Pornography and the Erotic Phantasmagoria

Area of Science:

• Cultural Studies
• Media Studies
• Sociology of Sexuality

Background:

• Susan Sontag's 1967 essay identified sexuality as a "demonic force."
• The last half-century has seen profound transformations in pornography and social relations.
• Postmodern capitalist society is characterized by "phantasmagoria" and "fetishism-on-display."

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the evolution of technological forms of pornographic representation over two centuries.
• To analyze the impact of these technological and cultural shifts on patriarchy and sexual relations.
• To reflect on the feminist debate surrounding pornography and its potential for a "new" feminist sexuality.

Main Methods:

• Historical analysis of technological advancements in pornographic media (magic lantern, photography, internet, VR, sex robots).
• Examination of concurrent legal and cultural developments shaping sexuality in postmodern America.
• Conceptual framework utilizing Walter Benjamin's "phantasmagoria."

Main Results:

• Technological evolution in pornography has paralleled significant legal and cultural shifts.
• These changes have fundamentally reshaped patriarchal structures and sexual relations between consenting adults.
• The increased production and availability of pornography raise questions about quality and potential for positive change.

Conclusions:

• Pornography's technological trajectory reflects and influences societal views on sexuality.
• The "phantasmagoria" of modern pornography has redefined sexual dynamics and power structures.
• Further inquiry is needed to determine if current trends can foster a more humane and feminist sexual landscape.