NationStates Jolt Archive

You can see plenty of both gore and sex on TV and in the movies. But there is definately a different attitude about the two. Too much sex is seen as exploitation, unecessary, shocking, and something that society at large should not be exposed to. Too much violence? No such thing.

Just consider the series Saw I - III. Personally, the kind of exploitation of the human body that is central to these movies is much, much more disturbing to me than say...the sex in Shortbus.

Consider it. Exposure to graphic sexual acts versus exposure to graphic torture scenes.

While the sex in Shortbus is real, and the gore in the Saw trilogy is not, I find myself MUCH more disturbed by the gore than the sex.

What are your thoughts on depictions of gore versus sex?

Too much sex is seen as exploitation, unecessary, shocking, and something that society at large should not be exposed to. Too much violence? No such thing.

That's not how things are where I live at all, my anglocentric OP.

The two together, now that's unpleasant.

*defiles thread*

What are your thoughts on depictions of gore versus sex?

Neither bother me whatsoever.

Next!

I tend to censor sex more than violence when it comes to picking movies for my kids........I am not sure why though.

I like both gore and sex in movies, but not at the same time. I have no problem with violent or pornographic films. Free speech and all that.

One of the areas where Europe makes a lot more sense than the US.

What? Someone had to say it. It's true, too.

I tend to censor sex more than violence when it comes to picking movies for my kids........I am not sure why though.

Puritanism....

That's not how things are where I live at all, my anglocentric OP.

Don't care, I'm dismissing you utterly :P

Ok, ok, maybe not. Why don't you give us a rundown of how it works in Sweden? Are either censored? What tends to be predominant in your entertainment?

One of the areas where Europe makes a lot more sense than the US.

What? Someone had to say it. It's true, too.

Communist. Why do you hate freedom?

Communist. Why do you hate freedom?

Because it doesn't come with fries anymore?

Don't care, I'm dismissing you utterly :P

I wear your particular dismissal as a badge, sweetie.

The two together, now that's unpleasant.

*defiles thread*

I think that's the basis of teen slasher movies...which are very popular.

Because it doesn't come with fries anymore?

It's because of the Muslims.

Puritanism....

probably.

Ok, ok, maybe not. Why don't you give us a rundown of how it works in Sweden? Are either censored? What tends to be predominant in your entertainment?

It basically goes like this: Violence bad. Sex good. Censorship is for the stupid, so you can see plenty of both if that's your cup of tea.

I tend to censor sex more than violence when it comes to picking movies for my kids........I am not sure why though.
I'm the opposite, since I started actually thinking about it. I mean, graphic exploitative sex...yeah, no. But scenes of intimacy, even graphic intimacy, are not something I think I need to censor...but scenes of violence REALLY bother them, and me. Even just a husband tossing his wife against the wall in anger...I'd much rather them see a couple making out.

Films, they count as art yeah? Then why censor any of it, when you watch a gory film you know it isn't real, it's all effects, I don't see the problem.

It basically goes like this: Violence bad. Sex good. Censorship is for the stupid, so you can see plenty of both if that's your cup of tea.

Sex good, violence bad....good credo...think I'll get a coat of arms with that written in Cree :P

You can see plenty of both gore and sex on TV and in the movies. But there is definately a different attitude about the two. Too much sex is seen as exploitation, unecessary, shocking, and something that society at large should not be exposed to. Too much violence? No such thing.

Just consider the series Saw I - III. Personally, the kind of exploitation of the human body that is central to these movies is much, much more disturbing to me than say...the sex in Shortbus.

Consider it. Exposure to graphic sexual acts versus exposure to graphic torture scenes.

While the sex in Shortbus is real, and the gore in the Saw trilogy is not, I find myself MUCH more disturbed by the gore than the sex.

What are your thoughts on depictions of gore versus sex?
A recent Simpsons episode made the point that they are free to depict cartoon people maiming and killing one another, but they aren't even allowed to show an animated female nipple. They can depict murder and butchery of human beings, but they must cut away before two people engage in a sex act.

I think it just goes to show how stupid and backward most people are in my culture. They're fine with kids seeing violence, but heaven forbid that children learn that *gasp* human beings have genitals and sometime enjoy playing with them! That would be Teh Evilz!!!

I'm the opposite, since I started actually thinking about it. I mean, graphic exploitative sex...yeah, no. But scenes of intimacy, even graphic intimacy, are not something I think I need to censor...but scenes of violence REALLY bother them, and me. Even just a husband tossing his wife against the wall in anger...I'd much rather them see a couple making out.

What about violent sports, like boxing or mixed martial arts? The violence is consentual, but I've seen some bloody and brutal UFC fights.

Films, they count as art yeah? Then why censor any of it, when you watch a gory film you know it isn't real, it's all effects, I don't see the problem.
I'm thinking more about the things parents are willing to let their kids watch..."sure honey, go see that horror flick where people get dismembered and tortured all for the pleasure of a sick psychopath...but that movie where people are having sex??? NO WAY!!!!"

It's because of the Muslims.

The Muslims stole our Freedom fries!

I'm the opposite, since I started actually thinking about it. I mean, graphic exploitative sex...yeah, no. But scenes of intimacy, even graphic intimacy, are not something I think I need to censor...but scenes of violence REALLY bother them, and me. Even just a husband tossing his wife against the wall in anger...I'd much rather them see a couple making out.

I let them watch the kissing, cuddling, such and whatever, but when it gets into soft core porn.....no way. If my husband and I would do it in front of them I think it's okay, but anything more, I get uncomfortable.

I tend to censor violence based on what might scare the crap out of them, for example, blowing things up, etc. seems to be okay, but a husband beating his wife? not okay.


To tell you the truth I have no idea where my standards on this issue come from, or why I do things the way I do.

A recent Simpsons episode made the point that they are free to depict cartoon people maiming and killing one another, but they aren't even allowed to show an animated female nipple. They can depict murder and butchery of human beings, but they must cut away before two people engage in a sex act.

I think it just goes to show how stupid and backward most people are in my culture. They're fine with kids seeing violence, but heaven forbid that children learn that *gasp* human beings have genitals and sometime enjoy playing with them! That would be Teh Evilz!!!

Yes...it's about so much more than free speech, which is what most people seem to want to focus on. It's NOT free speech when the regulations around depictions of violence and depictions of any kind of sexuality are totally different. So a nipple is more damaging than scenes of brutality? That is what US and Canadian society seem to believe, and push onto us. And clearly, if people actually opposed this, the regulations would be changed...the fact that it hasn't means most people are fine with the distinction.

The Muslims stole our Freedom fries!

No! It was Bill Clinton! Everything is Clinton's fault! :eek:

What about violent sports, like boxing or mixed martial arts? The violence is consentual, but I've seen some bloody and brutal UFC fights.

I think consent is a key element. I still wouldn't watch the more brutal fights, but at the least, what is being shown is not a power imbalance...it isn't torture. It's real...but it isn't all about causing pain, it is about (supposedly) testing one's skills.

I tend to censor violence based on what might scare the crap out of them, for example, blowing things up, etc. seems to be okay, but a husband beating his wife? not okay.


Yeah, I agree...things blowing up, or ridiculous, obviously fake gunfights...not so bad...it's the domestic violence, or cruelty, or outright joy in torture that I refuse to watch. My threshold for that stuff is really, really low, while my threshold for scenes of sexuality is much higher.

Yeah, I agree...things blowing up, or ridiculous, obviously fake gunfights...not so bad...it's the domestic violence, or cruelty, or outright joy in torture that I refuse to watch. My threshold for that stuff is really, really low, while my threshold for scenes of sexuality is much higher.

I quite agree. I do not see the attraction of movies that depict people being dismembered in detail by chain-saw wielding maniacs.

Yeah, I agree...things blowing up, or ridiculous, obviously fake gunfights...not so bad...it's the domestic violence, or cruelty, or outright joy in torture that I refuse to watch. My threshold for that stuff is really, really low, while my threshold for scenes of sexuality is much higher.

my threshold for both is pretty low, I can't watch people have sex without being uncomfortable, I can't watch things like Rocky or Saw or Texas Chainsaw Massacre without really feeling physical pain.

No! It was Bill Clinton! Everything is Clinton's fault! :eek:

Bill Clinton is a Muslim?!

No! It was Bill Clinton! Everything is Clinton's fault! :eek:

DONT SAY HIS NAME! DONT SAY HIS NAME!
You said his name.
Now hes going to come and get you.
He's like Candlejack, you say his name and you just dissape

Bill Clinton is a Muslim?!
This explains soooo much.
DONT SAY HIS NAME! DONT SAY HIS NAME!
You said his name.
Now hes going to come and get you.
He's like Candlejack, you say his name and you just dissape

Oh snap.

I highly value my inner peace, and I find that too much of either (violence or sexuality) disturbs my inner peace.

So, I steer clear of media that contains either of them.

I do not see anything wrong with sexual scenes – it is a perfectly natural action which should be cherished and enjoyed. We should not be hiding this – the puritanical inclinations of a few people with unhealthy issues they developed simply perpetuate those issues. Serious psychological problems are caused by obsessive persecution of sex.

I am not saying we should have hard core porn in kindergarten, but freaking out because of a brief glimpse of a nipple only leads to further psychological damage. There are enough people out there with serious issues about nudity, body image, and sexual phobias that we should be pushing for a healthier approach.

Unfortunately, most people simply want to continue the brainwashing of children that nudity is bad and sex is evil, and that they are horrible people for not being completely asexual.

Violence on television is not something which should be censored either – censorship is inherently bad. Violent programs on TV simply reflect violence in society, not the other way around – if people did not want to see such images, they wouldn’t watch it. Simple as that.

Since people want to watch violence and nudity, why should they be censored?

I don't agree with censorship. Adults should be able to watch whatever they want. That said, I hate slasher movies. don't watch them. Porn, okay. Though I prefer my erotica in written form.
My parents always pointed out the silliness of American tolerance of violence and intolerance of sex, so the attitude is hardly new in the family.

I do not see anything wrong with sexual scenes – it is a perfectly natural action which should be cherished and enjoyed. We should not be hiding this – the puritanical inclinations of a few people with unhealthy issues they developed simply perpetuate those issues. Serious psychological problems are caused by obsessive persecution of sex.



Nah. Except sex in real life is never like in the movies. It can lead to disappointment. ;)

I think I was confused for at least two minutes while I reread your OP over and over trying to muster a connection between Al Gore and Censorship of sex.

Nah. Except sex in real life is never like in the movies. It can lead to disappointment. ;)

Depends on the movies and depends on your partners ;)

Besides, if all your expectations are based upon what you’ve seen in porn, you are a walking advertisement for the problems of society’s attitude about sex.

Then again I am rather unusual – my family is completely open about sex.
I even ask my parents to test out new formulations of lube I want to put on the market – they are a little more honest than someone I have tied up and naked
>:-)

I don't have a problem with either. I personally don't like movies like Saw, where it's gore for gore's own sake, but to each his own. Violence and sexuality are both important in a lot of literature and they can bring forth some of the most powerful feelings because they are such a basic part of humanity.
I mean, look at Shakespeare! Violence everywhere, and almost every other line has to do with sex in some plays. Yet nobody wants to censor ol' Willy. I think movies/television should be the same way.

You can see plenty of both gore and sex on TV and in the movies. But there is definately a different attitude about the two. Too much sex is seen as exploitation, unecessary, shocking, and something that society at large should not be exposed to. Too much violence? No such thing.

Just consider the series Saw I - III. Personally, the kind of exploitation of the human body that is central to these movies is much, much more disturbing to me than say...the sex in Shortbus.

Consider it. Exposure to graphic sexual acts versus exposure to graphic torture scenes.

While the sex in Shortbus is real, and the gore in the Saw trilogy is not, I find myself MUCH more disturbed by the gore than the sex.

What are your thoughts on depictions of gore versus sex?actually, there is an argument about too much violence.

A certain amount of sex or violence will give a movie a higher rating. Remember Kill Bill? ever wondered why the fight with the Crazy 88 was in black and white? if it was in color (as the Japanese release is) it would've had a Rating higher than R in America. R-17 or X (for extreme violence)

both Sex and Violence are measured in the same way. it's just that to get the same standard of Violence to rate a XXX would probably be watching an actual cannabalistic snuff film

I'm not a huge fan of violence.
I remember distinctly that when I was a kid, a building blown up in a movie was more than enough to give me nightmares. I would imagine endlessly what those people in the building would have felt, how scared they would have been, I wondered if they had died instantly, or if they had suffered in the fire.... yep, I had a very lively imagination as a kid. I still have. Only now, I'm sarcastic enough to find select pieces of violence in movies rather funny.

I can't remember ever being bothered by sex scenes, though. I remember I found them boring when I was really little, ridiculous when I was a bit older, and then immensely fascinating once puberty kicked in.

I'm desensitized either way.

I thought it was interesting that Robocop originally had an X rating – even after the director seriously toned down a lot of the scenes he wanted to do. It took cutting some shots out entirely to get it down to an R rating.

It was a violent movie and supposed to be full of bloody death scenes. Too bad it had to be made ‘less disturbing’. If you don’t want to watch a ‘disturbing’ movie, go watch a Disney film.

That being said, gore simply for the sake of gore, much like nudity just for the sake of nudity, is boring and unimaginative. It is roughly equivalent to a comedian making fart jokes – it might be tantalizing when you’re in elementary school, but I have higher standards.


Let people decide for themselves and do not restrict the creativity of those who create – if the people don’t want to see nudity or blood, they will not watch it, and market forces will win out.

Fortunately these days, the internet is allowing us to distribute media without having to go through a few layers of bureaucratic approval. I just hope more interesting films will be coming out soon.

Personally, I don't think you should censor one thing and not the other. But I have a bit more of a problem with gore than with sex.

It's fiction. Nothing should be censored.

Depictions of sex bother me more than depictions of gore, but I think that's just me, because I think sex is utterly disgusting and seeing even a kiss disturbs me. The violence doesn't bother me as much somehow.

Depictions of sex bother me more than depictions of gore, but I think that's just me, because I think sex is utterly disgusting and seeing even a kiss disturbs me. The violence doesn't bother me as much somehow.

Hmm... I generally find the idea of people suffering a lot more disturbing. *shrugs*

I tend to censor gore because I find watching it unpleasant. I just don't like icky things.

I can't even kill spiders when they walk across my desk, as one just did. Eww.

I also can't stomach watching embarrassment. If there's a scene where someone does something really embarrassing, I have to avert my eyes. I can't help it.

But sex? No, sex is fine. Bring on the sex.

Hmm... I generally find the idea of people suffering a lot more disturbing. *shrugs*

I find violence disturbing, too. It just doesn't disturb me as much as sex does.

It's fiction. Nothing should be censored.
while I do agree with the thought behind that sentiment...

I cannot help but think of all those idiots who watch movies then try to emulate the scenes.

and with movies like Jackass out there...

while I do agree with the thought behind that sentiment...

I cannot help but think of all those idiots who watch movies then try to emulate the scenes.

and with movies like Jackass out there...

That's not the movie's fault, that's the person's fault. I've watched countless violent films, but I've not murdered a single person. You can't blame the movie.

George Carlin had a great routine about the words "f*ck" and "kill". His idea was to swap 'em out in films:
"Alright, Sheriff, we're gonna f*ck ya now, but we're gonna f*ck ya slow."
"The Mad F*cker is on the loose! He must be stopped, before he f*cks again!"

I tend to censor sex more than violence when it comes to picking movies for my kids........I am not sure why though.
I'm not a big fan of sexed-up films, but at least sex is not an evil to be perpatrated on another person. Think about your irrational prudery. Why?

I find gore disturbing. I find sex hot. I'm sure there are some people who find sex disturbing and gore hot. I hope these people are comfortable in their padded rooms.

That's not the movie's fault, that's the person's fault. I've watched countless violent films, but I've not murdered a single person. You can't blame the movie.I didn't say it was the movies fault. ;)

How many lawsuits are filed because their "Smart, intelligent [person] was influenced by what they saw on the screen."

I didn't say it was the movies fault. ;)

How many lawsuits are filed because their "Smart, intelligent [person] was influenced by what they saw on the screen."

Far too many, probably with the intent to relegate blame.

Depictions of sex bother me more than depictions of gore, but I think that's just me, because I think sex is utterly disgusting and seeing even a kiss disturbs me. The violence doesn't bother me as much somehow.

'Tis unnatural.

'Tis unnatural.

What is?

Far too many, probably with the intent to relegate blame.
and that's why sex and violence are regulated on film. ;)

and that's why sex and violence are regulated on film. ;)

Doesn't it seem more logical to prevent frivolous lawsuits like that from wasting court time and taxpayer money instead of limiting what I can and cannot watch in a fictional movie?

Make love, not war!

It's all a conspiracy: desensitize us to violence so we'll be good little soldiers, but keep all the positive emotions and actions off the screen, so we will be reviled at the thought of seeing a couple making love.


[dons tin foil hat]

I forgot to take my medication today. It keeps the aliens out of my teeth.

Doesn't it seem more logical to prevent frivolous lawsuits like that from wasting court time and taxpayer money instead of limiting what I can and cannot watch in a fictional movie?

it's easier and cheaper to censor the movie/song etc...

sad but true.

Wanna panic your parents. Rent Urban Cowboy... and after watching it, tell your parents you just watched an X rated film. ;)

it's easier and cheaper to censor the movie/song etc...

sad but true.

Wanna panic your parents. Rent Urban Cowboy... and after watching it, tell your parents you just watched an X rated film. ;)

I don't see how it's cheaper. It wastes money to put on these charade court hearings. If you passed a law saying "no stupid lawsuits" you wouldn't have to spend a penny enforcing it, they'd simply be thrown out of court. You'd save money.

I don't have a problem with either. I personally don't like movies like Saw, where it's gore for gore's own sake, but to each his own. Violence and sexuality are both important in a lot of literature and they can bring forth some of the most powerful feelings because they are such a basic part of humanity.
I mean, look at Shakespeare! Violence everywhere, and almost every other line has to do with sex in some plays. Yet nobody wants to censor ol' Willy. I think movies/television should be the same way.

I dunno, that Romeo + Juliet movie back in the 90's managed to avoid the bit where they say Juliet is a little shy of 14.

It was the 90's, right? The one with the guns and such.

It's because of the Muslims.LOL

my sarcasm-o-meter is bleeping

I don't see how it's cheaper. It wastes money to put on these charade court hearings. If you passed a law saying "no stupid lawsuits" you wouldn't have to spend a penny enforcing it, they'd simply be thrown out of court. You'd save money.

but who defines Stupid? the lawyers?

and who defines the Responsibility? the same lawyers?

it's far easier to regulate movies, printed materials, video games, and songs being made and released because they will always be fewer than the number of idiots watching/reading/playing/listening to them.

They can both be gratuitous at times, but neither bothers me. If they contribute to the work as a whole, I’m all for a little sex and gore, and I tend to have little patience for the prudes who can’t tolerate them.

I love over the top outrageous violence, but I cannot stand realistic violence... like Saw, or Wolf Creek. Those not only scare the pants off me, but physically give me pain.

Sex I like. Sex is good. Sex is nice. We should see more sex. Especially the young'uns.

Make love, not war!

It's all a conspiracy: desensitize us to violence so we'll be good little soldiers, but keep all the positive emotions and actions off the screen, so we will be reviled at the thought of seeing a couple making love.


[dons tin foil hat]

I forgot to take my medication today. It keeps the aliens out of my teeth.I don't think you're too far off the mark...though whether it is intentional, or simply a reflection of the priorities of US and Canadian society, I'm not sure.

Yeah, I agree...things blowing up, or ridiculous, obviously fake gunfights...not so bad...it's the domestic violence, or cruelty, or outright joy in torture that I refuse to watch. My threshold for that stuff is really, really low, while my threshold for scenes of sexuality is much higher.

I agree with you there.

I like when shit blows up.

Nah. Except sex in real life is never like in the movies. It can lead to disappointment. ;)

Violence too...

I like when shit blows up.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y239/NuGo1988/stuffblewup.jpg

Personally I would much prefer to censor violence than sex..

I think part of the problem in relation to children is that children understand violence from a very young age. You can push another kid over at 1.. and it just continues from there. However sex is something that most children don't encounter personally (hopefully) till much later.

While I would prefer for my children to be comfortable with a sexual scene in a movie than a violent scene in a movie, the sex scene takes a great deal more explaining. Both may well cause problems if they are exposed too early without adequete explaination and attempt some kind of simulation of their own.

Its probably due to the fact that it does take a lot more parental guidance to explain sex to very young children than it does to explain violence that sex tends to be censored more.

Nudity on the otherhand is way way over censored... I mean every kid understands nudity without very much explaination at all.. so if you remove the sex from the nudity then you really shouldn't have a problem at all.

cannibal movies and hardcoreporn FTW!

I like nudity in films, the more naked breasts it has, the more likely I am to see it. IMO, sex in films is a good thing.

Violence on the other hand, I can take or leave. I won't go out of my way to see a violent film, but nor will it neccessarily put me off.

As long as you keep violent removed body parts and sex in different scenes - its all good.

yeah bring on the porn! don't really care about the violence, but sex in movies is good.

What I can't help wondering is, why would anybody be bothered by seeing two (or more) people make out?
Or rather, why would that bother a person more than seeing people suffer and die?

What I can't help wondering is, why would anybody be bothered by seeing two (or more) people make out?
Or rather, why would that bother a person more than seeing people suffer and die?

Because seeing people making out seems stranger and is harder to understand than people dying. When I see people suffering, it makes me sad, but unless it's really graphic violence, it doesn't make me feel sick. If I see people make out, there's more of a sense of "Eww...what are they doing? Why are they doing that?" and an instinct to look away from the screen.

i dislike watching people having sex on tv, be it hetro or homo.
i also dislike rape and torture on tv. but dont mind blood.

Because seeing people making out seems stranger and is harder to understand than people dying. When I see people suffering, it makes me sad, but unless it's really graphic violence, it doesn't make me feel sick. If I see people make out, there's more of a sense of "Eww...what are they doing? Why are they doing that?" and an instinct to look away from the screen.

Personally, I think junk food is pretty discgusting. My reaction to seeing people eat it is pretty much "Ewwww" as well... but I can accept that some people apparently enjoy it. So I don't really mind all those rather disgustin McDonald's ads.

They both bother me. But not always. Actually, only a small percentage of either gore or sex on TV is bothersome. But they *can* be bothering to me. So that's why I voted that way, to admit that yes, I can be bothered by such things, instead of "Meh! I'm numb. I'm a TV veteran, nothing bothers me ever!"

Personally, I think junk food is pretty discgusting. My reaction to seeing people eat it is pretty much "Ewwww" as well... but I can accept that some people apparently enjoy it. So I don't really mind all those rather disgustin McDonald's ads.

I see. I don't think that kisses should be censored. I just don't like to see them, and I'll probably avoid seeing a movie if it has too much sex in it, or at least wait until it comes out on DVD and I can skip scenes with too much kissing or with any sex.

I see. I don't think that kisses should be censored. I just don't like to see them, and I'll probably avoid seeing a movie if it has too much sex in it, or at least wait until it comes out on DVD and I can skip scenes with too much kissing or with any sex.

i dont htink it should be banned, i just dont see why it is necessary to see on tv. i dont find it entertaining.

i dont htink it should be banned, i just see why it is necessary to see on tv. i dont find it entertaining.

Well, I do. And my guess is, a majority of people feel the same. That's why it's on TV.

Well, I do. And my guess is, a majority of people feel the same. That's why it's on TV.

I don't see how watching people do disgusting things like kissing or having sex could be entertaining, but I guess some people are entertained by it. It's just that it seems like it sends a negative message. It makes human beings seem like uncontrollable animals who can't control some primitive drive, and it makes me feel like I've been alienated from people because I don't have such feelings. It makes me feel like I'm not of the same species as them, and I hate that feeling. That's one reason I don't like seeing people kiss or anything like that on TV or in movies.

Gimme spurting reproductive fluid over spurting blood any day.

I don't see how watching people do disgusting things like kissing or having sex could be entertaining, but I guess some people are entertained by it.

Why is seeing anything on TV entertaining?


It's just that it seems like it sends a negative message. It makes human beings seem like uncontrollable animals who can't control some primitive drive, and it makes me feel like I've been alienated from people because I don't have such feelings. It makes me feel like I'm not of the same species as them, and I hate that feeling. That's one reason I don't like seeing people kiss or anything like that on TV or in movies.

So the message is better if they kill each other?
Do you actually identify with killers or tormentors you see on TV?

Gimme spurting reproductive fluid over spurting blood any day.

It tastes so much better, too.

Why is seeing anything on TV entertaining?



So the message is better if they kill each other?
Do you actually identify with killers or tormentors you see on TV?

Because it's funny or has a good story line and interesting characters that I can relate to.

The message isn't better if people kill each other, but it's different. It's obviously wrong, then. Sex seems somehow wrong to me, and it confuses me that it's shown in a positive way. I don't generally relate to killers (the Phantom of the Opera is an exception) on TV or in movies either, but it's just that it seems like they expect people to relate to people who are kissing or having sex, and I can't relate to them; they seem like they may as well be a different species. That makes me feel alienated.

Because seeing people making out seems stranger and is harder to understand than people dying. When I see people suffering, it makes me sad, but unless it's really graphic violence, it doesn't make me feel sick. If I see people make out, there's more of a sense of "Eww...what are they doing? Why are they doing that?" and an instinct to look away from the screen.

Wow... O_o

Freud would have a bloody field day with you.

Wow... O_o

Freud would have a bloody field day with you.

Unfortunately, yes. I would imagine so.

I don't really mind either of them. I tend to watch more movies with violence than sex because well... romances bore me. I'm a more action/adventure movie goer.

I also don't like it when a movie is nearly purely gore or purely sex because that's just boring. I like an actual sotry line in there... But if it's part of the story, then it's fine. Some movies just seem to throw things in in the most random places I think just to get their rating up to an R or something.

Because it's funny or has a good story line and interesting characters that I can relate to.

The message isn't better if people kill each other, but it's different. It's obviously wrong, then. Sex seems somehow wrong to me, and it confuses me that it's shown in a positive way. I don't generally relate to killers (the Phantom of the Opera is an exception) on TV or in movies either, but it's just that it seems like they expect people to relate to people who are kissing or having sex, and I can't relate to them; they seem like they may as well be a different species. That makes me feel alienated.

Obviously wrong? I take it you've never seen a Tarantino movie.
Yes, they are expecting people to do just that. Just like they expect people to relate to the hero of every single movie they see. That's why most people watch movies. Or read books for that matter.
And most people do enjoy it.

Obviously wrong? I take it you've never seen a Tarantino movie.
Yes, they are expecting people to do just that. Just like they expect people to relate to the hero of every single movie they see. That's why most people watch movies. Or read books for that matter.
And most people do enjoy it.

No, I haven't.

That's why it bothers me. Everyone seems to be able to relate to people when they kiss and stuff, and I can't. I can relate to people in books, movies, and TV shows, but when they kiss or anything like that, I just can't relate to them. They suddenly become alien.
Enjoy what?

I am most disturbed by sexual humour like the kind in American Pie.

I am most disturbed by sexual humour like the kind in American Pie.

dont find that stuff funny at all.

No, I haven't.

That's why it bothers me. Everyone seems to be able to relate to people when they kiss and stuff, and I can't. I can relate to people in books, movies, and TV shows, but when they kiss or anything like that, I just can't relate to them. They suddenly become alien.
Enjoy what?

I think that's something you'll have to come to terms with one way or another.
Relating to people enjoying kissing or sex is what makes watching movies like this worth while. And that's what people enjoy.

I am most disturbed by sexual humour like the kind in American Pie.

I've seen that movie... there's no humour whatsoever involved. Not that much sex, either, come to think of it.

I think that's something you'll have to come to terms with one way or another.
Relating to people enjoying kissing or sex is what makes watching movies like this worth while. And that's what people enjoy.

Okay. So I guess that's why I don't enjoy seeing anything like that.

Having read through this thread, the strangest thing I've realized is how little actually disturbs me.

Sex is not even the least bit disturbing to me. Hell, you would have to go pretty far into the "perverse" fringe before you'll get a reaction from me. Regular kissing/cuddling/barely-anything-visible R rated sex scenes don't do much for me and the lesser teen sex-comedy grade stuff does even less. The appeal of porn (even the more hardcore stuff) wore off when I was barely 15... It all seemed so damn fake to me and it still does. Written erotica is the only medium that appeals to me, not because it’s any more or less realistic, but because I can mentally relate to the same way I would any other piece of fiction.

Bottom line, I'm fairly young (16) and I have an active, safe, and healthy sex life exclusively with someone I care deeply about. Instead of going through the shallow, hyposensitized, despicably misogynistic phase most kids go through in this culture of unparalleled objectification and vanity, I've somehow managed to come out ahead of everyone else with a deep appreciation for women, realistic expectations of sex, and no ridiculous neuroses of any kind. And this is despite the fact that my father actually tried to TEACH me to never trust or become emotionally attached to women, to use them sexually and discard them. The fact that so many people have problems dealing with sexuality is FAR more disturbing then sex itself. What the hell gives?

I don't see how watching people do disgusting things like kissing or having sex could be entertaining, but I guess some people are entertained by it. It's just that it seems like it sends a negative message. It makes human beings seem like uncontrollable animals who can't control some primitive drive, and it makes me feel like I've been alienated from people because I don't have such feelings. It makes me feel like I'm not of the same species as them, and I hate that feeling. That's one reason I don't like seeing people kiss or anything like that on TV or in movies.
Hey buddy, if it wasn't for some "primtive drive," you wouldn't be around to enjoy watching people die on TV and laugh it off as it it were nothing...

Hey buddy, if it wasn't for some "primtive drive," you wouldn't be around to enjoy watching people die on TV and laugh it off as it it were nothing...

I never said I laughed violence off as nothing... I said it doesn't disturb me as much as seeing sexual things does. And since sexual things disturb me quite a lot, violence can still disgust me significantly, too. Just not as much as sex does.

While the sex in Shortbus is real, and the gore in the Saw trilogy is not, I find myself MUCH more disturbed by the gore than the sex.

What are your thoughts on depictions of gore versus sex?

I find myself agreeing with you. Gore is a lot more disturbing than sex. (But maybe it's because I'm a closet pervert)

Maybe it's because sex is too real for them. Violence is much less likely to happen in most parts of the western world, so it's more of an unrealistic situation.

Sexuality tends to be more boring for me then anything although sometimes it irrates me. For gore I can be watch it if it's in a movie and I'll find it interesting (anless it's Hostel or Texas Chain Saw Massacre) for a while but if someone laughs at it it ruins the movie for me,(example A Clockwork Orange I was kinda disgusted that my friends just laughed though it) and I can't eat when I'm watching gore. When I do watch movies like Saw I have to shut my eyes for most of it. I said that sexuality was worse for me in the poll but on second thought gore is, but I tend to see it more because of the genre of movies I like (horror would be the one that exposes me to the most gore.)

Unfortunately, yes. I would imagine so.

If you don't mind my asking, have you undergone puberty yet?

If you don't mind my asking, have you undergone puberty yet?

Yes, I have.