Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Bedroom scenes on TV

[Warning: soapbox and unpopular opinions]

Its not a popular opinion to have, but I don't think TV and movies should be as explicit as they are. Especially in the case of bedroom scenes, but also in regards to language, violence, and other adult-themes. (I'm a little in doubt about the violence: it has been observed that kids and teens are pretty violent individuals, and this is a nondestructive outlet, comparable to shooting things in video games. With that said, such violent digital slaughter should be directed away from police and human beings when possible. Regarding games for youth.)

Personally, I want to support freedom of choice and expression, in fact I prefer a open society with the least limits on personal choices, but that also includes social responsibility. It comes down to for me to the idea of consent. Rape is by far the most well-known nonconsensual act, but I think the ideas apply to any public intercourse (pun intended) if it has the reasonable chance of affecting others without their being aware that it might happen.

I enjoy watching older movies, such as John Wayne, because they are refreshingly discreet. Of course the audience knows that there is plenty of bedroom antics going on behind the scenes, but there are some things we just don't need to see. I recall hearing my parents talk about the "community standards" for TV when they were kids, no active bedroom scenes, and no ads for tampons, no underwear models, or any of that. It just wasn't done.
UNLESS we, as consenting adults, have specifically chosen to watch a movie with explicit material. And here, I'm not even talking nudity, I'm not even talking about hot and heavy athletics, I'm talking about the average non-nudity "simulated sex" bedroom scene in a broadcast television drama.
But couldn't we all use less "erectile disfunction" and "herpes" ads?

Let me be clear.
I ENJOY UNDERWEAR MODELS. I THINK AN HONEST PORTRAYAL OF SEX IS IMPORTANT. and CONSENTING ADULTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THE ENTERTAINMENT THEY WANT
I just don't think it belongs on the public airwaves, or in PG movies.

Okay, I'm getting off my soapbox now

3 comments:

  1. Hmm...you seem to be a very sexual person...

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  3. I have made an effort in this blog to be more frank than in previous writings, and more open about things that I tend to be in public settings. To be totally frank would be impolite, so I use some discretion. Plus, some things are just better not spoken of outside of personal relationships. However, one thing I have noticed: among certain friends I am very sexually charged, and another set would call me very conservative and close-minded. One set would call me "too worldly", while another set would call me "too religious". One set would call me a buffoon (to use a mild term) while another set might call me wise. One set sees me as socially outgoing and another as shy and introverted. Some consider me tied to the chains of tradition and conformity while others can see me as having an unusual mindset. Where does the truth lie? There is a reason I describe myself on this blog as, simply, "a voice".

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