Aella: Sex Work, Sex Research, and Data Science — #42
Aug 24, 2023
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Aella, a former sex worker, sex researcher, and data scientist, discusses her background, experiences as a sex worker and escorting, pimp culture, Seeking Arrangement, cheating, OnlyFans, incels and sex work, porn and Gen-Z, embryo screening, and the future of IVG.
Aella's diverse background as a sex worker, sex researcher, and data scientist showcases her unique expertise in human sexuality.
Aella's dissatisfaction with her religious upbringing and assigned gender roles led her to explore sex work as a means of improving her financial situation.
Aella discusses the complexity of exploitation in the sex work industry, emphasizing the varying dynamics between sex workers and clients.
The podcast highlights the impact of unlimited access to porn on young individuals and the importance of open discussions about its potential harms and benefits.
Deep dives
Podcast Guest's Unique Life Experiences and Analytical Abilities
The podcast episode features a guest named Ayla who has a diverse background as a sex worker, sex researcher, and data scientist. The host finds Ayla's unique set of life experiences intriguing, particularly her expertise in the field of human sexuality. Ayla is described as analytical, rational, and skilled at effectively communicating complex concepts to an audience. Her combination of life experiences and analytical mindset makes her a standout individual in the host's opinion.
Ayla's Upbringing in a Highly Religious Environment
Ayla discusses her religious upbringing, which involved strict filtering of cultural exposure. Raised in a highly religious household, she was homeschooling to shield her from concepts like evolution and any ideas that challenged the traditional family structure. Ayla shares her dissatisfaction with this strict lifestyle, even though she wasn't exposed to feminism or alternative perspectives. Despite the lack of exposure, she felt unhappy with the assigned gender roles imposed on her.
Transitioning to the Outside World and Exploring Sex Work
As Ayla grew older, she lost her faith and encountered a culture shock when transitioning to the outside world. After working minimum wage jobs in the city, she eventually turned to sex work as a way to improve her quality of life and financial situation. Ayla highlights the stark contrast between the unpleasant experience of working in a factory and the opportunities that sex work provided for her.
Different Aspects of Sex Work and Perception of Exploitation
The podcast delves into various aspects of sex work, including escorting, sugar dating platforms like Seeking Arrangement, and OnlyFans. Ayla provides insights into these different approaches and points out the complexity surrounding the notion of exploitation in the sex work industry. She emphasizes that exploitation can occur from multiple perspectives, and the dynamics between sex workers and their clients vary depending on individual circumstances. Ayla also discusses the prevalence of cheating in relationships and societal factors that contribute to the demand for sex work.
Impact of unlimited access to porn on young people
The podcast episode discusses the impact of having unlimited access to porn on young men and women. With the proliferation of internet porn and easy access through smartphones, young individuals are now exposed to explicit content at an early age. While the long-term effects of this exposure are still uncertain, the podcast highlights the importance of having open and informed discussions about the potential harms and benefits of porn on young people's sexual development.
Insight from porn on individual sexual preferences
The podcast also delves into the insight that porn provides into individual sexual preferences. By exploring various genres and niche styles in porn, individuals can discover their own unique interests and desires. However, it is crucial to approach these preferences with caution. While porn can be educational and help individuals explore their desires, they should be mindful of not assuming that their partner wants the same things depicted in porn. It is important to foster open communication and consent to ensure a healthy and satisfying sexual experience.
Embryo screening, egg donation, and the future of reproductive technologies
In addition to discussing aspects of sexology, the podcast touches upon topics related to embryo screening and egg donation. It highlights the potential benefits of genetic screening and selection for desirable traits in embryos. The conversation also explores the challenges faced by the scientific community in advancing these technologies due to societal resistance and controversies. The podcast touches on the need for ongoing research, data collection, and informed discussions to navigate the ethical and practical implications of reproductive technologies in order to shape a more equitable and progressive future.
(12:45) - Aella's experiences as a sex worker and escorting
(29:52) - Pimp culture
(38:01) - Seeking Arrangement
(43:50) - Cheating
(46:50) - OnlyFans, farming simps
(51:49) - Incels and sex work
(56:24) - Porn and Gen-Z
(01:12:43) - Embryo screening
(01:21:43) - How far off is IVG?
Music used with permission from Blade Runner Blues Livestream improvisation by State Azure.
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Steve Hsu is Professor of Theoretical Physics and of Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering at Michigan State University. Previously, he was Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation at MSU and Director of the Institute of Theoretical Science at the University of Oregon. Hsu is a startup founder (SuperFocus.ai, SafeWeb, Genomic Prediction) and advisor to venture capital and other investment firms. He was educated at Caltech and Berkeley, was a Harvard Junior Fellow, and has held faculty positions at Yale, the University of Oregon, and MSU.
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