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Why DO people have such busybody attitudes to sexuality? *mod warning opening post*

  • 19-08-2013 01:36PM
    #1
    hatrickpatrick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,798 ✭✭✭✭


    Why DO humans have such a busybody attitude to sex? Why do we regard it as our business what other people do, sexually? Why do we have so many hangups, believe that sex should be something secret and "naughty", and obsess so much over other people's sexual activity?

    More interestingly, are we unique in the animal kingdom in this regard? I mean I doubt there's anyone who's never seen a pair of dogs humping in a park or out on the street, and I've never seen other dogs look away in disgust or ostracise the mating pair for being "filthy", "having no morals", etc. In fact even other primates seem to be very public about it, as anyone who's ever gone to the zoo and a monkey wandering around "with his lad in his hand" will tell you. Some animals which have mating seasons, particularly a few species of birds, pick an area for mating season and congregate on it, very publicly mating and picking partners etc (I know what you're thinking, Humans have Coppers for that)

    Why is it that humans, seemingly uniquely among the animal kingdom, have such difficulty with their relationship to one of the most basic functions of living organisms, to reproduce? Why do we, unlike other animals, so often try to brush it under the carpet, pretend it doesn't exist, and jump in and attack anyone who refuses to tow that line? Where does this come from?

    The people in the current "scandal" are heros in my view, not because of what they're doing, but because they're doing what they want, hurting nobody, and not giving a flying f*ck what anyone else thinks of them.

    Why is human behavior so bizarre when it comes to this kind of thing?
    Deleted User wrote: »
    Mod

    Any reference [named or otherwise] to the event discussed here in the feedback forum will result in a ban.


«13456

Comments

  • #2
    BeerWolf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,122 ✭✭✭BeerWolf


    Decency ?

    /shrug


  • #3
    hatrickpatrick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,798 ✭✭✭✭hatrickpatrick


    BeerWolf wrote: »
    Decency ?

    /shrug

    Why is it considered "indecent" in the first place by humans though? I can't think of any other mammals who behave in the same way.


  • #4
    BeerWolf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,122 ✭✭✭BeerWolf


    hatrickpatrick wrote: »
    Why is it considered "indecent" in the first place by humans though? I can't think of any other mammals who behave in the same way.

    Why do we wear clothes then ? That's kinda like saying why don't animals wear clothes. :pac:

    It's what separates us from them.


  • #5
    kneemos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,605 ✭✭✭✭kneemos


    Think there was an apple involved in the coverup.


  • #6
    qaf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35 ✭qaf


    Quite possibly because our brains allow us much more intelligence than animals and we live in a society with social norms.


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  • #7
    hatrickpatrick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,798 ✭✭✭✭hatrickpatrick


    BeerWolf wrote: »
    Why do we wear clothes then ? That's kinda like saying why don't animals wear clothes. :pac:

    It's what separates us from them.

    Clothes weren't invented to hide our sexuality, clothes were invented because humans have less body hair and needed something to stay warm during winter. This is no different really than a bird building a nest to live in.


  • #8
    BeerWolf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,122 ✭✭✭BeerWolf


    hatrickpatrick wrote: »
    Clothes weren't invented to hide our sexuality, clothes were invented because humans have less body hair and needed something to stay warm during winter. This is no different really than a bird building a nest to live in.

    Humans don't only live in cold places, ye know...


  • #9
    The Backwards Man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,299 ✭✭✭✭The Backwards Man


    I wear clothes and refrain from riding in public as I don't want to scare any small children or furry animals.


    Also I have no one to ride. :(


  • #10
    hatrickpatrick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,798 ✭✭✭✭hatrickpatrick


    qaf wrote: »
    Quite possibly because our brains allow us much more intelligence than animals and we live in a society with social norms.

    I'd question whether our current warped attitude to other people's sexuality can really be considered an example of us having "more intelligence than animals" - what purpose to social norms serve when they involve completely victimless actions?


  • #11
    qaf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35 ✭qaf


    hatrickpatrick wrote: »
    I'd question whether our current warped attitude to other people's sexuality can really be considered an example of us having "more intelligence than animals" - what purpose to social norms serve when they involve completely victimless actions?

    Well lets see, I haven't seen the photo, but I am guessing they weren't trying to reproduce. They also weren't giving a **** at the time, but I am guessing they are now. Also how do you legislate on where it is appropriate for somebody to have sexual relations if you are going to throw out the whole public space part?


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  • #12
    BeerWolf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,122 ✭✭✭BeerWolf


    The OP probably wants humans to be like this;

    Link

    :p


  • #13
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 53,068 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Mod

    Some posts have been deleted/edit. To clarify:

    Any reference [named or otherwise] to the event discussed here in the feedback forum will result in a ban.


  • #14
    MaxWig
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,025 ✭✭✭MaxWig


    hatrickpatrick wrote: »
    Why DO humans have such a busybody attitude to sex? Why do we regard it as our business what other people do, sexually? Why do we have so many hangups, believe that sex should be something secret and "naughty", and obsess so much over other people's sexual activity?

    More interestingly, are we unique in the animal kingdom in this regard? I mean I doubt there's anyone who's never seen a pair of dogs humping in a park or out on the street, and I've never seen other dogs look away in disgust or ostracise the mating pair for being "filthy", "having no morals", etc. In fact even other primates seem to be very public about it, as anyone who's ever gone to the zoo and a monkey wandering around "with his lad in his hand" will tell you. Some animals which have mating seasons, particularly a few species of birds, pick an area for mating season and congregate on it, very publicly mating and picking partners etc (I know what you're thinking, Humans have Coppers for that)

    Why is it that humans, seemingly uniquely among the animal kingdom, have such difficulty with their relationship to one of the most basic functions of living organisms, to reproduce? Why do we, unlike other animals, so often try to brush it under the carpet, pretend it doesn't exist, and jump in and attack anyone who refuses to tow that line? Where does this come from?

    The people in the current "scandal" are heros in my view, not because of what they're doing, but because they're doing what they want, hurting nobody, and not giving a flying f*ck what anyone else thinks of them.

    Why is human behavior so bizarre when it comes to this kind of thing?

    There are many theories from Freud onwards.

    It is generally accepted that sex evokes strong responses because it reminds us of our creatureliness.

    So when someone says 'its what separates us from the animals', they're probably right in one sense. The only issue is that we're not separated at all.

    We spend our time trying to better ourselves culturally and intellectually.

    But when you consider the cut of us mid copulation, we're like feckin goats or something. Nothin goin on upstairs so to speak. And mid-orgasm - well, brain-dead!! :)


  • #15
    Banjo String
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,380 ✭✭✭✭Banjo String


    The Backwards Man wrote: »

    Also I have no one to ride. :(

    Helloooooo.


  • #16
    RDM_83 again
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,116 ✭✭✭RDM_83 again


    BeerWolf wrote: »
    Why do we wear clothes then ? That's kinda like saying why don't animals wear clothes. :pac:

    It's what separates us from them.

    Whats interesting is how few cultures practice complete nudity*, if it is as "natural" as some people would argue it would be far far more common in non western societies. There is a huge difference between being largely naked e.g topless woman or men in Penis Sheaths in Pappua New Guinnea and complete nudity at non ritual times.

    There is a few cultures but in a lot of them its still more complex than, they don;t wear clothes because they aren;t repressed catholics etc


  • #17
    LOSTfan57
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 682 ✭✭✭LOSTfan57


    You and me baby aint nothing but mammals so lets do it like they do on the discovery channel


  • #18
    Sarky
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31,967 ✭✭✭✭Sarky


    Bitterness, mostly. If you've never experienced the joys of getting jiggy with someone who not only thoroughly enjoys sex, but also likes trying interesting, perhaps taboo stuff during it, you'd demand nobody else get to enjoy it either out of spite. The catholic church, Iona institute, Youth Defence, all those horrible little organisations who spend altogether too much time thinking of the children, they all have a surprising amount of bile to slather on people having more fun than them.

    Why else do you think the most vocal ones complaining about sex almost always appear to be the ones most in need of, pardon my French, a good solid ridin'? I've never met someone who promotes sexual freedom that wasn't also quite, quite satisfied in that regard.


  • #19
    RDM_83 again
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,116 ✭✭✭RDM_83 again


    ^^^

    Is there an equivalent term to Godwining for these Church/YD/Iona institute posts.
    ps if the event that (I presume but which I will not refer to on thread) initiated the discussion happened in England, or China for that matter that matter, neither places with a strong CC church influence it would still be causing condemnation.


  • #20
    super_furry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,387 ✭✭✭✭super_furry


    When something occurs in full public view and is then further disseminated via the very public means of the internet, then people are going to react.


  • #21
    Mariasofia
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,887 ✭✭✭Mariasofia


    Personally speaking I couldnt care less what two consenting adults get up to sexually. Each to their own and all that.


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  • #22
    Clandestine
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,466 ✭✭✭Clandestine


    hatrickpatrick wrote: »
    Why do we regard it as our business what other people do, sexually? Why do we have so many hangups, believe that sex should be something secret and "naughty", and obsess so much over other people's sexual activity?
    I don't regard it as my business, I think its something personal and should remain so. What people do behind closed doors is their business, I don't want to hear about it.


  • #23
    hatrickpatrick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,798 ✭✭✭✭hatrickpatrick


    qaf wrote: »
    Also how do you legislate on where it is appropriate for somebody to have sexual relations if you are going to throw out the whole public space part?

    Why should we legislate for it at all?


  • #24
    hatrickpatrick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,798 ✭✭✭✭hatrickpatrick


    super_furry wrote: »
    When something occurs in full public view and is then further disseminated via the very public means of the internet, then people are going to react.

    Sure, I'm just wondering why people react negatively. Unless what's being depicted is hurting someone who didn't consent to being hurt, I see absolutely nothing negative about it, and I struggle to understand why so many people do.

    I see it and I think "Well they're having a good night anyway" and keep scrolling - maybe I'm just a bit odd in having difficulty understanding the outrage?


  • #25
    Femme_Fatale
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,628 ✭✭✭Femme_Fatale


    I don't have a problem with people doing any: person/people/thing whatsoever, so long as all parties actually want to do it.

    But it's pretty skanky to be really public about it. I'm not talking about stuff like taking a chance down a quiet side-street etc, but in a field in full view of lots of people... put it away... go somewhere quieter. It's not a spectator's sport. Have a bit of dignity ffs (male or female).

    I saw some really rotten attitudes on social media last night, but I'm also seeing people going on as if finding sexual activities in front of a crowd to be a bit much... to be pretty much the reincarnation of John Charles McQuaid.

    It's pretty sexually repressed to look for prudishness in everything.


  • #26
    hatrickpatrick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,798 ✭✭✭✭hatrickpatrick


    Femme_Fatale wrote: »
    But it's pretty skanky to be really public about it. I'm not talking about stuff like taking a chance down a quiet side-street etc, but in a field in full view of lots of people... put it away... go somewhere quieter. It's not a spectator's sport. Have a bit of dignity ffs (male or female).

    What difference does it make though? If the people doing it don't care whether people are watching?


  • #27
    Specialun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,068 ✭✭✭Specialun


    i like boobs


  • #28
    kneemos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,605 ✭✭✭✭kneemos


    Don't think people have ever done it in public bar a few Roman Baths and whatever the cavemen got up to.
    Maybe it's because we're smart enough to be aware of ourselves and be embarassed.


  • #29
    Sarky
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31,967 ✭✭✭✭Sarky


    RDM_83 again wrote: »
    ^^^

    Is there an equivalent term to Godwining for these Church/YD/Iona institute posts.

    Yes, focus on the throwaway part instead of the actual point.


  • #30
    Nodin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 46,938 ✭✭✭✭Nodin


    Femme_Fatale wrote: »
    I don't have a problem with people doing any: person/people/thing whatsoever, so long as all parties actually want to do it.

    But it's pretty skanky to be really public about it. I'm not talking about stuff like taking a chance down a quiet side-street etc, but in a field in full view of lots of people... put it away... go somewhere quieter. It's not a spectator's sport. Have a bit of dignity ffs (male or female).

    I saw some really rotten attitudes on social media last night, but I'm also seeing people going on as if finding sexual activities in front of a crowd to be a bit much... to be pretty much the reincarnation of John Charles McQuaid.

    It's pretty sexually repressed to look for prudishness in everything.


    I think the young folk refer to it as being "out of their head". It's a phenomena where people imbibe intoxicants (outrageous I know) and do things they ordinarily might be more discreet about. This was less of a problem pre-camera phone, for obvious reasons.


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  • #31
    Nodin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 46,938 ✭✭✭✭Nodin


    RDM_83 again wrote: »
    Whats interesting is how few cultures practice complete nudity*, if it is as "natural" as some people would argue it would be far far more common in non western societies. There is a huge difference between being largely naked e.g topless woman or men in Penis Sheaths in Pappua New Guinnea and complete nudity at non ritual times.

    There is a few cultures but in a lot of them its still more complex than, they don;t wear clothes because they aren;t repressed catholics etc


    ...running through woods after game with an exposed penis would be an extreme sport few would care to try. The idea that people would be naked all the time is a bit mad - its not practical for a range of reasons.


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