A friend sent me a link to a YouTube video of porn actresses being interviewed. I’m posting the link because yes, I do have a sense of humor. I laughed, I cried, I laughed again.

Some might think this reinforces stereotypes — maybe it does. I think these ladies are a woeful exception (much like Miss Teen South Carolina). I have to wonder what Larry Flynt thinks about this video and if he’s going to require political-briefing sessions with all the talent Hustler hires.

And no, I wasn’t surprised that the Brit had a better (albeit hazy) grasp of current events than the Americans. That falls in line with studies/surveys that I’ve read about.

36 thoughts on “not always the total package (of looks and brains)

  1. I think that it is not so much that these ladies are dumb. It is more that they just don’t care and have little faith in the system and the constitution which is sad. They are making money, getting a lot of attention and having fun so this is all they care about for the most part. Now myself I am familiar with the law, the constitution and the bill of rights but I also have little faith in the system and the hypocritical laws which is sad too lol. Yes you don’t know whether to laugh or cry!

  2. RP,

    You’re giving them WAY too much credit for being so politically-minded that they’ve decided to not support the system by not paying attention in school (which is where they were not too long ago). Or even bothering to learn some basic things that affect their lives (i.e. First Amendment). Especially since Larry is Mr. First Amendement — that’s the truly sad part to me.

    XX

  3. Amanda,

    That is funny, and I think it does reflect poorly on our educational system. There are other interviews with porn stars on you tube as well, most of them do not seem very bright. Being intelligent is that last thing that is needed to be in the sex trade. There are exceptions of course, you being one of them.

  4. “Being intelligent is that last thing that is needed to be in the sex trade.”

    So wrong on so many levels.

  5. Thais,

    “So wrong on so many levels.”

    Really!? Care to explain? Perhaps I should have said education instead of intelligence, but neither is required to have sex, that is why there are 6 1/2 billion people on this planet. Having sex in front of a camera does not change this. So I am curious as to why you believe it is required. I didn’t say it would not be better if they were intelligent/educated, just that it was not required.

  6. Hi Robert.
    You said “Sex trade”
    Sex trade involves prostitution, phone sex operators, dancers, professional BDSM, porn actors, etc.

    Out of all of them, the only people whose job involves simply having sex and no real client interaction are porn performers. So I suppose artistism and ability to look impressive on camera matter most there – although one still needs intelligence and savvy to actually promote and establish themselves, just like any self-employed person does. And then, their fans may be considered clients and porn stars do manage their fan clubs, from what I heard. But this area I know close to nothing about.

    Sex trade workers don’t just have sex. They are self-employed individuals who need the skills of business management and customer relationship building (ability to quickly assess their clients’ needs, get them what they want, and build lasting relationship while maintaining their boundaries: because any successful sex worker relies on regulars who don’t drive her or him crazy). They also need the ability to prevent and manage dangerous situations – more than an average person.

    All of that involves a lot of intelligence and understanding of human nature. Street smarts may suffice, but combined with education they can take a sex worker to a different level.

    Not all sex workers have those: which is why we hear stories of horror and abuse. But ALL that are successful, do. At least, everybody I met, communicated with, or heard about in my 3+ years in and around sex trade, did.

    Amanda is amazing, I agree. But thankfully, she is not a rare exception in the sex trade.

  7. P.S.
    I do think that the term “requirement” applies because it is needed to do sex work as a job as opposed to survival tactics: on a consistent, potentially long-term basis while maintaining relative psychological health. I strongly believe that this goal cannot be accomplished without the skill set I described.

  8. Perhaps to some clients being intelligent is not an important quality for a sex worker but if she is to progress in life, the biz and have positive relationships with people who are winners then she must have intelligence, strength and personality. Also you are right Amanda any lady in the biz who came up under the Hustler empire and Larry should have instilled in them the 1st Amendment and have it memorized verbatim. Larry payed a helluva price not only for people in the biz but for all Americans and for FREEDOM!!!!!! Larry is definitely a real activist for freedom of speech and is truly a courageous individual!

    1st Amendment:

    “ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. ”

  9. A lot of this I blame — not on our educational system — but on the simple fact that intelligence is not valued in our society. Perhaps that will change now that we have a president who obviously uses his brain and LIKES it.

    If one wants to be a SUCCESS in the adult industry — intelligence is needed. This is true no matter what sector you’re in. The most successful adult stars (and these girls were NOT them) are intellligent as well. It’s not as though they became intelligent as they went along, they were born that way and used it.

    Acutally, one needs intelligence to be a success in any field they choose. We all eat, yet successful grocery stores and successful restaurants are helmed by intelligent people.

    XX

  10. Thais,

    My point was that education is the last thing that is needed to work in the trade, not that one can not be educated and be in the trade. I think it is obvious that there are plenty of woman that are porn stars, strippers, escorts, and prostitutes that are not educated. There are professions where being educated and intelligent are required, being a theoretical physicist for instance, the job can not be done without both. I just don’t see that being necessary for sex work, and I don’t mean that to be insulting, there are plenty of jobs that do not require education or intelligence. I have worked in jobs like that in the past and there is nothing wrong with those types of jobs or the people doing the work. There may indeed be plenty of women in the trade that are educated I simply do not know, I have not met enough of them know. Perhaps we just have different definitions of intelligence and education.

  11. Amanda, you hit the nail squarely on the head. “If one wants to be a SUCCESS in the adult industry — intelligence is needed. Acutally, one needs intelligence to be a success in any field they choose. We all eat, yet successful grocery stores and successful restaurants are helmed by intelligent people.” I deal with people of all walks of life in my business with different levels of intelligence. Those that are successful are intelligent.

  12. “Yes, intelligence = success. No type of business is immune to this”

    I don’t know that this is entirely true, and of course it depends on how we define ‘intelligence’ and ‘success’.

    There are actors, singers, models, athletes, and perhaps other professions, who are talented but not necessarily intelligent, and either got lucky or surrounded themselves with intelligent people, but they certainly have successful careers. On the flip side there are people who are intelligent but for one reason or another have not had success.

    I think if we are going to be honest we have to admit that there are some professions where intelligence is less of a requirement, even to be a success in that profession. I think it’s safe to say the top 1% in a given industry is probably more intelligent than the majority, but even that is relative from industry to industry, and of course there are always exceptions.

  13. Robert,

    Of course there are exceptions, and I was deliberately ignoring luck, nepotism and the good ‘ole boys’ club. For the average Joe or Jane (which these girls were — as are most girls in the business, myself included), intelligence is a surer path to success than being dim or uninformed.

    XX

  14. Amanda,

    You are certainly not average. Just having a college degree puts you above average, I think only about 30% of the US population has a college degree. Having published and sold two books sets you well above the general population. From the little bit of conversations we have had on your blog I think its fair to say your intelligence is above average too. And of course you have above average looks as well.

    I do agree with you that intelligence will help with becoming a success, but what started this was that I said intelligence is not needed to be a sex worker, I still believe that to be the case, and since the link was about porn stars I think it is analogous to a Hollywood movie star. I do not think you need intelligence to be a movie star either, talent and/or looks yes, but not intelligence, and talent is probably less required to be a porn start. I have seen a little bit of porn but I have never seen any where the acting is any good, even when they try.

    That being said, I know there are intelligent people in the sex trade, but I would guess that the most intelligent ones are not the most visible, they are probably the ones running things, and I know there are exceptions.

    That would be an interesting study, have all porn stars take an intelligence test to see where they are in relation to the general population.

  15. Robert,

    Your comment “the most intelligent ones are not the most visible” is generally true — at least in escort work. There are some rather intelligent porn stars, they’re the ones at the top of the game and are almost household names. Intellient strippers are the ones working regularly, have lots of regulars and nice nest eggs.

    The stigmas of the job tend to keep the more intelligent (i.e. ambitious, future-thinking) sex workers behind the limelight UNLESS they’re also politically-minded. Then you get outspoken ones, like sex worker activists. Intelligence allows someone to weigh costs/benefits/risks as well as giving them a more complex moral guide — often allowing them to realize that changing society is a more worthy use of their gifts than mere money-making.

    I’m way off-topic; activism is not about success. But I’m also thinking of people like Nina Hartley and Jenna Jameson. They’ve become spokespeople for porn because an innate intelligence that they’ve used (along with other god-given gifts) to climb a ladder full of the mediocore.

    The stigmas around sex work do keep the smart cookies away from center stage, unfortunately. The dimmer lights seize opportunity where they can, without much forethought, make a lot of noise, get a lot of attention.

    There are a lot more smart sex workers than people think. I can remember being in the strip club locker room where girls who acted completely bubble-headed on a guys’ lap were upstairs studying their advanced college courses complaining about making less than an A on a test or paper. Several of these girls guarded their 4.0s as vigilantly as their purses. And the men downstairs would never ever believe it.

    Though I appreciate your compliments, I am really not an exception in sex work. The only exception is that I choose to be rather public in an effort to make change by disspelling myths.

    XX

  16. Intelligence and talent will always stand the test of time. Learning is a constant growing process and as the world progresses so must we to keep up with the current events and modern technology.

    P.S. Amanda did you check out the online magazine I e-mailed you about? I like the concept but I see room for improvement. I will e-mail you soon..RP

  17. Wow, lots of discussion. I agree that many strippers put on a bubbly/air-head act for the customers. When I used to go to strip clubs now and then, it seemed to me a that high percentage of those that did this added to it by doing porn-like or porn-inspired crap on stage (like slapping their ass). I found that the women put on less of this facade and acted realer and classier if I approached them, rather than having a drink or getting a lap dance off of their approaches. I found this to be the case, although sometimes expressed in different forms, in different parts of the country, and in high-cost, big productions clubs or low-cost, dive clubs. Obviously, the way for a strip dancer to get regulars and maximize her money, etc. is to appeal as comprehensively as possible to what the largest percentage of customers will like; if this turns off a small minority, well, you can’t please everybody. So, many men must like women to act a fool. Is this really true?? And even if it is, why do such a high percentage of the women do these things? Can it possibly be the most lucrative option for nearly every dancer?

  18. RP,

    Yes, I did see the magazine. A couple days before one of the writers and I discussed the whole CraigsList thing — though I don’t know if I’m quoted in her article or not.

    XX

  19. Lee,

    Men get VERY intimidated by a smart women. At least, insecure men do and that’s the majority of men who go strip clubs. It’s rather the opposite for escort work. There, even insecure men like an intelligent partner — maybe because they feel like they made a good choice?

    The party atmosphere of a strip club also doesn’t encourage sane behavior from either sex. I found that acting like a dumb blonde meant I was less threatening. Men really are out of their comfort zone in a strip club. Some need coaxing, some need sweetness and others just act like an ass to cover it up.

    XX

  20. I think it would be more accurate to say people are intimidated by what they are not use to. I guess the larger question is why would a large percentage of men be intimidated by smart women. And if women are acting like they are not smart my next question would be why. And I’m not talking about just strip clubs here, I mean in general.

  21. Robert,

    A lot of men have very fragile egos and expect them to be propped up. I won’t get into the why’s of it, only that these type of men are scared by smart women. (Sometimes they’re attracted to what scares them, making matters worse for both parties.)

    Women don’t act smart for a large number of reasons. From what I’ve observed, some major reasons are are making money and because women are taught to take care of men. We’re also taught men don’t like smart women. Again, we’re back to a lot of bunk created by society that leads to disappointment for all involved. Fortunately, younger people seem to be throwing these ideas out the window. Finally.

    I still think solving a lot of these societal issues requires every individual to do a bit of self-reflection and then go forward with self-awareness and honesty. It ain’t easy and it doesn’t win popularity contests, but in the long run, being true to yourself is only going to be good for you.

    XX

  22. I think is hilarious that people judge another person based solely on remembering facts. Are the strippers hurting anyone for not knowing the first amendments? Is this a result of some malicious intent they have? Is there something fundamentally wrong with liking to party and NOT knowing the first amendments? The whole purpose of this video was to reinforce the stigma that strippers are dumb. People who buy into stereotypes are lazy people. They want the world to be black and white with experts telling them yes and no. And when life is not going to some according plan, they blame other people for it.
    Patrons of strip bars want to party, they are not there to be challenged or have a philosophical debate on womanhood. Is some guys idea of a good time and they pay for this illusion. It always surprises me when people cannot tell what is put on and what is real. Most people live in this stunted state of psychological growth with a very shallow sense of empathy. Honestly, the girls in this clip, in another capacity under a different light, I am sure they are someone else we can relate to and perhaps there are aspect of them we could only aspire to be.
    Intelligence is a set of thinking deemed desirable solely due to what that society think is important. It is quite arbitrary in my opinion and I think many would debate heatedly on this. Of course, when one’s identity is so seriously attached to something deemed as the ultimate truth; one will get threaten easily.
    Interlorance of other people’s difference is responsible for a lot of pain in this world. Instead of pointing the fingers at the strippers and trying to define what a successful (and really, define that… is making a lot of dollar really the ultimate goal for everyone?) woman/sex-worker whoever is, I just wonder why nobody has question the intent of this video. Not only does it perpetuate a stereotype, it also stems from the malicious intent of making somebody look stupid. LAME!

  23. Donna Yu,

    While I agree the intent of this video is to poke fun at these girls, a basic awareness of the world in which you live and work is important. And they’re porn actresses working for Hustler — not strippers (though they were probably strippers at some point). Obviously, the whole First Amendment irony is lost on you. Just Google Larry Llynt for the background info.

    We’ve already spent several years under a presidency in which “facts” were considered bad things. It got us in trouble. Likewise, a woeful ignorance of the basic “facts” your work is based on (like the First Amendment), is not going to lead to your success with work or your own world. Knowledge is power.

    I grew up with people this insular. It’s not a good thing. It’s funny on the surface, sure, but it’s not good. I think I made that very clear in my post. And yes, I do judge people who wallow in their own ignorance. It’s one of the few things I cannot tolerate.

    XX

  24. Amanda, it is good to have a formal education but college is not going to automatically going to make a person financially successful.

    You seem to like to see things your way and I have read some of your blogs even though this is my first comment.

    If a women is successful giving great blowjobs and has enough smarts to ask for enough money to support her lifestyle she doesn’t have to be a activist or be so concerned about thing she can’t change.

    If you have the basics about safety and how to ask a client for money and have a great talent or sexual skill you will make money in this business. You don’t have to be a nuclear scientist to be a escort.

    Also you have wrote a book, you have been in this business for a while and you went to college. May I ask what do have to show financially for all your work. How many homes or businesses do you own? Do you have a substantial nest egg put away? Are you in a happy romantic relationship with someone? Are you truly happy? Do you consider yourself a success in this business and in life in general?

  25. Carla,

    Who said anything about college being a requirement? Education does not have to come from school. But one should make the effort to educate and inform themselves in whatever field they are in.

    Nor do I make the case that everyone needs to be an activist. I’ve made that very clear too.

    And yes, since it’s my life and my blog — I do indeed like having things my way.

    If you want a background on me, read through this blog (I’d start with the Personal category). Then re-ask your questions. Otherwise, since I don’t know you and you ask such broad and general questions, I’m really not in a mood to answer. But you’re welcome to share how successful you feel you are.

    For the record, happiness, romantic relationships and success are three very different things. All applicable measurements are rather subjective and individual as well. Except in the case of people who become hugely successful in their field — that is measurable.

    XX

  26. I read your history a little more in depth. I believe you are not doing that great financially, you are bit frustrated and it appears you are bit caught up in this activist movement. You don’t appear to have a boyfriend at this point. You don’t own any businesses nor real property from what I gather. You seem to have or had problems getting your second book on the market. If I am wrong on these points correct me.

    This is your blog so lets keep focused on you as I am not in the mood to discuss my personal business. But I really don’t think your a bad example in your profession however you are at this point not a role model nor a successful valid authority to give advice in this business.

    Those girls in that video might be doing a lot better than all of us even though they can’t recite the first amendment and won’t march in a protest rally.

    Larry Flynt is in a wheelchair because he wanted to be a activist. Is it really worth it to make yourself a target and get shot, killed or go to prison. I would think most people in this business would rather stay under the radar and quietly make a lot of money.

  27. Carla,

    In reading my history, you have picked up on where I WAS not where I am now. A lot has changed very quickly, which is good. You might also not have realized less than a year ago I was starting over from zero. Absolute zero. That would be frustrating to most people. I’m doing better than I was all the way around. Motion has been consistently upward and forward. Thank you for caring about my well-being so very much!

    Having a boyfriend is NOT neccessary for happiness — in this business it’s a liability. But my personal life is taken care of, thank you for asking. It’s not something I discuss much on here for a lot of reasons and will continue not to discuss.

    I don’t call myself a role model, however I do have a fairly broad range of experience as well as hitting a lot of bumps. If I can help others avoid the bumps — great! Nor do I say that I’m giving “advice.” I present options and I have a broader perspective on escort work than a lot of girls who have done it for a long time. And the opinions I present on here, my personal blog, are just that.

    I’m also fairly unique in that I’m willing to stand up and talk to the public in order to get things changed. I’ve seen the need for change since I was young and since I feel I can help move that forward — I will. Those who can, should. If all the crap I put up with changes breaks down barriers for others and makes life easier for them, great. I expect to get dumped on by people like you (inside the business) and from the outside. This is why my support and my real friends are so very valuable to me. And why I have little tolerance for those who come onto my personal blog and attack me here. (Though my friends are always welcome to debate and they do!)

  28. I don’t keep up with this blog as often as I would like, but I felt the need to comment on the way this particular comment section has gone. It always amazes me how people feel compelled to attack someone on a blog without a thorough understanding or knowledge of the person or purpose of the blog they are attacking. While I may or may not disagree with the information presented, you must be able to decipher the facts from the opinions. The two are not the same. If the facts are wrong, then by all means provide facts to the contrary to prove the facts given are wrong. If someone gives an opinion, then it is an opinion based on the information or experiences that person has. You can agree or disagree and clearly state your own opinion and why you have it. The trend has been to attack the messenger and to not discuss the substance of the information given is disturbing. I find it very enlightening to read Amanda’s blog. She provides not only personal accounts of her experiences (facts), but also provides analysis (opinion). Keep up the interesting work Amanda. Discussion is good for those that are intelligent.

  29. You can’t stop or censor this P11IMMPPINNG AB lol. Stop being a censor and a hypocrite. I never attacked yet you attack and block me. Every PiIIm.Mp in the country will be commenting on your blog shortly spitting this Game and pulling girls off your blog. Thank-you again I sent you a e-mail. Oh and you said damn naughty, naughty you need a good over the knee spanking AB!

  30. Carla,

    Ad hominem attacks are almost never effective and really only show that the attacker does not have a good argument, and in my opinion shows lack of class as well.

    Being able to make lots of money only shows that you are successful at making money, nothing else. Having lots of money does not mean that a person has had a successful life, there are lots of people that have lots of money and see to be very unhappy, that to me says they have not been successful in life. Likewise being in a relationship for 5, 10, 20 , 30 years does not mean you have had a successful relationship just that you have been successful at staying in a relationship.

    Yes it is worth it to make yourself a target for a cause you truly believe in, and I think the 1st amendment is a pretty good reason to stand up and fight. By the way, the 1st amendment protects more then just freedom of speech.

    Amanda,

    I agree with you, I too believe that a person should have a basic understanding of how the world works, with an emphasis on the field they are in, and about how our government functions and the basic freedoms our constitution provides us. The less a person knows about his freedoms the easier it is for the government to slowly take them away without as much as a complaint.

    At least you know there are people in this world that don’t judge you.

    Robert

  31. You cannot recruit from my blog. That is a felony. I WILL censor you and if it becomes a problem I will happily turn over any information I have to the authorities.

    Get you own blog and recruit from there. This is a place of personal discussion and NOT a place for pimps to find more girls to work for them.

  32. Robert and Greg,

    Thank you.

    Honestly, this is what I considered one of my toss-off posts. Good thing I didn’t post a link to the condom-balloon animal commercials. WWIII might’ve started.

    XX

Comments are now closed.