea that sex is "Private" is a modern concept. As is the idea that it is something that should be kept from the gaze of the young.

Actually, it's an ancient religious concept, regardless of valid historical examples of exceptions.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Dolphins are pretty horny im not so sure about that

I think she is refering to how we can enjoy it in many more forms than other animals, such as through pornography. There are plenty of other animals that do it for reasons other than reproduction though. My anthropology text book even has a picture of two female bonobos getting it in to reconcile over a fight or something they apparently had.

 

[horizon_mj1]

We are the only species known with the ability to control these urges, so why don't we?If you are mentally challenged this may be problematic, otherwise what is the prob?

 

[Penumbra]

We are the only species known with the ability to control these urges, so why don't we?If you are mentally challenged this may be problematic, otherwise what is the prob?

Control in what sense?