<p>Agreed. And her stage name is interesting. Belle Knox. Disney Princess/ Amanda. Knox. This girl is a mess. </p>
<p>I haven’t seen a porn movie in probably 25 years, but I did read the autobiography of Jenna Jameson even though I have never seen one of her movies. She had an interesting observation about women in porn; those who set hard limits, pre-approval of partners, no multiples, X times per day maximum, have a perceived long-term value in the industry and end up commanding a premium. Those who trade dignity for immediate cash - slapping, rape scenes, degradation - get spit out the bottom of the industry within a few months and their value goes to zero.</p>
<p>One more point - most women get dragged into it by a guy. Bringing an inexperienced girl with you is the only way a male can get into the porn industry. I’m guessing her career will be a short one.</p>
<p>I’m sort of blown away by the naivete of the people who think that doing porn is “no big deal” - my God do you realize that this is one of the most dangerous jobs women can be involved in - virtually any type of sex work actually - there has been an outbreak of HIV just recently in California in the porn industry because of the lack of use of condoms - the theory is - viewers don’t want to see condoms. And, doing what is financially expedient is very troublesome - the same way people sell their souls for money - reminds me of the Wolf of Wall Street mentality. it’s a new day out here - most of my students have work-study, scholarships and student loans. </p>
<p>It’s a combination of naivete and the desire to appear non-judgmental. And, it’s ridiculous.</p>
<p>She wants to buy a particular service, doesn’t have the money for it so she goes and earns it. Seems like what everybody on here does. I don’t see the difference if it’s a waitress job or if it’s porn, it’s still legal. </p>
<p>Now, if it was my daughter, I would obviously protest and insist that she go to a cheaper school rather than do porn so she can go to an expensive school. That’s because, as almost everyone pointed out, porn is not a particularly great industry to be in. But it’s not my daughter. </p>
<p>I’m a college professor and I’m overwhelmed by the opinions that are expressed by so many people - this view that I can do anything I want with no consequences - I can walk around half naked because it’s my right - I can be a sex worker because it’s not hurting anyone and I can make lots of money - I’m just dumbfounded by this mentality. I hear this often. I have colleagues who tell me that they have students who come to class dressed basically like stripers - I was a at informational session on students who had gone on junior year abroad programs and this one student literally complained that she couldn’t wear her “booty shorts” in this country!!! And, this is from someone at an elite institutution - as is this woman from Duke. I"m not a prude nor any great moralist. I attended a program on this weekend on women and leadership and this one speaker told these college students - yes, I can put on stiletto heels and tight skirts and clingling tops and parade around the office but the question is - should I do this? There is no sense of what’s appropriate anymore. The sad thing is - women don’t realize that they are simply hurting themselves - it’s this false notion of “enpowerment”. I heard a discussion recently about gender issues and one guy said one thing that women don’t understand that while women may have changed, men haven’t - they still view women who are easy and available and willing to “hook up” and avilalbe in a completely different manner than they would a man - that’s just reality . I"m not saying women should dress like some orthodox fanatic but if we don’t understand what’s appropriate, etc. When I get requests for references for positions for my students - often the request will ask"how does the candidate present themselves" - in other words do they have visable tatoos all over them - twelves earrings hanging in their nose, lips, etc. Yet, for all this so called “freedom” these women think they have - they are still overwhelming depressed, many cutting themselves, doing all kinds of disturbing things to suggest to me that they aren’t so happy. They act out in ways like this young Duke woman for attention There are many ways to get through college. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Who said it wasn’t legal? You’re being deliberately obtuse if you see waitressing and porn as the same simply because they are both legal. If a waitress has to service 3 clients at the same time, she won’t end up with bodily injury, curable and incurable STDs, among other indignities. Can’t say the same for porn. </p>
<p>Read the numerous stories of ex-porn actresses AND actors which are accessible on the internet or in books. There is very little benefit of porn to these individuals and a whole lot of hurt. The violence, the diseases, the disrespect, the misogyny, the drugs, and misery which is rampant in this profession-cause most of the posters here to feel very concerned for this young woman. There are a few which seem to be focused as well on seemingly more “judgmental” aspects, but they are nothing compared to the way these people are treated by the world when their profession becomes known. Thanks to the internet, there are very few ways to walk away from something like this and not have it follow you around for life. </p>
<p>The young woman has admitted to cutting and eating disorders. She doesn’t sound strong or liberated in the least.</p>
<p>Actually, to those who don’t see anything wrong with the porn industry, let your sons and daughters do it. It’s legal. It isn’t bad in any way. Just remember not to cry foul when your child comes home depressed, has an STD, has a drug addiction, or is emotionally traumatized because really…when it comes down to it…it’s no different from waitressing. </p>
<p>Sarcasm aside, I am not against this girl going into porn. What I am against is the glamorization of destructive industry such as the porn industry. If this young woman is able to make her own choices on who she has sex with, when, and at what rate without any influence of the directors and higher management, then I can applaud her on that. Why? Because the amount of women who are able to do that is few and far between. The average girl who enters into this industry will most likely receive some trauma that may impact a significant portion of her life.</p>
<p>lperkins50, flossy, Nrdsb4, thank you. I find the attitudes of some of the younger posters here demoralizing. In their eyes, the worst sin is being “judgmental,” and all activities are of equal value. I am making a judgment that what the Duke student is doing is horribly self-destructive. (I am also making a judgment that the student who outed her and the students who are making her life miserable are despicable.) I don’t understand how anyone can react to this situation with anything other than horror. I hope to God she gets some help. Soon.</p>
<p>The cure for thinking porn’s harmless is having a daughter.</p>
<p>Won’t cure every single case but…</p>
<p>I’m extending NYMomof2’s thank you to everyone, no matter their age, who has contributed to exposing the “truth” about pornography and porn industry. These truths aren’t heard and the experiences aren’t known. I’ve learned a few things here and there. :)</p>
<p>I’m sorry - I just mentioned the most recent posters. I didn’t mean to leave anyone out. I’ve learned a lot from this thread, too. I had no idea of some of the physical consequences of acting in porn. I did know that a porn career would destroy your soul.</p>
<p>Apparently, Miriam Weeks said that what she loves most about porn is “seeing the misery in the girl’s eyes.”</p>
<p>Can we stop talking about whether her family should pay for Duke or if porn is feminist and just admit that she’s a whack job and horrendous human being? If a man said that - described his love of seeing women be abused on screen and enjoys jacking off to it - we would excoriate him. </p>
<p>Miss Miriam should not get special treatment because she’s a Duke student, young, pretty, or a woman. She’s a pathetic human being who is sexually aroused through other people’s suffering. </p>
<p>I’m unsure if I’m the only one, but I keep thinking of Farrah Abraham when reading this girl’s story…except Farrah much more on the contradictory side. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>What I was trying to say is that it’s none of our places to judge, so long as it’s legal. I believe she knows what’s good for her better than you or I or anyone who’s never even met her knows. I didn’t see this show so I don’t know all of the details you know, so I can’t comment on them. I also don’t have any knowledge of the industry, but that’s irrelevant. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It’s not exactly about not being judgmental, though I did just say that we shouldn’t judge her. It’s more about trusting that people can decide for themselves better than I or anyone other than themselves can decide. I don’t know her, I don’t know her life, I can’t sit here and pretend I know more about what’s right for her than she knows herself. Maybe I’d care if I actually knew her even, but I don’t. I have no investment in her choices whatsoever. She could contract HIV tomorrow and die in a year, my life doesn’t change any. Or maybe she goes onto becoming one of the country’s most premier lawyers, that doesn’t effect me either. </p>
<p>Presumably she weighed all the pros and cons in her own context and decided doing porn was right for her. </p>
<p>Though I will say, that judgement has been preached as a sin to a lot of us millennials, you shouldn’t be surprised if some of us have taken it to heart.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I didn’t see the show so I didn’t hear her say this, but regardless, is it really all that much worse that she says it than she still enjoys it but keeps it to herself? There’s a large number of implications if you’re going to decide that it’s “wrong” to be “into” “deviant” sexuality. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It’s nonsense to say that people always know what’s “good” for themselves and then act on it. Research the porn industry and you will find many who will disabuse you of the notion that people get involved in porn because they “know what’s good” for themselves.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I am unable and unwilling to accept that you or I know what’s right for her better than she knows herself. And that’s regardless of her choices or of what the porn industry is like. I simply do not accept that. </p>
<p>The notion of “not judging others”, I feel, has been taken for it’s face value. The meaning, the whole backstory, has been lost. Not judging someone does not equal not having an opinion on an action, in my book. You can have an opinion, but I see how one approaches their conclusion and how one shares and acts on their opinion which is key. I don’t agree with turning a blind eye to issues or events because those directly affected have the freedom to be personally (or collectively) destructive. </p>
<p>“I didn’t see the show so I didn’t hear her say this, but regardless, is it really all that much worse that she says it than she still enjoys it but keeps it to herself? There’s a large number of implications if you’re going to decide that it’s “wrong” to be “into” “deviant” sexuality.”</p>
<p>Okay, now your confusing making moral judgments about others with having the good judgment yourself to recognize when someone is making a big mistake. Big difference.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Sure, I don’t have an opinion because I do not care about this girl or what happens to her. Obviously if this was someone who mattered to me, such as my own daughter, I would care a lot, and would do anything I could to prevent it. If your understanding of these words is the same as me, you would have an opinion of the action, but you would judge the person. Is that you’re understanding as well? I don’t judge her because I believe that she knows what’s best for her better than I know. </p>