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Alex · 01-29-2007, 10:46 AM

Is the commodification of sex really that bad a thing?

I don't think so. But then I think we commodify just about everything (though not always in directly fiscal terms). As with everything else we commodify: stealing is bad.

What about the people that can't get sex?

What about it? If the commodification of sex is bad then the charitization of sex doesn't seem any better.

Is prostitution really that bad a thing if it's regulated and all parties consent?

I don't think so. Though I don't think it should be regulated either. Anybody should be able to hang out a shingle, so to speak, without seeking state permission.

Is the fact that sex sells not due largely in part to the fact that humans are sexual beings and that's what we like seeing?

I think that is obvious. If we didn't like seeing it, sex wouldn't sell. The more probing question is whether the such commodification, particularly in presenting the easier forms of sexuality (nudity, casual sex) rather than the more complex (but equally satisfying, if not more so) forms of sexuality, skews the ways in which we express our sexuality and whether this is for good or bad.

When does it become a degradation of women?

There is an important distinction. Can something be degrading to women in general without being degrading to the specific woman in charge? For example, I could argue that rape fantasy porn that suggests all women want is to be forced would not necessarily be degrading to the specific women involved (assuming they are consensual participants) but is degrading to women in general.

Can each woman choose whether or not it degrades her?

Yes, each individual woman will determine what they feels degrades them individually. But each individual woman (and man) will also make a determination as to what they feel degrades women generally. The two may not be identical (a woman may see no problem with anal sex but personally wouldn't do it; she may enjoy acting out rape fantasies but doesn't think public exhibition of them is ok).

All of this applies to men as well, as far as I'm concerned.

01-29-2007, 10:46 AM	#7
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Is the commodification of sex really that bad a thing? I don't think so. But then I think we commodify just about everything (though not always in directly fiscal terms). As with everything else we commodify: stealing is bad. What about the people that can't get sex? What about it? If the commodification of sex is bad then the charitization of sex doesn't seem any better. Is prostitution really that bad a thing if it's regulated and all parties consent? I don't think so. Though I don't think it should be regulated either. Anybody should be able to hang out a shingle, so to speak, without seeking state permission. Is the fact that sex sells not due largely in part to the fact that humans are sexual beings and that's what we like seeing? I think that is obvious. If we didn't like seeing it, sex wouldn't sell. The more probing question is whether the such commodification, particularly in presenting the easier forms of sexuality (nudity, casual sex) rather than the more complex (but equally satisfying, if not more so) forms of sexuality, skews the ways in which we express our sexuality and whether this is for good or bad. When does it become a degradation of women? There is an important distinction. Can something be degrading to women in general without being degrading to the specific woman in charge? For example, I could argue that rape fantasy porn that suggests all women want is to be forced would not necessarily be degrading to the specific women involved (assuming they are consensual participants) but is degrading to women in general. Can each woman choose whether or not it degrades her? Yes, each individual woman will determine what they feels degrades them individually. But each individual woman (and man) will also make a determination as to what they feel degrades women generally. The two may not be identical (a woman may see no problem with anal sex but personally wouldn't do it; she may enjoy acting out rape fantasies but doesn't think public exhibition of them is ok). All of this applies to men as well, as far as I'm concerned.
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