domingo, 31 de marzo de 2013

Science vs Religion

It's a funny thing but we tend to think of these two as if they're very different and I must admit that for the longest time, I thought that they actually were. However, the more I analyze things, the more I come to realize they're not that different from one another. 

For example, today I was watching a t.v. show talking about fertility and the science behind sex appeal and I don't want to be over-dramatic but I must say that I'm getting awfully familiar with the feeling that I just got from that show: I felt denied. 

Most of science has shifted to a solid pragmatism and when it comes to biology, evolution and Darwin, it reduces everything to reproduction and natural selection, of course, including sex appeal. Reading this article (that, if you haven't stopped reading altogether), you might think that it's a bold statement to say that I will offer my own theories, but hey, I'm an artist: I'm unsatisfied and frustrated so I get to make my own version of reality with no credentials whatsoever.

I'm also a geek, so the majority of shows that I've watched about sexuality, always end up taking our beauty standards too seriously, so, first off: Haven't you all thought, just for a second, that the body types that we worship and follow are developed culturally? I mean, like seriously. Biology is undeniable but that couldn't be the only reason. Take it from the guy who watched a documentary about some Chinese tribe which considered black teeth to be beautiful. 

So, again, that couldn't be the only reason why voluptuous women and jocks are the ones who set the standard, and here comes my next point: the media. The media is a strong influence on defining what's beautiful and what's not, what's in and what's out (and the ones who don't fit in that stereotype often feel unattractive :(

Anyway, taking this into account, it's ridiculous to think that something that it's set by t.v. is evolutionary or that it has a reproductive end. The same thing happens with pleasure: it's only related to an evolutionary purpose, which is why scientists haven't come up with a satisfactory answer for women orgasm. Yep, I just seriously went there. My small and yet loyal audience may wonder why that happens: no, it's not because we live in a patriarchal world where men are considered more interesting and male homosexuality is thought to be more of a shocker for society in general. I think the reason is that scientists wouldn't quit trying to explain everything about humans on a biologic basis. Oh wait, I think that has an actual name, yes, it's biological determinism. 

In the same way that religion restricted pleasure to a reproductive purpose, alienating sex as an act of recreation, science restricts sex to a biological end only, and with it every single practice or "life style" (gosh, I hate that expression) that doesn't fit in the norm. It's so practical, so reductionist, so empty that it doesn't make any freaking sense to me
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miércoles, 13 de marzo de 2013

why do we get so little?

Hello there. Recently I came to realize that on "The Following", there's a MFM (which stands for Male/Female/Male) couple. And I'm glad that the LGBT community is getting more and more exposure. However, I also came to the realization that for the most part (including the show that I just mentioned) is very little.

Most of those shows portray the classical bisexual guy who, at the end of the movie or the show, ends up picking (guess who?) the opposite sex. I've seen this trend in shows not so politically correct, so, that couldn't be the reason behind that move. I think it has to do more with the ratings. And so, here comes the question: why do we get so little?

Why, people, why? You know, almost ten years ago I was a teenager trying to figure out who I was and who I liked and it was difficult because I didn't have any source of information to help me, until internet came along. On the internet, it was really easy to find information about the different sexual orientations and once, I remember I was even able to chat with a psychologist online. It was amazing. For the first time, I felt like I wasn't alone or that I wasn't some kind of freak show.

Usually I find myself really wanting the two guys to end up together, or the plot to have a gay twist, or that a very famous same-sex couple on an daily t.v. show (a.k.a. Nuke) is going to get physical without being so damn taboo. However, most of the time, I end up being disappointed and really frustrated. Sometimes I feel like I'll never feel satisfied in this sense. Back to "The following", the whole concept that the show brings, seems to be very original and I'm not only talking about the love triangle that revolves around a bisexual guy, but making a show about acolytes who look up to and worship a serial killer.

And here's when it gets senseless. All this new concept, all this homoerotic moments (not only involving "the gay couple" but the followed serial killer and his acolytes) not to mention that the executive producer is gay and probably has felt the same way all this years about the exposure of the LBGT community in the media and may also share the same fantasies that we do, for a show that lately has ended up being so predictable.

I don't like to use this expression but straight people get to watch themselves having sex all the freaking time. But us, we have to wait for a special channel, a special show, a tragedy that brings awareness about the difficulties of being different (and I'm not only talking about sexuality) and eventually a special story-line that is as politically correct as a show featuring teenagers from the 90's. Somebody has to do something and soon.

P.S. In case you didn't notice, this is my very first post in English. I happen to be an English teacher and I want this article to be in the English speaking community and hopefully not to be the only one feeling this way. And yes, I'm team Paul all the way. I'll  do the Spanish version as soon as I can.