I will admit, I initially decided to read "Teledildonics Now" for two reasons: a) it was not what I was assigned to read, and hence inherently more enticing, and b) it was about sex toys. My (more outer than) inner child approves anything in regards to toys.

The article basically reviewed sex toys that were making use of technology, mainly those involving "sexual encounters via a web interface with a virtual partner" (Teledildonics Now). It relates the difficulties involved in catering to web users, mainly that most of the software was PC-compatible only, as well as the need to provide a new technology, and subsequently create a demand for it in order to ensure the success of the project.

In my opinion, the development of toys to be used online is phenomenal. It promotes a more stimulating, and perhaps healthier, version of cybersex. It allows for two things, depending on the situation. It can maintain anonymity, or bring a couple who are far apart closer together. The more successful of these toys allow for an interactivity: the partner controls the intensity and type of vibration, making cybersex more like sex being that there is a greater ability to give and take as is done in person. This quality is an important part of any relationship-one wants to feel as if they are desired, and that they are being given their pleasure. This is why many view masturbation as a lonely activity.

I found this article to be the most appropriate way to finish the reader. The author states that the "first thing[ ] humans want to do with new technology is to sexualize it." This is how we started the semester: a discussion of how the adevnt of VHS was proliferated by the adult industry. Very fitting.

On a final (and totally unrelated) point, I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to read my thoughts on such a touchy subject. This course afforded me insight into the legislation and workings involved with the porn industry. Additionally, the course allowed me to openly discuss sex, which, unfortunately, in a discussion among friends gets nothing but a few jokes, and perhaps a lecture to an irresponsible friend about the use of condoms. My only wish is that a course like this could be followed up by a course on human sexuality. One can dream, no?

I think that Australian government officials were on the right track in suggesting a mandatory self-rating system. The way I forsee such a legislation being put into practice is as follows:

The government sets a graduated rating, on a scale similar to the way movies, TV shows, and video games are rated. A website registers with the government (including information for the author of the website), proferring a rating they deem most suitable based on the rating scale. The rating is approved (or amended), and the website can then be accessible. Every year, the site is reviewed to make sure the content has not changed, and that the site is not in need of a new rating. Sites that provide news (which could include rapes) would rate a particular story, and not the whole site. Sites that are sexually educative would have a separate rating scale, along with an indication of whether the information is merely verbal, or if it includes images as well. For the sake of convenience (as this task is already daunting), the images would not be separate from the site as a whole. Sites that feature bestiality or child pornography are illegal, and would not be able to register, and hence would remain inaccessible.

I do not see the proposed act as a violation of the First Amendment: information is not being completely censored, it is being categorized so that it is not available to those who should not see it (like children).

What I do find problematic are the insinuations that images of people in underwear or bathing suits might be regarded as unwholesome – I do not see the purpose of this, as any child who frequents the beach (or walks out of his or her house in the middle of August) will get up-close and personal with people who are scantily clad, and “protecting” children from these images is useless.

I also find the name of the law (Child Pornography and Obscenity Prevention Amendments of 2006) to be overreaching. This law does not protect anyone from, nor outwardly prevent, child pornography from being placed on the internet, however it could potentially protect children from pornography. (My proposition would not allow for sites that propogate child pornography to be allowed on the internet, but that does not mean that there would be a complete elimination of child pornography – I could theoretically still maintain a “private” collection; child pornography in relation to Gonzales’ proposed law is not addressed in this article.) I believe a more appropriate title would be something akin to, “Child Protection from Pornography and Obscenity Amendment”.

Overall, I think Gonzalez has a noble idea. The inherent problem is trying to “control” the mass of information available on the internet. However, I can also see why some, such as Marv Johnson of the ACLU, would see this as problematic: if you can control how much is available about sexually explicit material than it can certainly be done in regards to political views, scientific discoveries, etc. It’s a fine line that must be trod with caution.

In previous lectures, we learned that men doing gay pornography are not always gay. Moreover, as a sort of recompense, they are paid a salary significantly higher than men in hetero porn. Because these are mainly straight men, they are not aroused by other men, and are thus administered drugs like Viagara in order to obtain, and maintain, an erection, with the hopes that the ensuing friction will be enough to lead to an orgasm-accompanied ejaculation (or at least an ejaculation, because a cum-less cum shot is bad for business).

What I would like to know is how can gay pornography be deemed as the main tool for learning when a large portion of actors are straight? These actors are feigning enjoyment. Their erections are counterfeit, and an ejaculation does not presume an orgasm. Mr. Lucas did not indicate whether or not his actors were gay, yet one only assumes that they enjoy the sex – that is the point of pornography. However, this is still a business transaction: men provide the action, Lucas (or any producer, for that matter) provides the money.  So I am wondering how one can be certain that sex is truly being enjoyed.

This blog, with the help of this article, brings this fact, this “sexual mystique” to light. Instead of lauding people like Tony Venezuela, who gave a speech about how he feels sex without a condom promotes intimacy and enhances pleasure, for openly discussing his habits and why he practices sex the way he does, he is attacked, denigrated as a propagator of unsafe sex.

I agree with the author of the blog. We need to understand why people do the things they do, not just punish them for it. For example, the book My Secret Garden, by Nancy Friday, relays the story of a woman who was raped. This woman now cannot have sex unless she is “raped”. In fact, a friend of mine recently informed me that her roommate freshman year watched animal porn. My friend was utterly disgusted. Of course, I wanted to know why. Did she have an experience that made her feel that she was closer to animals than humans? I see this as cause and effect – an insightful tool into understanding why people are turned on to certain things. This can be hepful in understanding phenomena such as child porn and bestiality.

Only open forum discussion can quell any mystery associated with the taboo that is sex. Those who are made uncomfortable by the thought have two options: a) Ignore it. Just because information is out there does not mean you must access it, or b) get over the initial discomfort and understand that this is not about demoralizing people, but rather about educating people. Academic discourse about sex and sexuality will serve to alienate people less and elucidate the arena of STDs and pregnancy (moreso, in my opinion, than pornography, where it is often experienced alone and the aftermath of sex, protected or otherwise, is rarely examined).

First off, I would like to commend you for your requirement of condom use and sobriety. I think that is something that would behoove heterosexual pornographers to take part in. Unfortunately, they give in to societal demands and neglect condom usage because an unwrapped penis makes sex more pleasurable.

I would like to know your views on the sexual distance the media projects onto gays in the media. What are your thoughts on the origin of this attitude? Along this vein, how do you feel about attitudes espoused by other gay pornographers?

I used to watch the show “Queer as Folk” on occasion. I recall once reading a review of this show in the Jerusalem Post when it started airing in Israel (I believe), and it proclaimed that this was a perfect show for homosexuals in Israel, especially those in the religious community who are alone in their self-discovery. If my recollection serves me properly, I think the show portrayed successful men, a couple acting as foster parents (who was a straight HIV positive teen), a lesbian couple with a baby, and the struggle for gay marriage. The show was also sexually explicit. What are your views on this show and its portrayal of the gay community?

As a child, I was very interested in the ever-present question, “Where do babies come from?” To this day I thank my parents for being open enough with me to be able to take out a book from the library. I was about four. It was an illustrated children’s book that explained the mechanics of sex and the biology of pregnancy. It was also in Hebrew. I do not know if there is an equivalent in English, however if there isn’t one, I would strongly recommend it.

The lack of such a book would be indicative of our society: one that is closed and does not talk about such intimate things as sex, thereby making it taboo. There are countless advertisements and commercials about how parents should talk to their children about smoking, drugs, and alcohol. Why is sex any different? For the child curious to learn about sex, human sexuality, and the human anatomy the internet can be a scary place. A simple search, even if for purely educative purposes, will yield a plethora of pornography sites. I was lucky enough to have a home that was warm and open, where no question was avoided, no matter how potentially “embarrassing”. In this light, my parents told me that if I was ever interested in searching online for anything sex related, that they would be more than willing to sit with me and help me search. They would help me pick sites that were safe for my young eyes to look at, and then I would be free to browse those sites.

One might argue that once they left I could do whatever I wanted. Anyone who uses the internet, however, also knows how to track websites visited; knowing this, why would I look at something my parents requested I not look at? Open parents would also explain why this material is inappropriate, and not just because, “I’m too young”, but rather because I was not experienced enough in this arena to understand that much of pornography is fake, and that the attitudes conveyed by the “actors” are not ones that should be learned before learning how a sexual relationship should be handled.

As a result of my postive experiences, I believe that if parents opened up to their children, giving reasons, teaching, and not being embarrassed to discuss one of the most basic of human needs then we wouldn’t have to worry as much about curious children who purposely or intentionally find material that is unsuitable for their eyes.

It's no secret that people watch porn. Although It is not commonly used as a learning tool, mannerisms and attitudes are picked up by watchers through its use. Part of this would be for women to see fellating a man as a degrading action (I imagine it has something to do with the head-pushing thing). Beyond the aforementioned action, a large part of this attitude is due to how it is shown: that the man has the control, commanding his partner to "suck his cock". However, what is completely misunderstood is that the girl is truly the one with the power and control. She can opt to oblige her male counterpart, or to ignore his request.  She can please, do a mediocre job, or hurt (she can even severely maime, but I believe there are litigations attached to that).  

I think that if respect were purported as the fundamentals of any relationship, sexual or otherwise, there would not be this confusion.  Moreover, girls might be more willing to fellate their men  

I believe that this so-called myth is in fact true.  Pornography is merely one person's (generally a man) sexual desires.  Every person has desires, some more outlandish than others.  However, not every person wants his or her sexual fantasies played out in real life.  This is the case with porn: a fantasy is shared with the public, but not it is not intended to create social norms within a given society.  It is acknowledged that the sex industry pushes the envelope in order to make a quick buck, and that's where it ends, the end credits flashing, "No women harmed during the making of this production."  I consider this to be on par to when a network television station airing a program that it does not necessarily condone.  That is implied when a station does its programming; likewise with pornography.   

The Root Chakra

I believe that this is one of the better blogs I have read thus far.  The author of this blog consistently brings forth novel ideas.  It is evident that (s)he thoroughly thinks about the post before writing it; they are all well written and quite articulate.  It is also clear that he considers the information being presented before sitting down at his/her computer to write an entry, and does not merely regurgitate information.

Sex, Pugs and Rock and Roll

What I especially enjoy about this blog is that the author constantly refers to his/her own experiences into the blog.  I feel that this strengthens the arguments made.  Additionally, the information is always presented in a witty and humorous manner, which makes keeping up on this blog that much more interesting.

Urban Developer 

These posts are constantly well articulate, providing a fesh view on the material presented in lecture.  I also like that these posts are generally succinct, getting to the point as soon as it is made. 

To say that most rapists, as Ted Bundy claimed, were deeply invested in pornography is not a reflection of the medium of porn, but is rather a reflection of the persons involved.  Pornogaphy is common to serial rapists because they share a personality characteristic.  Persons with similar personalities tend to the same pastimes.  Ergo, those with an inclination to misogyny and a demeaning sexual affect will watch porn that demonstrates their interest.  For some, this will serve as an outlet, a way to express their desires in a safe zone, one in which they can get what they want without harming anybody.  However, som take it to the next level, and act out what they see.

I believe that this tendency is cultural (a view proven by the fact that Japan is notorious for the amount of porn available, and yet has few rape cases).  Perhaps it is because pornography is not mainstreamed in our culture.  It is seen, much like sex itself, as something taboo.  Asmuch as we would like to believe that our culture has changed, w We still live in a society in which women are degraded and are seen as possessions, a fact that is further shown in pornography.  If our attitudes toward women as an entity change, perhaps our pornography will change as well.