[Enthusiast]

I'll finish my thoughts here by further examining how either pornography or prostitution should be presented to the young as career choices. Are such to be swept into a general mass like Manufacturing, Retail, Finance, Science, Accounting, sheet metal worker, MRI technician, in our desire to destigmatize the two Ps? Or should some few be called to the side and counseled that, because of their looks, freshness, boldness, etc., they might ponder P or P as viable careers? A tricky situation.

Viable careers have opportunities for advancement. In prostitution and pornography aging leads to less interest. Such work might suit students who need to pay their ways through college but as a career? I don't think so but could be wrong.

I did know a woman of about 30 who paid for her PhD (in some form of astrophysics) by advertising her services to men who like to be treated like babies. This work did not involve her in offering sex but did mean being comfortable spending some time with some pretty weird men. I don't know how she tolerated it but can say that as soon as she got her doctorate she got a "proper job" in her field. One thing she needed when she was offering her mothering services was someone nearby who would ensure her safety if she was dealing with a dangerous madman.

 

[Eva Yojimbo]

I have been going back through some of the posts in this thread - particularly yours - and this little segment reminded me of my studying method when I was at university. I would frequently get high while reading quite involved scientific papers. I would find my mind wondering off after a while but I would use this to "imagine" what would come next in the scientist's argument and would then read on. If I was right then that made it much clearer and quite memorable. If the paper went in a different direction to the one I had imagined (which was often the case) then I would find myself much better able to understand the argument and also its counter-arguments. It was a very effective way to study!

I have not tried studying while high but I could definitely imagine this approach working. I find when I'm high I'm more in tune with the details of my thought processes and those of others... it seems as if I'm able to perceive and intuit things on a more granular level rather than just trying to understand and react to more superficial aspects.

 

[Eva Yojimbo]

I'll finish my thoughts here by further examining how either pornography or prostitution should be presented to the young as career choices. Are such to be swept into a general mass like Manufacturing, Retail, Finance, Science, Accounting, sheet metal worker, MRI technician, in our desire to destigmatize the two Ps? Or should some few be called to the side and counseled that, because of their looks, freshness, boldness, etc., they might ponder P or P as viable careers? A tricky situation.

I have two issues with presenting them as career choices: one is what I said above about the vast majority of people not being cut out for either. It takes very unique and specific types to really make either a career choice; two is that it can be rough-going after you've been in either industry for a while as audiences (and clients) are liable to prefer new faces. There's exceptions to this, especially since the popularization of the "MILF" genre that's shown that older performers can absolutely attract fans/viewers too, but it's uncommon for girls to be able to make that transition. It's not unlike trying to be an actor or a musician in some respects given the uncertainty of future prospects even if you do obtain some small level of success.

What I DO think is more viable is for it to be a temporary means of making money for future planning. One such example would be Jenna Haze who took the money she made from pornography and is now pursuing a degree in psychology. Given the financial burden that's placed on so many young people when they get into debt from college it's actually a much smarter choice to seek out temporary professions like pornography where you can make a significant amount of money over, say, a year or two and then put that money towards college rather than incurring huge debts leading to years of financial struggle. The only downside is that this kind of future planning isn't something most young people (and even many older people) aren't good at or savvy about.

All that said, I have no issue completely destigmatizing porn and prostitution and the people that work in either. I see all sex work as a viable choice, but like with music or acting whether it's viable as a career is very dubious. IME, the performers who really succeed in pornography long-term are those that genuinely love it, and that passion comes through in their work. Most viewers quickly grow bored of girls who don't really want to be there, are only doing it for the money, etc. as that apathy shows in their performances.

 

[Luchesi]

I've heard that the more you're exposed to a carcinogen it will prime your cancer fighting system (which is a little stronger while we're young and might need priming).

 

[Strange Magic]

I've heard that the more you're exposed to a carcinogen it will prime your cancer fighting system (which is a little stronger while we're young and might need priming).

Strange what one hears. What you've heard is music to the ears of corporations and industrial chemists. It is conceivable that some slight exposure might prime one's immune response system, but surely " the more you're exposed" is a non-starter. Citing some research would be useful here.

 

[Strange Magic]

^^^^@EY: a sad commentary on the world (country) we inhabit when P or P is a way of delivering oneself from student debt. Surely we can do better. We definitely need data here rather than individual instances or anecdotes. As an aside, one shudders at the possible fate that awaits a number of Ukrainian refugee mothers and daughters, like the youth of Thailand. Not a pretty picture.

 

[Eva Yojimbo]

^^^^@EY: a sad commentary on the world (country) we inhabit when P or P is a way of delivering oneself from student debt. Surely we can do better. We definitely need data here rather than individual instances or anecdotes. As an aside, one shudders at the possible fate that awaits a number of Ukrainian refugee mothers and daughters, like the youth of Thailand. Not a pretty picture.

I think it's a sad state of affairs that the natural act of trying to better one's self through education that will help establish a career path almost necessitates the incurring of crippling debt at all. I think we would probably agree that entire system needs fixing; but until it's fixed students (or prospective students) need money to survive, and P&P are two legitimate ways of doing that. Maybe not the best choices for everyone, but nothing is.

 

[Couchie]

Listening to Parsifal on Ketamine was beyond profound. An indescribable experience of both pure ecstasy and deepest pain. For a glorious while there... its meaning and significance was all made crystal clear to me, though I have since lost it. And I have never wanted to ever venture to repeat the experience. I felt like an unworthy sinner who had stumbled into the Holy of Holies. Touched the Ark of the Covenant. Do that sort of thing too often and you will soon find yourself no longer able to function in the humdrum of everyday life.

 

[Luchesi]

Strange what one hears. What you've heard is music to the ears of corporations and industrial chemists. It is conceivable that some slight exposure might prime one's immune response system, but surely " the more you're exposed" is a non-starter. Citing some research would be useful here.

Yes, it probably can't be researched, can it?

The human immune system makes what we would call mistakes, and it sometimes doesn't turn on, and sometimes it comes on too powerfully and does damage. In simple statements... ..But in reality it's a large complex chemistry with many moving parts, which change and change back again due to the feedbacks and thresholds of mysterious chemical signals. Nothing has been thought out, so we can't follow the thinking.

 

[Strange Magic]

Yes, it probably can't be researched, can it?

The human immune system makes what we would call mistakes, and it sometimes doesn't turn on, and sometimes it comes on too powerfully and does damage. In simple statements... ..But in reality it's a large complex chemistry with many moving parts, which change and change back again due to the feedbacks and thresholds of mysterious chemical signals. Nothing has been thought out, so we can't follow the thinking.

I'll defer to the MDs and biochemists in the group, but it's pretty clear that repeated or intensified exposure to carcinogens often leads to cancer. Ask asbestos workers or the Marlboro Man.

 

[EdwardBast]

I think it's a sad state of affairs that the natural act of trying to better one's self through education that will help establish a career path almost necessitates the incurring of crippling debt at all. I think we would probably agree that entire system needs fixing; but until it's fixed students (or prospective students) need money to survive, and P&P are two legitimate ways of doing that. Maybe not the best choices for everyone, but nothing is.

The current culture in the US is vampiric. Free individuals undertaking natural acts of betterment are only missed opportunities for the blood suckers. Get those fangs in early and keep them in. Debt slaves and rent slaves are its natural products. Personal equity and freedom are its enemies.

 

[Strange Magic]

The current culture in the US is vampiric. Free individuals undertaking natural acts of betterment are only missed opportunities for the blood suckers. Get those fangs in early and keep them in. Debt slaves and rent slaves are its natural products. Personal equity and freedom are its enemies.

Also slaves to opioids, meth, cocaine, alcohol, tobacco, gambling--all ways of trying to feel good or feel in control in an extremely poorly-educated and grotesquely unequal society.

 

[Luchesi]

I'll defer to the MDs and biochemists in the group, but it's pretty clear that repeated or intensified exposure to carcinogens often leads to cancer. Ask asbestos workers or the Marlboro Man.

Yes. But if we succeed in removing carcinogens from our lives, then when we do accidentally get exposed a decade later?

 

[Bulldog]

For those of you who do smoke weed, do you prefer to smoke just one type at a time or mix them up? My preference is a good mix that results in a better high for musical enjoyment.

 

[Eva Yojimbo]

Also slaves to opioids, meth, cocaine, alcohol, tobacco, gambling--all ways of trying to feel good or feel in control in an extremely poorly-educated and grotesquely unequal society.

Add benzos to that list. I've had family members addicted to benzos (by prescription) and watching them withdraw from them was horrific, far worse than even alcohol and cigarettes.

 

[Eva Yojimbo]

For those of you who do smoke weed, do you prefer to smoke just one type at a time or mix them up? My preference is a good mix that results in a better high for musical enjoyment.

Do you mean mixing strains? I generally prefer to just use one strain at a time because it's easier for me to titrate to the right dose. I should also mention that I vape it rather than smoke it, so that way I avoid all of the carcinogens that come from combustion. Vaping is just a much "cleaner" way to imbibe.

 

[Strange Magic]

Yes. But if we succeed in removing carcinogens from our lives, then when we do accidentally get exposed a decade later?

How do we remove carcinogens from our lives? There's always cosmic rays and other natural radiation. Had to do radon remediation before I could sell my house.

 

[Bulldog]

Do you mean mixing strains? I generally prefer to just use one strain at a time because it's easier for me to titrate to the right dose.

Yes, mixing strains. Is there a right dose? I just smoke until I don't want anymore.

 

[Eva Yojimbo]

Yes, mixing strains. Is there a right dose? I just smoke until I don't want anymore.

There's a "right dose" for me because I'm very sensitive to the psychoactive effects of THC and there's a thin line between "a fun, great, time" and "anxiety-induced existential panic." Luckily that line has thickened as I've adjusted to the effects over the years, but a few really bad highs made a big enough impression that I don't want to revisit them.

 

[Bulldog]

There's a "right dose" for me because I'm very sensitive to the psychoactive effects of THC and there's a thin line between "a fun, great, time" and "anxiety-induced existential panic." Luckily that line has thickened as I've adjusted to the effects over the years, but a few really bad highs made a big enough impression that I don't want to revisit them.

Got it. I've been lucky - over 50 years and never had a bad high.