When did "Pornstar" become a job title to aspire to?
When I was a kid, there was the big three, "Doctor, Fireman, Astronaut". I would draw pictures of myself in those costumes. Though only I could tell that the red crayola hat was indeed a hat, and not an elephant sitting on a stick figures head. Not once do I remember drawing myself naked in front of a stick figure camera man and a naked woman with baboon. Im pretty sure it would have been a trip to the guidance councilers office.
When I was seventeen, the big three had changed to, "Lawyer, Artist, Rockstar". No more drawings of myself, I drew everyone else at this point. I never had the aspiration to get nude and cover myself in vegetable oil for a webcam.
I wasn't unfamiliar with sex at this point, but being a romantic I had always felt that sex was something special, shared between two people, and hopefully those two people would be deeply in love. I wasn't unfamiliar with pornography at this point either. Dad had a subscription to Playboy, Penthouse, and Hustler. Maybe it was just me, but I always prefered Playboy. I appreciated the art of the female form, it was just hard to see some of the layouts in Hustler and think of them as artistic. You couldnt take a biology class, and get a closer view. Not my thing.
Im thirty-three now. I'm old, cranky, and in many ways cynical. I've seen and done alot in my life. Some things I'm proud of, others I'd prefer to forget. Like that time in Tiajuana.... but thats another blog.... maybe....
I watch alot of late night television. If any of you are up to the wee hours of the morning with me than you'll probably guess where this is going.
Girls Gone Wild... Phone Sex Commercials... Cinemax... Katie Morgans HBO Specials.... Real Sex.... the list of nakedness is exhaustive between the hours of midnight and five A.M.
I could go on about all of them, but my main gripe is GGW. I hope I'm not stepping on any feminist toes, and I understand the whole "burn your bra" idealism, but what the fuck happened to class? I know I'm not living in some pseudo innocent Victorian age, where if a woman shows her ankle, I'm s'pose to get all flustered and tug at my collar to let the steam free. Shit, I live in El Paso, so I can change the TV to telemundo in the afternoon, and see more bikini's than an Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
I see one of the GGW commercials, and there's all these GIRLS (note: NOT women) dancing around to cheesy carribean music, grabbing thier tops and pulling them overhead, like it's the seventies, and they're trying to impress Jim Morrison on-stage. Yeah yeah, sexual freedom, I get it. But then the scene moves onward, and though they strategically place their logo on certain areas (to avoid the FCC coming down on thier asses like a lawsuit weilding jackhammer), you can tell that the GIRLS are masterbating for the camera. What's going to happen when these GIRLS turn fifty, and thier kid comes home with some vintage tapes his friend gave him, and theres mom, on camera, playing with the little man in the boat? What's she going to say? I was young and naive? No mom, you were drunk and stupid.
I have a myspace. Daily, I'm inundated with friend requests from pornbots, with pics of ass. Who are these GIRLS? Why exactly is it necessary to show your ass to millions? Is it some kind of exhibitionist turn-on? Does the word "whore" no longer have any sting left in it?
Maybe it's just me. I like the mystery, but If I've seen your ass on youtube theres just no mystery left.
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You exactly right, something is really wrong with our society.
Who knows? It'd be interesting to see some demographic information on the girls from the videos. Yes, yes, something other than 'college-age Caucasian female' would be dandy. I'm as amazed as you are by all of it. Maybe there's no concept of foresight on their part? Maybe they're only half human? Maybe they're a divergent branch of human evolution that skipped the moral sections of the brain for a wilder streak? The questions are endless.
It's amazing what the social lubricant will allow people to blame on it. There hasn't been a time that I was drunk (in all of its varying degrees) that I did something that part of me didn't want to do, so I don't have any tolerance for the excuse 'it was the alcohol, not me'. It's a wonderful scapegoat, but, unfortunately, it can't the be case.
My current theory: overly protective parents and lack of openness about sexuality leads frustrated girls to explode during the college years.
It's like wading through a swamp full of whores to find the few good ones that still exist :-/
I think alcohol does have a lot to do with it. It allows people to make bad decisions that work for them in the moment and it inhibits the ability to remember the potential repercussions. So, yes, the girls may be doing something they "want" to do, but would they EVER do it sober? I can't imagine they would, because sober, they would have the ability to think, "What if my DAD sees this, or my uncle, or my future father-in-law?"
Your current theory may have some truth to it, but I think it's the alcohol that lights the fuse. None of the girls in those videos appear sober.
*disclaimer* No, I'm not some dirty lesbian who watches videos of college girls flashing. I used to work overnights in a group home that required caregivers to stay awake, and GGW ads were on ten---10!-- channels all night long. I may have them memorized, just from flipping past them so often. I can tell you a lot about ProActiv too.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Before it was college years. I was watching Battlestar Galactica last night (Greatest F'in show EVER btw), and I saw the commercial that inspired this tirade. I couldn't believe what I was seeing advertised. Apparently the newest dvd they're releasing is entitled "Finally Eighteen" It turned my stomach.
Wasn't the guy that releases this fucking trash, once anally raped by a former henchman? On camera? For blackmail purposes? I think I saw it on some VH1 special....
KARMA.
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"One of the things that draws writers to writing, is that they can get things right that they got wrong in real life, by writing about them"
~ Tobias Wolffe
People would rather degrade themselves in front of a camera for some quick cash than they would get an education, and have a real job.
It's disgusting
Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.
I agree. I'm a girl and the whole "show what's underneath the clothes" thing isn't for me. I don't want some random guy seeing my body, it's sick. My body is only for my future husband, no one else. It really annoys me when I see those of my gender flaunting what they've got just to get with some guy. It's like they have no dignity or respect for themselves.
In science, we are taught that we are all affected by alcohol in different ways. Some people are drunk after one drink others after three. But, no matter what we know that you lose your inhibitions after you drink. Why would you do something if you know you have no control later? On the other hand some women do those commercials and things for attention. They feel as though they see others do it it's okay. I believe that if you are confident in who you are you will not do something for acceptance or amusement of others. The key is to make your own choices when you do that, you have to accept those consequences.
God's blessings
mz_christainpoet
i can't say I don't appreciate the "art of the female", but yeah I've seen too many girls wanting to star in something like this. I'm lucky to have scored one that doesn't want to do that, but I've known a couple that would want to. The age of innocence IS in face outta here, and there's an unknown nostalgia about it.
Thanks FullyAware!!!! ya know, i don't think people really go out wanting to be a pornstar (because it's not really sexual liberation but degradation... it devalues the beauty of the individual with commonality and their sexuality without concern for their personality).
there was an indie... i wanna say rena owen made it... "finding ___..." can't remember the name
but she interviewed successful actresses who started out in the biz wanting to act, but when they'd go into interviews with directors or producers or whatever, they didn't care about their talent at all but how well they would screw. eek! so sex sells on both sides of the screen... 
may be that's why there have been so few good movies lately...
but then, the publicity of these women is to the point where girls think that this is all normal--that sexuality is their source of self esteem. what an expectation! and it spreads, feeding on low self esteem... ugh--whatever happened to shame?
Shame passed away a little while ago. It's a tragic loss. I thought we sent you an invite to the funeral, but it must have gotten lost in the mail. Actually, judging by the times, it was probably stolen from your mailbox by someone who thought it was a credit card application they could use to ruin your credit. Anyway, it was a kind of small gathering, as most of shame's good friends couldn't make it on account of them also being dead. She'll be missed. She currently occupies a shallow grave next to Decency, Liberty, Freedom, and Critical Thinking. RIP.
You forgot about Common Sense.
-- quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Don't forget who else died this past decade.
Chivalry ~ Died because of a rohypnol overdose.
Pride ~ Autoerotic asphyxiation on camera gave her heatstroke.
Clemency ~ Accidently electrocuted at Guantanamo Bay.
Common Sense ~ Left the safety off when cleaning his gun.
They will all be sorely missed....
:'((
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"One of the things that draws writers to writing, is that they can get things right that they got wrong in real life, by writing about them"
~ Tobias Wolffe
Ooh! You win--those were great
Chivalry was barely even alive to begin with. The whole thought of chivalry began in the middle ages between knights and their maiden, but in reality, even then it didn't exist. They were brought about in tales initially told by the Catholic Church (a time during the Catholic Church's major uprising), in attempts to influence the attraction between a male and a female through morals and manners.
In reality, the middle ages were full of violence, lack of control, bloodlust, prostitution, corruption, and oppression (am I missing anything). Chivalry died at birth. It doesn't exist, nor can it. The LAWS of attraction do not have chivalry anywhere in code. Through science, we know that attraction between two individuals is no more advanced than animal instincts.
Men claim to be turned on by big breasts, wide hips, high cheek bones... but they aren't. All those characteristics show the amount of estrogen they have, considering it is estrogen that gives them those characteristics. The same goes for the opposite. Women like broad shoulders, strong jaw/chin, etc. These too are simple signs of testosterone. While we think these characteristics are what turns us on, in reality it's simply hormones.
Chivalry does not exist. Trust me, I've tried to use it in my past and failed miserably, looking like a weirdo and being taken advantage of. There are girls who like guys who show kindness, but chivalry is a step too far. It was a lie to begin with, and will always be. Don't believe everything the Church tells you. You'd be surprised how much is false.
I hardly equate a stupid, drunk 15 minutes on GGW to pornographic stardom. I also doubt that most middle/high school girls are daydreaming in class about the day they can finally expose themselves on GGW or elsewhere.
That's for ME to day dream about.
However, if kids were considering a career in, uh, "adult acting", at least that's a realistic goal. Schools try so hard to tell kids they should think of "realistic goals" as opposed to something unlikely, such as a professional athlete or a Hollywood Starlet, or a rock star. I think that's the real shame.
I have no problem with sexual freedom, more power to people. But I agree with what you've said. I don't think their aspiring to be a porn star, but they really don't care how degraded they are. So I really have no pity for the ones who sue because they didn't want the video released.
Im thirty-three now. I'm old, cranky, and in many ways cynical.
That's apparent. I understand your problem with all the GGW stuff, but I guess I don't think it's as horrible as you think. They are young, a little tipsy, and having a good time. Whether or not they have any self respect is debatable as the word "respect" is just a matter of opinion. I agree with Ben.Tier, it's hardly the same thing as a career in pornography, and as a future director I take a little offense to your equation. But those MySpace Friend requests are annoying.
I was young and naive? No mom, you were drunk and stupid.
Why not all four?
Maybe it was just me, but I always prefered Playboy.
I always thought Hustler was the best. I get why some people would be turned off by that magazine, but they at least were a little realistic. The women in Playboy (who don't have pubes) are a complete turnoff. Sorry to go of on a tangent.
All in all, this was a very good post.
“I hope the departure is joyful and I hope never to return.” - Frida Kahlo
Seacrest Out
Really what has our world come to? It's so sad to see these girls who think that they have to expose themselves in just downright stupid ways for the sole purpose of attention. Girls these days see that they have to do that to be worth something. What happened to when women were worth for their modesty? It died along with chivalry. It's really sad to see it happening now.
They wanted 'liberation' and 'equality'... maybe there should have been some fine print?
'Girls these days' or girls in any era don't have to do such idiotic and whorish things to get attention. Well, I should qualify that: to get the attention of people that matter [read: not the drooling, pre-pubescent demographic that's watching infomercials at 2am], girls don't have to resort to this. Truthfully, to get the attention of people that matter, it's best not to act like a complete drunk slut. It's something of a turnoff.
It's criminal that such nice bodies would contain such dysfunctional brains. Oh well, not all irony can be pleasant. Hopefully they don't breed.
I feel just like you do. Don't these girls have any dignity? Or shame for that matter?
Just another reason why I don't have a MySpace. I'm not much into the whole "website about me" concept. I have a Facebook profile, but I practically never check it. The only time I want to have a website about me, it'll be about whatever my profession happens to be at the time.
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Visit my blog! I'll even provide a link for ya:
Comments are always appreciated!
I'm just crossing my fingers and waiting on the day MySpace tanks like Geocities did. Remember the Geocities rage? Same thing. Free hosting for dumb people. MySpace is just the lowering of that already-low bar.
I personally have a Myspace. However, I STRICTLY filter the people that I add to my friends list. I only add people I know personally, like from school and stuff. I've also got some band websites, but I'd hardly call them friends.
However, my point is... Myspace, for me, isn't about "a website about me". It's about staying in touch with friends and family members. I think it's just a matter of preference. All I'm saying is that Myspace can be so much more than a "website about me".
“Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart ... Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.” -Carl Jung
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that showing your naughty bits on GGW, will necessarily turn you into a pornstar. The fact that theres so much pornagraphy now accepted by mainstream society does, however, hint that pornagraphy will soon be something one might aspire too.
Earlier someone was saying to have realistic goals. Using that arguement than, those people that have been cursed from birth to occupy a place in what society deems "trailerpark, ghetto, varrio, etc.", are foredestined to end up being drugdealers, pimps, and prostitutes. Thats not the case. Having come from one myself, I KNOW that it was my ability to hope and dream that helped to elevate me from my circumstances.
Rockstar is a realistic goal, as long as you have a modicum of talent and a helluvah producer.
Professional Athlete is also a realistic goal, with a touch of talent, and the patience and fortitude to follow through with a heavy workout regimin.
There is NOTHING on this Earth that a child given enough love, stability, and resources can't accomplish.
Proof? Someone once told G.W. that he could be president one day, and even though his intelligence quotient is equal to an eggplant, he managed..... God help us all.
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"One of the things that draws writers to writing, is that they can get things right that they got wrong in real life, by writing about them"
~ Tobias Wolffe
I know some women who are in porn and/or prostitution, and are also strong, self-confident, educated, and intelligent. It really depends on the woman.
Generally though I think you're right. They're just young girls swept into a world they have no clue about, they don't realize how much it's going to affect them.
I understand what you're saying; society does put too much emphasis on sex. But one can choose to aspire to do whatever they choose. I don't know many people who actually aspire to do pornography, and there are many porn stars who knew that was what they wanted to do as young as twelve. Although I don't think I would want to do pornography I can't knock people who are doing what they love and have no objections to it themselves. I live with a single parent who hates her job, is easily frustrated and is miserable, but stays because the income is good and she must support me and herself. I wouldn't wish the situation she's in on anyone else. As long as your happy, and fulfilled.
All I have to say is... THANK YOU!!! I can't believe some people actually PAY to watch that TRASH! If more people had these opinions and expressed them openly, MAYBE, just maybe the porn industry would collapse... or at least be wounded to the point of financial devistation.
“Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart ... Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.” -Carl Jung
I'm with FullyAware. I think perhaps part of the reason women do that is not just the attention, or the fifteen minutes of fame, but to try and feel like they have some value in life. (Please excuse my psychology persona talking here) One of the biggest needs in life is to feel not only loved, but needed or wanted. If women know that they can get men to want them by showing themselves off that way, it seems to fulfill that need. No, it's not right, and yes, it's sad that our culture has degraded us to that level, but I still think it's true.
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"Everyone feels benevolent if nothing happens to be annoying him at the moment." - C.S. Lewis
sex sells thats the way it is its been the motto for commercials, telvision, practically EVERYTHING now a days i mean ok its not classy and the girls in these GGW shows yeah are NOT EVEN 18 i mean im 18 and i guess ive always had self control...i think alcohol is an excuse to act the way they do....i mean i wont say that i HAVENT been to cancun over spring break but i think this is the time for them to actually break away from their parents and stuff like that....i think its sick..I dont know whatever happened to actting your age but with my generation and everyone after mine is getting dumber....oh what is our world turning into!
being naked isn't a job and it sets a bad example for children exspecially when theres children doing so many kids look up to people like britney spears an paris hilton when all they are is sex objects it's not cool to be naked thats something special to share with the one you love an porn is tell young people to go out an have sex ab theres somany diseases out there these days that they can catch!! it's not cool.
I couldn't have said it better myself!
“Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart ... Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.” -Carl Jung
I agree with you, porn should not be a job title. I, too, have seen those commercials in the middle of the night for girls gone wild or sex phone talks but I believe there is a reason why those types of shows are on in the middle of night...because most people are sleeping. Also, the Girls Gone Wild those girls are very immature in my opinion. I mean yeah they were drunk but still it does not justify the stupidness of them show off there ta-tas and pleasuring each other for what, a free t-shirt and a couple of laughs throughout there trip. They wont be laughing when their daughters grow up and think its ok to do. I have a 5 month old daughter and I would NEVER do anything like that because I don't want to pass on the thought that its ok for her to get drunk and show off her body to the world.
So yes, an excellent point.
When I was a kid, there was the big three, "Doctor, Fireman, Astronaut". I would draw pictures of myself in those costumes. ... When I was seventeen, the big three had changed to, "Lawyer, Artist, Rockstar". ..
I love this image! Being female, I never experienced an omnipresent occupational troika lingering in my future. Rather, my future was seemingly marred by a stark duality: that of wife versus whore.
Girls Gone Wild... Phone Sex Commercials... Cinemax... Katie Morgans HBO Specials.... Real Sex.... the list of nakedness is exhaustive between the hours of midnight and five A.M....
I hope I'm not stepping on any feminist toes, and I understand the whole "burn your bra" idealism, but what the fuck happened to class?
A little unfettered capitalism can go a long way towards the annihilation of decency and virtue.
On the GGW commercials ... there's all these GIRLS (note: NOT women) dancing around to cheesy carribean music, grabbing thier tops and pulling them overhead, like it's the seventies, and they're trying to impress Jim Morrison on-stage.
I've also taken notice of the proliferation of girls rather than women in popular culture, which has not only become more accepting of the sale of sex via pornography but has simultaneously become more overtly sexualized in general.
Who are these GIRLS?
I wonder about the girls, too. Not just the Girls that have Gone Wild, but the other ones, the ones who appear in free and paid internet porn, not to mention the younger ones who have witnessed the media lavish attention on Spoiled Rich Whores such as Paris Hilton.
Why exactly is it necessary to show your ass to millions? Is it some kind of exhibitionist turn-on?
Questions abound. What are their motivations? How many of them are making money off of the sale of their sexuality? Are any of them giving the matter any forethought? How many of them are participating genuinely consensually, free of any coercion or exploitation?
Maybe it's just me.
Definitely not. As I see it, humans have twisted and manipulated their sexual nature for all of History, making poor and irresponsible decisions about how to cope with the realities of sex. Our present society is no exception, and this is a fact I'm reminded of daily.
/jkh
i have a very close friend that is so smart and pretty and could be anything she wanted to be in life....and she decided to be a porn star.....i have no clue what to think
Tomorrow we are living different times, things are going fast and therefore never remain the same to view or experience.
Like many brought up in their comments, sex sells and some amongst females are fully aware they can earn huge amounts of cash by exposing themselves.
To understand females motivation in doing so is useless because some amongst deeply enjoy the trill which is accompanied while others solely focus upon the cash they can earn.
The judgmental part many hold upon porn is understandable but it will never make porn go away!
So instead of fighting the presence of porn, efforts to make it better (more acceptable) should be a thought to take in consideration.
If people would put more focus upon the whole structure around this medium, adequate solutions in order to guide youngsters into these realities would arise which would be beneficial for all to enjoy from.
To tackle the widespread (child)abuse is an issue which should become a (political) global priority.
Education is the key, one to create better porn and understanding around steps which need to be put in place to eradicate any type of abuse involved.
Great post,
http://www.loveearth.com/uk/film/