Interview with Robert Jensen on pornography (2 of 5)

Interview with Robert Jensen, author of "Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity"

Synopsis of the book: Pornography is big ... all » business, a thriving multi-billion dollar industry so powerful it drives the direction of much media technology. It also makes for complicated politics. Anti-pornography arguments are frequently dismissed as patently "anti-sex"—and ultimately "anti-feminist"—silencing at the gate a critical discussion of pornography's relationship to violence against women and even what it means to be a "real man." In his most personal and difficult book to date, Robert Jensen launches a powerful critique of mainstream pornography that promises to reignite one of the fiercest debates in contemporary feminism. At once alarming and thought-provoking, Getting Off asks tough but crucial questions about pornography, manhood, and paths toward genuine social justice.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• pornography
• feminism
• commentary
• analysis
• interview
• robert
• jensen
• porn
• sex
• media

[nta214]

My god, just listen to this stuff. Talk about overt sexism... Man hating if I've ever heard it. That caller, especially - trying to act like every young man she comes in contact with on a daily basis is a stain on humanity. "It's obvious that these women in the films are in extreme pain" - that was a bit laughable.

[sgsilver]

What specifically is sexist or "man-hating" about the interview? Why is the statement that women appear to be in extreme pain laughable?

[sgsilver]

I don't think that Jensen is saying that women are "saints" and men are "devils". Women are exploited by women as well as men. However, I think it cannot be denied that the commercial sex industry, including pornography, exists primarily for the sexual gratification of men.

[ioploki]

Robert Jensen is an outstanding human being.

[afferbeclauder]

robert jensen is the man. as a male who struggles with pornography, i am greatly relieved that he provides this perspective. he is a true ally to men and women in showing the porn industry up for the crummy emptiness that it is. it's no-one's friend.

[DanceswithUtube]

Porn is SUPER popular and super in fashion right now. But stuff that is loved by the MASSES isn't always a good thing, no? People used to enjoy going to see a public execution for fun at one point in history, right? And we look back at that and think: "HOW could they think that was OK?"

[DanceswithUtube]

@nta214

Your comment made it through, but *what* was your point?

[DanceswithUtube]

Porn is so blatantly harmful, I am SUPER pleased that there is a man speaking against it: men need a MAN to speak for them:

Thank you Jensen.

[95topaz]

Oops. That kinda sounded like I'm into Robert Jensen. I'm not. He's gay or bisexual (not clear which) and he's too old for me anyway. I'm just saying that a man with that kind of conscientious attitude could maybe get me interested in sex and relationships again.

[95topaz]

ioploki: Amen to that. I wish there were more men like him. A man like that, who cares about women and doesn't wish to demean and degrade might actually get me interested in sex again. Most of the men I meet just disgust me and I'm just not attracted in that way to women, so I'm celibate.

[nta214]

Well, mostly I found it funny because the radio host she could tell so "obviously" what women in pornography are feeling. Jensen himself shot that notion down, and went on to explain that this is not normally the case. Another thing, I think it's funny how you chose to show this comment I made, and refused one on another portion of the interview. I love you people who post videos and cherry-pick comments. I wonder, will this one even get through?