Feb 6, 2009

An example of Poe’s Law in reverse: how real fundamentalism is often indistinguishable from parodies of fundamentalism By Grace Chu

Poe’s Law states:

Without a winking smiley or other blatant display of humor, it is impossible to create a parody of Fundamentalism that SOMEONE won’t mistake for the real thing.

Poe’s Law also works in reverse. It is often impossible to determine whether real fundamentalism is parody or not. Take, for example, the following video, a discussion of the origin of the Ex-Masturbator t-shirt. If I didn’t tell you that the following video is a display of real fundamentalism, many of you would have concluded that it was a spot created by The Onion or another publication dedicated to satire and parody, and you would have laughed. But now that you know it is real, prepare to be enveloped in a not-so-soothing blanket of “AWKWARD!” and to become utterly depressed.

But I will admit that I do want the Ex-Hustler t-shirt.

11 Responses to “An example of Poe’s Law in reverse: how real fundamentalism is often indistinguishable from parodies of fundamentalism”

1. Grace Lightning Says:
   February 6th, 2009 at 2:00 pm

   Is it wrong that I wacked off for the entire duration of this EPIC webisode?

   I need a cigarette & a pulled pork sandwich. Anyone else?

2. Kelly Says:
   February 6th, 2009 at 3:24 pm

   Ummmm I woke up today and was like “should I masterbate now or later” lol Give me a fucking break. These people need to get a free gift certificate to babeland I think because they are doing something wrong if they want to be ex-masterbators!

3. The Mr Cooper You Hang With Says:
   February 6th, 2009 at 5:24 pm

   Also: all the T-shirts are American Apparel. Clearly they have no problem with Dov Charney’s antics.

4. Erhmmm Says:
   February 7th, 2009 at 1:11 am

   How is masturbation sexually immoral? And when is preventing people from masturbating, the SAFEST way to get off, the main goal of Christianity? Wow. People like these treat normal human functions as the cause of the struggles in the world. Seriously. And that ex-homosexual stuff? Ughhh. I’m done.

5. Rhea Says:
   February 7th, 2009 at 5:00 am

   Sigh.

   I’m a Christian…and would perhaps even be considered a ‘fundamentalist’ by some people who read this site. There’s A LOT that annoys me about all these shirts though.

   First….masturbation = sin??? Uh….really??? There is A LOT of debate within the Christian community about this. This is certainly NOT a black and white issue.

   B….the ‘ex-slave’ shirt…while I *get* what they’re trying to do/say with it, the truth is, we have people who are actually slaves on this planet right now (ie, people who are owned by others). Do they not get that? Being a slave to sin is a big deal (duh), but the average person on the street isn’t going to get that with this shirt….they’re not going to get what you’re saying.

   And the ‘ex-hypocrite’ shirt….seems pretty hypocritical to me.

6. aimee Says:
   February 7th, 2009 at 12:12 pm

   I’m with you Ms. Lightning – In bondage, looking with lust.

   Hot damn, what a thought!

   Got a light?

7. Ren Says:
   February 8th, 2009 at 11:14 pm

   Making people feel ashamed/guilty/wrong about normal sexual desires/activities, such as masturbation is one way to create individuals with issues, such as sex addiction. I would stay away from people wearing EX-masturbator t-shirts, as they will be more likely to relieve their natural sexual desires in unnatural ways, such as rape. This campaign is almost as appalling as abstinence-only education.

   P.S. Chu, what’s up with the depressing video anyway? Your posts usually having me laughing within seconds…Quick, say something funny, so I can wear my EX-unhappy shirt.

8. Kristin Shadley Says:
   February 9th, 2009 at 5:46 am

   Oh.My.Gosh These people are seriously fucked up…
   I feel really badly for these brainwashed people, the fact that there are actually people in the world who are this fucked up really does depress me.

9. oh jesus Says:
   February 11th, 2009 at 4:42 pm

   I would just like to point out that the hottie with the short hair and the jean jacket said she was an “ex-homosexual.” Can I un-ex her ASAP, please?

   (around 14:30 into the video).

10. oh jesus Says:
    February 11th, 2009 at 4:56 pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCRMiAENTwA&feature=related

    Apparently, she was “married to my exgirlfriend.” Evidence that lesbian breakups result in major drama.

11. KT Says:
    February 26th, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    Yeah, I stopped watching this about 3 minutes in & I’m gonna go jerk it. Right now.

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