tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post1658036890611143637..comments2023-05-30T08:29:42.770-04:00Comments on The Erotica Readers & Writers Association Blog: All About Pleasure: The Politics of ArousalCroco Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417265522875605547noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-76965602910468989392012-03-18T20:22:47.621-04:002012-03-18T20:22:47.621-04:00Thank you SO much, everyone, for your thoughtful c...Thank you SO much, everyone, for your thoughtful comments. I am glad that my post resonated with you, and I also thank you for warning me away from a few more traumatizing movies.<br /><br />Damian, you make an interesting point about stories inspiring deeds or even just attitudes that is often leveled at erotic fiction and pornography. I have read about studies where people who see porn or fashion magazines judge ordinary women by higher standards of perfection (both men of women and women of themselves). But what about an engaging story with a depressing and helpless world view, where fathers and step-fathers can't control their sexuality around girls and most marriages are dead, despairing, sexless relationships, and... well, the list goes on. But I suppose if it's seen as a warning about the sinful nature of humans, then we all benefit?<br /><br />I do know that literary writers are encouraged to write stories that grab and shock readers just as much as genre writers are. I think if more of us speak out about what we see, we can deconstruct the false distinctions :-).Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13615190390845433428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-43708601332639414382012-03-18T14:42:47.192-04:002012-03-18T14:42:47.192-04:00I agree with everything you said in the post. The...I agree with everything you said in the post. The actual "literary" field has taken things to the extreme so much so that I don't read many books out there due to this type of stuff in them.<br /><br />Most "literary" authors forget that these emotions and feelings can bring back so much for so many that might have had these things done to them. My question is how is this different from violent porn in their books?<br /><br />It isn't only books that are doing this now. Movies are also doing this which I see as more horrifying than in some books. They can suck you into the movie in hopes of seeing a good outcome but many are showing the worst outcomes possible. I recently watched the movie based on fact called "The Girl Next Door." I had never thought they would allow things like this even in indie films. However I will say they handled it well, but I wouldn't watch it ever again or recommend watching it to anyone.<br /><br />It makes me wonder if all these authors in the "literary" field writing this stuff are making it more main stream and hence making people think of these events more in real life. I wonder how many commit these acts due to reading them at times? For some that is all it takes to trigger them.<br /><br />Most all erotica I've read has dealt with love, tenderness and even some harsh BDSM but nothing compared to other non-erotica books. I think authors that write erotica are more aware of these emotions and feelings that we try to create in the readers. I'm very thankful there are books and authors that deal with erotica in this manner.<br /><br />Some things the government are doing are out and out, well I can't say even here except, evil toward all of mankind. I wonder what crackpots even make such bills in government. Those items you brought up are a total abuse of power and against all personal freedoms.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03740398243549661573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-28909950351017031482012-03-18T09:34:15.018-04:002012-03-18T09:34:15.018-04:00Well said, thanks for writing and sharing.Well said, thanks for writing and sharing.Nancy Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06721601015577470331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-56574049294038128072012-03-18T06:38:57.334-04:002012-03-18T06:38:57.334-04:00Well said, Donna!
I've previously encountered...Well said, Donna!<br /><br />I've previously encountered the argument that literary fiction is allowed to portray non-normative sexuality only as long as such behavior is punished, by society or fate. However, your additional point, about the intent of fiction to arouse emotion - and the sometimes cheap tricks played by so-called literature - is an eye-opener. Thank you for pointing this out. <br /><br />I hadn't heard about sperm being declared persons. I love it!Lisabet Saraihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05162514190572269660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-32680870428126000122012-03-18T05:39:06.835-04:002012-03-18T05:39:06.835-04:00Donna,
Your point about the line between acceptab...Donna,<br /><br />Your point about the line between acceptable and unacceptable sexuality in "literary" stories rings true on so many levels.<br /><br />I recently watched the movie "Blue Valentine" which received an NC-17 rating at its first pass by the MPAA, but on appeal, managed to get an R. I believe one aspect of what made it able to get that ratings change is that the story is, at its core, tragic. <br /><br />Nudity and sexuality have always crept into the mainstream through horror movies where the practicing protagonists end up on the wrong end of the axe. John Carpenter's Halloween being a notable example.<br /><br />I do believe that, in our society, it is much more acceptable to make sexual pleasure a punishable offense. I hope that the ultra conservative sort that is currently trying to bring their brand of false morality down upon society falls flat on its face.<br /><br />And yes, we all do read to be aroused; what is at the heart of the issue is what sort of arousal is "acceptable" and what context it is framed in.<br /><br />Thanks for this thoughtful, very resonant post.Craig Sorensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08101869420537661374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396437919069310850.post-32206449498770752092012-03-18T00:25:40.582-04:002012-03-18T00:25:40.582-04:00Beautiful, thoughtful post, Donna. I especially ad...Beautiful, thoughtful post, Donna. I especially adore the last line. <br /><br />Expounding not so much on erotica but other perceived "literary" fiction struck me as such an interesting angle for this post and topic. So much so that it has elicited in me the inclination to reflect and not say much more right now. Thank you very much for sharing.Emeraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00819037087504004841noreply@blogger.com