Sean
In her article, Gayle Rubin talks about how some seemingly abusive pornography may actually be fictionalized (p. 32). At the same time, pornography presents itself to be an unfiltered sexual reality given the fact that it features two actors actually performing sexual acts. How does this fact affect the "harmless fantasy" aspect of pornography?
Chelsea
Rubin states that "people may become convinced of a false premise or an illogical conclusion if it is merely asserted loud enough," does this ring true for everything(20)? If so how 'loud' is loud enough for it to be believed?
Luke
Rubin states "SM materials are aimed at an audience that understands a set of conventions for interpreting them" (22). If it is one click away people outside of the aimed audience can view it. When the uneducated view this will it impact them as MacKinnon has suggested? Without understanding or portrayal of the norms of SM is it dangerous?
Lauren
MacKinnon and Rubin both argue different sides of the pornography issue, regarding whether or not pornography should be made illegal because of its portrayal of the treatment of women. Should feminists protect women's equality in society by eliminating violent porn which encourages the subordination of women, or by allowing female porn stars the freedom and protection by law to express themselves through pornography? Which solution would be more beneficial for women and more efficient in promoting equality among men and women?
Amanda
Although Rubin claims that the “’pornography problem’ is a false problem,” is that actually true? While porn may not be the sole or leading factor in many of the problems surrounding its controversy, should that mean that pornography should be absolved from any blame in current trends of male supremacy, violence, sadomasochism, sexism, etc.?
Samantha
Based on Rubin's argument, can we consider the construction of equality a fantasy?
Jason
Most performers in porn consider themselves actresses and use stage names, and thus, it is not their true identity being filmed but rather a character they have created. Does this make the medium of pornography more or less acceptable?
Zach
So what is the real definition of pornography?
Yen Joe
The author claimed that "very little pornography actually depicts violent acts" and that pornography only depicts various "forms of sexual activity." What defines a violent act? Must it always involve blood and whips?
Tom
What are the risks of violence in pornography to masculinity? To being a gentleman?
Candace
Does fulfilling our fantasies, in this case by getting a boob job, make us feel better by giving us a feeling of empowerment?
Casey
Plastic surgery, now, gives people 'choices.' Advertisements provide a choice of surgeons, people can choose to take on risk/debt to better their lives, they can choose when they want their surgery done (thanks to credit), and they can ultimatley choose what they want to look like. Is there really any choice at all, or is this all an illusion on empowerment provided by capitalism?
Chelsea
When a fantasy becomes a reality, then what do you fantasize about? What if fulfilling this fantasy is not as satisfying as you hoped it would be?
Melissa
"...plastic surgery, once only for the wealthiest Americans, is now available to the rest of us not because we are getting richer, but because we have more and more opportunities to take on debt." -Do you think that's the main reason?
Danielle
How is the world becoming a fantasy? Is there anything truly real anymore?
Tom
How do deceit and reality relate?
Sean
Essig's discourse on "plastic money" and medical credit in Chapter One reaffirms her notion of the "power of the MasterCard" as something that people don't connect to actual money. In this light, does the very credit instituion become a false fantasy for people, and if so, why?
Amanda
Essig argues that “we inhabit bodies that represent our social status.” If this is true, then should we equate plastic surgery and modern alterations to older cultural status indicators on bodies such as clothing, jewelry, tattoos, etc.? What, if anything, makes plastic surgery different from other ways people have used their bodies to express their stations?
Samantha
Do Americans undergoing plastic surgery actually have control over their fantasies?
Jason
The author argues that “chances are you’ve assumed debt in order to create a more perfect future.” Do you agree? Why is it that people will risk their future financial well-being in order to achieve present self satisfaction?
Alex
Although The Joneses was intended to highlight the dark side of our consumerism, could the director have contradicted that idea with the fact that Kate and Steve end up together? Does this movie just perpetuate the assumption that being obsessed with outward appearances and material things bring us happiness? Can these things actually bring us happiness?
Dixon
How did big breasts come to be equated with overall happiness and power in modern society? Does this negate or support MacKinnon's theories on pornography (and the well endowed women it generally features) as destructive to women and society in general?
Yen Joe
The whole plastic issue sounds like a structure and agency problem. But how and where should we draw the line between the responsibility of each parties?
Margaret
We are always thining about how much we can buy without thinking about the concequences about what we are buying and how it will affect us. Is fantasy an enabler of our quest for perfection?
Connor
Could we say that celebrities take the place of the "Joneses" in our lives with all of the items that they receive, or are we just prone to move on to the latest and newest items without any prompting?
Zach
One of the lines in the movie stated that the people were selling ways of life, not just products. Don't a lot of products try to do this already? Would an advertising campaign like this actually work?