[Bleedingwhiteash] New post at Nott Road Blues

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Posted by Michael Jas. Murray:
The Great God Pan Is Dead

   I have recently given much thought to the controversy of the
   admittedly sensational Michael Jackson trial and the accusations of
   pedophilia lodged against him. Personally, I am convinced that Jackson
   is guilty of the indiscretions for which he has been placed on trial.
   However, some of the evidence seized from Jacksonâs estate, namely the
   library of pornography he possesses, has given some pause. Contrary to
   the expectations of those who are convinced that Jackson is a
   pedophile with a predilection for early adolescent and prepubescent
   boys, the pop-starâs pornography was heterosexual in nature. Found in
   the singerâs possession were numerous magazines depicting young women
   who at least looked to be early adolescents themselves. Although the
   models in these magazines are purportedly the age of consent, they
   have been dressed to look far younger than their chronological age.
   For some, this kind of material seems contrary to expectations. If
   Jackson does indeed harbor desires for young boys, why is the
   overwhelming majority of his adult material the type that would cater
   to heterosexuals?
   One of the theories put forth is that Jackson had this material on
   hand to excite and arouse his potential victims, what some call the
   âgroomingâ process. After all, if one wants to excite young boys, what
   better way to do so than expose them to pornography depicting young
   women engaged in sexual acts?
   The problem with this theory is the sheer volume of pornography
   dedicated to depictions of young women. If Jacksonâs sole use of this
   material was to arouse his young companions, he would hardly need so
   many magazines. One of the characteristics of addiction to, and
   obsession with, pornography is the need for variety and increasingly
   more graphic content. If this is the case, one would imagine that
   Jacksonâs porn was primarily intended for his own use. Why then the
   victimization of young men rather than women?
   I believe the problem can be solved by looking at Jacksonâs psyche,
   assuming that he is actually heterosexual. Although a straight man, he
   is obviously sexually and socially retarded. To put it simply, he is
   at the psychosexual stage of development of an early adolescent, a
   young boy just on the cusp of puberty. One of the characteristics of
   such boys is an almost painful shyness around the female objects of
   their awkward affections. Jackson, who obviously feels himself to be
   an adolescent (thus the identification with the character of Peter
   Pan) would likely be attracted to the young women depicted in the
   magazines he possesses, women he feels to be his own age (at least
   spiritually and psychologically speaking). However, like any young man
   existing in the sexual limbo of early puberty, Jackson is
   uncomfortable around the objects of his desire. He is, essentially
   speaking, afraid of the very young women he wants so ardently. This
   would explain why Jackson has never developed a âspecial relationshipâ
   with any of the young women who came to visit his Neverland estate.
   Brimming with sexual energy, Jackson would undoubtedly need to express
   it in some manner. Jackson may very well masturbate, but this is
   hardly a real expression of the sexual experience, is it? Sex
   necessarily involves the Other in some way, shape or form. One wants
   to share his sexuality. This is one of the reasons I myself have never
   masturbated and have never felt the desire to, despite my involuntary
   chastity. Even the idea of it strikes me as hollow and sad, a physical
   manifestation of a very deep loneliness and an inability to relate to
   others.
   Sadly, I think that this desire on Jacksonâs part, the need to express
   his sexuality with another, has spilled over to those with whom he
   feels the most comfortable. As he sees himself as an early adolescent
   male, it would be with other young boys that he would have the
   necessary level of comfort. So he does what any young boy would do
   with his young buddies: look at pictures of nude girls and giggle
   guiltily over the arousing strangeness of it all. Granted, young boys
   donât always experiment sexually with each other (although this does
   happen). One must keep in mind, however, that although he thinks of
   himself as an adolescent, Jackson is nevertheless an adult man,
   saddled and tormented by the intensity of an adult manâs sexual drive.
   I think this is why he acted out in the manner he has been accused of.
   The ironic thing about all of it is that Jacksonâs role model, Peter
   Pan, was depicted in Barrieâs novel as having quite the dark streak.
   The reason the Lost Boys never grew up was because Pan would murder
   them if they began to show signs of getting older. Granted, Barrie
   presented Pan as being perpetually innocent, but innocence is not
   synonymous with goodness, is it? I myself am quite the innocent, but
   anyone who has read the âSkinny Leviathanâ story I posted should have
   been made aware of the fact that innocence is hardly a pristine and
   beautiful thing. Innocence often leads to sickness. Panâs innocence
   allowed him to kill (the pirates and his comrades if they began to
   grow up) with no remorse whatsoever, displaying the kind of behavior
   seen in sociopaths. After all, children innocent of the implications
   and reality of death wouldnât have the same reservations about taking
   life that an adult would have. Innocence can easily give rise to
   cruelty. Let us not forget that Peterâs last name is the name of a
   demigod, the libidinous king of the satyrs who was charged with an
   almost insatiable sexual appetite. I am not sure what would happen if
   one were to restrain the overflowing sensuality of a god, but I can
   imagine it would be tragic. Would the result not be Barrieâs Peter
   Pan, a violent and unfeeling monster?
   Jacksonâs innocence, I feel, has led him to commit some very dangerous
   and destructive acts. It is fitting, I suppose, that he considers
   himself the king of the Lost Boys. Like all of those who suffer the
   corrupting effects of prolonged innocence, Jackson has become
   confused. He is disoriented and ignorant of how to conduct himself,
   how to give vent to his sexual energies. He is, like so many late
   virgins, lost.