By Maria Padhila
You know that point when you’re arguing with someone and it starts escalating? And both sides start digging in their heels and pulling in more and more supporting examples, and expanding the argument, and making more points and counterpoints until you’re shouting “This all goes back to your being a carbon-based life form!” and your partner is shouting “We’re not going to settle this unless we blow up the universe and start over!”
Typical. Some people think you can solve anything with another big bang.
I think this is the point we’re reaching with the sex and relationship wars. We’ve escalated into overkill. At the same time as we’re seeing increased civil rights and changes in policy and legislature, and increased acceptance everywhere around us, welcoming different identities and relationship forms, we’re seeing an opposite reaction that’s so over-the-top it verges on parody.
Check out this case in point. But don’t be sipping your tea while you watch it. It’s a spit-take waiting to happen. Brigham Young University in Idaho released a helpful video cautioning against porn and masturbation that uses images and language comparing touching your dick to being shot at in the trenches on the front line. Or, as one commenter put it, to being in “the Battle of the Bulge.”
The jokes have abounded about this one. Even Jay Leno talked about it on The Tonight Show, re-titling the video “Saving Ryan’s Privates.” But The Daily Beast won the headline award. Here’s their take: