Thank you to ASI for putting on the debate between Ron Jeremy and Craig Gross on Thursday night. It’s important that provocative perspectives are shared, and for those of you who weren’t able to go, I hope I can accurately summarize the encounter.
The debate was over the merits or dangers of porn. Craig said that porn desensitizes people to real sexual relationships and creates false expectations and fantasies; Ron said it does not. Craig said that porn tears people apart, and Ron said it brings people together. Craig said porn is degrading to women, and Ron said it empowers them. Apart from these and a few other points, there were many rabbit trails chased and both sides used humor, shock tactics and statistics to support their views. I’m not so concerned with these because anyone can shock, statistics can be skewed, and I’m sure those rabbit trails will become worn paths throughout the next few days.
I am concerned, however, with truth, and, for this issue, the truth should be self-evident from your own experience. How does porn affect you personally? Do these visual fantasies satisfy you or leave you feeling empty? Has it made your emotional and sexual relationships more fulfilling or has it desensitized you? Are you drawn closer together because of porn or are you left more alone?
Rhetoric and moralizing, popular opinion and celebrity aside, only you can honestly answer these questions and decide whether porn has been healthy or destructive in your life.
David Jansson
English senior