Norm MacDonald has a great bit where he essentially says “70 year old men don’t need to have rock hard cocks, they need to be reading the newspaper, smoking a pipe, the dog at their feet.” And I actually found that quite an interesting comment on western society.

Obviously, norm has some pretty reactionary takes and is not exactly inclusive, but I find he has some very good opinions on aging and how our society prioritizes youth. This is one of those examples. Western society is so obsessed with sex and youth… here’s the bit.

thoughts?

  • Soviet Snake
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    132 years ago

    I’d argue the opposite is the case. From what I can remember by reading “Caliban and the Witch” (even though she mainly focuses on women mainly, I think in this case it applies also to men) she mentions how before the witch hunt it was normal among old people to re marry or to have sex and so on, and she quotes two excerpts from literary works after and before, and before the WH the text describing an old widow was something like “I’m ready to get a new husband and fuck”. Then there’s also an Argentinian writer (who’s old) how is in favour of viagra because it helps them to have sex, which is most of the time looked upon as something humiliating and of which you should be ashamed of. Basically, in my opinion, I think older people get isolated, not only sexually but socially, and one helps to become more isolated than the other, sex is regarded as something only the youth should posses, because they are in their prime time for reproduction therefore sex has a value which can be extracted from, the reproduction of the working force, whereas old folks fucking is just ludus, lost time, idleness and perversion.

      • Soviet Snake
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        62 years ago

        I will try to find the quote I am talking about and the name of the author to give you a better idea since what I wrote was quite unpolished, but I am thankful my opinion served you. : )

  • DankZedong
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    2 years ago

    While I agree a lot of the Western world revolves around sex, I also think old people should have sex and get the help they need lol. If Norm MacDonald doesn’t feel like getting down at the age of 70 that’s fine but let the other people do it. No one is forcing you to do that (at least where I’m from)

    Edit: I’d also argue that his comment strengthens certain roles places upon people by society. He acts as if 70 is an age where everyone feels and looks and does the same. My grandfather died in his early 70s and he was old and fragile. My FIL is nearing his 70s and he’s on a 4 month bicycle trip in Norway right now. I don’t see him being my grandfather anytime soon.

    • DankZedong
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      2 years ago

      Also, from my brief experience in an old people home, they get down a lot. And it’s sort of a hidden secret. If anything, there needs to be more acceptance of elderly people getting freaky.

  • Muad'Dibber
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    82 years ago

    There’s an aziz ansari bit where he talks about how when he was in India, he just wasn’t as horny because sexualized advertising was less prevalent than in the US. In the US it could be a commercial about paper towels and they’ll try to find a way to make it sexual. The commodification of sex and especially women’s bodies for profit is a really harmful thing ( to women more than anyone of course ).