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MY FAVOURITE DECOR SHOPS IN OTTAWA
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kitchen remodel in my last house
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my twin sister's mostly kid's rooms decor blog
Mon, 31 Dec 2012
Reader Comments (14)
I LOVE your blog . . . though the use of the word "porn" is unsettling, carrying negative connotations. It is all to common. Even though we live in a modern liberal time perhaps the word "love" would leave a more positive vibe?
pornography (n.)
1857, "description of prostitutes," from French pornographie, from Greek pornographos "(one) writing of prostitutes," from porne "prostitute," originally "bought, purchased" (with an original notion, probably of "female slave sold for prostitution"), related to pernanai "to sell," from PIE root *per- "to traffic in, to sell" (cf. Latin pretium "price," Lithuanian perku "I buy") + graphein "to write" (see -graphy). Originally used of classical art and writing; application to modern examples began 1880s. Main modern meaning "salacious writing or pictures" represents a slight shift from the etymology, though classical depictions of prostitution usually had this quality.
I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description [hard-core pornography]; and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it, and the motion picture involved in this case is not that. [U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, concurring opinion, "Jacobellis v. Ohio," 1964]
Pornographer is earliest form of the word, attested from 1850. Pornocracy (1860) is "the dominating influence of harlots," used specifically of the government of Rome during the first half of the 10th century by Theodora and her daughters.
I agree with Natalie. I do not consider myself a prude, but I was also put off by the word.
It sounds like people want to compare the use of the word porn on this blog to the casual use of the word rape. Rape is negative; pornography isn't.
I think I expressed a similar sentiment many months ago. The reason it bothers me from my perspective is a feminist one: I associate "porn" with misogyny and the objectification of women, not the more general "graphic depictions of something the voyeur finds pleasurable" as intended. It's not about prudery from my perspective either; sexual images are pretty universally arousing, as we all know, but the connotation of "porn" is negative because it historically has been exploitative and communicates that eroticized misogynist impulses and sex are synonymous. Using it as a light-hearted descriptor reminds me that women's bodies ARE considered as being on par with an OBJECT like a piece of furniture to be used. So the word choice is apt in that the parallel brings to mind something hateful that I viscerally respond to when I'm simply trying to enjoy good design.
Is it a huge deal? No, and I totally understand why you used the term, and that these comments probably seem mystifying or ridiculous or both, but I figured I'd chime in since either people are apparently scrunching their noses at it too.
My image files are labelled 'kitchen porn' 'wedding porn' 'garden porn'. Porn is the visual representation of something that can never be possessed. And to quote one of my favorite fems, "Women are doing it for themselves!" Erotica might be the ladylike version of porn, but it doesn't roll trippingly off the tongue. And drooling over an image isn't all that ladylike! " I cannot be confined within the weak list of a country's fashion: we are the makers of manners; and the liberty that follows our places stops the mouth of all find-faults."
The title is tongue-in-cheek....but we all love a good chair. Where art meets functionality. Chairs are so full of personality and most would have a good story to tell if they could!
I AGREE WITH ABOVE COMMENT ...
"PORN" IS A BIT CLICHE,ROUGH ...UNPLEASANT WORD
DOES NOT DO JUSTICE TO THE GREAT ARTICLE.
I have to say, I think everyone who is offended has taken this a little bit too literally (in my opinion)...and maybe take themselves a bit too seriously?!? It is obviously a light hearted, play on words, use of the word. The beauty of blogs/web/social media is that you can formulate your own opinions of who to follow and what to read. If you are so offended, chances are, something down the line will also be offensive to you, here. It didn't bother me an ounce, and I don't take disrespect, of any kind, lightly. I just think we owe the author and composition of this amazing blog a bit more respect. This is the place I come each day to sift through all-inspiring images, and I am continuously grateful for the opportunity to do so. Having a sense of humor that is 100% harmless adds a little bit more to the enjoyment of visiting here.
I felt I should finally step in. Thanks for the comments on my choice of wording. I have used that word on this blog on and off for the 6 years we've been in business. I do not see it as having all the negative connotations several of you think it implies. Please read oregonbird's comment as she is right on the money. I also see it as meaning "an overabundance of something". In fact, my DTI business cards have a quote on the back that says "So much room porn it should be illegal".
Lighten up folks! There are WAY more important things you could be wasting your energy on. Like saving stray cats or something. :)
So let me get this right - We are wasting energy by commenting about a word you used, but are we not wasting energy by viewing your website in the first place? Guess what...there are plenty of beautiful websites out there along the same lines as yours and I think I'll go ahead and waste my energy at those. It is not your choice of a word that makes me not want to come here anymore, but your snottiness. Delete!
Wow Rainy who is the snotty one now? Kim don't pay any attention to these readers, and keep your own identity. Who needs readers as fickle as Rainy anyway?
What? People actually read the articles? I am here just for the pictures!
Okay, that was my not so clever take on what people usually say about why they get Playboy.
Lovely blog, and I am a faithful reader :)
I think it's a cheeky (in a good way ;)) wordplay. And it's become quite common in the recent years: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_porn
I love chairs, I love to contemplate nice objects, too, so... Bring us some more furniture-porn! :D
Dear Desiretoinspire..
You guys do a brilhant job... keep naming your posts as you wish...
You are creative people and should be able to express it also with words.. and WORDS have different meanings for creative people!!!!