Watch the TEDTalk, How Porn Changes the Way Teens Think About Sex and write a 2 page reaction paper to this video. A well written reaction paper includes a brief summary of the content of the video and your thoughts on what is being said in the video.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Reaction Paper: How Porn Changes the Way Teens Think About Sex
The TEDTalk titled “How Porn Changes the Way Teens Think About Sex” by Emily F. Rothman sheds light on the impact of pornography on teenagers and their perception of sexuality. In this thought-provoking presentation, Rothman explores the prevalence of pornography, its accessibility to young people, and the potential consequences it can have on their understanding of healthy relationships and consent.
Rothman begins by acknowledging the ubiquity of pornography in today’s digital age and emphasizes its influence on shaping teenagers’ attitudes and behaviors regarding sex. She points out that while pornography is not inherently problematic, the explicit content and unrealistic portrayals often found in mainstream pornography can perpetuate harmful misconceptions about sex. Rothman draws attention to the fact that many teenagers access pornography at a young age, sometimes unintentionally, and without proper guidance or context.
One of the key messages conveyed in the talk is the potential link between exposure to pornography and unhealthy sexual behaviors. Rothman highlights research studies that have found correlations between frequent pornography consumption and risky sexual practices such as engaging in unprotected sex, coercive behavior, and aggressive attitudes towards women. She underscores the importance of understanding the distinction between fantasy and reality, urging parents, educators, and society as a whole to provide comprehensive sex education that addresses the influence of pornography.
As I reflect on Rothman’s talk, I find her arguments compelling and relevant. The accessibility of pornography in today’s digital landscape cannot be ignored, and its potential impact on teenagers is a matter of concern. The way teenagers perceive sex can be greatly influenced by what they see in pornography, and this can shape their expectations, attitudes, and behaviors in their own intimate relationships.
Rothman’s call for comprehensive sex education that includes discussions about pornography is crucial. It is essential to equip young people with the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the complexities of sexuality in a healthy and informed manner. By providing accurate information about relationships, consent, communication, and the potential pitfalls of pornography, we can empower teenagers to make informed choices and foster healthy attitudes towards sex.
Furthermore, I appreciate Rothman’s emphasis on consent and the importance of teaching teenagers about boundaries and respect within sexual encounters. Pornography often portrays unrealistic scenarios where boundaries are blurred or non-existent, leading to misunderstandings about consent. By teaching young people about consent, we can help them develop a clear understanding of what constitutes a healthy sexual relationship based on mutual respect and communication.
In conclusion, “How Porn Changes the Way Teens Think About Sex” addresses a critical issue in today’s society. Emily F. Rothman adeptly highlights the potential consequences of exposure to pornography on teenagers’ attitudes and behaviors regarding sex. Her call for comprehensive sex education that addresses the influence of pornography is both timely and necessary. By equipping young people with accurate information, fostering critical thinking skills, and promoting healthy discussions about relationships and consent, we can empower them to navigate their sexuality in a responsible and informed manner.
