pornography and erotica

[De Leonist]

56. I'm sorry but....

No matter the arguments I read for how to define either term I find them ultimately subjective at best and quite frankly with no way to objectively define either term. My stance is thus, human sexuality is multidimensional and extremely complex. I view pornography and erotica as essentially the same thing in nature. Visual, and at times literary, expressions of human sexuality meant to arouse us in some fashion. Yes often unrealistic and idealized. But also sometimes closer to reality than others. I count anything from what many might perceive to be the dirtiest, nastiest, raunchiest, hardcore and violent "smut" to the most elegant, beautiful, tender, and loving "erotica" and all the forms of "porn" in between as having the same purpose.

Some I suppose will not like that because in their minds pornography is supposed to be exploitive while Erotica is not. I don't find that "definition" particularly useful in this sort of discussion Now that is not to say that serious and widespread issues of exploitation do not exist in industries that specialize in producing sexual entertainment or that they do not deserve our utmost attention in solving. But rather that even in "porn" that many here might mind offensive to their personal mores or tastes (well the legal kind anyway) it is possible to find people who are aware of and consenting to what their doing and at the same time actually find it to be a sexually desirable activity on their part, whether that person be a man or a woman. Also I think when it comes to judging whether something is a morally acceptable representation of human sexual activity it should be, imho, based on at least 3 factors.

1. Consent: If it is not deliberately clear and consensual on the part of all those involved in it's production than it is by it's very nature immoral, cruel, and out right illegal. Now many forms of porn are found offensive by vast swathes of people. But still the question needs to be is it consensual on the part of those involved in sexual activity as THE defining aspect as to whether it is morally acceptable or not. I also include fictional portrayals of sexual activity that might be interpreted as being "rape porn" in this as well since I just can not think of an intellectually honest reason to automatically condemn it.

I realize many find such depictions outright disgusting and that yes I am aware those who have suffered such horror in real life can have their emotional trauma retriggered if they inadvertently stumble upon it. But in the few studies I am aware of on the subject no evidence has actually been found to suggest that those who enjoy fictional depictions of forced sexual activity are anymore likely to participate in actual attempts of rape than those who do not, or any other violent or illegal activity for that matter. Nor have am I aware of any evidence that suggests it contributes to increased amounts of rape. Now if there is evidence that such depictions do contribute to either or any form of sexual violence that I haven't mention than please by all means share. Before moving on I feel I should say in my experience those who like take to part in sexual roleplaying of nonconsensual sex whether in private or for the viewing pleasure of others seem to prefer the term "ravishment" to rape.

2.Safety: I think this one is fairly straight forward. The well-being of all involved should be just as important as consent. If doesn't prioritize the safety of the actors and other individuals involved it needs to be ceased at once. Though I do think how much consideration that is given to safety, to a certain extent, can be left up to the personal discretion of those involved.

3. Legality: Last but certainly not least is the Legality of the sexual activity involved and those who will be portraying the sexual activity. In other words are those will be participating in any sex of any kind allowed to do by law. If the sexually active members of the production are not legally able to consent or if the sexual activity depicted is illegal than, again, it's production and distribution should be ceased immediately.

In my opinion the above three factors should be the bare minimum at deciding whether or not something is an acceptable depiction of sexual activity. Not, as some have wished to do, have a panel of censors who try to decide if it's "Erotica" or "Porn" based on factors that aren't really all that solid and pretty much subjective to each person.

Lastly, I think we need to scrap the idea that somehow smut, porn, and erotica are objectively different to each other in any real way. Since they are all depictions of sexual activity between humans or as depictions of single individual in a sexually provocative way it really is pointless to actually try to define these terms outside of personal opinion. Granted some are more explicit with others less so but still at the end of the day they are all still meant to arouse us in some way sexually. Which can occur in a number of different ways in both men and women.