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Sex
Dec 1, 2006 21:21:53 GMT -5
Post by Britney on Dec 1, 2006 21:21:53 GMT -5
Why is American society so hung up about sex compared to other cultures? Americans are known worldwide for their over-indulgences, so why is discussion involving sex not socially acceptable? If someone refer's to sex organs in conversation, they are viewed as either immature or lacking class... Why is that? What distinguishes sexual organs from an arm, or a brain? Don't they all serve to help ensure our own subsistence as living beings? Why does society (global society) discourage and demonize such acknowledgement?
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Ratwar
Squire
Horkers Rule!
Posts: 1,981
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Sex
Dec 1, 2006 21:52:54 GMT -5
Post by Ratwar on Dec 1, 2006 21:52:54 GMT -5
Well, I think you have to look at America's beginings. Radically conservative Christian groups.
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Dec 1, 2006 21:55:57 GMT -5
Post by King Leonidas on Dec 1, 2006 21:55:57 GMT -5
Well why do you think most people wear clothes in public? (besides how cold it would be without them). -DL
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mastab
Gallant
Orgasmic Flooding
Free hugs!
Posts: 2,781
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Sex
Dec 1, 2006 21:58:05 GMT -5
Post by mastab on Dec 1, 2006 21:58:05 GMT -5
Clothes are for warmth.....
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Sex
Dec 1, 2006 22:14:20 GMT -5
Post by Britney on Dec 1, 2006 22:14:20 GMT -5
clothes evolved out of the necessity to keep warm... but where would a taboo on sexual discussion evolve from? Why do conservative religions discourage such discussion? Is it because it is a natural urge? Eating and drinking is a natural urge too, but we seem to discuss that an awful lot...
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Sex
Dec 1, 2006 22:28:39 GMT -5
Post by Britney on Dec 1, 2006 22:28:39 GMT -5
you know what else doesn't make sense to me - why do alot of people equate the human body with "art"?
What is so "artful" about the human body? Sure it can look beautiful, but if we weren't sexual beings would we still think it was beautiful? If we weren't attracted to the body, would we still see it as "art"?
Why do so many religions view the naked body as "art", and yet disallow discussion about the very essence that renders it "art"?
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Sex
Dec 1, 2006 22:36:11 GMT -5
Post by King Leonidas on Dec 1, 2006 22:36:11 GMT -5
you know what else doesn't make sense to me - why do alot of people equate the human body with "art"? What is so "artful" about the human body? Sure it can look beautiful, but if we weren't sexual beings would we still think it was beautiful? If we weren't attracted to the body, would we still see it as "art"? There are asexual people in the world, and I'm sure some of them do. Why do so many religions view the naked body as "art", and yet disallow discussion about the very essence that renders it "art"? Your guess is as good as mine, religions always seem to have more sides to them than you can see. -DL
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Sex
Dec 7, 2006 11:03:12 GMT -5
Post by duckofdoom on Dec 7, 2006 11:03:12 GMT -5
Why is American society so hung up about sex compared to other cultures? Americans are known worldwide for their over-indulgences, so why is discussion involving sex not socially acceptable? Ahh, a sex-related thread, great... you know, I asked myself that very question, concerning Americans, long ago' but throughout the time I have realized that it's untrue. Actually, EVERYONE on this damn planet, male or female, is obsessed with intercourse - laugh all you want but that's how it is... the level of it may vary, but every homo sapient, male or female, is a being with strong sexual urge. Guess it's that damn self-preservation instinct that makes us horny. However, Americans are, maybe more than other nations, pragmatic and cunning people, adept at making everything into a lucrative business... now, take lust and fantasies of the entire nation, nay - THE GLOBE - and focus on the business potential that lies there... and you have the answer. Americans are more involved with the business of sex than any other nation [PWNing even the French and Germans, masters of bizzare action] because they see how much money lies in sex industry. No wonder Internet's greatest business is sex, and no wonder Holywood is making more money every year from pornography than regular movies. If someone refer's to sex organs in conversation, they are viewed as either immature or lacking class... Why is that? With every action comes a reaction, or so some obscure law of Physics says when you have a society in which you have unpresidented level of freedoms, like the US, you are also bound to have people who see overly use of adult themes/foul language as something wrong. And sometimes it is wrong, really. If you take a look into any elementary school in any corner of the world today you'll see that swearing is a sport loved even by 8-year olds - and that's sad because it shows the lack of care and upbringing from their parents, to learn them to be more polite toward their environment. In the meantime TV and other forms of mass media are feeding us examples of foul language and behavior 24/7, making us more and more saturated and desensitized to it; with it, degradation of personal morality and values plunges down. We are more relaxed and prone to call our friends, even close ones " ", " ", " er", "Butthead", " hole" and other lovely nicknames, even if we don't mean it at all... and that is wrong. You may or may not agree with it, but I am [surprisingly] more tolerant toward it than, for example, my parents are; it's because i have realised it to be the sign of times and since I can't do much about anyone's level of personal upbringing, I just won't try either. However, I can try to be as polite and well-mannered toward other people [though it IS hard sometimes]. What distinguishes sexual organs from an arm, or a brain? Don't they all serve to help ensure our own subsistence as living beings? It's because there are certain male specimens that actually use their brains instead of dicks for thinking... ;D [not saying that I am one of those, though ] you know what else doesn't make sense to me - why do alot of people equate the human body with "art"? What is so "artful" about the human body? Sure it can look beautiful, but if we weren't sexual beings would we still think it was beautiful? If we weren't attracted to the body, would we still see it as "art"? A good question, and I am sad to say that I only have speculations. In essence, humans may look at the human body and see it's outer form as something beautiful and near-perfect; but I agree with you that human sexuality contributes greatly to that highly anthropocentric view. Of course, deviations in sexual behavior may affect this, causing people to be sexually obsessed with tentacle sex, furries, regular animals or aliens that resemble human form... if human race was emotionless and viewed intercourse as something purely meant for preservation of the race, I believe that obsession with human body would be drastically lower; however I might be wrong, since humans as sentient specie tend to picture God as anthropomorphic creatures... just look into any RPG game/system and count all the deities that have 2 arms, 2 legs and a torso; now count deities that have different forms and compare these 2 values and you'll see just how unimaginative humans are.
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Dec 7, 2006 13:04:51 GMT -5
Post by Osama Bin Laden on Dec 7, 2006 13:04:51 GMT -5
I wouldnt say unimaginative, but... Limited by society, our upbringing, and our life experiences.
As for the sex issue, I agree with the Duck. Money, money, money.
I have a question, why are swear words veiwed as bad? Any reason, aside from our upbringing?
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Dec 7, 2006 14:15:18 GMT -5
Post by duckofdoom on Dec 7, 2006 14:15:18 GMT -5
The excesive use of swearwords shows lack of culture, lack of self-control and it diminishes the one who uses them. Far from the fact that I'm a saint in that department [on the contrary - I swear like a dock worker ], but that doesn't mean at all I approve of my own language. In fact, every time I use this little guy -> <- I feel a bit of shame somewhere in the dept of my gut. [that was an F-word, btw] Also, when you're use a swearword to insult someone you're talking to, you're just giving the right to that person to label you as vulgar and insulting and thus unworthy of the right to even be talked to. If every discussion is, actually, a verbal 'dogfight', with the sole purpose of defeating your opponent, one should always try to remain reasonable and prove their superiority in discussion by solid arguments and logic and not by insults. I've seen too many situations where all meaningful talking went to the craphouse, or even worse, turning into a fistfight, just because both sides were too thick-headed to try & remain calm and solve differences. The worst part is, I have lost my head many times and went ballistic on people, only to realize later that I was way off and wrong... and when that happens with someone you care about, it's 50 times worse So please, next time when you get the urge to throw slurs at someone who's just pissed you off, relax, review their standing and your own, find weaknesses in your opponent's logic and then just PWN their as... err, buttocks. And, of course, don't swear as much as I do.
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Dec 7, 2006 14:33:47 GMT -5
Post by Osama Bin Laden on Dec 7, 2006 14:33:47 GMT -5
Some of the most "cultured" people in the world swear like sailors when there not at formal events. How does saying " " diminish someone, or show lack of self-control? Think of why we think certain words are "wrong," when there just that, words. I can insult you 50 times over with words that arent considered "wrong." I can do the same with words that are "wrong." I wasnt talking about insulting people with swear words in my other post though, I was talking about using " " when you stubbed your toe, saying instead of crap, , instead of butt.
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Dec 7, 2006 17:14:41 GMT -5
Post by duckofdoom on Dec 7, 2006 17:14:41 GMT -5
Some of the most "cultured" people in the world swear like sailors when there not at formal events. The fact that you've put the word cultured into quotation marks only proves my point. I concider myself one of those people and I don't see myself as either cultured or "cultured". How does saying " " diminish someone, or show lack of self-control? It just does, because such expressions are vulgar. Just think - if they weren't vulgar we'd use them without a seconds though in everyday talk and no one would frown... but something must be wrong, because people do frown. Maybe it'll be different in 50 or 150 years, I don't know, but at this point in human history some words are viewed as offensive and some aren't. It's the society in general that decides what's publicly acceptable and what's not - so, when the society changes/evolves, the views on offensive language will certainly change. Of course, different nations have different standards and customs, but some things are universal - if you say " You" to someone in Canada or "Jebi se" in Serbia, the effect would be the same - the general lack of respect of one side toward their company would label that side in discussion/dispute as offensive and with that, it would diminish them in the eyes of their interlocutor. Think of why we think certain words are "wrong," when there just that, words. I can insult you 50 times over with words that arent considered "wrong." I can do the same with words that are "wrong." I am sure you could. I have watched too many 'serious' political debates on our national TV stations to come to one sad conclusion: we are a very poor nation when it comes to politeness. The practice of waving papers, throwing accusations and trying to figuratively bury your speaker 2m below ground is too common here, as nearly anyone here who's at least semi-educated is in some political party. That, however, doesn't absolve anyone: if a person is about to try and prove their opposition wrong they should do that, as you've nicely put it, in a shrewd, cunning and eloquent way; but still, no one should stoop so low to resort to curses and swearwords, because no one would take them seriously after that. There is a well known example of moral hypocrisy in my land - this rowdy character has been [and still is] one of the more influential politicians in post-Milosevic Serbia; however, he is also THE most insulting/threatening/volatile character that is present in our political life today. And he is also the damn Minister for Capital Investment... it just shows that in different environments masses of people with lower levels of education/culture can perceive that man as a 'dynamic' and 'capable', although we're only talking about a guy who insults and beats up journalists... and it is his violence, both verbal and physical, that diminishes that sorry excuse for a retard in my eyes and eyes of anyone who has at least 1/2 brain in their head. I wasnt talking about insulting people with swear words in my other post though, I was talking about using " " when you stubbed your toe, saying instead of crap, , instead of butt. Now this is completely different and understandable matter. If I whack my finger with a hammer, while trying to hit a nail instead, I will surely start swearing like a madman of course, I could go OUCHHH! instead, but when someone's in pain he really isn't obliged to carefully chose words. But really, we should get back to the original issue here - what exactly is it that makes insults related to sexual issues so 'heavy'?? general opinion is that calling someone " hole" is much worse than "Idiot" :\ so is it the view of intercourse as 'filthy' that makes those words so obscene? My money is on that.
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Dec 10, 2006 2:33:00 GMT -5
Post by ExtraCheeZ on Dec 10, 2006 2:33:00 GMT -5
you know what else doesn't make sense to me - why do alot of people equate the human body with "art"? What is so "artful" about the human body? Sure it can look beautiful, but if we weren't sexual beings would we still think it was beautiful? If we weren't attracted to the body, would we still see it as "art"? Why do so many religions view the naked body as "art", and yet disallow discussion about the very essence that renders it "art"? Because drawing the human body is absolutely amazing, the shapes, the technique, the expression, the styles, the skill involved, there is just something about it... As for why sex is so bad? Lazy parents, its easier to pay your taxes so teachers can scare your children away from sex then it is to bring up your children with a healthy knowlegde... Its like in italy, there are 5 year old girls who have no issue seeing sheeps being slaughtered because their parents raise them to eat healthy with fresh produce... We have been so intent on being efficiant consumers we forget we are animals.
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pilaf
Foreman
Out of step with the world
Posts: 455
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Sex
Dec 10, 2006 4:09:14 GMT -5
Post by pilaf on Dec 10, 2006 4:09:14 GMT -5
I haven't forgotten I'm an animal. Magister of Lust, Dragol Pilaf, at your service, ladies.
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Dec 19, 2006 10:21:30 GMT -5
Post by leeobsession on Dec 19, 2006 10:21:30 GMT -5
I personally think it's because many Americans think they're above everyone and read the bible too much. They cling to the Bible because without it, they're nothing. I'm not saying that it's bad to believe in the Christian God but some people desperately cling to the bible, condemning all that is forbidden and not forbidden to the bible which utterly disgusts me (A.K.A homophobia etc.) Oh, and I swear like a dock-worker as well. Frankly, I don't understand why 'f.uck' is so offensive. It's true that it's derived from 'flichen' which is German for 'to strike'. Same goes for . It comes from your behind just like with everyone else.
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Dec 19, 2006 17:20:40 GMT -5
Post by King Leonidas on Dec 19, 2006 17:20:40 GMT -5
I personally think it's because many Americans think they're above everyone and read the bible too much. They cling to the Bible because without it, they're nothing. I'm not saying that it's bad to believe in the Christian God but some people desperately cling to the bible, condemning all that is forbidden and not forbidden to the bible which utterly disgusts me (A.K.A homophobia etc.) I think you've been severely misinformed. -DL
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Dec 19, 2006 17:47:28 GMT -5
Post by Avis on Dec 19, 2006 17:47:28 GMT -5
I personally think it's because many Americans think they're above everyone and read the bible too much. They cling to the Bible because without it, they're nothing. I'm not saying that it's bad to believe in the Christian God but some people desperately cling to the bible, condemning all that is forbidden and not forbidden to the bible which utterly disgusts me (A.K.A homophobia etc.) I think you've been severely misinformed. -DL I concur. Yes, America is a mainly Christian country, and yes, there ARE people who are overzealous but I don't blame them or Christianity for it. I also don't beleive that many Americans beleive they are are better than everyone. Again, there are definitely people who do, but I think there are more that don't. I beleive my generation is going to change many things, because I've seen so many compassionate and down to earth people, plus so many of us are perverted xD Why sex is so taboo in America is beyond me though, I can understand censorship and everything, but most of its crazy.
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pilaf
Foreman
Out of step with the world
Posts: 455
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Sex
Dec 20, 2006 4:13:36 GMT -5
Post by pilaf on Dec 20, 2006 4:13:36 GMT -5
I personally think it's because many Americans think they're above everyone and read the bible too much. They cling to the Bible because without it, they're nothing. I'm not saying that it's bad to believe in the Christian God but some people desperately cling to the bible, condemning all that is forbidden and not forbidden to the bible which utterly disgusts me (A.K.A homophobia etc.) Oh, and I swear like a dock-worker as well. Frankly, I don't understand why 'f.uck' is so offensive. It's true that it's derived from 'flichen' which is German for 'to strike'. Same goes for . It comes from your behind just like with everyone else. I love you.
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ema
Outlander
I could...set the building on fire.
Posts: 14
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Sex
Dec 20, 2006 17:17:18 GMT -5
Post by ema on Dec 20, 2006 17:17:18 GMT -5
Why is American society so hung up about sex compared to other cultures?Why are we hung up on it? Because we're lusty. Well, most people are. There are a few points in my life where I could have drastically done things differently. I have been in the position (no pun intended) to have sex a couple if times, neither of which were with my girlfriend at the time. So I didn't, and haven't. A couple of people have asked me why I think sex is such a big deal. How do I live with myself without sex and alcohol? Well, I've never had either in order to miss it. Sex is a manifestation of love, or should be, in my opinion. I don't want to secks some random person, like many people do. I know not everyone is like me, few people are, and I don't expect them to act like me, with my beliefs. There are different right answers for every situation from different people at different times. I want to have sex with someone I love. It's that simple. I'm not someone who will easily take their clothes off for anything or anyone. Sex in America is, as you said, taboo. It's one of the things most liked, and most disliked topics of conversation. We have created this problem within our spheres of influence. Things are so frowned upon, why would somene risk social excommunication by talking about such things. In high school, it's "Hey, did you hear so-and-so and so-and-so had sex?" Honestly, I knew couples in high school that I'm almost positive had sex, and plenty of people that weren't going out at all. Some of them truly were in love, some not, some don't care. It doesn't bother me. My ex-Girlfriend probably had sex with her boyfriend before me, but that doesn't bother me in the slightest. It doesn't tarnish my image of someone, learning that they did such and such in the past. I judge them on what they *are* doing, not what they have done. Americans are known worldwide for their over-indulgences, so why is discussion involving sex not socially acceptable? Because we like to think that we aren't as over-indulgent as we actually are. No other real explanation. One thing that comes with over-indulgencies is denial of those indulgencies. If someone refer's to sex organs in conversation, they are viewed as either immature or lacking class... Why is that?Again, we like to *pretend* that we aren't as into some things as we actually are. We are a country almost full up with hypocrites. The divorce lawyer who is happily married. The psychologist who's a serial killer, the marriage counselor who's getting divorced. The corrupt police officer. The arsen firefighter. It's endless. Endless. What distinguishes sexual organs from an arm, or a brain? Don't they all serve to help ensure our own subsistence as living beings?Well, for me, elbows aren't as aesthetically pleasing as other parts of the body can be.
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Dec 21, 2006 14:57:51 GMT -5
Post by leeobsession on Dec 21, 2006 14:57:51 GMT -5
It must be the European media. We get a BAD image from America. You are fcked up my way and thus the good way though
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Dec 21, 2006 16:37:14 GMT -5
Post by King Leonidas on Dec 21, 2006 16:37:14 GMT -5
That's why most people don't trust the media, despite whatever country or nation it comes from. -DL
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Dec 23, 2006 17:06:59 GMT -5
Post by leeobsession on Dec 23, 2006 17:06:59 GMT -5
Reminds me of Green Day's American Idiot
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Jan 5, 2007 5:58:18 GMT -5
Post by ExtraCheeZ on Jan 5, 2007 5:58:18 GMT -5
I find it ironic that greenday use a popular form of media to bag the popular forms of media.
Then again I hate greenday and all their stupidity...
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pilaf
Foreman
Out of step with the world
Posts: 455
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Sex
Mar 31, 2007 5:17:46 GMT -5
Post by pilaf on Mar 31, 2007 5:17:46 GMT -5
Reminds me of Green Day's American Idiot Reminds me of Fugazi's entire career and all the things they stood for. You know, there are some bands and groups of people who like to talk the talk, and pretend to be what they consider counter-culture, but the fact of the matter is that if you cave in to a culture that places loveless sex on a pedestal, along with fashion, unchecked drug abuse and all the other trappings of popular culture, you're not really rebelling against anything. That's what's so amusing about a lot of the "pop punk" crowds these days...their mindset is all "Oh we're so rebellious...we strangers and shoot heroin." Just like their parents did, and just like the cowboys and jocks they pretend to despise do. Cliques are an illusion created by the mass media to seperate people. If the only thing that sets you apart from others is the way you dress, than you're not "different". You've been sold something. Sex sells, and they sell it to people every day. We are swimming in a culture that has a view about sex that is perhaps a bit too nonchalant. Now I'm not puritan by any stretch of the imagination. I'm equally as far-removed from what might be considered an uptight Christian mindset and I am of the self destructive "fashion punk" mindset. I believe that sex is a wonderful, healthy, pleasurable experience for adults, young adults and for kids (between themselves). However, society places this emphasis on selling it as a fashion accessory. The aisles are filled with magazines detailing how to "get laid". I think this is a societal problem. People worship these mainstream magazines, and the mainstream music, and the mainstream television shows..all this bullshit geared towards making money, and feel inferior if they don't meet up to the model of a lifestyle displayed in these forms of media. Sex, normally a positive thing shared between two mature-minded people who, ideally, have some sort of positive relationship besides physical attraction, is suddenly turned into this ridiculous charicture of itself. It becomes a goal to achieve rather than a spontaneous and human connection between two people. And that, in my Neo-Ethical, grassroots, no-nonsense, hardcore punk ethic opinion, is the real problem with sex in modern culture. Damn, wasn't that a mouthful, there? Maybe some grain of truth or at least sense is hidden in all that, somewhere.
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Mar 31, 2007 15:26:26 GMT -5
Post by King Leonidas on Mar 31, 2007 15:26:26 GMT -5
Or in other words: Drugs, sex, and yellow journalism run the lives of a lot more people than you would think. -DL
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