Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Modern action films fetishize the body even as they desexualize it

bloodknife.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

411–420 of 699 posts

Re: Modern action films fetishize the body even as they desexualize it

#411

Post by Singletoned »

leveleer323 wrote: post #346
hirundo wrote: post #35

Is this a side effect of normalizing porn, that sexuality is more effectively partitioned? I once had a debate in an online forum about legalizing prostitution, and most participants were supportive of it. Then I asked the same group, what about legalizing partial prostitution, like a receptionist that also has sex with the boss as part of the job description. The participants all immediately switched to revulsion at…

This is no brainer. If a job description involves having sex, then people who don't want to have sex will be forced to do so which violates basic human right. On the other hand having sex with boss or any one with consent should not be prohibited legally.

If a job description involves something you object to then you probably shouldn’t apply for the job, whatever it is

Re: Modern action films fetishize the body even as they desexualize it

#412

Post by blowski »

kodah wrote: post #373
Thorentis wrote: post #368

Our society glorifies pornography and sex-work, but condemns the objectification of bodies. Our society condemns fat shaming, but makes idols out of instagram models. We are very, very confused. Huxley predicted a world where sex became God. Orwell predicted a world where sex was taboo. Unsurprisingly, the reality is that our society has become a paradox by adopting both.

I think what you're witnessing is the two ideologies coming to a head. One which is a staunchly prude version of society going head to head with a staunchly open version of society in the most proxy way possible. The proxy being art, journalism, and finally public discourse.

You're right. These two might have bumpted into each other while shopping, but for the rest of the time, they barely knew of each other's existence. Now we have social media and 24/7 news channels, so they're constantly in each other's faces. They've always existed, but it's only recently they've both stood in the town square shouting at each other.

Re: Modern action films fetishize the body even as they desexualize it

#413

Post by [deleted] »

petr25102018 wrote: post #377
refurb wrote: post #363

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not true. It’s not uncommon for a toddler to find a private place to defecate without being told. There is an innate sense of a need for privacy for some things.

But isn't this just an instinct not to defecate at the place where he/she plays and spends time? How can you be so sure that it is about privacy?

[deleted]

Re: Modern action films fetishize the body even as they desexualize it

#414

Post by dllthomas »

_blu wrote: post #371
injidup wrote: post #322

Seriously? Selective sampling and click bait. Two recent programs come to mind and I'm sure this list is not exhaustive. "The boys" and "Orville". Both chock full of "heroes" who in-between being heroes are preoccupied with banging each other, getting drunk, eating or failing themselves. The last episode of "The Boys" ends with Homelander jerking off while perched on a ledge over the city and raging at the unfairness…

who's being selective? neither of your examples are mainstream. and isn't the Boys based on an old comic series? And it's certainly made to be a comment on the sexless trope we see in todays superheroes

If we can't count The Boys because it's based on an older comic, what do we say about the MCU movies central to the thesis?

Re: Modern action films fetishize the body even as they desexualize it

#415

Post by _xnmw »

airhead969 wrote: post #325

Fuck all that mass-media social programming propaganda. Murder and violence are "okay," while sex and sexuality are "bad." I'll walk around naked, look at women, and hookup whenever I damn well please. Sex is awesome, bodies are beautiful, and no shame is necessary for either. Films that cannot be made in modern America: - Laura, les ombres de l'été (1979) - Lolita (either) - Pretty Baby (1978) - Caligula (1979) - Ro…

Scarcity increases value. We often artificially enforce the scarcity of things in order to preserve its value. That's the reason why patents, IP and copyrights exists, for example. "Marriage" and "fidelity" are a means of artificially enforcing scarcity on sex, in order to increase the value and likelihood of partners bonding for life, which in turn improves the child-rearing situation for society, as single parents fare worse in general. "Marriage", according to anthropologists, is a universal human construct found in all human societies, ancient and modern, and many aim for it as the "ideal" or "perfect" human condition especially in old age. Hence "prudeness" is a well-founded desire to continue enforcing the scarcity of sex to increase its value and enjoyment, not to decrease it.

Re: Modern action films fetishize the body even as they desexualize it

#416

Post by ch_sm »

willyt wrote: post #406
prirun wrote: post #317

I have never understood why nudity and consensual sex - basically harmless activities - are deeply frowned on by the ratings groups, yet stabbing someone in the throat and having their blood gush out everywhere is fine and dandy. Everyone knows that men have dicks. Why is seeing one such a big deal? Or a butt for that matter: everybody has one! It's no wonder our society is screwed up when it comes to our bodies. We…

Try some European stuff? These are all excellent and non-violent: - Normal People - Call my agent (Dix pour cent) - Fleabag

Fleabag was fantastic, highly recommended.

Re: Modern action films fetishize the body even as they desexualize it

#417

Post by necovek »

saithound wrote: post #82
hirundo wrote: post #35

Is this a side effect of normalizing porn, that sexuality is more effectively partitioned? I once had a debate in an online forum about legalizing prostitution, and most participants were supportive of it. Then I asked the same group, what about legalizing partial prostitution, like a receptionist that also has sex with the boss as part of the job description. The participants all immediately switched to revulsion at…

Others have explained why certain jobs are "segregated", and how sex work could plausibly fit into that category. But even if it does not, there's nothing we can learn about sex work from the reactions described above. Isn't it strange how most programmers think that specialist barista work is not demeaning, but would quit on the spot if they were instructed to serve morning coffee to the management? Oh wait, it's no…

> Isn't it strange how most programmers think that specialist barista work is not demeaning, but would quit on the spot if they were instructed to serve morning coffee to the management?

It's trivial to get that exercise on its' head. If management is ok putting clauses into highly trained workers' contracts about coffee serving, as a highly trained worker, I'd demand they introduce a clause for highly-trained and highly-paid management to clean others' shoes. What's fair is fair, right?

If they can't take the same high, non-elitist ground, well, that's a clear-cut abuse, ain't it?

But to be honest, "elite" jobs classification is present across the population (ask anyone in "low-skilled" job what they think of University professors; now ask us who know how Universities run internally :)).

There is a huge difference if those "non-job" things are "communal" or written-down or coming from authority. I think most people would not have a problem taking the broom and cleaning up after someone else has left a mess at the office ("look at this mess, let me clean it up" — "hey, let me help too"). But having your "boss" order you do it is an altogether different matter.

Re: Modern action films fetishize the body even as they desexualize it

#418

Post by necovek »

mavhc wrote: post #330
scruple wrote: post #313

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A quote that I picked up from my grandfather, "They pay me the same no matter what they've got me doing."

I'd rather be doing something that will lead me to get paid more in the future, learning new skills

I optimize the way I put dishes in the dishwasher, I design my own closets so I'll have the best design for what I do every day (i.e. clothes I use regularly are close by) — eg. I hang my t-shirts because it's faster than folding them — etc.

There are things that can be optimized in serving coffee too!

And when you had enough, you can just start serving terrible coffee :D

Re: Modern action films fetishize the body even as they desexualize it

#419

Post by pbhjpbhj »

wernercd wrote: post #263
saithound wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Others have explained why certain jobs are "segregated", and how sex work could plausibly fit into that category. But even if it does not, there's nothing we can learn about sex work from the reactions described above. Isn't it strange how most programmers think that specialist barista work is not demeaning, but would quit on the spot if they were instructed to serve morning coffee to the management? Oh wait, it's no…

I don't want to serve coffee... or apply application hotfixes (stuff more typically "administrators" or "ops")... but at my pay rate? I'd do it and question why I'm getting paid $$$$$ to do something that $ can do.

If your boss is the sort of person who would serve coffee to the team you're probably fine cowtowing in this way. Otherwise, I think you risk being tainted in their eyes. They might see the others at the meeting as superior, wrt the role of programmer (etc.); and unconsciously associate you with less technical work.

I think you risk "why are we paying $$$$$, isn't that the guy who serves the coffee" even if it's subconscious.

Re: Modern action films fetishize the body even as they desexualize it

#420

Post by Blaiz0r »

_blu wrote: post #371
injidup wrote: post #322

Seriously? Selective sampling and click bait. Two recent programs come to mind and I'm sure this list is not exhaustive. "The boys" and "Orville". Both chock full of "heroes" who in-between being heroes are preoccupied with banging each other, getting drunk, eating or failing themselves. The last episode of "The Boys" ends with Homelander jerking off while perched on a ledge over the city and raging at the unfairness…

who's being selective? neither of your examples are mainstream. and isn't the Boys based on an old comic series? And it's certainly made to be a comment on the sexless trope we see in todays superheroes

agreed, and The Boys has had success exactly because it stands out against the current normal action film/tv
Post reply on HN