Dr Gwyn Easterbrook-Smith
LightNews LightNews
banner
drgesmith.bsky.social
Dr Gwyn Easterbrook-Smith
@drgesmith.bsky.social
810 followers 190 following 110 posts
Media studies researcher and teacher based in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Mostly I write about sex work, but right now I'm working on a project about smell and identity. Views are my own.

They/them.
Posts Replies Media Videos
drgesmith.bsky.social
Thank you so much!
July 1, 2025 at 11:00 PM
drgesmith.bsky.social
I suggest that conventionally produced porn has a kind of aura even though it can be reproduced, because it represents one specific occurrence of a sexual act/encounter, unlike AI porn which is unmoored in time and space. I also argue that porn has a "ritual value" (jorkin' it)
Screenshot of a journal abstract. Title: Pornographic aura, AI and the value of authenticity. Text: The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools which can produce images and video from text inputs has prompted questions about the impacts of the technology on the pornography industry. While there has been extensive research into the implications of pornographic deepfakes, work which addresses the impacts of generative AI images and video that do not mimic a specific person is presently limited. Authenticity in pornography refers to multiple concepts, ranging from the depiction of non-simulated acts to the representation of ‘authentic’ pleasure. Multiple types of pornographic authenticity add value to a scene and can enhance the viewers’ enjoyment. This article argues that generative AI is unlikely to significantly disrupt the pornography industry, because the material it produces lacks a kind of auratic authenticity which pornography that depicts human subjects does possess, ultimately undermining the pleasure derived by the viewer.
June 17, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Reposted by Dr Gwyn Easterbrook-Smith
drgesmith.bsky.social
Crossposting here as well, if you aren't using Substack: gwynesmith.beehiiv.com/p/why-do-bro...
Why do brothels look like that?
This post brought to you by 23 textured throw pillows.
gwynesmith.beehiiv.com
February 9, 2025 at 7:49 PM
drgesmith.bsky.social
Crossposting here as well, if you aren't using Substack: gwynesmith.beehiiv.com/p/why-do-bro...
Why do brothels look like that?
This post brought to you by 23 textured throw pillows.
gwynesmith.beehiiv.com
February 9, 2025 at 7:49 PM
drgesmith.bsky.social
Thank you! It's been such a fun project to work on, I've had such a good time chatting with people about it
January 22, 2025 at 7:50 PM
drgesmith.bsky.social
I thought about the timing of walking in here saying that I have some interesting things to share about smells given the state of things, but so much of what people told me had care for themselves and from others woven through it, and that is something I want to share now
January 21, 2025 at 10:07 PM