VideoGame Females

 Nice read about female characters and sexuality in videogame history. Oy!
[...]
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EDITORIAL
The Role of Female Characters in Video Games Part 1
April 27, 2009 | 10:19 AM PST · Joey Davidson
It wasn't until I read Brad Hilderbrand's editorial, "Are Games Gay Enough?" that I realized that Kombo was the perfect place for me to take a step in a more theoretical direction when it comes to video game studies. That's right, you read correctly, a theoretical approach to video game studies.

I'm not really writing this piece as an extension or retort to Brad's interesting thoughts. I encourage you to read Brad's article (linked above) for the thought provoking pile of words that it is. This is something slightly different. This is something that I've been kicking around ever since I started on my Film Theory degree in college. Video games are a medium not too much unlike that of film. It's fairly common knowledge, and an often shared opinion, that video games are a lot like long, interactive flicks. I don't mean to lump the entire medium into one convenient package, but for the intents and purposes of this article, you'll have to let me do just that.

So, continuing under the assumption that video games can and should be supported by the same theories and applications as film making and film studies, perhaps you'll join me as I step out into the realm of critical thought and undressing. I intend to approach the concept of the role of female characters in video games through the perspectives of respected and often cited film theorists. These theorists, as is normal in the field of Film Theory, lean on the psychoanalytical methods of Sigmund Freud and the theories of Jacques Lacan. As we encounter these theories throughout this article, I will try and add enough insight and information at each juncture so that those without a background in Film Studies can feel extremely welcome. With a little elbow grease, I intend to provide a gamut of reasoning for females being portrayed the way they are, and have always been, in most titles within my favorite medium.

I would like to slide this disclaimer out in front of you readers just so that I can quell any early senses of anger before we proceed. I may say some things here and there that place the female sex and gender into a position that's well below the politically correct norm. I want you to know that while I may be using these viewpoints and positions in order to further prove my argument, I know as a human being and a member of society that women are equal to men. My goal with this article is to dismantle the accepted image of females in video games and educate those that may look at their typical portrayal as normal and commonplace.

So, on we go...

Super Mario Brothers (NES) It doesn't take an avid gamer to realize that women have often been portrayed in gaming as the damsels in distress. We've been given a princess that needed rescuing since the beginning of video games with a narrative plot. That's right, the first game to institute and, thus, perpetuate the modern conception of female characters in video games is Super Mario Bros. for the NES (I am dismissing the likes of Donkey Kong, as its plot structure can't really be considered solid enough for my purposes). I don't even think I really need to continue with my explanation but, just in case, I will. SMB is all about rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser. You quest from castle to castle in search of the fair maiden, and when you finally get her, you get a kiss on the cheek.

So what's wrong with this portrayal? Well, logically speaking, it puts the female character in a position of weakness. It takes you, as a male, to rescue her from a situation that she herself cannot escape from. But the quest to see her, the quest to rescue her and, most importantly, the earning of a kiss from her all put the female role in video games at an extreme disadvantage.

Laura Mulvey wrote an essay concerning the role of females in narrative cinema, and it's there that I'd like to draw support for my thoughts regarding the princess in SMB. We'll start with the perspective of the game. Players are situated facing and controlling Mario (or Luigi). This first and seemingly simple step is what sparks the series of events that places Princess Peach in the realm relegated to the lower female gender. So, all gamers are assumed, from the beginning, to be male. If they are not already male, then they are females controlling a male. Since Mario is placed front and relative center of the screen at all times, he is the focus and thus the landing place of our look and projection. We watch Mario, we control Mario, we are Mario...

In her essay, "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema," Mulvey looks to Freud and Lacan in order to explain a series of "gazes" in cinema. Lacan's theory states, extremely basically, that children are born without a recognition of self. At a young age, kids cannot tell themselves as existing as a separate piece of the world. They are merely part of the world, but their sense of "I" has not formed yet. It is when they look into a mirror for the first time (i.e. Lacan's Mirror Stage) that they develop the situational sense of "I" and "otherness" and realize that they exist independently in the world. Mulvey takes the concept of the Mirror Stage and places it onto the silver screen. When viewers watch a film, according to Mulvey, they start to narcissistically involve themselves with the main character on screen. They revert back to the moment when they had no sense of self. They see the big character in front of them as an extension of themselves and, sometimes, as themselves entirely. For instance, I watch Indiana Jones fighting jungle natives, Indiana Jones is the center of my attention, Indiana Jones becomes me, I am Indiana Jones.

[ Woody's Checkpoint: # top # ]

I'd like to contend that video games develop an even stronger sense of connection with the main characters as we, the players, not only watch them on the screen, but we control them in their narrative and, thus, become more intrinsically involved with them. Instead of simply watching and projecting ourselves onto the characters, we're becoming involved with the goals and objectives of the main character. We adopt these goals and objectives as our own. Mario wants to save Princess Peach from Bowser, we watch Mario, we control Mario, we are Mario and therefore we desire to achieve Mario's goals and save Princess Peach from Bowser.

Therefore, it is with that instant connection to Mario as being "me" that we start to view women as lower and weaker in form and capabilities. We have become Mario. The Princess obviously can't save herself from Bowser because she is too weak, so we, as a man, have to save her from Bowser ourselves.

Finally, with SMB at least, I'd like to tackle the game's end reward for saving the Princess, the supposed kiss. I say supposed because it does not actually happen on screen. We've seen the kiss in the SNES remake of SMB on Super Mario All-Stars, but the NES version leaves that bit out. We will, once again, have to assume it is implied in order to achieve full effect for this argument. Mulvey looks to Freud in order to get a grasp on the concept of sex and making love on screen and why it is that we, as viewers, find the moments so pleasurable. According to Freud, almost every member of the human race could be considered scopophiliac. We get pleasure from looking and watching, and we get pleasure from imagining that we are what we are watching.

Now, I realize that the 8-bit version of Princess Peach is far from sexy. You could never logically consider her an object of sexual desire in her NES state.

But I would like to demonstrate that what she represents in the game is a prize of sexuality.

You romp through the Mushroom Kingdom facing bottomless pits and giant turtles in order to save her, and you're implied to be rewarded with a kiss. You are given a piece of her sexuality as a female for saving her from her demise. It is right here that Nintendo forms the first moment of females as sexual objects in the narratives of video games. Princess Peach is the trophy and the kiss she'll give you is the champagne at the end of your journey, she is the coveted sexual prize, she represents females in gaming. I will definitely be returning to the following quote again as these articles move forward, but I'd like to take this chance to prove my point of sexual objectivity with a tiny excerpt from Mulvey's essay, "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema."

"In their traditional exhibitionist role women are simultaneously looked at and displayed…Women displayed as sexual object is the leit-motiff of erotic spectacle: from pin-ups to strip-tease…she holds the male look, plays to and signifies male desire. Mainstream film neatly combines spectacle and narrative. The presence of woman is an indispensible element of spectacle…" -- Laura Mulvey, "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema"

I'll point to this exceptionally not safe for work song for pop proof.

What SMB did for video games is that it built a narrative into their structure. Games now had plot lines. What it also did for the role of females in video games, through the desire and kiss of Princess Peach, is force them into the position of erotic spectacle. And that's only the beginning of the downfall of females as characters in gaming.

I intend to continue these articles on a regular basis. Do not expect to see them occur every week. I will write them as often as I can while still remaining thorough. They also won't last forever. I'll continue to work on them until I feel I've done what I set out to accomplish.
>> # top # | Source: Kombo.com


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EDITORIAL
The Role of Female Characters in Video Games Part 2 - Samus Aran
July 2, 2009 | 3:17 PM PST · Joey Davidson
I started this series of articles just a few months ago. I have already told you that my intention here is to investigate the role of female characters in gaming. I am not necessarily trying to provide a solution, but I am definitely looking to further unearth the inherent problem. Female characters in gaming cast a negative shadow over the medium and gender perception as a whole.

If you are looking to understand my full intentions throughout this series, I would like to offer you a chance to read my first article. I spend a lot of time in the early goings trying to explain my position. Well, I have done that already. So I decided that here, and with future editions of this editorial, I will begin more quickly than before.

When I finished the first piece, I immediately started to get a slew of reactions from colleagues, friends and readers. Not all of them were positive, of course, but they did spark the types of discussions for which I was looking. And a lot of people started to offer Samus Aran as a solution for the model of strong females in games. She immediately became my next target.

So I spent the last month or so looking into the portrayal of Samus. I will say that through my research I have realized that no other female character in the world of video games carries the same type of love and respect as Samus Aran. In light of that, lovers of Samus and the world of Metroid should realize that this is not an attack on the bounty hunter. I merely aim to use her in order to reach my destination.

Samus Aran Samus Aran first appeared in the original Metroid for the NES in 1986. She is a bounty hunter that works missions given to her by the Galactic Federation. She consistently tangles with Space Pirates and the alien parasites known as Metroids. But what is most special and identifiable about Samus is her suit. She is covered from head to toe in a wonderfully capable set of armor. It serves as both a defense mechanism and a disguise.

And it's the suit that operates perfectly for my intentions. Players familiar with the world of Metroid and Samus Aran already know that Samus' gender came as a surprise back in 1986. In the opening section of the game, players see Samus as she is above. Completely concealed by her armor. No one that played the game back in 1986 realized that Samus was female once they got a look at her here.

And that's the way the game continued. Until the very end. Much like Princess Peach in Super Mario Brothers, Samus Aran's sexual objectivity is held until the conclusion of the game and hinges on the success of the player. Defeat an entire swarm of alien beasts whilst traversing all types of insanely difficult terrain and the game rewards you with an object of your sexual desire. Don't believe me? Here's Samus as we see her with her suit off.

She is standing there in a bikini. There is simply no way to explain the need for here to wear a two piece beneath her space armor. To further demonstrate my point, look at the Zero Suit.

Revealing? Yes. But it's almost as if Nintendo decided to take a step back and redesign the sexuality of Samus and make it slightly less apparent. Although the model from Super Smash Brothers Brawl depicted above is still highly sexualized, it is not a bikini. The need to back away from the sexualization of a character is immediately checked back into place by a less-and-more revealing version.

[ Woody's Checkpoint: # top # ]

I will even take this one step further and try and prove to you that Samus' suit symbolizes an object of phallic power. Okay, wait, do not try and run off so soon. With film theory, the symbol of power is called the phallus. Yes, initially this was used to identify a male's sexual organ, but with film it's used to identify that which makes one character more masculine than another. In Indiana Jones it's his whip. In Star Wars it's Luke's lightsaber. A lot of theorists look at these objects and consider their phallic nature when trying to argue their sense of masculinity. But a Phallus doesn't always have to look phallic. It is merely a symbol of power. Let me offer this textbook definition:

"...the phallus is a symbol of power, of having (note how guns are used in film: guns = phallus = power). The woman has no phallus...the woman is lacking and therefore inferior..." -- Jill Nelmes, An Introduction to Film Studies

Take away Samus' suit and she is powerless. Even more than her suit, take away her arm cannon, and she is powerless. Both mechanisms represent her masculine image, and it is not enough that she becomes weaker when she removes them. She actually wears a bikini beneath all of that masculine strength, as if to say, "without the power, I am only an object of sex."

You can make an argument here that SSBB proves my point invalid. I will accept that Zero Suit Samus is a perfectly powerful combatant. However, the Samus without a suit in the early Metroid universe is powerless. If she did not need the suit, why would she have it at all?

I return to the objectification of Samus. All of this sexualization fits perfectly into my pre-established argument about Princess Peach. In fact, despite her combat capabilities, Samus Aran fits the role of sexually objectified females more perfectly than the victim in SMB. Here's the same quote I used from Laura Mulvey in my initial argument, and understand that it works more efficiently here.

"In their traditional exhibitionist role women are simultaneously looked at and displayed…Women displayed as sexual object is the leit-motiff of erotic spectacle: from pin-ups to strip-tease…she holds the male look, plays to and signifies male desire. Mainstream film neatly combines spectacle and narrative. The presence of woman is an indispensible element of spectacle…" -- Laura Mulvey, "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema"

Consider the moment at the end of the original Metroid when we see Samus without her suit. She's waving at us. She becomes a pin-up, a girl in a bikini. She loses all of her power and is nothing more than a coy, sexual image used to reward the male demographic in gaming.

Now try Google Image searching "Samus Aran" without a search filter. You will find in the first few pages that the internet, no surprise here, harbors a vast multitude of images concerning the sexualized nature of Samus. I will concede, however, that the same trick works with almost every single female on this planet. But it served the cause of Samus Aran no benefit when Nintendo originally threw her up on the screen in a bikini after defeating a horde of alien beasts (I don't mean to blame Nintendo here, but they're the folks with these types of games during the era in question).

Stepping back, I do recognize that Samus Aran does represent a lot of positive strength for females in the world of gaming. She's a strong, confident, independent woman that regularly sets of to do what others cannot. But her flagrant sexualization as a reward for a job well done is something that cannot be dismissed. For all of her strengths and conquests, Samus is still immediately chopped down to an inferior form.

And for all of its shortcomings, the Zero Suit in SSBB is probably the best representation of strength and sexuality for the character. Without her suit in the originals, Samus becomes a waving pin-up. More recently, however, she's become something of a combative vixen. But, as I'll argue later when I tackle more recent games that use this same model, the sexualization of women in gaming still puts them at a disadvantage. Do her breasts still need to be so overtly apparent in the Zero Suit?

I'll close this off by saying that, once again, this series is not finished. It's only started. For those wondering why I'm doing such old games, please recognize that I'm trying to handle this topic in a chronological nature. I do intend to approach more recent titles eventually. For now, I believe a lot of understanding can be found in the roots of gaming.
>> # top # | Source: Kombo.com

The Pornographic Depression

 A recent study has revealed a connection between consuming pornography and suffering under depressions. The higher the amount of consumation, the stronger the feelings of depression. [...]
(show me)(don't show me)

Isn't this like accusing drug abuse to cause depression? I mean, which addiction is not accompanied by feelings of guilt and misery ...? The stronger a person is addicted to something, I believe that, subconsciously, the mind of that person is reducing the portrait of oneself. The person considers him/herself as weak, whether he/she admits it consciously to herself or not.

I mean, I don't want to deny that online sex makes depressive - but if you imagine a tree next to a polluting factory of some sort, let's say shoes, a tree that's dying early, it would be just as "unwise" to say: "That shoe factory is corrupting that tree. (Let's burn the shoe factory!)". It's not this particular shoe factory that bears the guilt, it's the matter of pollution that is the source.

I admit that my example sucks terribly, but my point is, online sex makes depressive just because it's an addiction. And every addiction makes depressive. We should rather learn how to deal with addictions ... well, I've said enough already. Here's the article:

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Akt. 30.10.08; 12:01 Pub. 30.10.08; 09:35
Online-Sex macht depressiv
Ernüchterung statt Erregung. Das Surfen im Netz ist für viele Pornoseitenbesucher ziemlich unbefriedigend.
Eine halbe Stunde im Sex-Chat, dann noch zwei Sex-Clips und zehn Bilder von Web-Schönheiten herunterladen. Was für viele Surfer normal ist, macht ein Viertel krank: Rund 27 Prozent aller Bürger, die regelmässig Sexseiten im Web besuchen, sind depressiv. Dies ergab eine Studie von Marcus Squirrell, Doktorand an der Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne.

Stress und Angst
Etwa 30 Prozent hatten Angstzustände, rund 35 Prozent zeigten mittlere oder schwere Stressymptome. Mehrfachnennungen waren möglich. «Je häufiger die Studienteilnehmer Sexseiten besuchen, desto depressiver und ängstlicher sind sie in der Regel», sagt Squirrell.

Reale Schwierigkeiten
Laut dem Forscher ist ein wesentlicher Grund für die Ergebnisse, dass Pornoseiten-Besucher oftmals im realen Leben Schwierigkeiten in ihrer Beziehung haben oder aber auf der Suche nach jemandem sind. Ausserdem würden die Betroffenen in aller Regel ihre sozialen Kontakte vernachlässigen, da sie ihre Freizeit vor dem Bildschirm verbringen.

Die Mehrheit der 1325 Befragten verbringt über zwölf Stunden pro Woche auf einschlägen Portalen. 65 Prozent gaben an, sich schon einmal mit jemandem getroffen zu haben, den sie im Web kennengelernt hatten.

Gut ausgebildete Männer
Laut der Untersuchung sind die Besucher von Porno- und Flirtseiten überwiegend männlich, überdurchschnittlich ausgebildet und in allen Altersgruppen zwischen acht und 80 anzutreffen.

«Die Studie ist für uns sehr wichtig, weil immer mehr Australier eine psychologische Beratung zum Thema Onlinesex-Sucht verlangen», sagt Professorin Ann Knowles, die das Forschungsprojekt betreute.

70 000 Internet-Süchtige in der Schweiz
Porno-Seiten, Chats und Online-Spiele verführen auch immer mehr Schweizer Surfer und treiben sie in die Sucht. Hierzulande sind nach aktuellen Zahlen rund 70 000 Bürger internetsüchtig. Hinzu kommt ein Potenzial von rund 110 000 Online-Suchtgefährdeten, sagte Franz Eidenbenz 20 Minuten Online. Der Zürcher Psychologe mit Spezialgebiet Neue Medien therapiert Internet-Abhängige und sass in jener Expertenrunde, welche die jüngsten Zahlen veröffentlichte.
(hst)
>> # top # | Q: 20 Min.ch

Normal people about geeks and sex

 God how I hate these assholes.

Mixing vague half-truths with the urge to cluster everything and everybody into neat drawers to fill their slot of weekly entertainment ... i hate it - even if it probably is partly true. [...]
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The 10 Real Reasons Why Geeks Make Better Lovers
Regina Lynn 04.06.07
Editor's note: Some links in this story lead to adult material and are not suitable for viewing at work. All links of this nature will be noted with "NSFW" after them.

- - -

I've read recently that geeks make better lovers because they are so unaccustomed to romance that they will do anything for their mates. Also because geeks don't have the social skills to cheat (wanna bet?).

Yeah, ha ha, let's chuckle at the stereotypes. Might as well add that geeks won't waste valuable relationship time watching football. Or that geeks are clueless and fashion-impaired and have the social skills of a bowl of fruit.

But you know what? Humorous Top-10 lists aside, geeks really do make the best lovers, for reasons that have nothing to do with adolescent ostracism or puppy-like devotion.

It's all about sex-tech. (Tell us what you think below.)

Geeks build it so you will come
Second Life's SexGen animation system, Red Light Center's (NSFW) beautiful sex animations and open-source teledildonics did not simply coalesce out of the mists during a marketing department meeting.

These projects require strong technical know-how along with an open-minded approach to sexual variation. After all, you can't build sex-tech that serves only your own preferences if you expect others to use it. Especially if you want them to buy it.

That geeks have the passion to commit their technical skills to expanding sexual options for everyone is evidence enough of their enthusiasm and dedication as lovers.

Geeks get personal with tech
All engineers may be geeks, but not all geeks are engineers. Doesn't matter. You don't need to know how to build a platform in order to do a half-gainer in full pike with a twist into the river of love.

A geek is more likely to figure out how to customize toys and to design arousing environments for your avatars to play in than a non-geek. And that experience translates into a greater sensitivity to atmosphere and mood during sex -- beyond lighting a candle.

Don't be surprised if your geek lover puts more thought into arranging the boudoir than you do, or if common household items ("pervertibles") soon take on a new dimension. More than one geek has told me that Home Depot is their favorite adult store.

Geeks dig consensual role playing
Geek lovers combine a well-developed and oft-exercised erotic imagination with their physical technique. It isn't a big leap from "I'm a level-13 thief, evil-aligned" to "I'm the prison warden and you're the new detainee." Scientists and therapists alike claim that the brain is the most critical sexual organ; a geek's familiarity with fantasy arouses your mind even as the handcuffs -- or the bag of loot -- bring your body to attention.

Geeks interact
A technophobe mostly talks to you in person, but a geek is happy to be with you by texting your phone, flirting with you in a chat room, Skyping you, Twittering just in case you're on your vibrating couch (NSFW), sending funny cell-phone snapshots to your e-mail, playing online games, commenting on your blog, Digging articles that interest you, seducing you by instant message….

Geeks get things done
Geeks know all the shortcuts. They research your interests, send you surprise gifts, plan your perfect vacation, get the bills and grocery shopping out of the way, write to their mothers, and tease you mercilessly, all while pretending to work. And when you ask them to set up your home Wi-Fi or install a home theater, it's done quickly, expertly and without complaint.

In other words, geeks know how to get everything else out of the way so there's more time for lovemaking.

Geeks are hot …
… and wear the coolest glasses.

Geeks don't shock easily
Geeks have seen all the porn you can imagine and then some, priming them to be open to your sexual peccadilloes. They are not only less likely to be shocked by your exotic requests -- they might not even realize that other people think your turn-ons are exotic.

Conversely, your geek lover might be relieved that your wildest fantasy involves only two other people, five utensils and a trapeze.

Geeks know kinky people
Geeks haven't just seen a variety of positions, kinks and fetishes in blue movies. They know (or are) people who enjoy those things, so they don't dismiss entire categories of sexual interests as the sole province of a bunch of weirdos in San Francisco.

It's hard to sustain prejudice and bias against an abstract group when you develop relationships with individuals and discover they're just like you. It doesn't matter if they dress up like ponies, or refuse to conform to a societal idea of gender norms, or eat pancakes for dinner. Geek lovers know better than to try to impose their sexual preferences or standards on others -- including your friends -- and are more likely to love and let love.

Geeks understand multi-dimensional relationships
Geeks connect with their online buddies in several guises, often getting to know the person behind the avatar as friendships deepen and move from adult communities to personal IM.

A geek can flow seamlessly between conversation about a friend's partner and kids in one window and an elaborate group sex scene in another, without feeling any discontinuity between the personas. Even if the friend is a 43-year-old father of two in IM, and a 22-year-old dominatrix in the group.

With all that going on, a geek has no problem accepting that sometimes you want mocha ripple cherry fudge chunk swirl with almonds and a waffle and sometimes you want vanilla lite.

Geeks aren't threatened by new tech or "the future of sex"
Geeks have read the science fiction. They know the dire predictions of a world in which the sticky press of flesh is replaced by neural nets and sex robots that also do housework (or is that house robots that also do sex work?).

Geeks have imagined more sexual dystopias than the average person and are the first to see the technological developments that could lead us down dark paths. Which only makes sense, considering who develops those technologies in the first place.

At the same time, geeks know better than anyone that something always goes wrong when you lean on machines for your social fulfillment. A geek doesn't mind if you bring home the iiErotoTrix 5000 v3 -- as long as you share it.

Literacy and the printing press did not replace sex; neither did photography, automobiles, video, online porn or 3-D escort services. Geek lovers spend enough time with technology to appreciate the unique wondrousness of human touch.

See you next Friday, Regina Lynn

- - -

When not researching geek lovin' or writing her book, Regina Lynn blogs at reginalynn.com. You can reach her at ginalynn (at) gmail (dot) com.
>> # top # | Q: Wired.com

Hand Vagina

Sex seems to be a topic that interests men gradually earlier and earlier in generation ... -Oh heck, just watch the clip:
[click] ([~2.oo])

The Mass Effect Pornography

 A funny little story of real life has occured overseas on the big continent called America concerning the never-ending war of videogames vs. bad journalism - with a victory on our side, the gamers.

Read the following text if you're interested in how an author who spoke on Fox News Television admitted in front of millions of watchers and therefore gamers how she claims that Mass Effect is a pornographic game not advisable for children without ever having played the game at all. And how the gamers "punished" her. [...]
(show me)(don't show me)

A poorly sourced earlier web article called 'The "Sex-Box" Race for President' by Kevin McCullough proceeds this story which is removed from the website by now, unfortunately.

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Author Faults a Game, and Gamers Flame Back

A scene from Mass Effect.

By SETH SCHIESEL
Published: January 26, 2008
The Internet hath no fury like a gamer scorned.

That’s the lesson Fox News and a self-help author learned this week after a program on that channel featured a discussion of the sexual content of the hit video game Mass Effect.

Bound by global message boards, blogs, chat rooms and of course the games themselves, gamers are perhaps the single most intense subculture on the Internet — fiercely protective of their pastime and at ease with the byways of cyberspace.

So the game world has been ablaze with indignation since the Fox News program “The Live Desk With Martha MacCallum” said on Monday that Mass Effect, one of the most critically praised games of 2007, contains frontal nudity and explicit depictions of sexual activity. The assertions of virtual lasciviousness first appeared earlier this month among conservative bloggers incensed by brief YouTube clips excerpted from the 30- to 40-hour game.

Mass Effect, a science fiction game, includes a complicated romantic subplot that is no more risqué in its plot or graphic in its depiction than evening network television.

To exact their revenge, gamers have turned their vitriol on Cooper Lawrence, an author who appeared to mischaracterize the game when she said: “Here’s how they’re seeing women: They’re seeing them as these objects of desire, as these, you know, hot bodies. They don’t show women as being valued for anything other than their sexuality. And it’s a man in this game deciding how many women he wants to be with.”

In fact Mass Effect allows users to play as either a man or a woman, and the few suggestions of intimate contact occur in the context of a detailed interpersonal story line. Asked on the air by Geoff Keighley of Spike TV whether she had ever played the game, Ms. Lawrence laughed and said, “No.”

Irate gamers have flooded the page on Amazon.com selling Ms. Lawrence’s most recent book, “The Cult of Perfection: Making Peace With Your Inner Overachiever,” sending its user-generated rating into oblivion.

By Friday afternoon 412 of the book’s 472 user reviews were the lowest possible rating, one star. Another 48 ratings were for two stars. Only 12 of the ratings were for three stars or higher. In addition, 929 Amazon users had tagged the book with the keyword “ignorant.” Tied for second place with 744 tags were “garbage” and “hypocrisy,” while “hack” and “hypocrite” tied for fourth place with 710 votes. Gamers have also attacked the book on the Barnes & Noble Web site.

Many of the reviewers admit that they have not read Ms. Lawrence’s book.

As one Amazon user put it: “I know all about this book but have never fully read it. Why? Due to the overwhelming backlash, I have no choice but to agree with the 1 star ratings. The rumors are rampant that this book was poorly written and poorly researched. So without verifying the contents myself — I give it a 1 star. Good thing video games aren’t judged in this manner — whew!!!”

On Friday “The Cult of Perfection” was ranked the 346,106th best-selling book on Amazon. Mass Effect, by contrast, has been a hit, selling more than 1.6 million copies since November. An Amazon spokeswoman said the site would soon begin to remove reviews written by users who had clearly not read the book.

In an interview on Friday, Ms. Lawrence said that since the controversy over her remarks erupted she had watched someone play the game for about two and a half hours. “I recognize that I misspoke,” she said. “I really regret saying that, and now that I’ve seen the game and seen the sex scenes it’s kind of a joke.

“Before the show I had asked somebody about what they had heard, and they had said it’s like pornography,” she added. “But it’s not like pornography. I’ve seen episodes of ‘Lost’ that are more sexually explicit.”

Electronic Arts, the giant publisher that owns Mass Effect, has asked Fox News for a correction. A Fox News spokesman would say only that Electronic Arts had been offered a chance to appear on the channel. An Electronic Arts spokesman said the company had not yet decided whether to accept the offer.

By telephone from Edmonton, Alberta, Ray Muzyka, the medical doctor who is chief executive of BioWare, the Electronic Arts studio that made Mass Effect, said: “We’re hurt. We believe in video games as an art form, and on behalf of the 120 people who poured their blood and tears into this game over three years, we’re just really hurt that someone would misrepresent the game without even playing it. All we can hope for is that people who actually play our games will see the truth.”
>> # top # | Q: NY Times.com

Here's the short video dialog that was aired on Fox News and which triggered this whole "sex affair" thing featuring Cooper Lawrence and Geoff Keighley ...

FOX Fumes Over Microsoft's Mass Effect XBox Game

Oh the poor, poor child - branded for life!

 Well, it's not that funny but moderately funny enough to psot here.

About a confused schedule in a conservative small town in England. With lots of nudity and flickering erotic. Well, textual nudity that is ... [...]
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21. Januar 2008
EINE MELDUNG UND IHRE GESCHICHTE
Oops
Von Ralf Hoppe
Warum eine Polizistin vor einer Schulklasse strippte

Nottingham ist nett; aber viel los ist dort nicht. Und wenn wirklich mal was Schräges geschieht?

"Nein, darüber möchte ich nicht sprechen", sagt die Frau, die alles angezettelt hat, sie ist die Mutter, heißt Saphia C., alleinerziehend, brünett, rundes Gesicht, ein freundliches Lächeln.

"Nein, darüber möchte ich nicht sprechen", sagt der Mann, der alles ausbaden muss, er ist der Schuldirektor, heißt Robin F., rosig, jovial.

"Dabei spricht halb Nottingham über nichts anderes", sagt Vivianne W., sie ist beim County Council, das den Vorfall untersuchen muss, "es ist wohl auch ein eher unkonventionelles Geschehen, oder nicht?"

Und so schweigen alle; jedenfalls fast alle.

Nottingham, in England, 286.000 Einwohner, etwa 33 190 Schüler, einer von ihnen ist Danny C., Saphias Sohn. Am 7. November 2007, um kurz vor acht Uhr morgens, grauer Himmel, verlässt Danny das Reihenhaus in Heddington Gardens und macht sich auf den Schulweg, wie jeden Morgen. Dabei ist heute ein besonderer Tag: Dannys 16. Geburtstag.

Am White Heart Pub überquert er die Mansfield Road, hält sich links. Seine Schule, die Arnold Hill School, liegt an der Gedling Road, hügelan. Danny rekapituliert seine Geschenke. Sie waren okay, nicht überraschend, aber im Großen und Ganzen das, was er wollte. Auch seine Mum ist okay; nein, eigentlich ist sie super.

Was Danny nicht weiß: dass auf ihn noch ein Geschenk wartet.

Danny ist ein freundlicher, höflicher Junge, blass, ernsthaft, vielleicht sogar ein bisschen zu introvertiert, findet seine Mutter, etwas wilder dürfte er sein. Vielleicht wird er mal studieren, irgendwas mit Natur, er interessiert sich für Tiere und den WWF, Wale, Gorillas.

Die letzte Schulstunde vor der Mittagspause bricht an. Danny sitzt in einer Klasse, in der Theaterstücke besprochen werden, als die Tür aufgeht. Eine Polizistin tritt ein. Jung, drall. Blaue Uniform, blaues Hütchen.

Eine kleine Abweichung vom Lernstoff, sagt die Lehrerin, lächelt und nickt der Polizistin zu. Und holt eine Videokamera hervor, richtet sie auf Danny.

Die Polizistin steht jetzt an der Tafel.

Einer von euch, sagt die Polizistin, ist ein gewisser - Danny? Das Geburtstagskind?

Danny, zögernd, meldet sich.

Ah! Fein! Dann komm mal her!

Danny errötet leicht, das Schicksal der Hellhäutigen.

Die Polizistin hat inzwischen eine Reitgerte hervorgeholt, und weil Danny, so sagt sie, bisher ein böser, böser Junge war, soll er sich bücken, und dann gibt sie ihm für jedes Jahr, da er böse war, einen leichten Schlag auf den Po. 16 Schläge. Patsch, patsch, patsch.

Die Schüler glotzen. Die Lehrerin filmt, ist aber womöglich in Schockstarre. Was in Danny vorgeht, darüber sollte man besser nicht spekulieren.

Aber unser Danny, sagt die Polizistin jetzt, war ja auch ein braver Junge, und deshalb - well, hier die Belohnung! Zuckersüßes Lächeln, angelt einen CD-Player aus ihrer Tasche.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ...

Es ist Britney Spears' "Oops! ... I Did It Again". Die Polizistin tanzt ein bisschen, legt ihr Hütchen ab, zieht Bluse, Rock, Strümpfe aus, tanzend, bis sie in Büstenhalter und Slip vor Danny steht, gleichmäßig gebräunt und sehr ausladend, locker BH-Körbchengröße D, werden einige Schüler später berichten, obwohl man hier ihre pubertäre Begeisterung (und den Mangel an Erfahrung) in Anschlag bringen muss.

Oops! I did it again ... singt Britney.

Die Polizistin schmiert sich Creme auf den Po. Das Geburtstagskind, sagt sie, darf mich eincremen - na los!

Sie lächelt, sie wackelt, der Po des Gesetzes - Autorität, Angst, Sex, alles in einem einzigen, einem irren Moment zusammengepresst.

Die Lehrerin lässt die Kamera sinken.

In den späten neunziger Jahren waren sie beliebt, die sogenannten stripograms und gorillagrams, ein sehr britisches Vergnügen, in Nottingham gab es massenweise sogenannte Agenturen, bei denen man jemanden buchen konnte, der aus einer Torte sprang, strippte oder im Gorillakostüm grunzend eine Party auflockerte. Der Trend ist abgeflaut, aber drei größere Event-Agenturen gibt es noch; bei einer hatte Dannys Mutter einen Gorilla bestellt, weil Danny Tiere liebt, und alles mit der Lehrerin besprochen, und die hatte versprochen, den kleinen Spaß zu filmen. Was Dannys Mutter nicht bestellt hatte, war eine strippende Polizistin - bei der Agentur hatte jemand die Termine verwechselt.

Moooment!, ruft jetzt die Lehrerin. Ich bin nicht sicher, sagt sie, dass wir so fortfahren sollten, und sie winkt die Polizistin streng mit sich raus aus dem Raum, und zurück bleiben die Schüler, stumm, und Geburtstagskind Danny.

Der Direktor und die Theater-Lehrerin beschworen die Schüler, gegenüber den Medien dichtzuhalten; aber die Story war einfach zu erzählenswert. Einige Eltern zeigen sich über den Vorfall absolut not amused, das Council untersucht nun, wer Schuld hat, die Mutter, die Schule, die Agentur oder alle zusammen. Danny aber, beschenkt mit einer Geschichte fürs Leben, fand die Show im Nachhinein okay oder sogar super.
>> # top # | Q: Spiegel.de
sent by Chinanski

Can you see the penis in his mouth?

If you tend to see lewd scenes and vulgar body parts in other people's drawings then have a look at this. These drawings by Maurício Ricardo show how everything lies in the eye of the viewer ;^)
[click] ([3.o3])
sent by Jtranz

So there's really nothing wrong with you ;^)

Ten Rules of Anal Sex

 Rather 'Ten Interesting Things To Know About Anal Sex' - if you have no clue at all, yet an irritating unremovable interest.

Yeah, I know: what a lame psoting intro ... eh .. [...]
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Ten Rules of Anal Sex
by Jack Morin, PhD, a San Francisco sex therapist and researcher, who is the author of Anal Pleasure and Health: A Guide for Men and Women.

Anal Eroticism is surrounded by a powerful taboo. Yet millions of men and women - straight, gay and bisexual - are experimenting with anal sex. The anus, richly endowed with nerve endings and interconnected with the main pelvic muscles, is the closest erogenous neighbor of the genitals and contracts rhythmically during orgasm. Thirty-five years ago, Kinsey stated that the anal region had erotic significance for about half of the population. In a survey of 100,000 Playboy readers, 47 percent of the men and 61 percent of the women admitted to having tried anal intercourse.

Yet the anal taboo inhibits most people from thinking, talking and learning about the sexual use of the anus. Listed here are the ten things most men and women still do not know about anal sex.

1. Anal intercourse is the least practiced form of anal sex.
There are many ways to enjoy the anus erotically. The most common techniques include touching the anal opening while masturbating or stimulating a partner's anus during intercourse or oral sex.

Some people enjoy the sensation of a finger - their own or a lover's - insinuated into their anal opening and gently rotated. Others may prefer the insertion of a dildo or vibrator beyond the anal opening and short anal canal into the larger rectum. Many men, including hetereosexuals, prefer this form of penetration.

Oral-anal lovemaking is popularly known as rimming. The very idea disgusts some people. Others enjoy performing it or allowing themselves to be probed in this special way.

2. Anal stimulation, including intercourse, is not painful if done properly.
The belief that anal stimulation, especially intercourse, has to hurt is a persistent and dangerous myth. Just as pain anywhere in the body indicates that something is wrong, so is the same true of the anal area. With its high concentration of nerve endings, the anus can produce extreme agony when it is mistreated. Yet it can be a source of great pleasure.

When a finger, object or penis is intorduced into the anus, the anal muscles go into spasm, as if fighting off an invasion. Pain will result if the partners do not wait for these muscles to relax. Under sufficient stress they will eventually collapse and the pain subside, unless further damage is done. But, any 'pleasure' afforded from this kind of activity derives mostly from the absence of discomfort.

Maximum anal pleasure requires the elimination of all pain or physical trauma from the anal experience. Self-protection on the part of the passive partner involves being ready to say "no" until he or she is ready to proceed. Readiness is a combination of physical relaxation, usually helped along by plenty of leisurely anal touching, and desire.

Occasionally the anal muscles are relaxes, but the passive partner is still not in the mood. Stimulation should mount only in proportion to the degree of receptivity.

3. Anal sex can be enjoyed even if it has been consistently uncomfortable in the past.
Sufficient desire alone does not necessarily guarantee pleasurable anal sex. Nor is an uncomfortable previous experience always the reason for a lack of interest in or desire for anal sex.

Chronic anal tension is the most common cause of anal discomfort during sex. Hemorrhoids and constipation are usually a sign of this condition. Tension can be relieved by touching the anus and becoming more familiar with it. An ideal time to explore the anal opening is while taking a shower or bath. Deep breathing also affects the anal muscles. Tensing the anus and the letting go in another way of learning to relax it. Anyone who enjoys masturbation might want to experiment with some form of anal stimulation, though he or she should stop if any discomfort occurs.

For many people the turning point in anal sex is when they allow a partner to massage the anus with the understanding that intercourse will not be attempted. Then the recipient of anal caresses can concentrate solely on the pleasure that this erogenous zone is capable of generating.

4. Two muscle rings called sphincters surround the anal opening. Each functions independently.
If you insert a finger about one half-inch into your anus and press your fingertip against the side, you can clearly feel the two sphincter muscles. There is less than a quarter-inch between them. The external sphincter is controlled by the central nervous system - just like the muscles of the hand, for example. You can readily tense and relax this sphincter whenever you want.

The internal sphincter is quite different. This muscle is controlled by the involuntary or autonomic part of the nervous system, which governs such functions as heartbeat and stress response.

The internal sphincter reflects and responds to fear and anxiety during anal sex. It will cause the anus to tense up automatically even if the passive partner is trying to relax. Thus, precautions about safety and comfort are essential here.

Even if a person does feel comfortable during anal sex, he or she may still need to learn voluntary control over his or her internal sphincter in order to relax it at will. Doing so requires regularly inserting a finger, perhaps in the shower each day, and feeling the internal sphincter. The muscle changes spontaneously and in response to behavior. In this instance, simply paying attention is more important than trying to relax. Anyone can gradually learn to control the internal sphincter at will.

5. Anal stimulation provides many kinds of pleasure
The highest concentration of nerve endings is around the anal opening itself. A finger can focus on them especailly effectively. When an object or penis is inserted beyond the anal opening into the rectum, other pleasures are involved. The outer protion of the rectum, like the vagina, has several nerve endings. The inner portion responds mostly to pressure.

Some people enjoy the feelings of pressure and fullness once they understand that these sensations do not presage an impending bowel movement. Rectal pressure is especially important to enthusiasts of "fisting," a form of anal sex in which several fingers or een the entire hand and forearm are inserted into the rectum and sometimes into the lower colon.

In men, the protate - which is just beyond the rectal wall, a few inches in, towards the front of the body - can be a source of pleasure when massaged by a finger, an object, or a penis. Also, the lower end of the penis, or "bulb," is near the anal opening opening. It is stimulated indirectly by most types of anal sex.

Anal pleasure can be psychological as well as physical. The anal taboo adds to the thrill of the forbidden. The most common anti-anal message (it's dirty!) sometimes returns as a source of raunchy, sleazy excitement. Rimming enthusiasts may enjoy the feeling that they are being disgustingly - and delightfully - perverse. Other people regard the anus as a secret, special place. Sharing it with a partner is an act of openness and giving.

[ Woody's Checkpoint: # top # ]

6. Anal stimulation can lead to orgasm
A minority of men and women can respond orgasmically to anal sex without direct genital stimulation. Women probably do so through pelvic muscle contractions - and a small minority even though the sheer excitement of being anally penetrated. When men expereience an orgasm from anal stimulation, they tend to focus on the prostate. No doubt they are also responding to indirect stimulation of the penile bulb.

Orgasms from anal stimulation are most likely to occur when the participants become thoroughly absorbed in their sensations and fantasies. An lmost certain way to prevent such an orgasm is to be become determined to have one. Seeking an anal orgasm will create new pressures and disrupt the pleasure.

It must be remembered that most people require direct genital stimulation in order to climax. On the other hand, a few people have orgasms only with anal stimulation.

7. Diet contributes to the enjoyment of anal sex
Regular bowel movements are the major function of the anus and rectum. There must be sufficient fiber in a person's diet to make his or her feces soft, bulky and well formed. This allows a bowel movement to be produced without force or effort. Forced evacuations irritate anal tissues, causing discomfort and adding to muscular tensions. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains or unprocessed bran are important sources of fiber.

8. Different rules of hygiene apply to the vagina and rectum
Since intercourse can be vaginal or rectal, many people assume the the same rules apply for the penetration of the vagina and rectum. Although both are lined with soft tissue and are capable of expanding, they are radically dissimilar.

The rectum is not straight. After the short anal canal which connects the anal opening to the rectum, the rectum tilts toward the front of the body. A few inches in, it curves back - sometimes as much as 90 degrees. Then, after a few more inches, it swoops toward the front of the body once again. A person can learn about the shape of his or her rectum by gently inserting a soft object, trying different angles and body positions and concentrating on how it feels. Make sure the object has a flared base so that if you loose your grip, it won't slip into the rectum and become irretrievable.

The rectum does not produce lubrication like the vagina but only a small amount of mucus. Therefore, rectal penetration always requires a lubricant. Chemical additives should be avoided. Water-based lubricants are latex-compatible.

The main function of the rectum is to act as a passageway for feces. But feces are not normally stored in the rectum except just prior to a bowel movement. Yet small amounts may remain in the rectum, expecially if the feces are not well formed. Anal douching before lovemaking will help some people especailly concerned with cleanliness to relax. For others the idea of dirtiness heightens the joy of the forbidden; for them, douching is anti-erotic.

9. Anal intercourse is not necessarily an act of dominance and submission.
The top-bottom imagery associated with anal intercourse is widespread. No doubt the belief that anal sex has to hurt contributes to this notion. And in fact some people are intensely excited by top-bottom fantasies about anal sex. The thought that they are submitting to such a degrading act is a terrific thrill. However, actual, not fantasized, anal pain can lead to trouble.

For others, the enjoyment of anal sex is inhibited by top-bottom imagery. The idea of surrendering control, and perhaps submitting to humiliation, causes immediate, protective tensing of the anal muscles. These individuals are more likely to relax and enjoy themselves if they can learn to regard anal sex as pleasurable rather than as an expression of power.

10. Anal sex can be perfectly safe, even beneficial.
The taboo against anal eroticism is perpetuated by the almost universal belief among physicians that anal sex is inevitably dangerous. No physical injury from anal stimulation results if both partners refuse to tolerate pain, never use force and avoid the use of drugs.

All the other risks center on sexually transmitted diseases. Each of the common STDs - gonorrhea, syphillis, herpes - can affect the anus. Intestinal parasites, bacteria or tiny bugs are usually passed along when fecal matter finds its way into someone's mouth or vagina, most likely through rimming.

AIDS has complicated the matter. The HIV virus can pass from the semen or blood of an infected person to the bloodstream of a partner through a tiny break in the rectal tissue during anal intercourse.

To avoid this risk, anal intercourse and rimming should not be practiced casually. Those who do enjoy anal intercourse should always use a condom. Rimming should always be accomplished by a latex barrier. Of course, in a monogamous realtionship with two healthy people, the risk of disease transmitted anally is reduced.

Thousands of men and women with chronic anal medical problems have restored their anal health by challenging their negative attitudes. This approach is indespensible for full erotic enjoyment of the anus.
>> # top # | Q: sexuality.org
sent by Chinanski

Visit the original page for more information on the topic.

Rainbow Partays

 Damn those over-panicking hyper-dominant american parents: do their evilest and most frightning nightmares always have to turn me on like this? I mean, I wish this infernal imaginative hobby of nowaday teen girls explained further below would be real - how sexy would that be? But as there's nuttin' 'boot it in the iNet I highly sincerely declare this as a fake.

And btw, what's with this "let's create a new mass fear to make the parental mob break loose again"-thing? Are they tired of bombing faraway countries? Isn't there any good place in this shitty earth ...? [...]
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"This 'phenomenon' has all the classic hallmarks of a moral panic, ... One day we have never heard of rainbow parties and then suddenly they are everywhere, feeding on adults' fears that morally bankrupt sexuality among teens is rampant, despite any actual evidence, as well as evidence to the contrary." ^[1] [...]

The rainbow party was first publicized in October 2003 on the Oprah episode "Is Your Child Leading a Double Life?", which was about the perceived trend of increasing sexual promiscuity among American youth and the lack of parental awareness of the supposed sexual practices of their children. A guest, who claimed to be aware of teenagers' sexual habits, claimed (among other things) that teens engaged in "rainbow parties" in which fellatio is performed on one boy or several boys in sequence by girls wearing various colours of lipstick, thus leaving a "rainbow" of colors on each boy's penis. According to the report, girls reportedly enjoy the competitive aspect of the event by using the lipstick to essentially "mark" the depth of penetration, treating the sex play as a contest of sorts; guys participate because of the pleasure received, and also in a competitive manner to see who could "complete" the rainbow. Some experts have labeled this show as lurid pseudo-journalism designed to exploit parents' fears about their children.^[2]
>> # top # | Q: Wikipedia (2oo7-11-o3)

Wii™ besser als Sex?

 Diverse Webseiten und Videogame News-Artikel berichteten bereits in den letzten sieben Monaten, in denen die Wii™ auf dem Markt ist, wie sich die Konsole von Nintendo auf so genannte Nicht-Spieler auswirkt und wie diese in ihren Bann gezogen werden. Doch wie sieht es eigentlich mit den Menschen aus, die nicht nur *nicht* auf die Wii™ abfahren, sondern sich auch noch mit Angehoerigen und Freunden herumaergern muessen, die lieber auf dieser Konsole spielen als Zeit mit ihnen selbst zu verbringen?

Catherine Townsend, eine Lifestyle-Kolumnistin eines Internet-Magazins, berichtet von ihren frustrierenden Erfahrungen mit Nintendo's neuester Konsole, ihrem Freund und zahlreichen versaeumten Orgasmen. Ist die Wii™ besser als Sex? Ich persoenlich wage es zu bezweifeln. Aber lassen wir sie mal reden. [...]
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You are here: Home > Lifestyle
Catherine Townsend: Wii widow
Thursday July 19 2007
Although our sex life is still amazing, Paul has seemed distant lately. He has been answering his phone less, and has been increasingly vague about his weekend plans. I was starting to suspect something, so I decided to catch him in the act. So I marched over to his flat, let myself in and saw him cradling – his new Nintendo Wii.

I bought Paul the Wii for his birthday with the best of intentions, not realising that I was purchasing my greatest love rival. I started to realise something was afoot the next weekend when I crossed in front of the TV wearing a thong and vest top with no bra, usually his favourite combination.

"Do you want to come upstairs?" I said, lifting my top. "I can think of a lot more interesting things you could be playing with." "You're blocking my view!" he yelled. "I've got to finish flying the mission!"

Frustrated, I stormed upstairs and took matters into my own hands. Being dissed for another female would have been preferable. I could handle being substituted by an Angelina Jolie lookalike. But a video game? That was just embarrassing.

Since he got his new toy, Paul has been treating our sex life like he would a Sky Plus box – he thinks he can press play when he wants. I'm almost always up for it, and he's started to take that for granted. It doesn't matter whether it's fighter pilots or fetish sites, computer games can suck any partner into a two-dimensional world.

I suppose that I should have known Paul would get sucked in, too. It's not the first time a boyfriend of mine has decided to plug in for "just one game", only for them to amass two empty pizza boxes and several days of beard growth and for me to have to wrestle the controls from their sweating hands.


A male friend warns me that I'm in danger of becoming a "Wii widow", and suggests that, "you should find something you can play together, like bowling". Victoria has some harsher advice. "Play when he's not home, and get really good at it," she says. "Then you can beat him, which will crush his ego. I'll bet he puts it in storage the next day!"

She could have a point. Instead of fantasising about multiple orgasms, lately I've found myself fantasising about a second set of controls so that I can whip his ass in virtual boxing. It's only when I find myself at the counter ready to pay for the controls that it strikes me that there is another way we can have our needs fulfilled. We agree to a compromise.

I've instituted a reward system. For every orgasm he gives me, he gets to spend some time in the onscreen cockpit. So far, it's working beautifully. Last night he carried me upstairs, stripped off all my clothes and went down on me for half an hour until I screamed so loudly that we both feared eviction. Then he went downstairs and doubled his high score. With all the multitasking, it seems that his manual dexterity is definitely improving.

Maybe there are some upsides to the Wii after all.
>> # top # | Q: Independent.ie

Vibrierendes Kondom erfunden

 In Indien wurde kuerzlich das vibrierende Kondom erfunden. Ein Ring, der das Gummi in erster Linie am Verrutschen hindern soll, verfuegt ueber diese Primaeraufgabe hinaus ueber die Moeglichkeit stimulierende Vibrationen auszuloesen. Nur ist es einigermassen verwunderlich, dass gerade Indien mit dieser Erfindug in die Geschichte eingeht, da in dem konservativen Land sogar ein Verbot gegen Sex-Spielzeug und Pornographie ausgehaengt ist. [...]
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India rattled by vibrating condom
By Jyotsna Singh · BBC News, Delhi
A vibrating condom has sparked a fierce debate in India, over whether it is a sex toy - which are banned - or a means of birth control.

The controversial condom has caused outrage in the state of Madhya Pradesh, because a government-owned company is involved in marketing it.

The pack of three condoms, branded as Crezendo, contains a battery-operated ring-like device.

Critics say it is in fact a vibrator, and should therefore be banned.

Sex toys and pornography are illegal in India.

'Ultimate pleasure'
The condom was given a low-key launch across the country three months ago. At that time many critics failed to notice that it had government backing.

A promotional message from the company, Hindustan Latex Limited, describes Crezendo as a product that "provides ultimate pleasure by producing strong vibrations" .

That has caused an outcry among many in conservative India, including the Madhya Pradesh minister for road and energy, Kailash Vijayvargiya, who argues that it is nothing more than a sex toy.

"Sex toys are banned in India and the vibrating device is nothing but a sex toy being sold as condoms.

"The government's job is to promote family planning and population control measures rather than market products for sexual pleasure," he told BBC News.

The Hindustan Latex company says that the new condom was launched to promote the use of condoms in order to prevent the spread of Aids.

'Personal choice'
"The product was launched with the primary objective of addressing a fall in condom usage... A major reason cited by users was the lack of pleasure when using condoms.

"So we added the vibrating ring as a pleasure enhancer. It helps to hold the condom in position besides producing a vibrating effect," company spokesman S Jayaraj told BBC News.

The company says the condom pack, priced at 125 rupees ($3, £1.50) has been "well received".

It has strongly rejected allegations that its product is a sex toy, but has offered to withdraw the product from Madhya Pradesh if the state government asks for it.

Hindu hardliners have held protests asking the government to ban its sale, though most people on the streets of the state refused to be drawn on the matter.

But those who were willing to discuss such a sensitive issue seemed broadly supportive.

"It is wrong to protest against the move. It is a matter of personal choice," Kunal Singh, a resident in the Madhya Pradesh capital, Bhopal, said.

Medical store owner Ravi Bhannani said: "Customers want something new and this pack offers something new."
>> # top # | Q: News BBC.co.uk
sent by Gavin77

Halo 3 Strip

 Mit dem Erscheinen der Xbox-en und Microsoft's Eintritt in die Welt der Konsolen hat sich der Videospielemarkt in den Vereinigten Staaten besonders stark etabliert und der Release der Wii™ tut sein Uebriges, um auch weltweit immer mehr Menschen in den Bann der Unterhaltungsindustrie zu ziehen. Bloed ist nur, dass nun jeder zweite Depp meint (besonders dieses Promi-Pack), ein Fan von Videospielen zu sein. Doch etwas Gutes scheint die Sache doch zu haben, denn dadurch finden sich auch Pr0nstars in unsere virtuelles Gefilde ein.

In der Sendung Epilectic Gaming, die auf der aehnlich-namigen Website live im iNet gestreamed wird, kann man den Schwestern Ava und Mia Rose beim Spielen von Halo 3 zusehen, die dem einen oder anderen versierten Pr0n-Seher durchaus bekannt sein koennten. Und da sie sogenannte "Professionals" sind, bleibt ihnen das Unvermeidliche nicht erspart: so muessen sie sich, waehrend sie zocken, ausziehen, ein Kleidungsstueck pro Frag. Das ginge in der Tat recht schnell vorbei, wenn sie nicht jeweils fuenf Shirts truegen. Doch selbts das ist kein grosses Hindernis.

Der "Strip" an sich ist nicht gerade besonders. Nur oben ohne, meistens mit Mosaik zensiert und mit zusaetzlichen Nipple Tapes versehen. But still - Boobies. Ein immer wieder gern gesehenes Thema bei jugendlichen und junggebliebenen Vertretern der Gattung Mann. Jedoch frage ich mich bei der ganzen Sache eher, was das ueberhaupt fuer eine Radio- / iNet-Sendung ist? Besoffene Typen, die Videogames zocken - so etwas gibt's vllt. nicht bei mir aber doch wohl in fast jedem anderen Single-Haushalt. Wer will also Anderen dabei zugucken? Naja, irgendeine Daseinsberechtigung haben sie mit Sicherheit, sonst gaebe es sie nicht schon seit mind. 1oo Folgen. Wie dem auch sei - go look the "Halo 3 Strip". [...]
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21 May 2007
Ava And Mia Do "Halo 3"
Among the many reasons (besides the obvious) for our massive crush on porn sisters Ava and Mia Rose are their abiding geekiness. So when we heard that they'd be playing a few rounds of the yet-to-be-officially-released "Halo 3"—and stripping away their clothing with every frag—we couldn't wait to tune into Epileptic Gaming last Friday evening to see how it all went down (and came off) ... though we guess we got so excited that we (1) forgot to remind you to watch and (2) ended up getting the times confused and missed all that live topless fragging action ourselves. Fortunately, the Epileptic Gaming folks have assued us that they're busy putting together a montage clip of all that bodacious public beta testing action and will be posting it on their site later this week; in the meantime, they were gracious enough to share a few screencaps and a video preview to whet our collective appetite for what's in store. We'll never look at a Bubble Shield in quite the same way again.
>> Q: Fleshbot.com

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Epileptic Gaming #119: Strip Halo 3!
2007-06-01
You’ve been begging, we’ve been working, and now it’s finally time! Here comes Our legendary installment of “Strip Halo 3!!!” as only we would be able to get away with. Porn Stars and Sisters Mia Rose XXX and Ava Rose YYY appeared on Epileptic Gaming wearing nothing but a little electrical tape, and we had the first recorded Strip Halo 3 match EVER!

You know what, I’m going to shut up because I want to watch this already…
>> Q: Epileptic Gaming.com

Finally straight to the player. [9.50 min. x6]
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VG Controller fuer Paare

 Eine amerikanische Studentin hat sich Gedanken gemacht, wie sie das Spielen von Videogames fuer Paare attraktiver machen koennte und kreierte im Zuge dessen sensoren-behaftete Unterwaesche, mit der man zu zweit zocken kann. Das exemplarische Praesentationsspiel war, so weit ich das erkennen konnte, ein selbst-erstellter "Dance Dance Revolution"-Abklatsch - nur ohne Tanzen (¬_¬ ).

Das Ganze hat sie sogar als Masterarbeit abgegeben. [...]
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Hardware / 15.06.2007 / 16:18
Spiele-Controller im BH als Masterarbeit
Neues Eingabegerät für Paare

Eine Studentin an der Universität von New York hat für ihre Masterarbeit ein ungewöhnliches Projekt gewählt. Die "Intimate Controllers" sind in Unterwäsche eingearbeitet und sollen dafür sorgen, dass echte Gamer auch in einer Beziehung miteinander Computerspiele genießen können.

Jennifer Chowdhury studiert an der Kunst-Fakultät 'Tisch' der New Yorker Universität (NYU), und zwar in einem eigenen Programm für interaktive Telekommunikation, wo unter anderem neue Medien und die Integration in den Alltag erforscht werden. Ein früherer Verantwortlicher dieses Programms, Michael Mills, ging nach seiner Arbeit für die Universität zu Apple und entwickelte dort QuickTime.

Vor ihren Studien an der NYU erarbeitete sich Jennifer Chowdhury bereits einen Bachelor-Abschluss in Elektrotechnik mit Auszeichnung (magna cum laude) an der Tufts-Universität im US-Bundesstaat Massachusetts. Ihr Wissen als Ingenieurin hat offenbar auch zu den "Intimate Controllers" geführt, die sie für ihre Masterarbeit in New York entwickelt hat.

Intimate Controller Thesis 2 of 2

Vortrag zu den "Intimate Controllers"

Dabei handelt es sich um Sensorflächen, die an der Kleidung einer Person angebracht werden können. Sie scheinen einem derzeit bei YouTube zu sehenden Video zufolge aber wie reine Tastschalter zu arbeiten, reagieren also nicht dynamisch. Im YouTube-Video ist Chowdhury beim Präsentieren ihrer Masterarbeit zu sehen, wo sie unter anderem auch wiederum ein Video zeigt. Darin steuert ein Paar ein Spiel mit den Intimate Controllers.

Die Wissenschaftlerin will das Projekt aber weder als technischen Gag noch als mögliches Sex-Spielzeug verstanden wissen. In ihrer Präsentation betont sie, dass es ihr um die Entwicklung eines Eingabegeräts ging, das Paare gemeinsam benutzen können. Das US-Magazin Wired kommentiert den Ansatz: "Man kann sich nicht in einen Gamer verlieben und erwarten, dass er oder sie das Spielen aufgibt, um mehr Zeit mit einem zu verbringen."

Auf ihrer Flickr-Seite zeigt Chowdhury Details. (nie)
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Tetsuo - Iron Man

 Ich sah vor Kurzem einen Artikel mit dem Titel "Tetsuo: irgendwas" auf einer Seite namens Cyberpunk Reviews.com und musste dabei unweigerlich an Katsuhiro Ôtomo's Meisterwerk Akira denken, da einer der Charaktere dort ebenfalls Tetsuo heisst, also dachte ich mir, ich schau mir das doch mal genauer an, doch dieses Review geht doch um etwas gaenzlich Anderes.

Und zwar beschreibt es einen japanischen Schwarz-Weiss-Horrorfilm aus dem Jahre 1988 mit dem Namen "Tetsuo (The Iron Man)". Schon nach einem kurzen Ueberfliegen ueber die kurzen Textpassagen und die Screenshots aus dem Film war mir klar, dass dieser Film eklig ist. Aber fuer einen ekligen japanischen Horrorfilm auch wieder lustig. Darum will ich Euch dieses Review nicht vorenthalten ;^)

Dieser Horrorfilm handelt von einem Mann, der sich maschinelle Koerperteile einbauen laesst, und anschliessend spaeter im Film Sex mit seiner Freundin haben will, was allerdings schon eine ziemlich schmerzvolle Vorstellung ist, wenn man an den konus-foermigen Drillbohrer denkt, der aus seiner Hose schaut. Mehr oder weniger blutige Bilder folgen. Seid gewarnt. [...]
(show me)(don't show me)

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January 14, 2006
Tetsuo (The Iron Man)
Year: 1988
Directed by: Shinya Tsukamoto
Written by: Shinya Tsukamoto
IMDB Reference
Degree of Cyberpunk Visuals: Very High
Correlation to Cyberpunk Themes: Very High
Rating: 10 out of 10

Overview: For another movie that taps out the weird shitometer scale, and the pinnacle of Japanese cyberpunk flicks, Tetsuo is simply terrific! I must warn you that this movie is NOT for everyone. We get a bevy of disturbing images, including extreme body manipulation, anal rape of a guy by a mechanically "enhanced" female, rape in the reverse by a man with a literal "power tool," and truly the most bizarre set of images one can imagine. But in all this, there are some truly interesting messages that emerge. Unlike other Japanese Cyberpunk films such as Rubber’s Lover, which is more of a one track film (extreme situations to prompt greater than human abilities), Testsuo provides a wonderful commentary on the direction of mankind.

This is one of the best opening symbols for any movie I can remember. It sums up Tsukamoto’s message perfectly!

Tetsuo’s Message: While Tetsuo is a really bizarre, low budget, surrealist underground Japanese cyberpunk movie, it has a number of interesting themes running through it. On a societal level, Tetsuo explores how man’s technological dash to the future has resulted in an acute fear of technology, and that its ever encroaching progress is destroying our humanity. This is symbolically represented by a runner surrounded by scrap metal, and then later, a man in running gear who’s slowly being taken over by machinery when competing with another machine man.

The clear message at the end is that by constantly competing with one another in our strive for perfection in an orderly society, we are destroying humanity at its core. Technology is our tool of choice for this destructive competition. The shot of the augmented foot above really captures this well, as does the race scene below.

I can’t convey how truly disgusting this scene comes across

On a personal level, Tetsuo explores how guilt and repression can turn people into virtual "monsters." In this, we see an instance where an accidental car crash makes someone completely lose all sense of humanity and boundaries. This seems to fit with Asian cultures in that they are usually very reserved, but when they "cross" that line, the level of anger and craziness almost doesn’t have a limiter.

In combining this with the societal thought, Tetsuo posits that we are using technology as a crutch to cover up our own frailties, but that in doing so, we only serve to subvert our humanity. When this subversion is released, it becomes a perversion of immense proportions. In this sense, Tetsuo truly stretches the cyberpunk notion of "no boundaries" to its fullest.

Yes, she’s about to do what you "think" she’s planning to do with that thing!"

The Bottom Line: Tetsuo is a great example of what a low-budget scifi film can accomplish. I thought the cinematography is absolutely brilliant. We get cool stop-motion animation, incredibly interesting shadows and film angles, and wonderful use of different shot textures. The industrial sound track furthers the truly bizarre mood. Truly, I can’t say enough of how impressed I am by this film. Again, Tetsuo is DEFINITELY not for everyone, but it certainly belongs in the top 10 best cyberpunk films ever made!

Screen Captures - ADULTS ONLY: I do have a second page of screen captures, but I MUST warn you - these are VERY graphic. They show one of the most intense sex and violence scenes every put on film. If you want to get a sense of he the extent that Japanese cyberpunk fullfills its “no boundaries” approach, take a look. But this page is intended for adults - and truly, only a few select few of those. Don’t look if you’re not comfortable with watching these things.

NOTE TO THE WISE - Beware! This page is VERY graphic, and is NOT intended for minors!
Again…what you will see below is well past shocking. This isn’t sexy and there is no nudity if that’s what you’re looking for. I show these to give you a sense of the level of no boundaries depicted in Tetsuo. Many, in fact most won’t be able to stomach actually watching this movie, but may still be interested in understanding visually what Japanese cyberpunk as a sub-sub-genre contains, these pictures are for you. But again, don’t look at these if you aren’t comfortable.

But again, don’t look at these if you aren’t comfortable. We all want to look when we see a car accident, but chances are, we really “don’t” want to see a decapitated body.

Anal Penetration: Here’s the follow-on to the anal penetration set-up shot on the previous page. It goes without saying that Tetsuo truly cannot be understood without watching it, but sex and violence, enhanced by technology, while engaging in a competitive mode by all concerned are pretty much staples throughout. BTW, I didn’t take screen caps of the follow-on entry shots…

She seems a little more happy with this turn of events than her boy toy is.

His “Tool”: Here’s a few of the many full body tool pictures. The symbol really doesn’t need much elaboration, does it? Talk about twisted, invasive technology at its ultimate! And yes, these two are as stark raving mad as they appear here.

His “tool” is a drill, spinning around at high speed. In trying to pursue her, his aim isn’t the best.

The “Scene”: Tetsuo has one of the most bizarre and violent sex scenes ever put on film (this is the idea, incidentally). This scene for the most part involves our anti-hero pursuing his “girlfriend” to engage in sex. At first she is pretty opposed for obvious reasons, but after stabbing him a bunch, she gets excited too. It doesn’t end very well for her though (again, for obvious reasons). Just to be clear, again, Japanese Cyberpunk to me really means eliminating all boundaries of humanity in this march towards technology invading all aspects of our daily life. This scene serves to portray this concept very well, and strongly highlights the themes hit over and over again - that technology augmented competition destroys us, our humanity and our social order (and our world, but this part isn’t shown here).

She is less than thrilled with her former boy toy


One of the few understandable responses in this movie…


Unfortunately, this only makes him mad (not to mention, very bloody)


He tries to initiate foreplay again…




Again, one of the many disturbing scenes


She responds by getting a big kitchen knife and stabbing him repeatedly in the crotch while twisting the knife.




One wonders how many takes it took for Tsukamoto to get this shot, as clearly, this was what he was after. The symbolism is just freaky! Say what you want about the scene, but this is great camera work!


Now this scene gets even weirder (yes, this is really possible). For some reason she finds stabbing him continually to be very erotic. This was JUST the foreplay she needed.


They get hot and heavy while she stabs and twists and he enters.


Only after the moment does she remember the issues with his tool (the sheet quickly fills with blood after this) This is followed by the grossest scene - his “tool” spinning while vagina bits fly off in all directions…and um, no screencaps of that either…

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