09-23-2003, 10:45 PM
You know the different meanings and such that are applied here is something I actually find a little funny. For instance, as has been stated, erotica generally speaking is more of a positive thing. For me though, when I first hear erotica I think of more extreme porn basically instead of more positive things. So the meaning that I have picked up for it from somewhere over the years (who knows where anyone picks up meanings to words....probably from context they are used in by others which is often wrong as well) is quite different than the actual meaning of it. So yeah, I agree that there is always a problem in discussing these things because there is a difference in the definitions people use for things and the actual definitions.
Thats actually why I like to see definitions like Pete gave in threads like this. It gives a kind of common ground to build off of. From those definitions he gave I am able to look at both terms and say that neither is negative or positive and so then when I read them I can keep that in mind. It basically helps me try and pull personal preferences out of things and be more objective. I can simply say, does this fit the definition provided? If it does then it is fair to call it such.
Basically I am agreeing with you though that the problem is that there is too much subjectivity in these kind of discussions. People are unable to seperate what they think of things from what may actually be. I find it interesting though cause having read the definitions and attempted to give some thought to what they mean will enable me in the future to use and interpret the words as they are supposed to be rather than as how I have grown accustomed to. It may also help with noticing when others use them improperly and so help identify when others are applying connotations to them that shouldn't actually be applied to the words as a whole.
Thats actually why I like to see definitions like Pete gave in threads like this. It gives a kind of common ground to build off of. From those definitions he gave I am able to look at both terms and say that neither is negative or positive and so then when I read them I can keep that in mind. It basically helps me try and pull personal preferences out of things and be more objective. I can simply say, does this fit the definition provided? If it does then it is fair to call it such.
Basically I am agreeing with you though that the problem is that there is too much subjectivity in these kind of discussions. People are unable to seperate what they think of things from what may actually be. I find it interesting though cause having read the definitions and attempted to give some thought to what they mean will enable me in the future to use and interpret the words as they are supposed to be rather than as how I have grown accustomed to. It may also help with noticing when others use them improperly and so help identify when others are applying connotations to them that shouldn't actually be applied to the words as a whole.