(written as an individual, not a moderator)
Wkleong2. Thanks for posting this point of view. However, this list is very strange to me. I do not take it as a list of facts, since there is ample documentary evidence to the contrary (and I provide a link to one such study at the end of this post). I do not doubt, however, that every point has some truth in it. For example:
1) It seems to me that some will enjoy it in the same way that some farmers enjoy the 18 hours per day of work during the harvest season. Similarly, commercial fishermen endure amazing hardships during their fishing season, including working at least 18 hours per day in tough and dangerous work situations aboard ship (just watch "The Deadliest Catch" for details). The point is, people often choose quite difficult things to do, that involve hardship. Porn stars are not unique in this respect.
2) Please don't forget that porn stars are not all the same. There are some who are "just actors", while others are directors, producers, financiers, and so on. As with many other jobs, there is a whole spectrum of abilities that differentiate them. As for your mention of the anal scenes, there is no particular reason to believe that the anal scenes are any more or less painful than the other scenes. I have no doubt that, on many occasions, filming is stopped for these reasons too: muscle cramps from being in unusual positions; loss of erection; need to go to the toilet; lunch. In the mix somewhere will be situations where an accident of some kind occurs, and a guy's penis got bent or a girl's anus or vagina got stretched. I'm sure it happens, but I don't think it "defines" what happens on set.
3) Just try working at any socially remote environment, and you will find drug users. The work is long and not easy, and the pay is relatively good. This is a mixture that allows people to get caught up in drugs and alcohol. However, it will not be everybody who partakes. Some will, some won't. And let's not forget that there's a big difference between smoking a cigarette/joint and doing cocaine. And no, I'm not really "discussing drugs" here, I'm just saying "people are people", and I don'tt see a reason to suspect that there's anything particularly unique about porn stars when it comes to drug use. I don't see how it "encourages" them to use drugs, but like many other parts of life, it does "allow" them to do so.
4) Actually, I think most porn scenes are very boring. Only a small portion are arousing. But I do not subscribe to your "mentally torturing" point of view. Of course, there will be some who try it out and absolutely hate it. Given the large numbers of people involved, it likely wouldn't be hard to find some of them to present this point of view. But there are also those who do very well in the industry, mentally. I would strongly suggest you read the writings of Asia Carrera, who is a retired porn star. I believe she will give you a very different point of view.
5) No. I don't agree that porn stars are better actors than hollywood actors. Some are good, some are bad. Just like Hollywood. I find your depiction of actors as "professional liars" to be very condescending and unwarranted. Acting is not the same as lying.
6) Perhaps true. But ... really ... reaching back to 1997, which is 16 years ago??? Frankly, I'm amazed that the number isn't higher, given what was known back then.
7) The statistics for Herpes in the general population are quite high (you can find them yourself), although not quite as high as this. But Herpes is, for most people, very benign. But yes, Herpes is very much a risk of being a porn star, and also of being a sex worker of any kind ... or one of their customers.
8) Every one of those suicides is a tragedy. But here are some statistics that put this number into perspective.
9) As with the previous point, I think this page provides a bit of context.
10) This is, indeed, an amazingly low number.
11) Holy cow, in an industry that practices widespread unprotected sex, less than 10% of porn stars suffer from STDs. That's truly an impressively low number. They must be doing something right.
Sorry for such a long rebuttal, but it has been a long-time pet peeve of mine when people stereotype people in the porn industry. I find it demeaning for them to do so, and I don't mind speaking out about it.
For those who want a different view on the porn industry, see this study. There are many more like it. Porn stars have as many positive traits as negative ones, just like people in any other industry.
Gherk
PS: I think this thread should be moved from "News" to "Talk is Cheap". | |
