I agree with the theory that porn is degrading and demeaning to women, whereas erotica is glorifation of sex of both genders. (There is a fine line in my opinion.)
And that's the problem. It is such a fine, fine line. As a rule, I think Americans attach too many taboos to sex and sexuality. In my view that works to our detriment. The other thing is this: I don't know how a casual viewer would sort through a veritable sea of porn to reach the art we both agree is possible.
I also feel it's like violence in that sometimes it's fine and other times it's base or vulgar or horrible. As I mentioned to a friend earlier today, Anthony Lane, the film critic for the New Yorker argued that Sin City teaches us much about violence, but nothing about suffering (and there is a soullessness in the distancing of the two).
Anyway, I always end up wondering if things like this will always be subjective - can objective standards ever be applied to distinguishing between porn and erotica? As crazy as it sounds, I hope so.
I don't believe it sounds crazy at all. Your desire to determine acceptable, non-hurtful expressions of art can certainly be determined. If only after discussion and analysis. The presumption by many that pornography is a free speech issue, rather than civil rights issue lies at the crux of lack of discussion currently. We owe it to Andrea to keep talking.
Commenting by HaloScan
