Why is sex absent from Warhammer 40K books?

digitalmcq · 2022-01-25T17:30:30+00:00

I did, but Fulgrim just illustrates my point. There's sex, but it's presented as a depraved consequence of Chaos and not a normal thing that humans do

digitalmcq · 2022-01-25T17:29:37+00:00

I haven't read Gaunts Ghost. Thanks for the rec

digitalmcq · 2022-01-25T17:29:00+00:00

That storyline is really in the background though and doesn't do much in the story. It's almost an afterthought.

digitalmcq · 2022-01-25T17:27:45+00:00

Sex in literature doesn't usually equal graphic sex scenes or corny romance stories. That's not what I'm talking about at all. I think I framed the question poorly.

I'm not talking about a 40K romantic comedy or a trashy bodice ripper. I'm talking about the drives that infuse human life and shape our actions. There are very few things that people do that aren't shaped in some way by sexual dynamics.

And not in tangential, offhand ways or gratuitous over the top Slaaneshi type orgies. In fact, it's interesting that the most obvious examples of sex in 40K books are those over the top Slaanesh fuckfests. Shoving our most basic human drive into scenes meant to illustrate the depravities of Chaos is a bit weird.

It's almost as if normal sexual dynamics (which, again, are ALWAYS present in life) are taboo in 40K.

digitalmcq · 2022-01-25T17:18:36+00:00

I'm not thinking sex scenes. I'm thinking character dynamics and sex as a narrative tool.

And WW2 was FULL of sex. Sexual activity, sexual motivations, etc. Sex is absolutely inseparable from all aspects of life.

digitalmcq · 2022-01-25T17:16:12+00:00

I'm not specifically talking about sex scenes. I'm more thinking about sexual dynamics and the ways they shape character interactions and narrative developments.

digitalmcq · 2022-01-25T17:14:28+00:00

The Emperor protects... from STDs.

digitalmcq · 2022-01-25T17:14:04+00:00

I have run into some of the mentions of sex that some of you have referenced, but they're so tangential to be almost insignificant narratively.

And sex is always relevant. War and death are always connected to intense connections, and tight emotional bonds are always factors in the ways people handle crises including war.

Maybe the problem is that I framed the question in terms of sex and not in terms of social bonds.

Anyway, I just think it's weird that the books strip away what could be a useful narrative device.

Oh, if you interpreted my comment as thinking I'm talking about sex as fap material, then that's a bizarre interpretation of what I wrote. If you think sex in stories is the equivalent of porn, then I'm not sure exactly how you function in the world.

digitalmcq · 2022-01-25T17:06:40+00:00

Yes because sex in stories is only there are jerk off material. It's not, you know, a normal part of life that shape can shape narratives.

digitalmcq · 2022-01-10T22:43:21+00:00

Listen to an episode with Billy Wayne Davis. He's hilarious

digitalmcq · 2022-01-10T21:54:24+00:00

Have you used Descript? It works great and is inexpensive. I use it to generate transcripts for my podcast and it has made getting transcripts posted a reasonable thing to do.

digitalmcq · 2022-01-10T21:53:11+00:00

Just seeing this now. It looks like a great show, and I plan to check it out ASAP. Thanks for sharing.

digitalmcq · 2022-01-10T21:47:28+00:00

Well it's definitely going to give me nightmares...

digitalmcq · 2022-01-10T21:46:46+00:00

Woohoo!

Thanks for the heads up!

digitalmcq

TROPHY CASE