The porn horn

Porn makes you better at maths, says a study by Carnegie Mellon University. The study found that people who looked at semi-erotic images before a maths test performed 50 per cent better than those who looked at non-erotic images. Dr J. David Creswell, co-author of the study, explained, “When you are stressed, your body produces more of a hormone called cortisol, which excites your nervous system and disrupts your brain’s problem-solving capabilities.” Awakening your brain’s ‘reward’ pathways appears to limit the stress-cortisol response and increase your powers of concentration.

I am unequivocally anti-porn, but here’s the dilemma: what is porn? How do you define it? What are the parameters? And, who decides them? Depictions of sexual intimacy have existed since the beginning of time—cave paintings, Roman statues, the (short) chapter on positions from the Kamasutra. But that, we are told, is “art”. What about the graphically suggestive ‘item numbers’ and assorted scenes in Bollywood? That is harmless box-office bait. So, where is the line?

I have been a loud voice in the argument that porn is demeaning to women and leads to their objectification. But the truth is women have been objectified and demeaned for centuries, long before the advent of blue films. I truly believe that porn perpetuates damaging stereotypes and unrealistic expectations. But then again, what of ethical porn?

More and more women are creating high quality, respectful porn, often with real couples showing genuine chemistry and connection. I do not know how far I am ready to give up my stance on porn, but for me a conversation, any conversation, around sexuality, pleasure, physical intimacy are a breakthrough. It is the silence that perpetuates the violence and abuse. And the level of shame and stigma attached to the subject has made it the most powerful weapon with which society has controlled women.

So if it takes porn to break the silence, then so be it.

—Anand is an author.