Been reading this review of Forgetting Sarah Marshall:
“… from Superbad’s book of elaborate diddle doodling to Walk Hard’s full frontal, and now to Forgetting Sarah Marshall’s opening break-up scene, in which shlumpy (natch) protagonist Peter (Jason Segel) refuses to get dressed while his longtime girlfriend, Sarah (Kristen Bell), breaks up with him, the penis has become the de facto protagonist.
Like a paring down to the genre’s purest essence, it was only a matter of time before the sex comedy—fueled by libido, the search for the perfect ejaculation, the sting of sexual humiliation, the inner and outer vulnerability of the male beast—was reduced to this. Some might try and recoup this as an enlightened embracing of the homoerotic subtext within so much contemporary mainstream entertainment, as the naked male gets as much screen time as the female traditionally has; instead, the double standard has not only remained but been magnified.
As a parade of doughy lumps (Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Jonah Hill), given to habits like eating vast amounts of Fruit Loops from giant mixing bowls and blissfully ignorant of how to make themselves appealing to the fairer sex, continue to bag a nonstop succession of certifiable hotties (Heigl, Emma Stone, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis), the gap grows ever wider. The vagina may continue to terrify and baffle, but the whole female package is as glorious as ever; meanwhile disgust for the male form continues.
The joke of Segel’s nudity is that this is something we don’t want to see; it’s the same basic principle that instigates the culturally manufactured, Pavolvian hetero gag reflex when same-sex kisses pop up and that makes appreciation of the male body a pastime of deviants. During Segel’s improper flaunting of his “junk,” one can hear the audience wishing it away with nervous titters and squeals. The camera hovers gingerly above the crotch at first, teasing the viewer with its eventual appearance; when it finally shows up, editor William Kerr springs into action, quickly cutting around it for an oddly angled game of audience peekaboo.” – full review
I’ve found that most of the girls I have dated have said that they do not find the male body particularly attractive. I don’t believe this is about sexual preference. Please answer me this, and consider that I’m not talking necessarily about sexual interest:
EDIT: whoops, typo! resetting the poll
If someone is attractive to me, they are attractive. It isn’t always about sex. Some bodies are attractive, some are unattractive.
It wasn’t supposed to be at all about sex, unless you mean sex as in gender.
This is a poll with “all possible things being equal”. If you find the male and female bodies, given all other factors, equally attractive, that is a reasonable survey response.
Admittedly, I did not use a range or leave room for various mitigating factors, but that’s kind of the point – this is a poll without mitigating factors.
Oh, I was just backing up your idea that this is all things being equal and isn’t about sexual/gender issues, and that my answer is given in that context. :)
Oh, I was just backing up your idea that this is all things being equal and isn’t about sexual/gender issues, and that my answer is given in that context. :)
It wasn’t supposed to be at all about sex, unless you mean sex as in gender.
This is a poll with “all possible things being equal”. If you find the male and female bodies, given all other factors, equally attractive, that is a reasonable survey response.
Admittedly, I did not use a range or leave room for various mitigating factors, but that’s kind of the point – this is a poll without mitigating factors.
If someone is attractive to me, they are attractive. It isn’t always about sex. Some bodies are attractive, some are unattractive.
…..ok….
I have to ask.
What “shape” is the male body in?
If it is Andre the Giant shape….not appealing to me. John Merrick can keep his clothes on too
Is it Danial Craig as James Bond….very pleasing.
Is it …Arnold at the height of his body building phase…iffy.
Is it just a run of the mill average guy shape… shrug, it could be either or depending on the mood I’m in.
I guess in truth, I find a guy (or girl for that matter) that is in good shape more (as you phrased it) aesthetically pleasing than a person that is out of shape.
Seconding the Daniel Craig!
Thirded!
Thirded!
Seconding the Daniel Craig!
I answered that in the other post, wherein I said that it’s a fair question, but the answer is “in a shape that is reasonably equal between genders.” If one finds women attractive in nearly any fitness but men only if they look like Daniel Craig, that is a distinction I am interested in hearing about. Technically speaking, that person could select both male and female as being attracted to, generally, but in honesty, I want to know if the scale is different.
(Sorry, didn’t realize I had double posted. I thought the first one had been lost. :( )
For me, basically, if a body is in good shape, I will find it pleasing to look at. Male or female. I don’t know if it is the whole looking at nudes in art, but male or female, if the body is totally undernourished flesh and bones that is as unappealing as the take out the wall to rush a person to the hospital obese.
I find that it isn’t so much about being buff or ripped. But if a body has a vitality to it. An energy, or aura of health and wellness…”that” is what makes a body pleasing to look at in my eyes.
was that TMI?
Not even close to TMI, seriously. I agree – someone who takes pleasure with their body, who is confident with their body, that’s a huge turn-on, no matter the shape.
That said, I generally fall along the lines of, most male bodies of reasonable height/weight don’t do much for me, aesthetically speaking, and most female bodies -do-.
Not even close to TMI, seriously. I agree – someone who takes pleasure with their body, who is confident with their body, that’s a huge turn-on, no matter the shape.
That said, I generally fall along the lines of, most male bodies of reasonable height/weight don’t do much for me, aesthetically speaking, and most female bodies -do-.
(Sorry, didn’t realize I had double posted. I thought the first one had been lost. :( )
For me, basically, if a body is in good shape, I will find it pleasing to look at. Male or female. I don’t know if it is the whole looking at nudes in art, but male or female, if the body is totally undernourished flesh and bones that is as unappealing as the take out the wall to rush a person to the hospital obese.
I find that it isn’t so much about being buff or ripped. But if a body has a vitality to it. An energy, or aura of health and wellness…”that” is what makes a body pleasing to look at in my eyes.
was that TMI?
I like a wide range of female bodies, and I don’t really care either way for most male bodies. I don’t find (most of) them unpleasant, I just…don’t really care. In the same vein, as for physical fitness, I have a bit of a thing for chubby girls but chubby men don’t register either way for me. I might be more likely to register caring about, say, Daniel Craig, but it’s a relatively small blip.
I’m not fond of stick-thin people of either gender, though.
i totally hear you on the stick-thin-ness.
on a purely physical level, curvy women most definitely pique my interest. i am drawn to men that are bigger (taller, wider, heavier) than myself. not that i’m turned off or repulsed by men that are shorter, smaller or thinner, but usually my attraction to them comes after i get to know them.
i’m fascinated by this discussion… having been significantly heavier and rounder in the past, i’m still learning to live in a thinner body. it’s a mind fuck sometimes.
i totally hear you on the stick-thin-ness.
on a purely physical level, curvy women most definitely pique my interest. i am drawn to men that are bigger (taller, wider, heavier) than myself. not that i’m turned off or repulsed by men that are shorter, smaller or thinner, but usually my attraction to them comes after i get to know them.
i’m fascinated by this discussion… having been significantly heavier and rounder in the past, i’m still learning to live in a thinner body. it’s a mind fuck sometimes.
You’re clearly not alone. We stick-thinnies have a lot of trouble getting laid. :(
You’re clearly not alone. We stick-thinnies have a lot of trouble getting laid. :(
I like a wide range of female bodies, and I don’t really care either way for most male bodies. I don’t find (most of) them unpleasant, I just…don’t really care. In the same vein, as for physical fitness, I have a bit of a thing for chubby girls but chubby men don’t register either way for me. I might be more likely to register caring about, say, Daniel Craig, but it’s a relatively small blip.
I’m not fond of stick-thin people of either gender, though.
I answered that in the other post, wherein I said that it’s a fair question, but the answer is “in a shape that is reasonably equal between genders.” If one finds women attractive in nearly any fitness but men only if they look like Daniel Craig, that is a distinction I am interested in hearing about. Technically speaking, that person could select both male and female as being attracted to, generally, but in honesty, I want to know if the scale is different.
…..ok….
I have to ask.
What “shape” is the male body in?
If it is Andre the Giant shape….not appealing to me. John Merrick can keep his clothes on too
Is it Danial Craig as James Bond….very pleasing.
Is it …Arnold at the height of his body building phase…iffy.
Is it just a run of the mill average guy shape… shrug, it could be either or depending on the mood I’m in.
I guess in truth, I find a guy (or girl for that matter) that is in good shape more (as you phrased it) aesthetically pleasing than a person that is out of shape.
I find parts of the male body fascinating because you see them so rarely. Come on, what sort of evolutionary design (or divine design, if you prefer) come up with the idea of the human genitalia of either gender? Haven’t you wondered how it ever works?
Still, it’s easier for me to find a woman attractive in more shapes than men. Seconding the Daniel Craig, but I also love the cuddly big bear types.
*grins* Of course I have. I often wonder why the heck sperm couldn’t have been made a little more hearty, so we didn’t have to stick our reproductive organs where they are the most vulnerable.
Oh, tah! They could have been on the knee.
Oh, tah! They could have been on the knee.
*grins* Of course I have. I often wonder why the heck sperm couldn’t have been made a little more hearty, so we didn’t have to stick our reproductive organs where they are the most vulnerable.
I find parts of the male body fascinating because you see them so rarely. Come on, what sort of evolutionary design (or divine design, if you prefer) come up with the idea of the human genitalia of either gender? Haven’t you wondered how it ever works?
Still, it’s easier for me to find a woman attractive in more shapes than men. Seconding the Daniel Craig, but I also love the cuddly big bear types.
I had a hard time with this quiz – I do find women more visually pleasing than men, but I’m just a big fan of curves. Probably why I’m far more likely to go for larger men than thin ones.
Now that is a very interesting point – I have yet to hear someone (besides you) express pleasure at curves on men.
Hmmph! I said the cuddly big bear types. I want something to squeeze, man! Someone who can stand up to some up hard… uh…
Wait.
What was I saying again?
/lays in wait for husband to get home
*grin* While it may amount to the same thing, ultimately, “big” men aren’t necessarily “curvy” men. I think curves are, mentally speaking, a trait most people only consider positive in women, even if they do like large guys.
I do know what you mean, though – gotta watch out for people who might break!
*grin* While it may amount to the same thing, ultimately, “big” men aren’t necessarily “curvy” men. I think curves are, mentally speaking, a trait most people only consider positive in women, even if they do like large guys.
I do know what you mean, though – gotta watch out for people who might break!
Hmmph! I said the cuddly big bear types. I want something to squeeze, man! Someone who can stand up to some up hard… uh…
Wait.
What was I saying again?
/lays in wait for husband to get home
curves on men are good. a curved arm, for example, gives a much better hug than one with the elbow locked out straight.
curves on men are good. a curved arm, for example, gives a much better hug than one with the elbow locked out straight.
Now that is a very interesting point – I have yet to hear someone (besides you) express pleasure at curves on men.
I had a hard time with this quiz – I do find women more visually pleasing than men, but I’m just a big fan of curves. Probably why I’m far more likely to go for larger men than thin ones.
I find buff male bodies aesthetically pleasing. I find generally in-shape female bodies aesthetically pleasing.
There was a study done a while back that found that when straight men were shown pictures of beautiful women, the pleasure centers in their brains became more active. The same did not happen when they were shown pictures of beautiful men.
Straight women’s brains, on the other hand, responded pleasurably to pictures of both beautiful men and beautiful women.
Moral of story: everyone likes boobies.
So true, so true.
Now, of course, the big question is whether that is a natural predisposition, or something nurtured through our culture?
So true, so true.
Now, of course, the big question is whether that is a natural predisposition, or something nurtured through our culture?
I find buff male bodies aesthetically pleasing. I find generally in-shape female bodies aesthetically pleasing.
There was a study done a while back that found that when straight men were shown pictures of beautiful women, the pleasure centers in their brains became more active. The same did not happen when they were shown pictures of beautiful men.
Straight women’s brains, on the other hand, responded pleasurably to pictures of both beautiful men and beautiful women.
Moral of story: everyone likes boobies.
Of course, the presence of so much penis onscreen is simply the white male patriarchy asserting its dominance in Hollywood.
Right?
Of course, the presence of so much penis onscreen is simply the white male patriarchy asserting its dominance in Hollywood.
Right?
I’m glad you used “aesthetically pleasing” instead of “attractive.”
I’m totally a guy, and I don’t know if men come straighter than I do. There’s a running discourse among some of my friends about what “percentage gay/lesbian” we are. Several of my friends will admit to being a fair percentage gay, anywhere from 10-70 to, of course, the full 100%. This is keeping in mind the admission that because you recognize yourself as even slightly percent gay, you could potentially see yourself in a romantic relationship with someone of the same sex.
However, whenever this question is presented to me, I always opt for 0%, because I find absolutely nothing remotely appealing about having a romantic relationship with another man. This, of course, only applies to me, as I totally understand when other men are gay and/or bisexual.
With that in mind, I do, however, find both female and male bodies, in general, aesthetically pleasing. But, that might be because of my artist’s mindset, as I appreciate the shapes and forms of the human body regardless of gender. I don’t prefer to draw one over the other, either.
I think that has been a common theme – people who’ve taken fine art courses, who have spent some time having to appreciate both forms for their specific visual elements, seem to appreciate them both fairly equally.
As I pointed out at the beginning of the survey, though, I did not want the survey goals confused with romance or sexual attraction. In this case, those things are a distraction from my real question.
I think that has been a common theme – people who’ve taken fine art courses, who have spent some time having to appreciate both forms for their specific visual elements, seem to appreciate them both fairly equally.
As I pointed out at the beginning of the survey, though, I did not want the survey goals confused with romance or sexual attraction. In this case, those things are a distraction from my real question.
I’m glad you used “aesthetically pleasing” instead of “attractive.”
I’m totally a guy, and I don’t know if men come straighter than I do. There’s a running discourse among some of my friends about what “percentage gay/lesbian” we are. Several of my friends will admit to being a fair percentage gay, anywhere from 10-70 to, of course, the full 100%. This is keeping in mind the admission that because you recognize yourself as even slightly percent gay, you could potentially see yourself in a romantic relationship with someone of the same sex.
However, whenever this question is presented to me, I always opt for 0%, because I find absolutely nothing remotely appealing about having a romantic relationship with another man. This, of course, only applies to me, as I totally understand when other men are gay and/or bisexual.
With that in mind, I do, however, find both female and male bodies, in general, aesthetically pleasing. But, that might be because of my artist’s mindset, as I appreciate the shapes and forms of the human body regardless of gender. I don’t prefer to draw one over the other, either.
Seriously, I think it’s about advertising. Products are sold almost exclusively on the female form. And why not?
You can sell men on the fantasy of, “This is what you can have.” and women on “This is what you can be.”
It’s now become a part of our culture where men are icky and women are viewed as beautiful. As an illustration, think of male gay sex and corresponding feeling that brings and then the same with female gay sex. If you’re like me there is a definite negative feeling towards the male and positive towards the female. Hence, lesbian sex is considered “hot” and something as simple as male kissing causes most straight people to squirm.
Seriously, I think it’s about advertising. Products are sold almost exclusively on the female form. And why not?
You can sell men on the fantasy of, “This is what you can have.” and women on “This is what you can be.”
It’s now become a part of our culture where men are icky and women are viewed as beautiful. As an illustration, think of male gay sex and corresponding feeling that brings and then the same with female gay sex. If you’re like me there is a definite negative feeling towards the male and positive towards the female. Hence, lesbian sex is considered “hot” and something as simple as male kissing causes most straight people to squirm.
I’m sure this is of ZERO surprise- but I lovethe male form. I enjoy male-ness. I like prowress. I am not into skinny bony guys. I like the male body that looks like it can break things or kill a wild bore or wooly mamoth. I love the primitiveness of a male body. I appreciate the shhape and look of the penis, the chest, the ass, the arms, the corded power of strong legs. I get into it.
I’m sure this is of ZERO surprise- but I lovethe male form. I enjoy male-ness. I like prowress. I am not into skinny bony guys. I like the male body that looks like it can break things or kill a wild bore or wooly mamoth. I love the primitiveness of a male body. I appreciate the shhape and look of the penis, the chest, the ass, the arms, the corded power of strong legs. I get into it.
I find the male (and female for that matter) body attractive. Even the ones most people don’t. I like thin, I like atheletic, and I like fluffy. The body is a great piece of work. Some parts are no so attractive as others, but for the most part, I try to find what IS attractive.
=)
I find the male (and female for that matter) body attractive. Even the ones most people don’t. I like thin, I like atheletic, and I like fluffy. The body is a great piece of work. Some parts are no so attractive as others, but for the most part, I try to find what IS attractive.
=)