A Sexy Joke...

A man and a woman who had never met before, but were both married to other people, found themselves assigned to the same sleeping room on a transcontinental train. Though initially embarrassed and uneasy over sharing a room, they were both very tired and fell asleep quickly... he in the upper bunk and she in the lower.

At 1:00 AM, the man leaned over and gently woke the woman saying, "Ma'am, I'm sorry to bother you, but would you be willing to reach into the closet to get me a second blanket? I'm awfully cold."

"I have a better idea," she replied suggestively. "Just for tonight, let's pretend that we're married." "Wow! That's a great idea!" he exclaimed. "Good," she replied. "Get your own f--king blanket." After a moment of silence, he farted.

Posted by Anatomy
Thursday, March 29, 2007 1:47pm

Celebri'tit'y Obsession

My life is forever richer now that I have seen Winona Ryder's cleavage in high resolution photos on the Internet. I can die happy now!

Actually it's really not that big a deal, it's just that the more I see this stuff I can't believe how pervasive celebrity obsession is in our culture. And we're seeing more and more of it everyday. I get it - they're rich, beautiful, they lead interesting lives (supposedly), they are put on a pedestal and it's fun to watch them fall off. But to have a website devoted to every nipple slip, 'accidental' getting-out-of-a-car-exposed-crotch-shot, and topless bikini frolic on a beach is a rather pathetic and very time-consuming obsession. We did a story a while back on a guy called Mr Skin who definitely makes a living off of drawing attention to celebrity and nudity. And he's not the only one - there are tons of websites all racing to be the first to post or link to the latest nip slip.

Are there hordes of devout fans of these sites, people who log on to them every day for the next, newest picture? Who are they? Are they more obsessed with the nudity or the celebrity? Why does it seem to be only photos of women? Where are the sites with the 'celebrity-nude-male-ball' shots,' 'man-ass' cleavage pics and 'dick-slip' photos? What does it say about our culture?

And don't people have better things to do with their time?

Posted by Matthew
Thursday, March 29, 2007 9:46am

New York Filth Lives On

The Disneyfication of New York City over the past few years is one of the great tragedies of our time. Way back in 1999, Sex TV did a full episode about the cleaning up of Times Square. Where peep shows and sex clubs once were, now lie grass parks and Disney shows. New York used to embrace its raunchy and seedy side, but high rents, and the need to make the city more "family friendly", have driven out the depraved freaks that called it home…or have they? Gawker online recently posted this short "investigative" video piece about the "Black Party", a large S&M themed gay party that is held annually in Manhattan. It seems that the New York of lore, is still alive and kicking, on some filthy dance floor somewhere. God Bless New York.

Video Clip: Black Party

Posted by Nicolas
Tuesday, March 27, 2007 2:19pm

It's SPRING!

Great news from the publishing world: the great Jordan--not the country, but the fabulously endowed topless model/British tabloid fodder, and son of beloved baby Harvey and Andre Jr., has written a new "novel". Jordan is well known and loved in the UK for her naughty demeanor and her sexual escapades (the woman gives great quotes while wearing very little clothing--she's nasty, dirty and oh so delightful). Jordan is like Paris Hilton, but bigger, better and way more "rough" around the edges. A few years back I "discovered" Jordan while in the UK. A tabloid printed the result of a new poll; the poll stated that 77% of all British people knew WHO Jordan was, and 27% of all British people know WHERE Jordan was. If that's not a media sensation, I don't know what is.

Jordan, also known as Katie Price, is known for having the most spectacular set of mammaries (fake of course) and has written two best selling autobiographies (if you have not read BEING JORDAN, you must, it is a book of great wit, insight and... who am I kidding... it's crap, but it's fantastic). Jordan's new work of fiction, "Crystal", is about a woman who becomes famous by shagging a bunch of dudes (which oddly enough is just like her last work of fiction "Angel", which was about a woman who becomes famous by shagging a bunch of dudes, which oddly enough sounds just like Jordan herself; weird huh?). Anyhow, in an ode to spring (which has finally arrived in Toronto) I would like to dedicate this day to the great Jordan, because she makes every day in my life worth living! Vive la Jordan!

Posted by Nicolas
Monday, March 26, 2007 3:43pm

Turn Offs

Having recently entered back into the dating world, I am constantly reminded what a delicate balance it is to get involved and stay involved with someone. Not long ago I went on a date. Two things went wrong during the evening, and that was enough for me. The deal breaker was this, dear reader. And, as I write it, I realize how completely superficial it sounds. My date described in detail his overwhelming passion for little pieces of deep fried chicken covered in sweet and sour sauce. For him, it was apparently the equivalent of crack. If a colleague brought it into the office, one whiff sent him running to the food court for his own white square Styrofoam container-full. Apparently, he could eat it everyday. And that was it. I was completely turned off.

Harry Frankfurt, an American philosopher known for the best-selling “On Bullshit,” also wrote a book called “The Reasons of Love”. In it, he asserts that in order to have a fulfilled life we must pursue wholeheartedly what we care about. And to love completely what we love. I suppose my date that night was confident in his love for deep fried chicken, but the only desire it stirred in me was to head straight for the door.

Posted by Anatomy
Thursday, March 22, 2007 4:00pm

Love is a Battlefield

A couple of months ago disaster, once again, struck me down. I was on a date, which was going shockingly well—at least I thought so, but I’ve been wrong about this before… anyhow, the date was winding down in my apartment, and things were starting to get…intimate. Music was required. So, I simply put the closest CD I could find in my stereo. BIG MISTAKE. The album was 1970s New York Punk/Electronic pioneers Suicide’s self-titled debut; a darkly brooding record that as startling today as it was thirty years ago. At first, I didn’t think this was a bad choice. Track number 2, “Cheere”, is one of the most eerily seductive songs I’ve ever heard, and then we hit on track 6, “Frankie Teardrop”. For those of you who have never heard of “Frankie Teardrop” I can only quote All Music’s Guide’s apt description as a “ten minute descent into the soul-crushing existence of a young factory worker” complete with robotic drumming, with horrifying, inhuman, screams. Needless to say, the mood was broken, never to be resuscitated—and it left me, and my date, upset and angry. The song acted as a sobering tonic to the futility of what we were engaging in. And the date ended being god-awful.

This leads me to this oddball question…what is the appropriate music for intimacy? I mostly ask this to people who are “dating” or single, because couples, well, they already have their music to groove too. I find the idea of “mood” music tricky because music is such a potent memory locater. I will forever be drunk with joy when I hear The Breeders “Cannonball” as it was my cattle call when I was in university, and I turn fourteen when I hear the Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry”. I remember a few years ago, going back to my place with a beautiful dancer from the National Ballet; things were going well—REALLY WELL, until and I put on a Mazzy Star record and she started to cry. Turns out… her ex loved that CD. Not a good thing. Someone else I used to date, always put on Sade’s “Lover’s Rock”, a record that still makes me wince given how that relationship ended.

The point is, make-out music is tricky because it has to “work” as make-out music, in setting the tone, but also it can’t be cheese or distracting (I’m sorry, but I cannot put on D’Angelo’s records, the sound of that man’s smooth voice, and the visual of his fantastic abs, make me want to burry my head in shame); it also can not—must not, be humable. Singing along to Prince when you are moving your tongue in someone’s mouth is NEVER a good idea—trust me on this one.

Make-out music is tricky because it can’t be a record you really love because the experience you have that night might taint the record (and let’s face it, relationships come and go, but music is forever). So my question to you, and yes, it’s a literal question to you dear reader, if there is anyone out there actually reading this, what is a good “set” of make-out music. Email away, and let me know, I need help here (and dates, if you know anyone…). Oh yeah, and as a final wrap up about the date described above, I did get something out of that night. I found out who Girl Talk is (a fantastic dj) who makes the best running tunes EVER—it’s too bad I can’t really listen to him without thinking of that awful night.

Posted by Nicolas
Thursday, March 22, 2007 2:23pm

Frostitution

Hi! Juggz here, sharing some recently uploaded photos! Sextv was recently at the first-ever Erotic Arts and Crafts Fair in Toronto. Amongst the perverted peddlers, we found Madam Karen whose company, Frostitution specializes in making all your sugary fantasies come true. We're talking Licorice Whips, Vagina Cakes, Bulldyke Brittle, Long Johnny Eclairs, Sugartit Cupcakes, and my favourite, Turdy's Truffles!! Take a gander at her goods and those of others on this weekend's (March 24th) episode of Sextv.

mmmmmMMM!

luv,Juggz

Posted by Juggz
Thursday, March 22, 2007 12:10pm

Angel is a Centerfold

The tabloid press loves a good scandal, and last week The New York Daily News got their fangs on a juicy one. Julian Fantechi, a hunky occupational therapist in New York City, has been “uncovered” as a male centerfold for Playgirl Magazine (for those of you who have never heard of Playgirl magazine, well, let’s just say it’s just like Playboy, but for women — and men — who enjoy gawking at the male flesh). The 37 year old, Masters NYU grad, who works with special needs children in PS 99 (earning a pittance of a salary) had sublimated his income by modeling (it seems that Fantechi has modeled for numerous health and fitness magazines as well as for blue chip companies such as Saks Fifth Avenue).

Fantechi appeared as the magazine’s August 2006, centerfold and cover model. A complaint about the nude photos was submitted to Office of Special Investigations, and it’s conclusion was that Fantechi’s modeling broke no official rules and posted no danger to the kids; in fact, Fantechi even approached his union before he disrobed to make sure he wasn’t violating city rules, as long as he did not advertise the fact that he worked as a city educator.

Last week, a few dozen parents thought this was unacceptable, and began to protest outside the school (it seems that the idea of a drop-dead gorgeous man with perfect abs who willingly chooses to help needy children, by earning close to minimum wage, would somehow negatively influence the youngsters’ morals). The press got wind of the story, and suddenly Fantechi was hounded by a series of TV crews and journalists. In other words, a little tempest in a salacious tea cup was instantly brewed.

What did the press discover? Well, not much. It seems Fantechi’s coworkers and school trusties have continued their support—they have attested to his diligent and committed work ethic, and the parents who did not know anything about the “scandal” were now forced to have a strange conversation with their children (which I’m sure went something like “You see dear, your physical therapist…yes, the one that mommy really likes to talk to…yes, he is pretty isn’t he?...well, you see, he has a penis…”). The only other issue that’s been revealed in this escapade, as far as I can see, is the discrepancy of Fantechi’s age. He’s 37, not 31 as claimed, (how dare he!). Fantechi has said he will no longer partake in any form of nude modeling, though he will be on newsstands in a few weeks as Playgirl’s Man of the Year, a photo shoot which was done a few months ago.

One has to wonder though, how differently this may have played out if the sex of the nude model were changed, and it were a woman, or better yet, a gay man, who posed for a nude gay magazine? Would the reaction of the school board be any different? What about the public? Would the parents who shrugged this off as no one’s business have been so nonchalant? I’m not sure, but there is no question that the attempts to drag Fantechi through the mud have resulted in a few sensational stories, and made me a little bit more thankful about my public school experience; just imagine, if I had a teacher like Fantechi when I was in elementary school I might have considered taking care of my health and body, and the result of that would be six-pack abs, and those take A LOT of work to maintain. Nobody would want that, right?

Related Links:
Juliem Fantechi's Official Site

Posted by Nicolas
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 2:23pm

Art Star

Thirty year old Lucy McKenzie gained notoriety in the art world last year by turning down a nomination for Britain’s most important contemporary art prize; the Turner Prize. Winning the Turner Prize can turn an artist into a bonafide “Art Star”, as Damian Hirst and famed transvestite potter Grayson Perry can attest, but a nomination is nothing to sniff at; Traci Emin has become a fixture in the international art world ever since her famed installation piece--consisting of her actual unmade bed, complete with blood stained underwear, empty booze bottles and cigarette butts--went on display at the Tate. The Turner Prize is a golden ticket in the world of public consciousness; it’s that rare art prize that is debated and talked about openly in the international press, and the public. Why then did Lucy McKenzie, a young Scottish Artist who makes prints, cartoons, paintings and video art pieces with genuine wit and artistic merit, turn down the offer to such instant notoriety? It turned out that McKenzie has worked as a porn model, and her work delved into the world of sexuality and eroticism—one of her most famous pieces is of a woman eating a bowl of soup below a framed image of a woman masturbating (which takes up most of the frame). The work is fascinating, and I’d even venture to say “great”, however, one can see the British tabloid press (who’s bread and butter is earned in countless retellings of salacious sex scandals) ready to kick up a fuss over her work. In an issue of New Yorker magazine, a friend of McKenzie’s describes the artist as unwilling to “compromise the flexile and critical dialogue” around her work, hence her rejection of the Turner nomination. McKenzie seems all too aware that her work will be belittled and mocked by the press because of its sexual nature, and her porn background scrutinized and scoffed for the sake of a good headline. If the notion is that “all press is good press” is to be disputed, Lucy McKenzie is the perfect example of that being hogwash; McKenzie is an artist who all too knowingly refuses to play the game of publicity for the sake of a scandal and she will be one to watch in the coming years.

Related Links:
Lucy McKenzie

Posted by Nicolas
Monday, March 19, 2007 2:54pm

Toronto band, Kids On TV, accuses Myspace of anti-gay censorship

Earlier this month, the queer-oriented Toronto-based band Kids On TV found that their popular Myspace page had been deleted by the site’s administrators. Apparently, their account, which had garnered over 14,000 ‘friends’, was erased with no warning or specific explanation from Myspace. In a recent press-release, the band stated “We suspect that, although we kept our site visually "PG-13" and played by the rules, the discussion of sexuality in our lyrics and the open embrace of radical culture was too much for Myspace.” The group, which is in the midst of gearing up for a full-album release and European tour, has contacted the popular social-networking site questioning their actions. So far, Myspace has not responded.

In its member agreement, Myspace specifies that there be no nudity or "sexually suggestive photos" posted on members’ accounts. While ‘nudity’ is pretty specific, the band points out that the phrase "sexually suggestive photos" is vague enough to mean anything to anyone on the Myspace staff. They’ve asked that Myspace either remove this phrase or be more explicit in its definition.

Since the incident, the band has created a new Myspace page on which they encourage people to post similar cases of Myspace-related censorship. In their words, the page aims to “document and discuss these cases when they result from the homophobia, sexism, racism etc of Myspace staff and policies”. Once responses started flooding in, the band was shocked to discover that “everyone who responded to it with a story of censorship was a gay artist.” They admit, “we are (or rather were) in touch with many gay artists via our Myspace account. But this doesn't explain the repeating pattern.”

The group’s press-release also critiques the way in which the Myspace software filters content. The site can filter and direct adult-related advertising based on the age of the member receiving the content. However, there is no similar ‘parental-control’ in place to filter content from individual profiles. The band points out that in the same week in which their account was deleted, Myspace had banner ads every day advertising porn and adult dating services, many containing "sexually suggestive photos". Members of the band state that they have no problem with advertisers spreading this brand of ad content, but say “we just want the same courtesy.”

Related Links:
Kids On TV Official Site
Myspace Political Censorship Page

Posted by Chris Thinn
Wednesday, March 14, 2007 11:43am

Nude in Public

A fascinating thing happened at my gym's shower. Full Disclosure: I work out at an old gym in the downtown core that is a part of the University of Toronto which is more than a hundred and fifty years old (in the summer, the gym is unbearable. In fact, there are postings all over every surface that state "DO NOT OVEREXERT YOURSELF" which is hysterical, considering, well, it's a gym for god's sake). The change-rooms though are very modern and lavishly renovated; but the shower room, though always clean, is very… "communal". Which basically means there is no privacy; people bathe beside one another, fully exposed. At one of the shower rooms there’s an entrance to the change-room/bathroom area and at the other end there is a door that leads to a spectacular pool. The idea behind these doors is that one can shower and then enter the pool area right away, and vice versa; one can exit the pool area, and quickly shower before going to their locker. The men's and ladies change rooms are rather similar, both contain entrances from the pool to the showers, and no one thinks secondly about it since the doors, though side by side, are clearly marked.

The other day however; someone made a mistake; a middle aged woman used the wrong door after getting out of the pool and entered the men's shower room, which in turn meant that she got to witness a significant amount of male flesh (and let me just say that there was a pretty fair collection of men and ages of all shapes and sizes; some young and buff, others old and, ah, not so buff). I would like to say that this woman walked in, noticed her error and then walked out--that's what I'd like to say; what she did was let out a scream that was so loud I felt like I was at an Iron Maiden concert in 1984; this scream so loud that could have made Janet Leigh's infamous scream in Psycho a soothing lullaby.

As much as I frown upon this woman's behaviour, I cannot claim to be any better. Last summer, while I was away for work in Germany, I was staying at a rather nice hotel with a sauna, which I decided to use. So I donned by shorts and walked into the sauna only to see a fully nude woman in her fifties reclined on her back; upon seeing her I jumped, and quickly apologized and rushed out. I was humiliated. How did I not know that it was a woman's only sauna? What a fool I was! A moment later a nude man exited the sauna--the same sauna I had just stumbled out of, and he was naked also, and then another man existed. also naked. And then a woman walked past me, rather pretty, in her 30s with her male partner, and nodded to me, and walked into the sauna…I was shocked. How could this be? How could people be so…at ease, and NUDE with strangers of both genders?

In North America we are so accustomed to looking at the nude body as a sexual object, especially if it belongs to the opposite gender, that the idea of people not noticing naked flesh is shocking, strange, and weirdly a-typical. Anyway, this all went through my head last night, and I wanted to go and talk to that woman about how not a big deal this was…it's just a bunch of naked guys washing up--no more, no less...but alas, I continued to wash my hair, and wondered how the buff guy beside me got those amazing abs which would never materialize on my torso no matter how many hours a week I worked out. Sigh.

Posted by Jordan
Wednesday, March 14, 2007 10:23am

Sex, Teens and Consent

When something horrific surfaces in the news like this disturbing incident of an alleged teen gang rape, the first thing most people think (including myself) is: "Oh my God how can this happen?" I think many parents don't even want to recognize that their kids are sexual beings, and may actually be having sex, so to try and wrap their heads around how something this shocking could happen to - or be done by - one of their kids is almost inconceivable. But the fact that it happened to someone's kids proves that it could happen to anybody's.

The gang rape aspect of this is extremely shocking, but I think what's even more shocking to many people about this incident is the age of those involved. People will likely blame it on increased teenage exposure to sex, exposure at a younger and younger age, and exposure to more and more graphic depictions of sexuality. Incidents like these no doubt give ammunition to people who want to keep kids ignorant and in the dark about sex by censoring and banning everything, but is that really going to work?

The reality is kids are exposed to sex early and often these days, and that's not going to change. Instead of trying to keep them ignorant, teenagers need to be given the knowledge to be able to make good decisions about their sexuality, and to know right from wrong. How does a 16, 17, or 18-year-old get involved in something like this? Have they not been taught about what consensual sex is? We're not talking about stealing or some other criminal activity, which I'm sure they've often been told is wrong. We're talking about a sexual crime, which I'm guessing is not a topic of conversation at many family dinners, if it's ever spoken about at all in homes.

I'm willing to bet many parents never talk with their children about any kind of sex in great detail, let alone consensual sex and what that means, because they would rather pretend their kids are not having sex at all. This is the bigger issue that I'm trying to get at - people are in denial about the level of sexual activity that kids engage in. They don't talk to their kids about sex, they pretend - or choose to think - that their kids are not having sex, and then they hear about something like this happening and are shocked.

Did the parents of these boys ever talk to them about what's right and wrong when it comes to consensual sex? If they didn't, they should have. In our society today, where kids are exposed to sex early and often, we can't leave it up to teachers and schools to teach kids good and bad or right and wrong when it involves sex.

Sex is a difficult and taboo subject for many people, so parents need to talk to and teach their children about sex in all forms, good and bad, consensual and non-consensual, and then maybe events like this can be prevented.

Posted by Matthew
Tuesday, March 13, 2007 4:54pm

Underwater Nudes

I'm currently working on a story about a photographer who takes the most amazing underwater nudes. I don't think the story will do the pictures justice, they are simply so stunning on their own. See what you think:

Related Links:
valkyries.com
flickr.com/photos/alberich

Posted by Matthew
Tuesday, March 13, 2007 12:44pm

Sextv on MySpace

Hey all you Sextv fans out there! We've jumped on the bandwagon and acquired a MySpace page! Check us out at myspace.com/sextelevision and add us as your friend... if you're so inclined... 

Posted by Emily
Friday, March 09, 2007 4:47pm

Happy International Women's Day

As I was having breakfast this morning, I came across a Canadian "women's" television show which featured an author of a new book, Why Men Marry Bitches.  On top of the nauseating title, I shuddered at the sweeping generalizations author Sherry Argov was making about both women and men.

Her basic message goes something like this: 

Women should be bitches - and bitches (according to Argov), are strong women who have their own identity and are secure with who they are.   If that connection isn't problematic enough, her advice on how to be a "bitch" is basically for women to go against any of their instincts and use manipulative tactics on men.   What was perhaps the most disturbing was how much the hosts and audience on the show agreed with her. 

In honour of International Women's Day - I think women and men should agree to start thinking about the ways in which our culture (in fact, most cultures) reduce both genders to antiquated stereotypes.  Although this book claims to be interested in helping people find relationships -I think these rigid notions really only serve to divide us. 

Related link:
Russian women taught how to get their man
Toxic wife Syndrome

Posted by BerryGrl
Thursday, March 08, 2007 2:33pm

It's International Women's Day, now get in the kitchen and bake me some pie!

Today I woke up to the radio announcer’s declaration that it is International Women’s Day.  When I asked my fellow if he considered himself a feminist, he seemed a little unsure about whether, as a man, he could answer yes or no…. “Of course, you can be a feminist” was my response. “Now, get in the kitchen and bake me some pie!”  Tee hee. …Anyway, happy International Women’s Day to all you sexy Sextv viewers and blog readers.

The UN has declared that “Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls” is the theme for this 2007 women’s day.  Check out these Sextv stories about some kick ass women and girls who are addressing violence against women and gender related discrimination:

Umoja
Rites and Ritual
Mommy Wars
Abortion: Stories of Choice

For more on international women’s day try these links:
http://www.internationalwomensday.com
http://www.unifem.org
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/iwd

Posted by Stacked
Thursday, March 08, 2007 2:12pm

"Mom, Dad... I'm Asexual"


Recently, around Valentine's Day, I happened to come across an interesting online thread. It began with posts declaring people's disinterest with Valentine's Day rituals, but developed into a conversation amongst individuals who essentially used the board to 'come out' as asexual.

A number of the individuals claimed never to have been sexually interested in anyone. One post linked to this Wikipedia entry on Asexuality, in which the word is described as "a general term or self-designation for people who lack sexual attraction or otherwise find sexual behavior unappealing. There is debate as to whether this is a sexual dysfunction or a sexual orientation. Furthermore, there is disagreement over the exact definition of the word."

At first I assumed that they were just late bloomers, who hadn't met anyone they were sexually attracted to. I also thought that others may simply have low sex drives, or were confusing the term 'asexual' with 'celibate'. It turns out that several of them were in their mid-twenties, well adjusted, and firm in their asexual self-identification.

One of my friends, who calls herself ‘asexual’, is a highly motivated university student and intern. For years, she's had a large fascination with Yaoi (boy with boy) Japanese anime character pairings but was never involved with any real men. I had always thought that she was simply too busy to bother with relationships. But, after reading the thread, I'm willing to accept that asexuality may be a very real sexual orientation and the way some people are born.

Check out this related Sextv story: Asexuals

Posted by Farah
Wednesday, March 07, 2007 4:18pm

Sex and Death, Bikinis and Coffins


There's no doubt that sex and death are closely related . You know, both involve the loss of identity and boundaries, the orgasm has long been called a "petite mort"... etc. etc... the association exists. But somehow, I feel Italian coffin manufacturers Cofanifunebari have made this connection a tad too explicit. Their website features scantily clad women with sultry stares straddling their finely crafted coffins in a variety of suggestive positions. If that wasn't mystifying enough, you can also pick up pin-up calendars to hang in your body shop, garage or rec room. I'm a huge fan of pin-up of any type, but this - I must admit - is a little unsettling. Imagine you're someone who has recently lost a loved one, and you're looking for a coffin from Cofanifunebari... are the women there to titillate you in your time of grief? To remind you that life (sex, reproduction and birth) are the flipside of death and that you mustn't lose perspective? Or is it some cryptic reference to the possible erotic rewards in the next world? One can only guess.

Posted by Pedro
Tuesday, March 06, 2007 9:28am

Hyperrealism


This summer, I discovered the wonders of digitally alerting and enhancing photographs. My 9-year-old son was playing with Photoshop and said, "Look mom, I airbrushed out your cold sore." Sure enough, he had digitally airbrushed out a large and nasty cold sore I had on my lower lip. It was a nice picture of me,
except for the TUMOR on my lower lip. So, I have to admit, I kept the altered photo and suggested a new career direction for my son.

Portrait Professional is a software package that claims to automate the process of retouching photographs. It does so by perfecting skin tone and texture but it also "resculpts your face" by digitally reproportioning your face into some sort of ideal. OK, that part is a bit creepy. Firstly, who's "ideal"? What happened to "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." And yet, I have to admit I was drawn to the gallery of photos and pondered the significance of this technology. As the New York Times recently reported high definition porn is causing problems in the porn world because porn stars aren't so sexy if viewers can see every blemish, stretch mark and imperfection. Studios are using post production technology to soften the actors skin tone and texture. So, isn't it interesting that we, as a society, are moving towards ever increasing realism at the same time as we are dependent on technology that soften these hyper-crisp images? It's almost a metaphor for our culture - hyperrealism combined with the selling of illusion. We want reality - but not if it's too real - and ultimately, we still like the fantasy more.

Posted by Michelle
Monday, March 05, 2007 4:47pm

“When are you having kids?”


As a woman in her early thirties in a happy relationship – I am constantly bombarded with the irritating question, “When are you having kids?” While I have a formidable biological pull towards childrearing – it is difficult to wrap my brain around how one successfully manages work and parenting. It’s striking to me just how many women in my age group are going through the same dilemma. The NY Times had a good piece this weekend, The Motherhood Experiment, about the effects of this phenomenon and what might be done to fix it.

Check out this related Sextv story: The Mommy Wars

Posted by BerryGrl
Monday, March 05, 2007 1:37pm

Makeover Ministries



Feministing points out the existence of a woman named Tammy Bennett, who has founded something called Makeover Ministries:

Bennett is the founder of Makeover Ministries, which she describes as "inspiring women to look good from the inside out and to be supermodels for Christ. And it's based on Proverbs: 'just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart.'" [source]

Boltgirl sums it up really well. She's got an excerpt from Bennett's book where she claims that beauty is a choice, and "it all begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ." So if you choose not to conform to the cookie-cutter standard of beauty this woman seems to prescribe in her fashion and make-up tips, then you're not a good Christian? The implication is that your appearance reflects the quality of your character - "your face mirrors your heart", after all. This reminds me of all those studies that have been done that claim that people who are better-looking are more likely to get jobs and be successful. I'm not surprised that that's true, but to actively teach young girls that being a "good" person requires attention to your hair and make-up is kind of disturbing.

Check out this related Sextv story.

Posted by Emily
Friday, March 02, 2007 1:08pm

Un-natural Selection?



I was thinking about one of yesterday’s posts when I ran across this article which describes how some parents are actively choosing to have children with genetic defects. It’s an interesting twist on the notions of perfection and self replication. Check out this related Sextv story about sex selection and accompanying ethical conundrums...

Posted by Anatomy
Thursday, March 01, 2007 11:35am