The Porn Paradox | Megan Johnson | TEDxGreenville

Porn is legal. Sex trafficking is not. They are completely unrelated. Right? This talk is a paradigm shifting concept that has you asking, “Am I part of the problem? Or will I be part of the solution?”
Megan Johnson is an influencer, a mother, a wife, and an agent for activism without borders. Megan is woman of deep conviction. She moves past the typical.
Megan Johnson grew up in Michigan and graduated from Furman University with a degree in psychology. She now resides in Greenville, South Carolina, with her husband and four children, while directing Greenville’s Classical Conversations Challenge II program. She also holds a position on the Sari Bari USA board of directors and volunteers at the Frazee Dream Center.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@wishyouthebest9222]

Sadly she is right. That's why I quit it. I didn't wanted to see what kind of monster I could have become. A sad world we live in.

[@brandonmoore6115]

You quite because of vague accusations?

[@zodglubby]

For some it can lead to very bad things, others not. Like alcohol. Kudos to you, I need to stop too

[@H_3mant]

Help me bro..

[@SubzroSRR]

@@H_3mant Check out nofap subreddit

[@Danneman92]

@@H_3mant or Pornfree on reddit

[@sevenchambers]

A lot of people want to bring up some bullshit arguments saying "It's worse over there in that country" or "Porn does not have a causal relationship with sex trafficking. Therefore, my porn habits are ok right?" Firstly, many of these people here are obviously sensitive. They can't stand the idea that someone is actually saying something against porn; a person that is not calling for any substantial action. Most of these people don't have any real hard arguments for porn or why porn isn't connected to sex trafficking. At best they can just deny, deny, deny and hope that their opponents drop the issue. Even if by some miracle they actually say something interesting, it's still pathetic. All that they have proven is how important porn is to them. They're obvious addicts. Like feral dogs, when you approach the subject they bark, growl, and any other type of posturing to get you to back off. Regardless of the fact that porn is just a vice, a cheap vice at that. Name one person that was able to achieve greatness in his life because of porn. Don't worry I'll wait. Meanwhile, people are being abused daily and that abuse is being consumed, propagated, and encouraged by the millions. I don't expect porn advocates and defenders to understand because they are desensitized; abuse is normal to them. I could go on but I'll end it here.

[@voldibayizitunda2178]

Wow. You speak the truth and I agree with every point you've claimed

[@user-um9zs4uo6d]

Это как сравнивать если не кому не мешает и без эксцессов .не забывайте все мы разные поэтому и люди

[@dpeter95]

I was so confused why she cared so much about the rights of robots. Later I realized she was saying "bought sex" not "bot sex".

[@andrewsins3707]

Lmao

[@akashvarma8144]

Thank you kind stranger!

[@courtjester1135]

Yeah, I had to go back and watch with closed captions on. "Purchased" would be more clear.

[@inkkvibe]

That would be an interesting lecture, perfect for SNL or College Humor.

[@timcarp1964]

She makes some excellent points. Good logic comparing porn to illegal activities. This is a great start to a dialog that needs to continue. I am involved in a ministry helping men gain freedom from sexual addiction. I see the painful consequences of porn weekly. Its sad and its an epidemic.

[@lt2145]

Can you help me please? I'm only 19 and feel like my life is over now. Please save my life. Please

[@timcarp1964]

@@lt2145 If indeed you want help, there are lots of places to get it now. Google p*rn or s@x addiction treatment help in your area and you can get help. There are loads of online groups to help as well. The same media that provided the avenue of addiction can also help with healing. Best wishes to you and God bless

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

Those statistics are shocking. I'm happy I am not part of the problem.

[@ishan94shukla]

Nofap rules!! Stay strong.

[@NoName-dq3qb]

Crazy how this movement is growing nowadays

[@2growdaily181]

A positive movement led by millenials. Great job!

[@offgridjohn871]

👍

[@ericdary8421]

?

[@davidbolha]

So does Maria Rya. 😉

[@UnknownUser-el3zk]

It’s worth the fight against this men! good luck and stay strong

[@colsmith7257]

And I just thought they were just doing a job, I read the book red flags, the author mentions the sex trafficking. Your lecture has changed me well done, wouldn't it be good if the mainstream media picked this up. Thank you for the figures, I will share them.

[@TheP11master]

It also change me

[@11thHrPro]

This information is absolutely stunning. Thank you for this.

[@joandoherty5334]

Sick. Sickness, horrific. Thank God I don't have children in this horrible world. Thank you for such a wonderful presentation and research and truth.

[@TonyChev]

This is the price of hedonism. If the goal in life of people is the pursuit of pleasure they will become enslaved to their passions and forgo reason and moral decency to feed their cravings. This culture which elevates gratification above all else is at the core the real issue. Until we realize life is not about pleasure but has a higher purpose we will be doomed and trapped in bondage. Worldview needs to change and be brought back into alignment with truth. Only then will this truly change...

[@halcyon_echo42]

Ted Talks like this and philosophy videos are an incredible asset on the path toward surpassing hedonism

[@NabPunk]

My friend, we can pursue pleasure, without disrespecting or dehumanizing people. When you give lectures about some higher purpose, most people get alienated because they have no purpose that makes them special or extraordinary. That renders your argument completely moot.

[@Danneman92]

There's wisdom in your words. Well put.

[@khanaliqasim1757]

Totally agree with you

[@goldexperiencerequiem6619]

What higher purpose?

[@freivonx]

We talk here in the comment section, anonymously on the internet, but not in real life. This already is part of the problem I guess. Any germans here btw?

[@TuttifruttiNinja]

Ja. Ich rede seit 2 Jahren ungefähr mit Menschen darüber. Vor meinem Kurs in meiner Ausbildung. Es ist weniger schlimm als man denkt, mit dieser Meinung wirst du nicht komisch angeguckt. Vielen Männern ist es unangenehm, weil sie wissen, dass es wahr ist. Einige Menschen denken Freiheit bedeutet, dass man so viel Pornos gucken darf, so oft wie man will sich einen runterholen kann. Kann man, aber vielleicht sollten wir darüber reden, was die Konsequenzen sind. Es ist relativ offensichtlich, dass Pornos einen Effekt auf unsere Psyche und unseren Körper hat.

[@drmammenchrn]

mind blowing perspective Mrs. Megan Johnson. Good work

[@davidwinters1432]

Excellent presentation. Thank you.

[@robweckert5689]

This talk is amazing and is so true. We all need to take notice and do something about this problem. Thank you for your courage in speaking out.

[@charlierobles316]

Rob Weckert Really nobody knew that but you?

[@watching99134]

@Rob Weckert It's actually terribly amateurish, if you listen to it critically.

[@jessevans7619]

Rob Weckert agreed

[@tongasmith910]

No citations to back up anything-it’s all emotion that’s it

[@queenofthebutterflies5212]

@@watching99134 I watched it critically and her argument is supported by tonnes of research done world wide and by different researchers.

[@ahmedelattar1493]

Thank you very much for this valued talk , it touched a sensitive subject with proven cases and sudies with statistics : thank you again

[@kevinsouthwell4523]

Thank you Megan, I believe this doesn't get spoken of enough and I also believe there are good people that are addicted that want to stop but don't know how, we need to bring this into the light more and more, your fighting a good fight keep it up. My only question is how can I help more.

[@DeepSingh-xb6hj]

Your talk is so true....Huge respect for you Ma'am

[@DMT4Dinner]

Grateful for expressing these points

[@knowyourlove5613]

Omg! I'm in tears. That was amazing. Thank you. You held nothing back. I don't have a teenage child but if I did I would sit down with them and watch this and "your brain on Porn". I don't date men who watch porn and I think every teenager and adult can also make sexually empowering choice. It has greatly increased the quality of my sex life!

[@oliviap8404]

Thank you for this, it explains this awful situation so eloquently.

[@jonpaul70]

Fabulous! Thank you for putting all of these points in a logical presentation for all of us who have wanted to say these exact things! Great job... March forward and let’s bring awareness to this plight.

[@stephenschlachter5616]

Like I said this world is screwed up! I would rather breakdance

[@54321mas]

Powerful message

[@amna378]

I appreciate the last comment that she made. Thank you 💛

[@RobRobertson1000]

Thank you Megan. what a tragedy that people do not 'connect the dots,' or rather refuse to do so. The childish comments below need to be ignored.

[@j.a.7678]

Yup

[@PeterPan-jr7ui]

Rob Robertson Agreed!

[@chevykat5150]

And when they do connect the dots, it's often far too late for them to ever have the chance at knowing the pleasure one might experience from doing so.

[@lorettaknoelk3475]

Rob Robertson My sister sets standards for men that she does not come close to meeting

[@OrunitaVivi]

@@lorettaknoelk3475 Do you mean she's a Cardi B who has set the standard of a Jason Momoa?

[@coracrisher9846]

Nothing has ever opened my eyes quite like this.

[@brandonmoore6115]

Which part? Which companies are guilty of the crimes that have been alleged?

[@Sam-vt3ed]

Brandon Moore someone’s an addict...

[@samanimations2002]

Sam Right? 😂

[@calebash82]

Fire that sound guy

[@sapphirasapphira]

Liking this gave me a place to put my anger mid binging info about trafficking. Sorry sound guy.

[@1josephzingg]

This needs to be heard everywhere .

[@TheP11master]

This is great talk.

[@atempuser]

This post-truth presentation was well ahead of it's time.

[@italianostalian0]

compelling

[@paulwillson268]

Great talk

[@robweckert5689]

I notice that some of the comments below put forward a few logical fallacies especially in the form of straw man arguments (you might have to Google that one). Guys, we are all contributing to this problem discussed. We should not be in denial. Let us make a change for the better. I say THUMBS UP to the amazing speaker at this TEDx talk.

[@j.a.7678]

Well put.

[@kbbbb7]

I'm not surprised at the number of downvotes. There is a massive culture of denial for personal gratification. It's just as she said, the impacts on the brain of porn is similar to the impacts of cocaine on the brain, a huge group of addicts rejecting they're addicted.

[@j.a.7678]

Same with sugar.

[@emotionaware4192]

same with sex... oh wait thats not for personal gratification not possibly addicting, its only to make babies . Shame for porn watching is rediculous. But just as you should care about the ethical practices of food sources, you should be concerned with where your porn comes from. Its a fallacy to lump all porn together as problematic.

[@kbbbb7]

I think you just proved my point. And went for the strawman.

[@afireinhearts1302]

Thank~You!!! 💞☀

[@intelligentthoughts-xo3zr]

Thanks ma'am well explained

[@yungdadi]

Am glad I watched this

[@jaydee3134]

Excellent speech

[@liamia579]

Lol every commenter who is getting defensive doesn't want to admit the damage that viewing mainstream porn may cause (mega - million used sites such a pornhub). Viewing porn is a personal choice and you should do what you enjoy but you can't pretend that the nature of the porn industry doesn't cater the majority of its content to be violent toward women, because it does. I invite you to do a quick search on pornhub and you will get the picture (treating women like meat, and saying things like "take it whore/bitch/slut"). To say this repetition of sexual aggression doesnt affect the way you experience sexual pleasure is human because we tend not to reflect upon the things that we like and come easy to us (pun intended). However, by not reflecting upon ourselves, it hinders our ability to grow because we aren't giving ourselves the choice to think about the consequences of our actions. What you decide is your choice but at least take an honest look at what you're involved in. Don't feel ashamed it's not your fault that mainstream porn encourages rape culture but it is your choice to keep perpetuating sexual violence and a notion of entitlement to abuse power.

[@Londronable]

Maybe it's because of the women I attract but almost every women I've been in a relationship with loves the hardcore being treated like meat in the bedroom stuff. Plenty that wanted to be slightly choked and such which is blatantly refuse every time as I don't feel comfortable with it. I watched an amateur porn a few days ago where it involved a lot of choking and slapping. It ended with the 2 of them kissing each other, asking the other if they enjoyed it and getting dressed. It's honestly the reason I can't really take feminists and such seriously. They tend to ignore women who don't agree with their view as well. It's more a political movement at this point than a movement for ALL women. I can guaranty you that when a porn star was raped in her own house she didn't get help from the feminists. She was after all just a porn star.

[@AM-gv9db]

Londronable yes there are a lot of women who like hardcore sex (me being one of them), and that's fine. If it's consenting then I see no major problem with it. The problem comes when the people enjoying these hardcore sex-acts ONLY enjoy hardcore sex, or NEED hardcore sex to be satisfied. If they don't get it they become sexually frustrated and are more likely to pay for sex or manipulate their partners into doing what they want. This has happened to me a lot of times when partners have tried to emotionally manipulate me into doing anal, or having a threesome or letting him come on my face etc. Telling me he'll leave me, or this is "normal", or "I thought you understood me better". It can leave to emotional scars for both parts or a desire to rape and abuse women. The problem is not people having fetishes, the problem is when those fetishes become mandatory, and porn enforces these fetishes.

[@AM-gv9db]

Londronable also I don't agree with your statement about the porn star getting raped. I'm sure there are a lot of feminists who would help her and seek justice. A real feminist doesn't look down on anyone (man, woman or otherwise), and doesn't distinguish between the rights of a porn star and the right of a virgin. Everyone should have the right to bodily autonomy.

[@Londronable]

This is really like saying that commercials encourage stealing therefore we should ban commercials, That action movies or games encourage violence, etc. What you described has nothing to do with porn and everything to do with shitheads. I don't really have a mandatory fetish myself but if I did I would do the unthinkable. Find a partner that enjoys it. There we go, no manipulation necessary. I'm of the opinion there really isn't anything that can't go in a relationship, just make sure you have a partner that agrees. No porn in your relationship? Sure, find one that agrees. Want to partner swap every weekend? Same deal.

[@Londronable]

Obviously I agree. Sadly for you the loudest feminists aren't exactly the rational ones. Which as we both understand is the case with most things.(religion, often times political positions, etc.)

[@chanelname969]

great talk. i'm ashamed to admit that i'm a porn addict for years, and this addiction destroys every aspect of my life, and even though i knew that my ''click'' somebody there counts i never realised how deep it goes..

[@mphomoiloa5617]

I feel you.

[@grandmotherstales966]

I hope you are fighting for you life to be better

[@rlittlefield2691]

Thank you Megan, for saying this.

[@treytonhunsaker]

I was not aware of these statistics, and if I ever was before, I was in so much denial of the facts that I would have found any justification to continue being addicted and pretend that I'm not a part of the cycle. Now that I have taken responsibility for the earth like every human being should, I am disgusted by the truth and will do everything in my power to escape this all around slavery. I am vlogging daily my reboot process if anyone is interested, my insights might be of value to you if you're striving to quit addiction and become a free thinking, independent individual.

[@SofiUk0319]

you are a good man, everyone makes mistakes, but it takes a real person to own it and take responsibility ❤

[@zhongpu1256]

Thanks for your enlightening, sobering talk, Megan. People should not be treated as things because we are made in the image of God. May God bless you.

[@nytrofirestorm4441]

Amazing

[@jameswatson9338]

Awesome talk. So brave.

[@jac1161]

excellent.

[@steelbanjoman7729]

Wow! Really causes us to take inventory as to what we call being entertained! Really saddens me!

[@strikingitrich7630]

Umm..... So we're not mentioning 50 Shades of Grey.....Ok

[@lv4153]

When you can show a correlation with damage to people with erotica then make a video discussing that.

[@zodglubby]

@@lv4153 lots of families demolished, because. Of unrealistic expectations, sound familiar?

[@jac1161]

lots to cover...

[@shifty330]

We can only fix one problem at a time.

[@pherenike8079]

That movie is grooming for women. Brainwashing by hellywood.

[@TallSilhouette]

Some interesting parallels, but I'm also hearing a lot of correlations presumed as causation. It feels like the old "violent movies/tv/games cause violence" argument all over again.

[@xar91]

@Gioia Grazia no it does not. Prove it!

[@charlesritter6640]

EXACTLY

[@ryanmiller2714]

Wow, That is a challenging and convicting connection that was just made. I have never connected the dots as was just done in this short video. I am going to have to think on this and make my decisions accordingly. I have never understood the connection between violent porn and regular porn before, and why so many people are being caught in child pornography rings nowadays. The connection between porn and present day sex trafficking I have never tied together. Although I have heard that the same thing happens in US strip clubs every day, women forced to dance for someone else who gets all the money.

[@CesarGarcia-nk2ih]

Here I Go Watch.

[@dakotapeters5654]

Oh I absolutely want to know and love the person I want to respect what they want. I'd love to respect it many times.

[@Nordicandspruce]

Awesome

[@robertzaleski5722]

How powerful.

[@cheryl5667]

LOVE THIS

[@tmanchu]

God bless this lady!

[@ashwinsomkuwar4723]

Awesome 👏🏻

[@bicyclist2]

Very interesting arguments. She makes lots of good points. There are some flaws with some of it though. There are lots of young women who seek out the high pay of being exotic dancers, and strippers, in bars all across the country. Are they part of the problem? Are they being exploited? There are always adult women that go west to seek to work for and get paid by the adult entertainment industry. Are they being exploited? I guess it depends on who you talk to.

[@internetperson3228]

Well yeah that can be the case for some people, but can you really know who's trafficked and who's not? I'd say better safe than sorry.

[@NabPunk]

@Jennifer Boehm I stand for this cause and all, but mentally ill? That's a bit harsh.

[@martinkunev]

@@internetperson3228 Let's forbid transportation so that nobody can be victim of trafficing. I'd say better safe than sorry.

[@roben2791]

she's good . thnk you

[@teddy9267]

very very smart lady and well spoken I love the talk

[@jamesdickson8956]

The kingdom of heaven has come near to you. Thank you for the talk. Enlightening. Thank you. How might a new industry arise out of good morals and healthy practices to replace such a horrible one?

[@eduardosantana8300]

I didn’t know TED was a yoga lesson. I have learned more about stretching from this Ted talk, than I have anywhere else.

[@jamesdickson8956]

The kingdom of heaven has come near to you. I think you commented on the wrong video.

[@eduardosantana8300]

@@jamesdickson8956 stretching the truth.

[@geraci9]

We could just legalize prostitution which would then make it easier to catch traffickers because it would free up a lot of the time cops are dealing with prostitution when they could be looking for traffickers. Also there should be more studies on this correlation because as all scientist know correlation doesn’t equal causation.

[@toomuchinformation]

Look at how it works in other countries which have done so as well.

[@honmanchan7375]

Curios question. What about animated porn? Same deal or artistic expression?

[@panzerfaust375]

Great comment!

[@socalstreets]

BEST. Hentai all the way!!

[@user-lz5dd1to5i]

I think the degradation of women still works the same, and so does the desire-perverting process

[@zodglubby]

@@user-lz5dd1to5i degradation of people is bad, ALL people

[@muhammadfauzan6864]

its called hentai, and its art

[@bradvincet1848]

I know this is anecdotal, but there seems to be a correlation between the rise of the internet and the rise of dysfunction in society.

[@eduardosantana8300]

This whole Ted talk was anecdotal.

[@user-um9zs4uo6d]

Я полностью согласен если видишь в этом плохое то не надо смотреть а если рассуждаете знать посматривали у меня сложилось мнение что девушки все там

[@kamyarsanaie7011]

great

[@jennybardoville5455]

The need for approval, which another Ted talker explained in his presentation on pornography, is an important aspect of the porn club that people are expected to join in their teens. Like all clubs societies brotherhoods guilds and sects, once you're in, it's hard to leave. Not because you can't but because you feel protected. When most boys join the men's club they're paid up for the duration. Some grow a pair and leave to evolve a life and a unique personality. But somehow we are all needy of a club, not realising that the human race is the biggest and best for security and success. Since the majority of men and women in the audience, on our street, riding the bus, at work and running the country are paid members, unwittingly willing to sacrifice their and our children, who is this message really for? I'm glad the cards are on the table, but what we need is to get into the idea of and start imagining the world we want not the world we don't want.

[@willrose5424]

Interesting...

[@HMX_mbilayafrika]

Truth!!!

[@KaiGuingona]

@adam22 needs to see this lmao

[@kibretzelalem5250]

Soooo true

[@princessmoon2656]

I’m disgusted.

[@tracikauffman6753]

I am with you. ILLEGAL.. somebodies getting kick backs" ya think"!!!! Corruption Sucks...

[@slaytanic7961]

Is there scientific evidence for this? If o could someone show me a site or paper

[@xXTheBl4ckC4tXx]

It´s a ted, basically everyone can get up there. They don´t need evidence.

[@racheljordan5450]

Every time she quotes a study that's scientific evidence done by people most often with PhD's in a scientific field (approx. 7 years of university). Go on google scholar and read some of the papers.

[@slaytanic7961]

@Ben Carlson And this is bad because...?

[@slaytanic7961]

@@racheljordan5450 alrigt ill check her out

[@Saieras]

So, what about erotic prose and manga? Are those still okay?

[@Saieras]

Makes sense. I hear Japanese companies like to branch out. Anyway, I'm gonna go catch up on some reading.

[@Silverstar129]

drawn images and words don't require the exploitation of real life people so I imagine it would be far less likely to be damaging.

[@davidbolha]

3DX Horizon ? 🤔

[@samanimations2002]

At that point you’re only damaging your mind

[@SaylEFoSho]

İ always liked reading comments under KZbin videos. But this comment section makes me kinda depressed.

[@cohlinegarnet8313]

Is it because people are agreeing with her, or disagreeing with her? - If it's because they're agreeing with her, go to the top and click the "Sort by" icon, then click "New", you should find quite a few newer comments and one that disagree with her! - If it's because they're disagreeing with her, then click the "Sort by" icon, however this time click "Top".

[@SaylEFoSho]

@@cohlinegarnet8313 @Cohline Garnet Thanks for the expansive explanation. İt's been a while since İ've written this comment so İ don't remember the context too much. And also wouldn't like to remember İ guess 😅 But as of now the comment section doesn't seem disturbing

[@cohlinegarnet8313]

@@SaylEFoSho Ohh, alright.

[@des1510]

You also choose your Partner Who is " matchable "

[@traineus]

True and consequential, hence tedX

[@georgewilliams8448]

An accurate and very scary Ted Talk!

[@amos118]

i got a simple solution ban all porn done!

[@des1510]

If you dont enjoy it ! Than dont do it !!!!!!!!!!!

[@asrodzi]

Please add subtitle

[@Andrew-27]

Much respect for what this woman stands for. She is 100% right in everything that she daid.

[@muhammadabirhossain7216]

Sounds so much like religion. Seems like indeed we were wrong to not be religious

[@Klazyo]

my father she was saying talking about the categories awkwerd

[@zombiewack]

Is there science and data behind this?

[@racheljordan5450]

Every time she quotes a 'study' that is most likely data gathered by scientists. Usually people with PhD's/certified doctors in their fields.

[@jac1161]

There is COMMON SENSE and bioLOGICal big picture ...ay.

[@thorweldinginnovations6167]

@@racheljordan5450 emphasis on "most likely"!

[@charlesritter6640]

Of course not.

[@samanimations2002]

Charles Ritter Are you kidding, there’s a ton that’s a mere google search away

[@anuppawar6742]

This can never be stopped, Try as hard, The key is hormones with money....

[@jamesdickson8956]

The kingdom of heaven has come near to you. God please stop it.

[@user-um9zs4uo6d]

Я смотрю что есть на сайте блоки руйте сами сайты

[@ashleyashleym2969]

Prostitution shouldn't be illegal, it's between two consenting adults, the only reason sex trafficking is and should be illegal is because there isn't consent, it's slavery essentially. Prostitution and porn is not, these are the differences and they shouldn't be equated because they're completely different things.

[@carloseduardopaduano9942]

Drug overdose, depression, alcoholism and suicide are things that will exist with or without consent. A helthy society has good laws. Good laws are based on moral values, not on consentism.

[@allolp]

+Carlos Eduardo Paduano Some people will say socialism is based on good morals, others will say it's stealing. So by whose standard is a morale value good or a society healthy? In Iran it's a moral value to jail gays. Morals are subjective and that's why I think the government should only be there to protect individuals their freedom and liberties and not to micro manage our lives.

[@meganjohnson6954]

A couple of points: 1. Your comment is central to the argument of this talk. Laws against prostitution are inconsistent with laws permitting pornography. I am not in favor of making pornography illegal. In fact I would lean more toward making prostitution legal. I did not have time to address that issue, as I was already over my time limit for this talk. 2. The difficulty presented is that it is impossible to determine whether much of the porn being watched is exploiting trafficked people or not. Again, this affirms the point that you make. Sex should always be with full and free consent. 3. This talk was not meant to make a comment on policy, nor moral value. Instead, it sought to encourage awareness of the fact that legal porn consumption and illegal trafficking inextricably feed and supply each other. It is impossible to consume porn without contributing to the growing demand for trafficked people. I am in full support of the individual freedom to view or not view pornography. I am sorry that some viewers hear a different kind of judgment from this talk. I simply sought to communicate a hidden truth, so that decisions made in freedom might be more fully informed.

[@emotionaware4192]

Megan Johnson There is a massive contrast in tone with what you write here and what you present in the talk. The talk appears to vilify porn as being as bad as rape. The only hint you arent concluding porn = rape was the last statement you made, which is ambiguous at best. You have to realize that you are fueling unnecessary shame and propping up the prudes to vilify porn rather than change it. My intuition tells me that the porn industry is filled with many non-empathetic uncaring people... but what if it was filled with warm affectionate people that wanted to show off their deepest desires and become sex icons? Perhaps even being a fun side gig. Porn is a natural extension of art, just like television, which explores sexuality and sexiness. It is inherently addictive just like food and has room to be abused, but it has the potential to be a positive force in our lives.

[@meganjohnson6954]

Thank you for these thoughts. I am genuinely sad that you took that message away. Please know my reply above accurately represents my thoughts on the issue. Much of the evidence cited in my talk may have led viewers to believe that I was saying porn = rape, when in fact I was saying that more often than not, porn depicts violence and rape, which leads to a level of desensitization to those elements. The problem with your allegory is that when people are using the "food" of porn for any good or bad reason, actual people are engaging in actual sex, which unarguably has actual consequences - both physical and emotional. These consequences cause most every country to enforce legislation that limits how people can be paid or coerced into participating in sexual acts. In the 1950s our country found a loophole and decided that if the purpose of sex is to be filmed, and the filmmaker is the one paying, then we can call it artistic expression, not paid sex. Like I said, I have no desire to try and change policy. My sole purpose in presenting this talk was to promote awareness of the link between a behavior most people consider innocuous, and a practice that most of those same people claim to abhor. But you are right. I have yet to buy all Fair Trade products, even though I know that paying for cheaper products contributes to the proliferation of unjust labor practices and human trafficking. I offer all people the same freedom with regard to porn. I just believe we are all better off if we own what we are doing with integrity. We are only as free as we are informed.

[@jean-victorcote5825]

Abjectification...

[@CC3GROUNDZERO]

Most anti-porn crusaders miss the point: porn and all variations of sex-slavery are actually the “natural“ form of sex under capitalism. This may earn me accusations of brocialism, but if you're not anti-capitalist, then you're not actually anti-porn.

[@sweetcracker2]

Such an important subject though you missed the opportunity to mention what happens sexually between consenting adults should be legal.

[@jhall2511]

Is there a transcript with references?

[@offgridjohn871]

jhall2511 indeed

[@mlester3001]

Megan, you are amazing for giving us the truth about porn. You are my hero! Porn is the worst! Porn destroys lives.

[@des1510]

I am against many with only 1 - 2 I am against it

[@janes7227]

. . . and Bitcoin is even WORSE! Crpyto = CRIME!

[@ImVicBlanco]

Was my comment deleted? no wonder why nearly everyone in the comment section agrees with everything she says.

[@leyland2725]

Lol what did you say?

[@ImVicBlanco]

@@leyland2725 see? My comment was deleted again, I Guess they are afraid of leting people decide for themselves what ideas are good or bad for society, and want to impose their narrative on the most people possible.

[@antionygrilmady9044]

Victor Blanco SJW BS

[@hamzashezad]

the great american story

[@user-pi8zm4sm7w]

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬..

[@christopherdebattista6350]

317 people need a psychologist.

[@ambermcgar6577]

Make it over 400