societal conventions you hate

[Farseer Lolotea]

That depends. Elaborate a little more on whom or what specifically you are referring to by "abject shame" and "flagrant exploitation". I'd rather not add or detract from your actual meaning by assuming off the bat.

On my end, I was simply referring to the excessive and unnecessary censorship of sexual images and material that comes from a Puritan history in the West of being uncomfortable with any public sexual imagery of activity that deviates from the missionary position/married couple normative (this includes homosexuality and I suppose transgendered individuals), and the practice of anyone deviating from that perceived "normative" sexual lifestyle to be considered a promiscuous (unfortunately this word is only thought of in the negative connotation), irresponsible slut (or manwhore).

That's what I meant by "abject shame." Violence is okay, vanilla straight couples are okay as long as their sex lives are off-camera, but heaven forbid an official couple be same-sex (especially if it's two guys) or actually an official triad or something. (There's something else I love about Rift: If anyone thinks Uriel/Kira isn't canon or heading that way, I call denial.)

Now when it comes to sexual objectification, I only find such to be negative when the objectification of the individual is only brought about by the intent to make the individual look nothing more than a slut, and a tool to use (porn does do this to an extent, but it does it with the penis as well). When objectification is used as a positive force, such as simply something like a modelling shoot or a Playboy (or Playgirl, although both are debatable sometimes) magazine in which the human body is displayed as something to be admired and appreciated on a physical and sexual level as well as an emotional level, then I rather endorse the practice.

It's probably something of a shaky line, but I don't necessarily consider erotica, or admiration of the human body, "objectification." The word implies degradation in and of itself; the portrayal of the model or character less as a sexual being per se than as a mindless fucktoy, if that makes sense.

It's the flipside of the shame coin, really: This person is not ashamed of being sexual; and, as such, is worthy of contempt. It's okay to be attracted to them, but they should be viewed as porn with a pulse rather than as completely human. That is what I mean by objectification.

 

[Baneat]

like for instance, before Michael Jackson died all I heard about him was pedophile jokes, left, right and center, now that he's dead he's no longer a dangerous man-child but a great man and tragic figure,

Kinda poor example, considering that after his death the guy who said he was raped by MJ admitted he was bullshitting under his dad's pressure to make some money.

 

[CarpathianMuffin]

Popular music charts dominating radio airplay. It's kept me away from the radio for far too long.

Also, getting more and more fed up at the whole "If you don't go to college, you'll definitely wind up a failure" mentality that people can't seem to shake off.

 

[ShadowsofHope]

That's what I meant by "abject shame." Violence is okay, vanilla straight couples are okay as long as their sex lives are off-camera, but heaven forbid an official couple be same-sex (especially if it's two guys) or actually an official triad or something. (There's something else I love about Rift: If anyone thinks Uriel/Kira isn't canon or heading that way, I call denial.)

Alright, that's what I thought you had meant anyways. Just didn't want to be presumptuous at first, is all.

It's probably something of a shaky line, but I don't necessarily consider erotica, or admiration of the human body, "objectification." The word implies degradation in and of itself; the portrayal of the model or character less as a sexual being per se than as a mindless fucktoy, if that makes sense.

It's the flipside of the shame coin, really: This person is not ashamed of being sexual; and, as such, is worthy of contempt. It's okay to be attracted to them, but they should be viewed as porn with a pulse rather than as completely human. That is what I mean by objectification.

Fair enough. The line between "erotica" and "objectification" can be blurry at times, but I get what you are saying. I'm perfectly fine with erotica, and even endorse it. I am against objectification, as you have defined it. Although I will admit, when it comes to masturbation aid, I shamelessly accept objectification for the time it takes to be.. *ahem* successful.

 

[The Rockerfly]

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. It's mostly art majors which kind of explains everything I just mentioned.

Maybe it's different over the pond, how's the music scene over there? A lot of people in the UK have a irritable taste in music with bland pop and warp warp dubsteps

The most popular bands among us consist of Arcade Fire, The Wonder Years, Fireworks, Muse, Modest Mouse, Foxy Shazam, Phoenix, The Mars Volta, Vampire Weekend, Metric and Title Fight.

Ska's also a popular genre in some circles. Streetlight Manifesto and Reel Big Fish are the two big bands here.

But for our musical performer last year it made no sense. We got Yung Joc of all people. Not very many kids on campus went and the ones that came from off campus got the cops called on em. :/

What? I guess I went to the wrong uni but it's so good for my course and if I change I've wasted a year an I have to pay the higher tuition fees

 

[ItsAChiaotzu]

Nobody dresses nice anymore. Or wears fancy hats

You must have got this already but ... seriously. Royal Wedding.


Anyway, the convention that because someone is sexually attracted to children they are inherently evil? Oh, people thinking they can judge you without understanding your intent.

But isn't your intent those young children your sexually attracted to?

Not necessarily, why, just because someone is sexually attracted to children would they not understand the idea of consent any more than you?

 

[Arisato-kun]

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. It's mostly art majors which kind of explains everything I just mentioned.

Maybe it's different over the pond, how's the music scene over there? A lot of people in the UK have a irritable taste in music with bland pop and warp warp dubsteps

The most popular bands among us consist of Arcade Fire, The Wonder Years, Fireworks, Muse, Modest Mouse, Foxy Shazam, Phoenix, The Mars Volta, Vampire Weekend, Metric and Title Fight.

Ska's also a popular genre in some circles. Streetlight Manifesto and Reel Big Fish are the two big bands here.

But for our musical performer last year it made no sense. We got Yung Joc of all people. Not very many kids on campus went and the ones that came from off campus got the cops called on em. :/

What? I guess I went to the wrong uni but it's so good for my course and if I change I've wasted a year an I have to pay the higher tuition fees

That's what matters though. If it's good for your major then by all means continue to go there.If my school wasn't good for my major, despite all the awesome people I've met there, then I would leave. Simple as that.

 

[mjcabooseblu]

I hate that society looks down on guys that wear chick clothes. I hate pants! I'd much rather wear a skirt.

 

[The Artificially Prolonged]

General lack of manners. I find it quite surprising how many people don't say things like please or thank you anymore.

 

[Farseer Lolotea]

I hate that society looks down on guys that wear chick clothes. I hate pants! I'd much rather wear a skirt.

You might want to try wearing a kilt. It's close enough to a skirt in terms of how it fits, but still traditionally considered "masculine," so you're less likely to catch flak over it. Especially if you get one of those heavy-duty twill ones with the cargo pockets.

...just a thought.

 

[zeldagirl]

I hate that society looks down on guys that wear chick clothes. I hate pants! I'd much rather wear a skirt.

I agree - I think people should be allowed to wear whatever makes them most comfortable while maintaining appropriateness, without having to be made to feel ashamed or "lesser."


But as Lolotea said, try a kilt?

 

[Astoria]

The whole blame game thing when it comes to relationships. You know, guys lie, girls nag, all that stuff. We are all as bad as each other ok so can we please accept that and move on.

 

[mjcabooseblu]

I hate that society looks down on guys that wear chick clothes. I hate pants! I'd much rather wear a skirt.

You might want to try wearing a kilt. It's close enough to a skirt in terms of how it fits, but still traditionally considered "masculine," so you're less likely to catch flak over it. Especially if you get one of those heavy-duty twill ones with the cargo pockets.

...just a thought.

I actually prefer frilly stuff I'm not a very manly guy. I often get mistaken for a girl, so...

 

[Faux Furry]

I detest any social convention that anyone gets to sit out due to their class/caste,race, ethnicity, sex/gender, creed or religion somehow excusing them from having to take part in it, be it mandatory military service, bowing to everyone, exercising modesty, wearing suits and ties, getting little bits chopped off of them in their infancy, having to assert oneself or having to grin and bare one's pain.

In other words, misery loves company. If they've got to do it, there's no reason that you can't do it, everyone being equal and all!