Intelligence Squared The Sunday Debate: Pornography is Good For Us
Feb 12, 2023
Joining the discussion are Robert Lefever, a leading expert on addiction treatment and founder of the UK's first addiction treatment centre, and Clarissa Smith, an academic expert on sexualities and culture with a focus on pornography consumption. They tackle the contentious debate on pornography, exploring its potential benefits for sexual empowerment and education. They also delve into the darker aspects of addiction, especially among women, and critique unrealistic portrayals in the industry, advocating for responsible sexual representation and education.
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From Feminist to Pornographer
- Anna Arrowsmith, initially a feminist critical of porn, realized her anger stemmed from envy of men's catered sexuality.
- This led her to create porn for women's sexual exploration instead of restricting men's freedom.
Pornography as Roleplay
- Sexual objectification, fleeting attraction, is common for both genders, though less acceptable for women.
- Pornography is imaginative roleplay, not a political act, offering power through exploration.
The Boxing Analogy
- Anti-porn feminists mistakenly link porn to rape, similar to blaming boxing for violence.
- This comparison illustrates how porn, like boxing, has rules distinct from real-life violence.
