Kolya on 17/1/2011 at 13:56
Obviously there are differences too (eg in how games/porn have evolved since the 1970s). I just thought there were enough surprising parallels to make the comparison, but I'm not trying to prove anything here.
PigLick on 17/1/2011 at 14:43
i wasnt either, actually its not a bad topic of discussion really. Theres no denying the use of sexual imagery isnt prevalent in gaming culture, though you could pretty much say that about any visual medium. However, porn really kinda exists for one reason, the erotic gratification of men, so you are saying games fulfill a similar (though possibly non-erotic)function?
Kolya on 17/1/2011 at 16:21
Quote Posted by PigLick
i wasnt either, actually its not a bad topic of discussion really. Theres no denying the use of sexual imagery isnt prevalent in gaming culture, though you could pretty much say that about any visual medium. However, porn really kinda exists for one reason, the erotic gratification of men, so you are saying games fulfill a similar (though possibly non-erotic)function?
The connection point between these two media forms is the audience of young males, who develop interests that are inherently anti-social, especially when they appear together: Promiscuous sex and violence.
Of course society tries to push back, contain and channel these interests as much as possible because they're bound to disturb social life. At the same time they are very much a part of male identity. Channelling them is made harder by the fact that opposition to social society (rebellion, self-isolation) is also a part of this identity: Typical male role models include the outsider, outlaw, lone wolf and rule breaker. This is a major field of conflict for young males that we could go on about.
Anyway, video games and porn movies both realise parts of male identity that are incompatible with society and this is why their social standing is similar.
These are broad strokes, I know. Games can also have a creative and playful element. This allows them to become more accepted in mainstream culture. Porn can have elements of aesthetics and beauty which also lead to acceptance (erotic art).
Absurdly this leads to more violent games and harder porn as well, because only these still allow the young male to take an opposing rebellious stance and hence fulfil his male identity.
demagogue on 17/1/2011 at 23:32
Also in that category with porn and games are comics, cars, motorcycles, war-gaming, models, guitars, hard rock, punk in its day, watching sports, (in Japan you'd add cameras & train-sets) ... uh, some others arguably ... rocket sets, pipe bombs & burning shit, carpentry, sailing, rappelling, bungee jumping & sky diving ... diving, rock climbing. It's things you're drawn to do almost like a fetish or ritual; the kinds of hobbies that are driven by endorphin rushes and sick fascinations. At its extreme it turns you into completely into yourself, or into your little clique, and you fadeout the outside world, or in Japan into some hardcore otaku. Or just stuff you're really into. But it's hard not to notice it's something peculiar to young males.
Kolya on 18/1/2011 at 04:07
Those may be typical male pastimes but most of them don't have that antisocial trait. Accordingly these hobbies have a better social status. (Pipe bombs & burning shit being the exceptions.)
Muzman on 18/1/2011 at 06:04
Nooo. Well ok, a fair bit. I think it manages to be surprisingly restrained given the material. It's cheesy as all hell, but it's still has Thulsa Doom to give you something to think about.
Conan The Destroyer is when they really cut loose, and the memorable bits become things like this:
(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOfhlYIRCXM)
PigLick on 18/1/2011 at 07:07
hehe slave to the rhythm
DarkForge on 18/1/2011 at 15:02
My vote's tied between Morons From Outer Space and the 60's Batman movie, though some of the later Police Academy films would be ranking up there as well.
