Let it sink.

[Shaktimaan]

70. You are forgiven.

I'm not sure you're fully understanding my point here. I understand why you see elements in pornography that are reminiscent of real-world abuses. My question is whether causality truly exists.

There's frequently a disconnect between correlations that we experience all the time (and this is a prime example), and automatically assume that one is therefore dependent on the other. But the existence of a correlation does not in any way indicate causality.

I think that this is such an important issue because it has far reaching implications. If porn can be shown in any way to have had a direct influence on the number, brutality or normalization of rape within our society then we have an obligation to act on it. Some think we should act even if a link hast been definitively proven. But then what are the implications for other kinds of media? What about video games or violent R-rated movies? Some politicians think these things influenced the kids at Columbine. Almost all experts on the matter disagree on that point. But I'm getting a bit off topic here. My point is just that barring extensive data, how would we know where to draw a line? Can art that criticizes Christianity be linked to church bombing? Probably not but once we open that door what is to keep anyone from using it to bar any kind of "speech" they dislike.

So when I ask if there is any link between porn and rape I am talking about legitimate studies that demonstrate direct causality. This subject certainly HAS been studied. And to my knowledge there hasn't been any evidence to suggest that porn and violence against women are linked.

"Dominance," "lack of respect" -- what is the natural and normal and utterly predictable outcome or result from those attitudes?

I have no idea. Do you? How? What are you basing it on other than subjective hypothesizing? Some of the most liberal, pro-feminist cultures on the planet are also very lenient regarding porn. Look at The Netherlands or Germany for example. Personally, I think that normalizing feminist ideals comes from areas of society far more influential than movies or advertising. Look to social ideology, religion, stuff like that and you'll probably get a better indicator of how any given society treats women.

Arab states have very little porn or porn-ish advertising. But they also have a great deal of misogyny. I truly think that the liberalization of any society will include subjects as diverse as feminism AND porn. Because ultimately their existence requires the tolerance of ideologies that may run counter to our own. It is when we can allow alternative ideologies to exist that liberalism begins to flourish.