Hello everyone.. I have a big question about something that has irked me so bad, I had to tell you all about it. And I would appreciate your views on this. Is Erotica and Porn the same thing? Or are they two different entities?
I had a very interesting conversation with some Ass tonight who decided to peruse my site.. then go on to say it was smut on the net. Now I know I shouldn’t get angry.. to each his own. But I felt the strong need to protect my site and my writing. I guess I have never came across someone who didn’t think that fantasizing and adult entertainment was a healthy thing. I was shocked and angry that he could so easily dismiss all sites with any kind of adult edge to it as smut — and that it was disgusting and contributed to the down fall of mankind..
So I ask you this question… is Erotica and Porn the same thing? Should it matter, should we care? Did I over react to it all? Should the word Porn be a bad thing for our writing to be called? —Gina
“I read erotica, you read smut, he reads porn.” —John Preston
From lauren
A very interesting, well-articulated and, in my opinion, correct essay on the topic is Gloria Steinem’s “erotica vs. porn,” which can be found in her book “outrageous acts and everyday rebellions” [Available at Amazon.com & Amazon UK] and probably also somewhere online. she explains what many posters here have already said about the roots of the words and the general idea of porn as domination and exploitation vs. erotica as portraying equivalent partners without pain or objectification. I highly recommend this article, as well as her other work.
From Anonymous
I disagree with most of the posters here on one point. I DO think there is a difference in erotica and porn, but I don’t think that the difference is one shows a male as dominant, while the other shows equality. I think the difference is in porn you are giving just sex. No deep insights on what the characters feel or think, just that they are “horny” and how bad they want sex. There is no real plot line, just sex scene after sex scene strung together. Erotica, in my humble opinion, does have a plot line, and character development, and the other things that make a good story, but includes sex. Sexuality plays a major part in the story, but the story is not only sex.
I have written stories about dominance and submission with the male in the dominant position, but I and those who have read them consider them erotica, not porn. I delve deep into my character’s psyche, about what they feel and think and what brought them to this point in their lives, and use the sexual aspects to further the story. They have a plot, either an actual action plot, or just the characters coming to realizations about themselves, others, the world, etc. I think the word porn has negative connotations, implying it is something trashy and shameful, while the word erotica typically leads one to believe it is somewhat classier. Erotica can explore sexuality, all aspects of it, not just the equality and “making love” parts, while still maintaining its worth. Porn can display even a simple act of a married couple “making love” and make it seem meaningless. Does that make sense? I’d like to hear any comments.
From Robert
I think there is definitely a difference between pornography and erotica. It is a distinction that is probably difficult to define precisely. One of those things were you know it when you see it. Both are intended to cause sexual arousal is the consumer and I am sure succeed.
For me probably the major distinction is that erotica involves the brain as a sex organ and porno uses only the physical aspects of sex. For example erotica (written or visual) portrays equal partners using sex to give each other pleasure. Porn depicts one partner (usually male) taking his pleasure from his partner. Porno also tends to refer to women who like sex as “sluts” or portray them as cheating wives or promiscuous or in other ways not “nice”.
So are pictures of naked women, even those with very explicit display of their sex organs, pornography? I prefer to assume that the woman involved is not being exploited for her body, but rather is celebrating one of the most beautiful creations of nature, thus it is erotica. I make exception for some pics that imply that the girl is underage or was photographed without her knowledge.
From Patricia
There are diverse views of both erotica and pornography because of the different socialization that people have been exposed to in learning about sex. Those who have been exposed to a more superficial portrayal of nudity and sexuality where women have been belittled, ridiculed, debased or revealed only for the value of their body shapes, the size of their body parts, or the extent to which they perform sexual acts is true pornography. In areas of heavy religious conviction, mere nudity or writing with sexual reference can be considered pornographic. Eroticism often involves nudity and sexual acts but generally portrays the female (and the male) complete with both emotions and with human thinking which causes action and reaction as opposed to the animal instinct of lust. While lust may be a factor in eroticism, it usually accompanies the instance of choice to which the person gives in and rarely, therefore, involves domination or violence unless it is a part of sexual and controlled game playing that is never violent since it would by definition destroy the choice that makes the sexuality so exciting.
From Bryan
I am going to defend a writer who responded to your article. It does come down to semantics. When you look at the true meanings themselves, there is a big difference. Both words come from the Greek. Erotica comes from the word eros, meaning “physical love.”
Physical love is exactly what it is, a physical expression of your love and dedication towards your beloved. It has very little to do with sex. SEX IS ONLY A FORM OF PHYSICAL LOVE, WHEN IT IS DONE THE RIGHT, BY WAY OF MAKING LOVE. When you make love, you are satisfying your lover, as well as yourself. Because the love is physical, it involves all five of the physical senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. When we take these senses and make them correspond to each other in an amorous environment, we call that synesthesia.
Pornography, on the other hand, comes from two words: porne, meaning “whore,” and graphia, meaning “writing.” In other words, it means “writings about prostitutes.” What do prostitutes do? They have sex for money. In that kind of environment sex is cold, mechanical, and empty. There is no love behind the sex. It is about self-gratification. It becomes sex for the sake of sex. That kind of writing becomes a means of pleasuring ourselves, not our partner.
I read and write erotica. Erotica to me is D.H. Lawrence, Anais Nin, Ovid, and others like them. Pornography to me is that crap you find in a mostly black wrapper with only the title showing. You can also look at this in one other way: erotica is words, pornography is pictures. Erotica is also the poetical use of words by way of mostly metaphors to better describe the act of making love. Pornography will hit you hard, right in the face, about having sex, usually in an obscene manner.
I am a hopeless romantic. I will always choose erotica over porn any day of the week. There is romance in erotica. Of course, that is just my opinion. I could be wrong.
From Aries
I have sat here and read all of the postings to this question. Now I would like to say that they are all really the same. I agree that there is a difference between the two and will also agree that you are all right as I see it. But will some one someone please tell me why when I try to search for erotica or erotic text the only sights I get are for the live sex shows and other porn sights? Not to mention that all of you who say you write and that your writing is good neglected to add links. How are we suppose to find you??? Thanks to the few who did add links there are those of us out here that do appreciate it.
From jody1971
The difference between erotica and pornography is easy. I keep “erotica” books or even videos on sexual massage, etc.., on my book shelf for anyone to read or view. Pornography, and I hate using the word pornography generally, because some of it is erotica, but porn in general, is kept hidden. I think that pornography has received a bad name because people that don’t have sex think that mostly prostitutes, people with drug problems, or those that were sexually molested as children are the only ones that make and watch pornos. I will admit that I have seen pornos that have completely turned me off, and I don’t like it when I see girls that can not be over the age of 18. Maybe another difference to note is that in reading and/or seeing erotica everyone is enjoying themselves. With the “general” pornography it appears that the women are doing it for the money, not enjoyment, and that is not erotic!
From imouse
Many years ago the Kronhausens published a book called “Pornography v. the Law.” True, that was an older time. Still, they tried to make the distinction between “erotic realism” (their phrase) and “pornography.” Actually I think you will find it was a neat and tricky way to get some really hot porn published in those days.
I have recently acquired a used copy from an online source and to this day it offers a clever if thin distinction. “In the old days (aren’t you gagging?) we called them “dirty books.” We all knew what that meant, and were never disappointed.
Still, I enjoy the discussion as it let’s me into your minds and fantasies that I find quite arousing. And isn’t that in fact the goal of erotic or porn lit?
From John
Porn and erotica may be at opposite ends of the same spectrum of explicit portrayals of sexuality. Perhaps porn focuses more on the parts and the mechanics, while Erotica is more about the mind and the theory. Most of us soon lose interest in close detail of some highly technical description of some piece of equipment, as we also would also soon be bored to tears with a theory “of relativity” utterly divorced from our reality. What most what we need or would appreciate would be found somewhere in between, some detail and some tickling of the imagination. The exact formula would probably shift horizontally along the spectrum depending on the person (me, you, him, her), the time (day, month, year lifetime), and/or the company (if any).
Most porn I’ve seen devalues people. The sex is about cunts and cocks and blow-jobs, body parts. Most so called erotica leaves me wanting more, not altogether bad, but in sex we eventually reach orgasm, completion, satisfaction.
I would guess that most of us want some of both, the idea and the romance, and the proverbial cigarette afterwards, and the line between what is acceptable and what for one reason or another is not good probably shifts continually, even while we are involved.
From Mimi
Mmmmnn…. Porn is fast food. Erotica is gourmet cuisine. A lot of people prefer fast food and don’t get the point of a really good gourmet meal with all the trimmings. Pity!
From Masatar Torlyl
My understanding of erotica is that something that is so completely ordinary in life can become sexual with some suggestion in how it’s made and presented to the reader or viewer. The language is also purple prose or flowery and romantic as well…it has a lot of variety to offer than porn.
Porn is out there in the viewer’s face (as if the viewer is stupid or has no imagination to draw from), the language is crude and the acts are quick and violent looking. There’s little or no plot to save it from it’s only appealing aspect’sex.
From Jeff
I’m an erotic art photographer. My favorite anecdote regarding the difference between porn and erotica (in imagery) is that erotica has shadows! Guys… It’s not about the content, its all about intent. Before i go on realize that I’ve seen many pieces of porn that I admire and was rewarded to have the experience. These are fuzzy lines at best.
Porn, by definition is a lowest common denominator product designed to appeal to the broadest number of users to titillate and provide stimulation for masturbating to orgasm. Porn producers sell product for pennies. They make money by selling many units of that product.
Erotica producers, whether written word or visual imagery, approach the subject more thoughtfully. Often they present the work in venues where more thoughtful people can enjoy it. Often the profit motive is minimized. I shoot images of lust because I believe that lust and sexuality make a hugely passionate and compelling subject for my art work. There are surely people who would look at my work and insist that it is porn. In my photographs one can often see open wet vaginas and young women enjoying themselves. I currently show a whole gallery of just vaginas…. I love the gallery. Pussies are just so damn beautiful and fun to photograph.
I am consciously attacking that stupid societal imaginary line between what is porn and what is art. In this I am certainly not new or alone. Google Mapplethorpe or Jeffrey Koons if you don’t believe me. I believe what makes my work appeal to people is that clearly both I and my models are actively involved in self expression we are committed to and feel passionate about. My fans routinely speak of feeling a longing to express themselves similarly.
So is it porn? Who cares? Since when is the human body and human lust at it’s most explosive anything but extraordinary and beautiful? Look at the writing or the image that has grabbed your attention and simply ask yourself, is this beautiful? If the answer is no then perhaps it is porn. It’s up to you.
From Anonymous
I believe in dictionary usage, Porn and Erotica are actually the same meaning, that being writing or art designed to stimulate sexual arousal. Also, I don’t think of “cunt” as an unattractive word. I suppose it’s one’s prior experience with a word that determines what connotations one gives the word.
From Rich
Seriously, I think the main thing that makes porn become erotica is how well written the work is. And, the choice of words to describe the activities. Erotica would never contain words like cunt!
From Cat Scarlett
I write erotic novels for Nexus in the UK. I have often been accused of writing porn by people who see any sort of sexual or sensual writing as morally reprehensible dirty books, in other words, for dirty people.
Personally, I delight in creating real people in a real world having real sex with each other. These people are not ‘making love’ in my novels or opening up spiritually to each other. They are having sex and more often than not kinky sex. The sort of forbidden skin-tingling sex we would all be secretly thrilled to get if there were no price tags attached. They learn about themselves through their sexual experiences, it’s true, but only in the same way that everyone does. Because they’re real people to me.
So does that make my novels pornographic? As most people have rightly pointed out, it depends on your definition. If erotica for you is about being flowery and keeping it all in the mind, then my writing is porn. But if you see porn as reducing people to homogenised sexual objects – “this goes in there, and then that goes in there” – then my books must be erotica.
So what do I do when people accuse me of writing filthy pornography? (My own father, as a recent example.) I smile at them sympathetically. Poor things. It must be dreadful to be so terrified of your own sexuality that you can’t let anyone else enjoy theirs.
From Andrew
This topic of discussion is serious issue that can be looked at from a number of ways. For me, where I lived and grew up, sex – even “alterative lifestyle” or sexual deviancy, (if there is such a thing anymore) was considered normal and out in the open…
I feel, and I know a lot of other people who feel this way, that the “Sexual Revolution” in the 60’s and 70’s opened our public forums into a lot of things we never had to deal with before. And maybe, not for the better. I mean, pornography, other than the act itself, is pretty much standard popular culture now. You can see porn stars on cable television for godsakes! Not just sitting next to an n’th generation videotape polishing the old helmet…hehe
Which is why people need erotica, I feel. They need to awake a more natural or private emotional feeling towards sex, not just look at it as well-(fill-in-the blank.)
Our society will always look down at prostitution, saying it degrades woman or men, same with pornography. But, it is just our civilization cheapening a basic human need, as simple as that. Some sucker trying to make money off another person’s primal need or fantasy, as it were.
But it’s up to you. How do you want your fantasy…hehe
From DC
Porn pretty much puts it right in your face. Erotica ignites the imagination. The words have two different meanings to me.
From SDI
Can I please use your forum to vent on this topic? Thanks!
I can’t say definitively that there’s a difference between “porn” and “erotica” so long as the words remain undefined between those who use them. But here’re my thoughts.
Personally, I HATE porn. It’s cheap. It’s contrived. It’s “dime-a-dozen.” Truly arousing imagery is what I’d call “erotica.”
Can I be blunt? I want these images for the purposes of jacking-off. What helps to that end is erotica. What hinders to that end is porn.
Erotica is about the position and the angle. Porn is about the penetration close-up. My imagination is far, far more powerful than any penetration shot, or any cum-shot. What I’m looking for is 1) perceived interest of the participants, and 2) Position and Angle of the image.
I don’t need to see the penetration. In fact, I don’t want to see the penetration. I want to see the legs in the right place, the arms in the right place, the hips in the right place…. I want to see the eyes closed. I want to see the hands in the right place. I want to see the anticipation of the penetration, not the penetration itself.
I can’t stand women looking into the camera. You are supposed to be enjoying him (who, in my mind, I’m role- playing). Quit looking into the fucking camera! I want to see images of people interested in each other!
No tattoos. No piercings. No fake orgasms. No fake hair-dos. No headbands! Nobody wears headbands anymore! And pulling your hair into pigtails does not make you look like a teen if you are obviously thirty years old.
I tell you the truth I am a happily married man with a wife who does more for me than most, I’d bet. But when she’s not available, I’m looking for a “temp.” A “stand- in.”
Not a SLUT!
Not a WHORE!
Not a “cum-drenched bitch!”
I’m looking for ordinary people enjoying ordinary sex, so that I can use that to fuel my imagination.
Porn, as commonly defined and distributed is about demeaning and abusing women. I don’t want to abuse my wife. And so it follows that I’m not interested in pics that seem to portray women being abused or demeaned.
Erotica is much more about imagination. Porn is about destroying imagination.
I’ve thought about this distinction a lot, as I write erotic fan fiction and poetry. My views most closely align with Cat’s, Anon’s, and DC’s. I believe a story with any kind of plot or character development is erotica, not porn…yet I don’t necessarily believe these things are a requirement for a story to be erotica. I’ve read some sex stories without much plot or character development that were nonetheless told in a creative and compelling way, and I believe those should qualify as erotica as well. I think I tend to find the imagination aspect to be the arousing part as well, as nearly any written only description of sex can get me off, it’s a bit harder with pictures, and harder still with video.
A picture of a woman flicking another woman’s nipple and it screams erotic. Introduce a penis with a woman licking the head, have the lines blurred? Michael Angelo’s statue naked Jesus…. most don’t find this offensive, yet Gustav Courbet’s ‘The Origin of the World” offends a lot of people, They are both figurative works of art, nothing to do with erotica.