A brief history of brothels

January 22, 2006 9:09 AM

A brief history of the oldest profession institution. via Explorator.
posted by stbalbach (16 comments total)

That's a big-headed article about prostitution, but it didn't really break any new ground.

In fact, I'd say it's Pretty_Generic.
posted by orthogonality at 10:57 AM on January 22, 2006

I think the oldest profession is tool making.
posted by hortense at 11:05 AM on January 22, 2006

Always with the huge-headed whore humor he is!
posted by Protocols of the Elders of Awesome at 11:16 AM on January 22, 2006

now I gotta watch pron.
posted by modernerd at 11:35 AM on January 22, 2006

Nice article. Now where's the white wimmen at ?
posted by elpapacito at 11:46 AM on January 22, 2006

I'm a playwright - like to tell people that that is the oldest profession ("Ug kill mammoth. Mammoth look like this. Mammoth make this noise when Ug spear it" etc.)

But of course, historically, a strong theatrical association with the (second) oldest profession...
posted by klaatu at 11:54 AM on January 22, 2006

The superior prostitutes had immense influence on Roman fashions in hair, dress and jewellery.
posted by Afroblanco at 11:58 AM on January 22, 2006

"I think the oldest profession is tool making." posted by hortense.

More likely the first profession was tool using.
posted by Citizen Premier at 12:31 PM on January 22, 2006

"The only true lesson of history, it seems, is that we never learn from history. " The final sentence in the article uses the worlds 2nd oldest anonymous pronoun. WE. We never agree on what it is They should think or do.
posted by unklspot at 12:43 PM on January 22, 2006

I once had a discussion-based ethics class in which prostitution was debated. A student made the point that prostitution "is the world's oldest profession."

Prof: No it isn't.
Student: What is?
Prof: Teaching.
posted by baphomet at 1:48 PM on January 22, 2006

The whores in my neighborhood all look pretty old.
posted by Astro Zombie at 1:54 PM on January 22, 2006

It's a bit of a moot discussion though, because if we define profession as a way to survive, then all life has a profession; and if we define it as a way to make money, well then obviously currency manufacture is the oldest profession.
posted by Citizen Premier at 2:18 PM on January 22, 2006

what about these women? they seem rather tame.

smokinghotkova.com
posted by Latersbra at 3:12 PM on January 22, 2006

Well, here is some real news: Britain Relaxes Rules for Prostitutes. Prostitutes will be allowed to work two to a house, aided by a receptionist, under a new government plan that critics have condemned as official endorsement of "mini-brothels."
posted by semmi at 9:22 PM on January 22, 2006

Bugger. I hate it when people beat me to my teh insightful post.

What baphomet said!
posted by uncanny hengeman at 6:58 AM on January 23, 2006

"Anthropologists suggest prostitution did not actually seem to exist at all in what were once called primitive societies."

Yes, because at that stage they merely raped the women?
posted by hugsnkisses at 3:47 PM on January 23, 2006