People are uncomfortable with sex. This discomfort breeds shame, fear, and guilt. It is my belief that if we change the experience of interacting with sexual media, we can change the way people think and behave towards sex.
My presentation is an exploration of a proposed solution to this issue covering three main points: 1) change the context of sexual content, 2) increase exposure to honest and diverse demonstrations of sexuality, and 3) alter the interaction with explicit online media.
It is my thesis that the current presentation of sex in media reinforces sexual stigma which in turn influences behavior. Right now sex-based material is largely segregated from all other topics, thereby assigning a sense of “otherness” which is inherently negative. Barriers of representation prevent opportunities for entire groups to identify and feel normal about themselves. There is also the longstanding tradition of design being woefully absent from any collection of content deemed explicit.
“Using Sex And Porn Online To Change The World IRL” defines the problem of a worldwide discomfort with the topic of sexuality. It describes the statistics and importance of tackling this issue via the internet — in other words, meeting people where they are! And finally, it examines how design, and thoughtful application of strategy and psychology, are the keys to altering thinking and action in profound ways.
The potential for social impact and worldwide cultural improvement on the topic of sex is tremendous; my presentation is a visionary guide on how and where to begin.
