The Allure of Pornography

Talk to me about sex. No, don’t talk “dirty” to me. Talk to me about sex. What is the fascination with pornography?

I’m a healthy adult male. I appreciate the beauty of a lovely woman, as much as the next man. But what is the excitement of a two dimensional woman, naked, and, worse, in some sexually-related pose? And watching a man and woman having sex? A man that I don’t know, having sex with a woman I don’t know?

I don’t particularly enjoy watching baseball or football or any other sport for that matter (unless my kids are involved). Why would I watch people that I don’t know play against other people that I don’t know in a game? Why would I be happy if a team of players that I don’t know, representing my town, beat a team of other players I don’t know, who represent another town? How could I ever say, “We won!” Who are “we” anyway? It is ironic that when the hometown team wins, “we” win, and when the hometown team loses, “they” lose.

So, as much as I enjoy passionate love, why would I want to see someone else engaged in it? Do other primates sit around watching their own kind engaged in sex? Do orangutans watch other orangutans fornicating? Do chimps watch other chimps doing it? Or do any otsher life forms watch? Are there any other voyeurs on this planet?

Humans seem to be the only “kind” who kill their own species. And the only kind who watch their own kind have sex. Other than for purposes of academic research, do humans watch orangutans have sex?

Having a sexual fantasy is one thing. If I dream of making some amazing love in my own mind, how is that related, in any way, to watching John Doe having sex with Jane Smith? Besides, in pornography, it is highly likely that John and Jane are not in love anyway; it’s just a job for them. Work. No emotions. No tenderness. No care.

I am not offended by a woman’s body or a man’s body. I think it is wonderful if a woman or a man is sensual or sexual. That’s natural. But unless I am involved, why should I care?

Frankly, as a higher order primate, I just don’t get it.