Porn blindness
August 22, 2005 10:57 AM Subscribe
Porn can make you go blind. Kinda.
Wooo, thank the lord for this study. Imagine all the deaths saved from auto accidents now that we know looking at pron while driving is dangerous.
posted by cleverusername at 11:27 AM on August 22, 2005
posted by cleverusername at 11:27 AM on August 22, 2005
From the article: ". What he found was that when people look at gory images—and also erotic ones—they fail to process what they see immediately afterwards. This period of blindness lasts between two-tenths and eight-tenths of a second. That is long enough for a driver transfixed by an erotic advert on a billboard to cause an accident."
So refrain from pasting porno to billboards. Come to think of it, most billboards are such an ugly blot on the scenery I'd suggest refraining from putting up billboards altogether.
posted by davy at 11:38 AM on August 22, 2005
So refrain from pasting porno to billboards. Come to think of it, most billboards are such an ugly blot on the scenery I'd suggest refraining from putting up billboards altogether.
posted by davy at 11:38 AM on August 22, 2005
Not if you use a head up display, cleverusername. I salvaged one from a down F-18 and its awesome. I can watch pron, play video games, surf the web all while never taking my eyes off the road.
Its that one handed steering that's dangerous.
posted by fenriq at 11:39 AM on August 22, 2005
Its that one handed steering that's dangerous.
posted by fenriq at 11:39 AM on August 22, 2005
A link to some more details on the study, including an interactive exampe (!).
posted by rafter at 11:39 AM on August 22, 2005
posted by rafter at 11:39 AM on August 22, 2005
I think the author was referring to possible wrecks or similar stimuli on the highway which would result temporary blindness. For example, I'm sure some people have seen the many accidents motorists have by wrecking out into police cruisers (or the person the police officer just pulled over) The theory is that the offending driver gets distracted by the sight of a cop writing someone a ticket (with lights flashing and all), and loses control of his or her vehicle. This theory, at least would make a little more sense than just pure distraction.
posted by Debaser626 at 11:42 AM on August 22, 2005
posted by Debaser626 at 11:42 AM on August 22, 2005
I think the historical reason we have this folkloric association between masturbation and blindness is that gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes and syphillis can all cause blindness if transmitted to the eye. So someone with urethral discharge or open sores on the penis--probably more common in the preantibiotic era--would be putting himself at risk of blindness by masturbating.
posted by mert at 11:47 AM on August 22, 2005
posted by mert at 11:47 AM on August 22, 2005
fenriq writes "Its that one handed steering that's dangerous."
You could use this. Oh wait, that's not what you meant...
posted by smcniven at 11:59 AM on August 22, 2005
You could use this. Oh wait, that's not what you meant...
posted by smcniven at 11:59 AM on August 22, 2005
What we need are sunglasses that wraparound snugly and protect from ozone, glare and (now) errant bukkake spray. Just 'nuther damned thing to worry about.
posted by hal9k at 12:04 PM on August 22, 2005
posted by hal9k at 12:04 PM on August 22, 2005
I wonder if this explains why women drivers have statistically fewer accidents? I'd imagine they're not so easily distracted by the bra-advert billboards and bikini-clad parking valets.
Unfortunately, there are no Muslim fundamentalists on MeFi, otherwise we could have an emotional debate about the use of the hijab as a traffic safety measure ...
mert: In spite of the drivel you just posted, the reason for the 'folklore' is that medieval Christian moralists made it up, as an attempt to discourage their flock from succumbing to the "sin of Onan".
I challenge you to provide a link to any reputable medical study showing any connection between masturbation and disease, other than the psychological diseases (which can be life-threatening) caused by believing that masturbation is a 'sin'.
posted by cleardawn at 12:05 PM on August 22, 2005
Unfortunately, there are no Muslim fundamentalists on MeFi, otherwise we could have an emotional debate about the use of the hijab as a traffic safety measure ...
mert: In spite of the drivel you just posted, the reason for the 'folklore' is that medieval Christian moralists made it up, as an attempt to discourage their flock from succumbing to the "sin of Onan".
I challenge you to provide a link to any reputable medical study showing any connection between masturbation and disease, other than the psychological diseases (which can be life-threatening) caused by believing that masturbation is a 'sin'.
posted by cleardawn at 12:05 PM on August 22, 2005
Cleardawn, I'm just speculating, maybe I should have made that more clear. But it's pretty well established that STD's cause blindess, and they're spread to the eye by hand / genital contact. Anyway, it's easy to test for yourself. Go out and contract gonorrhea and rub some of the pus in your eye... gonococcal conjunctivitis is the most rapidly blinding bacterial eye infection. Trachoma (from maternal chlamydia) is, I think, the leading cause of blindness in the world. Herpes keratoconjunctivitis can blind you. Syphillis as well. So I dont think it's unreasonable to link masturbation and blindness from an infectious disease perspective. But proof? Can't help you there.
posted by mert at 12:18 PM on August 22, 2005
posted by mert at 12:18 PM on August 22, 2005
yjsy'd ejsy o yjpihjy, pt sy ;rsdy oy'd ,u rc[rtormvr.
posted by Jazznoisehere at 12:18 PM on August 22, 2005
posted by Jazznoisehere at 12:18 PM on August 22, 2005
I was like, double post, then I remember it was Viagra.
posted by mrgrimm at 12:20 PM on August 22, 2005
posted by mrgrimm at 12:20 PM on August 22, 2005
cleardawn
Per the New England Journal of Medicine, July 15, 2005...
Many have long thought of the relationship between blindness and masturbation as sheer myth or even fallacy, and it has often been dismissed as a religious decree forbidding self pleasure. However, researchers at Harvard University in the United States have recently discovered that through vigorous masturbation, one's pubic hair can become forcefully dislodged and explode in a shower of follicles traveling at several times the speed of sound, sometimes resulting in blindness, but unfortunately, usually in death.
Seriously...
posted by Debaser626 at 12:24 PM on August 22, 2005
Per the New England Journal of Medicine, July 15, 2005...
Many have long thought of the relationship between blindness and masturbation as sheer myth or even fallacy, and it has often been dismissed as a religious decree forbidding self pleasure. However, researchers at Harvard University in the United States have recently discovered that through vigorous masturbation, one's pubic hair can become forcefully dislodged and explode in a shower of follicles traveling at several times the speed of sound, sometimes resulting in blindness, but unfortunately, usually in death.
Seriously...
posted by Debaser626 at 12:24 PM on August 22, 2005
Well, if one masturbates so furiously that he shoots directly into his own eye, it would certainly lead to at least temporary blindness, acute discomfort, and great embarassment after explaining that one to the doctor at the ER.
posted by clevershark at 12:29 PM on August 22, 2005
posted by clevershark at 12:29 PM on August 22, 2005
(sigh) Here's an occasionally-amusing review of the origins of the "wanking makes you blind" myth.
mert: You don't catch STDs from masturbating. You catch STDs from having sex with other people. Doh.
What concerns me is that about 60% of American teenagers *still* say they feel guilty about masturbating.
(And when I was 10, so did I. Didn't you? Why should kids have to go through that, really?)
No doubt the problem is mostly due to the historical influence of nutcases like Billy Graham and Moses, but jokers like mert and Debaser626 don't help. Not that they're trying to, obviously. I'd put money on it that they're both circumcised (a wonderful custom that originated as a result of parents who didn't want their children to enjoy wanking.)
If you can't enjoy it properly - run it down!
But the thing is, all those poor, masturbation-starved kiddies you're winding up will then go out and join the Marines or the police, and take out their problems on people like you and me. So I feel it's better to be honest about it, myself.
[MetaFilter: Let's be honest with each other]
posted by cleardawn at 12:52 PM on August 22, 2005
mert: You don't catch STDs from masturbating. You catch STDs from having sex with other people. Doh.
What concerns me is that about 60% of American teenagers *still* say they feel guilty about masturbating.
(And when I was 10, so did I. Didn't you? Why should kids have to go through that, really?)
No doubt the problem is mostly due to the historical influence of nutcases like Billy Graham and Moses, but jokers like mert and Debaser626 don't help. Not that they're trying to, obviously. I'd put money on it that they're both circumcised (a wonderful custom that originated as a result of parents who didn't want their children to enjoy wanking.)
If you can't enjoy it properly - run it down!
But the thing is, all those poor, masturbation-starved kiddies you're winding up will then go out and join the Marines or the police, and take out their problems on people like you and me. So I feel it's better to be honest about it, myself.
[MetaFilter: Let's be honest with each other]
posted by cleardawn at 12:52 PM on August 22, 2005
I'd put money on it that they're both circumcised
Mert and I, or Billy Graham and Moses?
posted by Debaser626 at 1:05 PM on August 22, 2005
Mert and I, or Billy Graham and Moses?
posted by Debaser626 at 1:05 PM on August 22, 2005
Everybody masturbates. It's human nature. Good thing we can all feel guilty about something that's hardwired into us from birth!
posted by krash2fast at 1:09 PM on August 22, 2005
posted by krash2fast at 1:09 PM on August 22, 2005
Debaser626, I'm not sure about Billy Graham.
Your choice of username suggests you're probably into dead guys' cocks, so why not go dig him up and find out?
Keep us posted!
posted by cleardawn at 1:18 PM on August 22, 2005
Your choice of username suggests you're probably into dead guys' cocks, so why not go dig him up and find out?
Keep us posted!
posted by cleardawn at 1:18 PM on August 22, 2005
Guilty? pshhh.... sure... the 1st time my mom caught me when I was 12... I was more embarassed by the whole "It's natural, it's a part of life... just make sure you're more careful when you want to spend some time with yourself... here, you're old enough, here's a lock for your door" speech.
*shudder*
Masturbation is fun. Note that while most people (not just here, but in other discussions I've had on line and off) will say that masturbation is normal, healthly and a part of everyone's lives... they never really get beyond that generalization. It's one thing to say "Hey, everyone masturbates" as you're talking about a group... it's completely another to actually say "I enjoy masturbating." (which I do) try it... it's actually kinda weird to type....
posted by Debaser626 at 1:21 PM on August 22, 2005
*shudder*
Masturbation is fun. Note that while most people (not just here, but in other discussions I've had on line and off) will say that masturbation is normal, healthly and a part of everyone's lives... they never really get beyond that generalization. It's one thing to say "Hey, everyone masturbates" as you're talking about a group... it's completely another to actually say "I enjoy masturbating." (which I do) try it... it's actually kinda weird to type....
posted by Debaser626 at 1:21 PM on August 22, 2005
Your choice of username suggests you're probably into dead guys' cocks, so why not go dig him up and find out?
C'mon Cleardawn, you're better off dropping the hostility. We're all on the pro-masturbation team here.
posted by mert at 1:28 PM on August 22, 2005
C'mon Cleardawn, you're better off dropping the hostility. We're all on the pro-masturbation team here.
posted by mert at 1:28 PM on August 22, 2005
Debaser626, I'm not sure about Billy Graham.
Your choice of username suggests you're probably into dead guys' cocks, so why not go dig him up and find out?
Keep us posted!
posted by cleardawn at 1:18 PM PST on August 22 [!]
No, silly... this is the NEW internets.... you forgot to mention Hitler along with the homoerotic barbs and *necrophilia *(though 2 points for originality on that one, w00t!)
Your post should have read:
Debaser626, I'm not sure about Billy Graham.
Your choice of username suggests you're probably into dead guys' cocks, so why not go dig him up and find out? That is, after you finish being a fag Nazi, u st00pid Hitl3r.
Keep us posted!
posted by cleardawn at 1:18 PM PST on August 22 [!]
And for the record... I'd like it noted, that I am not into dead cock.... well... unless it's underage and on fire... you haven't lived till you've tried Pyronecropedophilia.
posted by Debaser626 at 1:30 PM on August 22, 2005
Your choice of username suggests you're probably into dead guys' cocks, so why not go dig him up and find out?
Keep us posted!
posted by cleardawn at 1:18 PM PST on August 22 [!]
No, silly... this is the NEW internets.... you forgot to mention Hitler along with the homoerotic barbs and *necrophilia *(though 2 points for originality on that one, w00t!)
Your post should have read:
Debaser626, I'm not sure about Billy Graham.
Your choice of username suggests you're probably into dead guys' cocks, so why not go dig him up and find out? That is, after you finish being a fag Nazi, u st00pid Hitl3r.
Keep us posted!
posted by cleardawn at 1:18 PM PST on August 22 [!]
And for the record... I'd like it noted, that I am not into dead cock.... well... unless it's underage and on fire... you haven't lived till you've tried Pyronecropedophilia.
posted by Debaser626 at 1:30 PM on August 22, 2005
Yes, it's strange that it's easy to use words like "debaser" which are redolent with brutality and horror (I'm not attacking you at this point, I'm just using that as an example), and yet it's difficult to say something like "I like wanking" or even "I enjoy looking at the sunset, it's beautiful".
We live in a deeply damaged society, and the twisted philosophy imposed by the Jews, Christians, and Moslems is mostly to blame.
Even after a thousand years of tortured self-flagellation, however, the powers of Love, Truth, and Beauty remain undimmed.
And wanking.
(on preview: I'm going to ignore your last post, and just say what I was going to say anyway. I think it's for the best. Otherwise I'll have to say "Debaser is fag" and that would be bad).
posted by cleardawn at 1:52 PM on August 22, 2005
We live in a deeply damaged society, and the twisted philosophy imposed by the Jews, Christians, and Moslems is mostly to blame.
Even after a thousand years of tortured self-flagellation, however, the powers of Love, Truth, and Beauty remain undimmed.
And wanking.
(on preview: I'm going to ignore your last post, and just say what I was going to say anyway. I think it's for the best. Otherwise I'll have to say "Debaser is fag" and that would be bad).
posted by cleardawn at 1:52 PM on August 22, 2005
We're all on the pro-masturbation team here.
wow, you guys have gone pro?!
how's your team doing in the standings? i imagine things go back and forth a lot, but you probably have some sort of master stroke planned for the climax of the season that will allow you to burst through to the playoffs.
posted by lord_wolf at 1:54 PM on August 22, 2005
wow, you guys have gone pro?!
how's your team doing in the standings? i imagine things go back and forth a lot, but you probably have some sort of master stroke planned for the climax of the season that will allow you to burst through to the playoffs.
posted by lord_wolf at 1:54 PM on August 22, 2005
lord_wolf, I fear your optimism is premature. Our recent performance leaves much to be desired, and, although we're going at it as hard as we can, we have little protection against all the dirty tricks the anti-masturbation side have at their disposal...
posted by cleardawn at 2:17 PM on August 22, 2005
posted by cleardawn at 2:17 PM on August 22, 2005
Metafilter: Go out and contract gonorrhea and rub some of the pus in your eye.
posted by logovisual at 2:42 PM on August 22, 2005
posted by logovisual at 2:42 PM on August 22, 2005
MetaFilter: When you've got nothing to say, grab someone else's witty line, slap a MetaFilter: in front of it and you're witty too! Woot!
posted by fenriq at 2:48 PM on August 22, 2005
posted by fenriq at 2:48 PM on August 22, 2005
MetaFilter: worth $5 just for fenriq's accidentally self-referential snarks
posted by cleardawn at 3:11 PM on August 22, 2005
posted by cleardawn at 3:11 PM on August 22, 2005
I'd put money on it that they're both circumcised (a wonderful custom that originated as a result of parents who didn't want their children to enjoy wanking.)
Newsflash: It doesn't work. :)
posted by inpHilltr8r at 3:41 PM on August 22, 2005
Newsflash: It doesn't work. :)
posted by inpHilltr8r at 3:41 PM on August 22, 2005
I remember reading somewhere, long ago, I think it was in some 70s sex manual (maybe "The Joy of Sex"?) about some guy who was paralysed, and had no feeling at all except in his left big toe.
They reckoned he could still have an orgasm.
Still, rather him than me, eh, inpHilltr8r!
posted by cleardawn at 3:53 PM on August 22, 2005
They reckoned he could still have an orgasm.
Still, rather him than me, eh, inpHilltr8r!
posted by cleardawn at 3:53 PM on August 22, 2005
cleardawn, there was nothing in that remark that was accidental. But I'm glad to have helped you get your money's worth.
posted by fenriq at 4:05 PM on August 22, 2005
posted by fenriq at 4:05 PM on August 22, 2005
Hey, something I know (a little) about!
The thing that makes this study interesting isn't the "blindness": it's a clear example of attentional blink, which is a well-known phenomenon. It's the fact that certain pictures are capturing attention even when subjects know they're coming and are actively trying to ignore them.
posted by Eamon at 4:31 PM on August 22, 2005
The thing that makes this study interesting isn't the "blindness": it's a clear example of attentional blink, which is a well-known phenomenon. It's the fact that certain pictures are capturing attention even when subjects know they're coming and are actively trying to ignore them.
posted by Eamon at 4:31 PM on August 22, 2005
Dunno about the going blind bit, but the palm shaving is keeping me plenty busy.
posted by Balisong at 4:40 PM on August 22, 2005
posted by Balisong at 4:40 PM on August 22, 2005
Eamon, 'actively trying to ignore' something is a strategy doomed to inevitable failure.
Try not thinking about a blue horse...
posted by cleardawn at 5:12 PM on August 22, 2005
Try not thinking about a blue horse...
posted by cleardawn at 5:12 PM on August 22, 2005
cleardawn "mert: You don't catch STDs from masturbating. You catch STDs from having sex with other people. Doh."
No-one claimed that you get an STD from masturbating. Doh. They claimed that jizzing on your own hand and rubbing your eye makes it more likely that a blindness-producing STD virus would get in your eye than having conventional sex and arcing the jizz into your own eye. Also, presumably, historically, masturbation was more common than bukkake, hence the lack of sayings like "Bukkake leads to blindness!"
posted by Bugbread at 12:53 AM on August 23, 2005
No-one claimed that you get an STD from masturbating. Doh. They claimed that jizzing on your own hand and rubbing your eye makes it more likely that a blindness-producing STD virus would get in your eye than having conventional sex and arcing the jizz into your own eye. Also, presumably, historically, masturbation was more common than bukkake, hence the lack of sayings like "Bukkake leads to blindness!"
posted by Bugbread at 12:53 AM on August 23, 2005
damn you balisong.
posted by exlotuseater at 9:01 AM on August 23, 2005
posted by exlotuseater at 9:01 AM on August 23, 2005
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posted by fenriq at 11:13 AM on August 22, 2005