Some Thoughts on Erotica/Porn

From the Introduction to "The Best of American Erotica," 1996 by Susie Bright: "What is the difference between erotica and pornography? No one can stay awake for that one anymore. There's a new question about sex writing and it comes straight from the authors to the readers: 'Did I move you?'"  From the Introduction to "Herotica 3," 1994 by Susie Bright: "Close your eyes for a moment, and remember the last time you had an orgasm. At the moment of climax, how many of you were thinking about a lovely walk on the beach, or a bouquet of balloons? The highest levels of arousal are often reached with thoughts that frighten us, anger us, overwhelm us. What is awful, what is forbidden, what is taboo, what is dreaded, is EXACTLY what is erotic - up to a point. In fantasy, nothing can actually harm you. And the point at which a particular thought or image goes PAST that point and becomes ANTI-erotic is as individual as your fingerprint." Dr. Joyce Brothers said, "It might relieve some of your guilt to know that many happily married individuals who have no thought or intention of ever betraying their spouse have sexual fantasies about someone other than their spouse." From Susie Bright again (2005): "The next time you are prepared to be scandalized by a degrading bimbo fest in a X-rated DVD, please consider that the exact same thing is being described, from a female perspective, in what we call 'Romance Novels.' It’s just that the objectification happens in the opposite direction. You know how women’s bodes are the ones that always have to be perfect in porn, even if the men are kinda droopy or overweight? It's the same with romance, but in reverse! The men’s bodies are all PUMPED - the women can be whatever. Her imperfections are irrelevant or sympathetic; the hero has to be an oiled stud muffin. Fabio is Jenna is Fabio." Personally, I say that if you prefer to think of erotica as a more "elegant" form of porn, that's your choice, your fantasy. But for the rest of us erotica=porn=erotica.  Some of it is very well-made.  A lot of it is crap.  Boners and moistness are in the eyes of the beholder.  A lot of people really get into "amateur" porn, calling it more "real."  And I think a lot of "amateur" porn is poorly lit, poorly focused and poorly composed.  I prefer a more quality professional image.   A lot of people bought copies of "50 Shades of Grey."  Personally, I didn't think it was that arousing, and I've read a shitload of erotica.  But again, one person's turn-on is another's turn-off.  I'm just saying that there's stuff that's more quality and a lot that isn't. What you Jack or Jill to is up to you...