Why Is America Still So Often Puritanical ?

[Herman]

I would definitely just prefer to "resign" from life, take a solitary and somewhat menial job and live quietly.   

But Eric, my good friend, talking about your sexuality on the internet is none of these things. The only thing you will achieve this way is a lot of resistance and increase of unhappiness. It would really be a good idea to put a lid on this and enjoy a good session of Pelleas & Mélisande, just to name something.

And personally I think there's nothing lacking in your intellectual abilities. So please let's switch topics.

[Cato]

But Eric, my good friend, talking about your sexuality on the internet is none of these things. The only thing you will achieve this way is a lot of resistance and increase of unhappiness. It would really be a good idea to put a lid on this and enjoy a good session of Pelleas & Mélisande, just to name something.

And personally I think there's nothing lacking in your intellectual abilities. So please let's switch topics.

Amen!   0:)

And I will emphasize my previous little note to you!

[Lilas Pastia]

Quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi. 

Isn't that the title of Jon Bon Jovi's latest album?

[karlhenning]

Yellow card!

[Lilas Pastia]

Another rock band !

[Homo Aestheticus]

Mr. Unrepentant: None of this normal!  If you are truly describing yourself, then you need to realize that you are depressed and obsessed.  Depression can become an athanor, a self-feeding, self-reinforcing furnace providing an odd kind of pleasure from itself, but which ultimately leads to pain and abnormality. 

Yes, I am fully aware of that...   More specifically mine is just the classic neuroses: the violent swinging between self-loathing and self-idealization... And very immobilizing, yes. 



But thanks for your concern.

[Homo Aestheticus]

It would really be a good idea to and enjoy a good session of Pelleas & Mélisande, just to name something.

Actually at this hour I'm in the mood for Mozart's Clarinet Concerto K. 622

And personally I think there's nothing lacking in your intellectual abilities.

Amen!   0:)

And I will emphasize my previous little note to you!

Thank you both for the kind words.

[Homo Aestheticus]

Andrei,

You do realize, I hope, that your avowed personal record about women and sex is far from entitling you to voice an informed opinion on the subject, based on anything else than abstract, fanciful theories.

Now, prostitution is a fact of life (a mostly nasty, bruttish and hard one, at that) and if you need it I believe no one here is going to condemn you; not me, at least. But what I can't and won't accept is rationalizing it as a harmless, private transaction between two (or more) consenting adults. Its consequences are neither harmless nor private and, in many cases, the consent is only presumed.

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TEXT REMOVED BY KNIGHT:

ERIC, I ALREADY ASKED THAT YOU TO KEEP IT 'FAMILY FRIENDLY.' YOU WILL HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE, WITHOUT GIVING US THE DETAIL. IF YOU NEED TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT ALL THIS, DO IT BY PM PLEASE.

NEXT TIME ROUND THE ENTIRE POST WILL BE BINNED.

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Here are my questions:

1. Why is what she and I did ethically problematic ?  I would like a clear explanation of  why ?

2. Would you still be morally opposed to sex work if hypothetically we were designed physiologically in such a way that made contraction of any disease or harm impossible ?  Or to put it another way philosophically, does your problem with all of this have to do with the issue of treating humans as merely means to an end ?

3. How should a society approach this ? Are you in favor of legalization, decriminalization or complete prohibition of sex work ?

[greg]

This thread makes me chuckle. Tee hee hee! 

[Florestan]

[2. Would you still be morally opposed to sex work if hypothetically we were designed physiologically in such a way that made contraction of any disease or harm impossible ?  Or to put it another way philosophically, does your problem with all of this have to do with the issue of treating humans as merely means to an end ?

Eric, why is it that you always suggest fanciful hypothesis or abstract philosophical theories which bear no relation to, or relevance for, the real world? Your sexual behaviour is the result of your abnormal psychological condition, of which you seem aware of, but do nothing for curing it. No amount of rationalization will change this fact. Most people here, myself included, have repeatedly told you that you were an intelligent person and you should seriously seek professional help to overcome your depression. Why do you ignore us? Why do you want our opinion on hypothetical conditionals instead of considering the one we offer you on facts and reality?

[greg]

Why do you ignore us? Why do you want our opinion on hypothetical conditionals instead of considering the one we offer you on facts and reality?

pssst... betcha 10 bucks he won't answer this directly.

[Homo Aestheticus]

Andrei,

Most people here, myself included, have repeatedly told you that you were an intelligent person and you should seriously seek professional help to overcome your depression. Why do you ignore us?

I would have replied earlier but I've been especially busy at work this week.

First, it was not my intention to ignore you on that issue but it's sort of personal..

Briefly: since the age of 18 I have seen approximately 7 psychotherapists (cognitive-behavioral) 2 psychoanalysts (Freudian and Adlerian) and 3 psychopharmacologists. None were able to help me in the least. If anything leaving their offices and re-examining the dialogue in my head exacerbated my mood... A person like myself just can't "decide" to seek help and get better. Much of my life is compulsively driven. All I fantasize about is achieving some sort of real intellectual competence in some field. It is difficult to explain but if you really want to understand my affliction you have to read this excellent (and underappreciated) book which explains how self-hatred develops, its insidiousness and why the process is really difficult to change. Her tone is not pessimistic but she shows that a prognosis for improvement is not exactly great. 

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DC3KT0YDL.jpg

By the way, my depression is just a symptom of having been cut off and alienated from my natural spontaneous self (and for me that occurred in early adolescence)

Your sexual behaviour is the result of your abnormal psychological condition

Yes, I do have deep-seated psychological problems but it does not follow that my sexual preferences are influenced by them. This is a common misconception and it needs to be pointed out.

I don't think there is anything wrong with having mysophiliac tendencies.... Personally, I think it's pretty natural. I have fantasized about women's scents since I was a boy. Also, just look at the animal world. There is an awful lot of olfactory activity going on. 

Why is it that you always suggest fanciful hypothesis or abstract philosophical theories which bear no relation to, or relevance for, the real world?

I am simply trying to understand more precisely  where  the ethical objections towards sex work come from. 

Getting back to the central questions:

Why is what the Algerian lady and I did ethically wrong ?

How did she or I become a 'victim' in what we did ?

[Bulldog]

Getting back to the central questions:

Why is what the Algerian lady and I did ethically wrong ?

How did she or I become a 'victim' in what we did ?

If those are the central questions, we're in trouble.  Anyways, neither you nor the lady did anything wrong and nobody was a victim.  Okay?  Now you can move on to the "central" matters of your life.

[karlhenning]

If those are the central questions, we're in trouble.  Anyways, neither you nor the lady did anything wrong and nobody was a victim.  Okay?  Now you can move on to the "central" matters of your life.

I have a profound indifference to whatever Eric and anyone did, anywhere, anytime.

This thread should either discuss the generalities of the subject header, or it should be locked.

Eric has the thickest skull possible, and the mods have stated the matter in a way clear to the meanest intelligence.

Even narcissism is no excuse at this point.

[Josquin des Prez]

Anyways, neither you nor the lady did anything wrong and nobody was a victim.

Wrong. I felt violated when i conjured the encounter in my head. I demand compensation.

[greg]

Wrong. I felt violated when i conjured the encounter in my head. I demand compensation.

[zamyrabyrd]

This thread should either discuss the generalities of the subject header, or it should be locked.

I just read the original article. Why SHOULD opera singers get so much money?

ZB

[Que]

Since this thread turned from a discussion on morale into... ahemm...something else, it is now closed.

Eric, I'm very sorry but this forum is not the right place for such things!

Q