51 replies to this topic

[Myndela]

"Taboo" is a documentary series on National Geographic that will take a certain subject, and show that subject as it is seen by different cultures all over the world.

Take prostitution, for example. They followed a young prostitute in India, who was sold to a madam by her aunt at the age of ten, and had to start selling sex at thirteen to pay off the madam for caring for her. Even though it was her aunt who sold her into prostitution, she was considered "dirty" and "unpure" by her family, and they want nothing to do with her. She paid off the madam by the age of eighteen, and makes around $4 an hour as she prostitutes herself in a Bangladeshi slum. Then they went to Australia, and showed a woman as she worked in a high class escort agency, where she made hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. After Australia, they showed this brothel in Prague where men will have sex with prostitutes for free. The way they make money is by taping the sex and selling the footage to subscribers on the internet.

It is a fascinating little show, though it is sometimes a bit much to take. They've showed some vile, creepy stuff. Like a guy who never wanted one of his legs, so he one day put it in dry ice for several hours so it was too damaged to save, and it had to be amputated. So if you're not too squeamish, check it out. The current season is being shown on Wednesday nights on NG at 10:00PM EST.

[poguemom]

I watched an episode tonight about relationships that are considered taboo. One was men who were in relationships with sex dolls. One guy had "been with" his doll for 10 years! Another relationship was poligamy and showed a man in Australia who had 7 wives. The other that I saw was a married couple who practiced "swinging". The wife actually made dinner for one of her husbands dates before she left them alone together. Apparently, the only rules are no intimacy, i.e., no spooning, cuddling, spending the night. I am always interested to watch this show. I find the subjects fascinating. I hate watching the gory stuff, though. I've become squeamish the last few years for some reason!

[EmbiggenedSoul]

I saw this too, poguemom. Very interesting. The married couple practiced what they called "negotiated infidelity" - they were both allowed to have sex with other partners, which hey, if it works for them, at least it's equal, unlike the polygamist with seven wives. Ugh, that bothers me beyond all belief, even though I know the women are willing participants. I just can't, and never will, get it.

The doll thing is creepy, but understandable. Very sad though. Also interesting was the kids in Nepal who get married off at 7 years old, but don't consummate until they are 17.

[Malibu65]

This series has been on for quite a long time now. I am glad there is a thread for it now. ; )

I have seen some pretty squeamish segments including the taboo foods such as Kutti Pi (animal fetus):
http://news.national...oodtaboo_2.html

Some things I don't understand how people can eat without actually getting sick such as the cheese with maggots. BARF!

Edited by Malibu65, Feb 11, 2010 @ 9:25 PM.

[Suzy123]

That "Doll Love" segment was so weird. When they kept closing up on that guy kissing his doll, I was kinda grossed out.

[Malibu65]

Suzy123 Did you ever see on HBO Real Sex where they have a segment dedicated to those who use those "dolls"? And when I mean use them, they show the viewers exactly how they use them, if you know what I mean.

I am trying to figure out if there was a segment on TABOO where they mentioned an African tribe who dispose of their newborns in a field to die because they fear it is some curse for the child to be born with teeth. They also toss the baby in a field to die if the child's lower teeth protrude first rather than the upper teeth, as it is a curse of some sort. Another reason to resort to infanticide would be in the case of twins being born. One is killed so the other could live without a curse. I only saw this segment once and I am trying to remember if it was on TABOO that I saw it or if it was on another show. Anyone know?

Edited by Malibu65, Feb 14, 2010 @ 8:05 PM.

[Myndela]

There was a documentary on the BBC America called "Love Me, Love My Doll." Dave Cat was in it, and I believe the other guy was too. He had multiple dolls, and started talking to a woman, and had her over for his birthday. All of the dolls were dressed up and in party hats, with many sitting at the dining room table. No joke. They are such Creepy McCreepersons. There was another guy in that documentary that lived in his mom's house in the US, and seems like someone that would hang out with Ted Nugent and kill things, and join a militia. I guess I can understand if this is just a once in awhile sexual device, but that they had a goal and were open to other relationships. But that they don't even want "organic women", and all of the things that come with them, weirds me out.

The thing with the child brides was sad. When the guy spoke about how so many of these relationships are loving and happy, I say "how do you know this?" This kind of set-up can be full of abuse, and many are. And the women don't leave because their culture looks down upon it. These girls are promised to people that they don't even know, while they are children, and you can't tell me that this is full of happiness. Personalities, sexual desires and all sorts of things can be incompatible, but oh well, give me the dowry and you can marry my seven-year-old? It's sick. I'm glad that the people who perform these marriages are seen as pariahs in India. That it is illegal there. Promising kids to kids for money should be illegal and looked down upon everywhere.

The polygamists were odd, too. Of all things, why is their hair the thing that is supposed to be only for their husband? Does that mean I can show cleavage out in public, as long as I wear a hat or scarf? And are all of those children homeschooled? Because if you have those kids enrolled in schools, all living in the same homes, all with the same last name and a father with seven different baby-mamas, won't people start to talk and realize that he has a harem?


Malibu65

That sounds familiar to me, but I am not sure if it was from this or not. On the NG website, they have every episode of "Taboo" listed with a small synopsis and videos. Perhaps you might find it there.

Edited by Myndela, Feb 15, 2010 @ 12:17 AM.

[Malibu65]

Malibu65

That sounds familiar to me, but I am not sure if it was from this or not. On the NG website, they have every episode of "Taboo" listed with a small synopsis and videos. Perhaps you might find it there.

I did try to find it there one time but came up with nothing. The synopsis' are very general. I was hoping they would describe each segment from each episode but they weren't. Thanks anyways sweetie.

The thing with the child brides was sad. When the guy spoke about how so many of these relationships are loving and happy, I say "how do you know this?"

Yeah. Of course it is happy and loving on the MAN'S end of the relationship. He is a legal pedophile getting sex from a child who is considered his wife and no one can do a damn thing about it. Everytime I hear of these kind of stories coming from India, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth about that country.

[Myndela]

Yeah. Of course it is happy and loving on the MAN'S end of the relationship. He is a legal pedophile getting sex from a child who is considered his wife and no one can do a damn thing about it. Everytime I hear of these kind of stories coming from India, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth about that country.

Seriously. And if they are being asked together, do you really think that she'd admit her unhappiness? Stuff like this reminds me of the fundamentalist Mormon compounds. Children are promised to older men, and they have absolutely no say about it whatsoever. So you have 14 year old girls who are married to men in their fifties and sixties. And in the tiny amount of interviews with these women, they always say how happy they are, and how much they love their husbands and sister-wives. Well, when they are in a situation like this, don't you realize what awful things would happen to these women if they admitted the truth? Those women and girls are told to "keep sweet", and "keeping sweet" means not going against your husband's word. It is so sad, because these girls have so much potential, but marrying them off and being in a misogynistic society makes sure that these women will be subjugated wives and mothers and nothing more. I mean, we all know that women are only good as baby making machines who carry on the blood lines, right?

But they did say that it is illegal in India now, and that those who have arranged marriages are pariahs and very low in the caste system, so there is hope.

[Malibu65]

But they did say that it is illegal in India now, and that those who have arranged marriages are pariahs and very low in the caste system, so there is hope.

What is so ironic is on another documentary about India that I watched, the poor people of a certain part of India who catch and eat rats are also considered very low in the caste system. So go figure, the pedophiles and the poor rat chasers are one in the same.

And if they are being asked together, do you really think that she'd admit her unhappiness?

Unfortunately, no. It is no different than a domestic violent situation where the cops ask the victim if she/he was harmed.

These subjects on Taboo can be very depressing. It also makes me glad I live here.

[scarlett45]

I saw Taboo:Beyond the Grave last night and thought it was very interesting. They profiled A.A. Rayner Funeral Home in Chicago IL where my Gram and several other family members were buried from, as well as a "mock funeral" in South Korea (to discourage suicide- they have the highest suicide rater per capita in the industrialized world), cremation ceremonies as well as a museum exhibit featuring corpses posed and preserved with plastic.

Funeral ceremonies are for the living, not the dead. I have always said and have let my family members know that I do not want thousands of dollars spent to bury my body. Depose of it in the cheapest way possible and have a party! I am dead! I do not need the comfortable casket, or fancy flowers or any of that. I do think it would be worth while to donate my body to science so that people could learn from my death. IMO.

[la llorona]

I saw the Beyond the Grave ep too, and didn't find it as depressing as I thought I would. The Nepalese funeral ritual was about peace and rejuvenation, despite the barbarous connotations.

I thought the mock funerals were utterly fascinating. Even more so that companies were paying for their employees to experience the process, so that they could be happier and more focused workers. I'm not sure how that would go over in the States. The Asian mind is very reflective (in my experience), and Korean culture is sensitive about things like success and failure, which I'm guessing contributes to the high suicide rate.

Plastination is always cool. Looking forward to the Nudity ep.

[Malibu65]

One thing I always find gross about those Indian funerals such as the one featured on the Beyond the Grave segment is the fact they call the rivers "holy" but they are filthy as shit. Watching the kids frolick in the water like they were at the beach, knowing the filth and the human remains that are in there, just grosses me out. The water is stagnant and foul. TABOO had another segment where they showed the famous Gange River in India and that too is filthy. People bathe in there, they wash their faces and arms, kids go in there, dead bodies are thrown in there sometimes if the families cannot afford a cremation, not to mention dead animals are also thrown in. It too is considered "holy". More like shit hole if you ask me.

[la llorona]

I was disappointed in the Nudity episode. I thought it was a new episode, but I swear I've seen that Japanese festival and the Nekkid Xtians (with whom I would totally kick it, not that I'd get naked, but they seemed so laid back and fun-loving) somewhere else before.

Doesn't look like any new eps are coming anytime soon.

One thing I always find gross about those Indian funerals such as the one featured on the Beyond the Grave segment is the fact they call the rivers "holy" but they are filthy as shit.

Yeah, I've noticed that too.

[Malibu65]

I was disappointed in the Nudity episode. I thought it was a new episode, but I swear I've seen that Japanese festival and the Nekkid Xtians

I didn't watch the episode but from the promos it did look like I had watched it before on some other documentary.

[kiki38]

Anyone else totally weirded out by the whole Infantalism segment? I'm not sure who is more pathetic: Baby Man or the woman who babies him.

And the Second Life guy who had virtual sex with his virtual daughters, and his wife wasn't skeeved out by that.

This show is a trainwreck of odd people of epic proportions, and I simply can't turn away!

[BengalKitty]

Anyone else totally weirded out by the whole Infantalism segment?

He's a little strange, but not harming anyone. He did seem to have on foot in reality. There were quite a few pill bottles in the background. Wonder what is the nature of his disability? I like that he makes his own accessories and furniture. But who did he find to make that super-size flannel onezy?

I found his caregiver more fascinating. Oh well, they say there is someone out there for everyone.

I understand the doll lady, she couldn't have a biological child . . . but it's just weird to be an adult and be pusing a doll around in a barbie stroller.

She turned her need into a money making venture. Just like the cyber-sex guy. That family was living large on his fantasy life. I wouldn't complain either.

I can't remember the 4th story. I watched the episode before this one about Beauty. The lady in Texas with the Double-K breast implants needs to spend more money on therapy not surgery. Obviously her husband is just as delusional. She looked much more attractive without the implants.

And someone needs to assist that Janpanese Kickboxer dude with his cosplay outfit. That Blue/White Alice-In-Wondeland getup did nothing for him.

[Gigi43]

The most shocking thing about the show last night was that it wasn't on TLC.

The 9pm show was the first time I ever saw this, and I could only take the first half hour. Have other episodes been less "freakshow"-ish?

I would love to know what the guy was getting disability for. B/C he has PTS? I thought it was so odd how they talked about how he able to live a life in the beginning, have a job, then come home and live his life, and showed him in the hardware store, only to then say he gets disability. The caregiver can't be all there to take part in this, but I don't think that's considered a "disability" either. Somewhere, Judy Sheindlin's head is exploding.

[kiki38]

The 9pm show was the first time I ever saw this, and I could only take the first half hour. Have other episodes been less "freakshow"-ish?

It's actually fascinating and horrifying while being pretty interesting sociologically.

There was one a few weeks ago on initiations, that had some of the most bizarre tribal intiations into manhood. The alligator tribe where they all try to look like alligators. EEK!

It's really fascinating but there are definitely elements of freakdom.

(Like the chick in the Beauty episode whose breast implants got infected, she freaks out because she won't have like, triple E boobs now and debates about whether to take out the implants...which might kill her.) They take them out, she looks better...lives...but she's going to get triple KKK's put in...back down in Brazil.)

[OSM Mom]

Anyone else totally weirded out by the whole Infantalism segment? I'm not sure who is more pathetic: Baby Man or the woman who babies him.

Count me in on the whole weirded out thing. That just gave me the creeps. The woman who babies him really needs to get to a dr and start doing something about her morbid obesity. Her boobs were down by her knees when she sat down. That's just not right. The whole thing was creepy IMO.

[Gigi43]

Thank you, kiki38. Those episodes do sound better and interesting. After the women with the dolls I just found myself so sad that these people are living these lives and are being encouraged by people that are supposedly normal (though they really can't be in order to be fine with such things.) Does NatGeo have passed episodes OnDemand?

The guy with the "Infantilism", did I hear right him and his, um, "caregiver", had people has young as nine posting on their site? That really bothered me. I wonder if this kids parents know he is getting "support" (which is probably more like "encouragement") from adults that this behavior is fine and that you can still live a full life, even though they aren't. The voice overs really seemed to say that he was in control of it, and that he does have the intelligence of an adult male, and the woman didn't seem incompetent, though she definitely does have emotional issues. It seems like they should be able to know better than to knowingly include children on their website.

Edited by Gigi43, May 5, 2011 @ 4:45 PM.

[Major Misfit]

Here are the only things I wanted to know about Infantalism Guy: 1.) Where on earth is he finding giant child-like pajamas; and 2.) Is that "caregiver" expected to clean his diaper filled with his giant adult-sized poo?

The latter is the thing of nightmares.

[kiki38]

Here are the only things I wanted to know about Infantalism Guy: 1.) Where on earth is he finding giant child-like pajamas; and 2.) Is that "caregiver" expected to clean his diaper filled with his giant adult-sized poo?

The latter is the thing of nightmares.

There is actually a whole cottage industry of 'adult baby' items that can be purchased for indulging in this kind of thing. (My BF was so strangely intrigued he looked up stuff on it the next day. All I can say is WOW!)

Yeah...pause and reflect on that: There is enough of a market in our society to warrent people saying 'Hey -- I could make some bank on this..' and selling this kinda stuff. ACK!

[missdavenport]

did I hear right him and his, um, "caregiver", had people has young as nine posting on their site?

I heard that too and found it very upsetting. I really hope that is not true. Adults engaging is this type of fantasy role play is strange to me, but his back-story made me understand where this in coming from. He is trying to replace his terrible childhood with a more positive experience. Maybe being in control of it makes him feel better.....however.... the guy actually wears a diaper?? Please tell me he doesn't use it.

And yeah....they (as adults) should NOT be encouraging a real child...(above mentioned nine year old) or even communicating with that child. That aside, I found the lady with the fake baby to be much crazier than infant guy! There are studies to suggest that a grieving Mother can benefit from "doll baby" therapy, but that is NOT what she was doing.

I believe this woman has serious problems, and frankly what she is doing seemed incredibly selfish. She has a wonderful, supportive husband and a LIVE stepson who can benefit from her love and care and instead she devotes herself to an inanimate object. She also claimed that she's not trying to hurt anyone or trick anyone, yet she clearly wants to attract attention for herself because they take the dolls out for ice cream!!

[kiki38]

Caught the 'Marriage' one this weekend. The Matriarchal southeast Asian group where the women were in charge, and the guys had to leave the house and only show up during the evening, and essentially 'live' somewhere else was kinda strange, but seriously entertaining. The men have to support the families, but can't really live with them, and only show up at dark, and have to leave by sunup.

WOW! I totally giggled during that segment for reasons I still can't fully understand.

[yourbabymomma]

Shayla?
My favorite part was when she was getting her glamour shots and she had her nail polish all jacked up yet the rest of her body was "perfect".
Goes without saying that she looked better without the boobs. Such a shame she couldn't see that.
The transgendered folk; I thought she looked pretty much the same and fairly feminine prior to the surgery. At least the surgery was subtle.

[la llorona]

Adult Infant Dude probably gets his onesies from here:

Pajama City-- Footed PJs for adults

Hell, I wouldn't mind a pair myself. ;)

I believe this woman has serious problems, and frankly what she is doing seemed incredibly selfish. She has a wonderful, supportive husband and a LIVE stepson who can benefit from her love and care and instead she devotes herself to an inanimate object. She also claimed that she's not trying to hurt anyone or trick anyone, yet she clearly wants to attract attention for herself because they take the dolls out for ice cream!!

Not to mention that one of the dolls (the redheaded boy) has an absolutely terrifying expression on it's face. I know it's meant to be "giggling"-- but it's more like Conrad Veidt in "The Man Who Laughs". Her husband and stepson need to put the lid on that foolishness; otherwise I would refuse to be seen with her in public. (Even DaveCat leaves his doll-wife at home!)

Caught the 'Marriage' one this weekend. The Matriarchal southeast Asian group where the women were in charge, and the guys had to leave the house and only show up during the evening, and essentially 'live' somewhere else was kinda strange, but seriously entertaining. The men have to support the families, but can't really live with them, and only show up at dark, and have to leave by sunup.

WOW! I totally giggled during that segment for reasons I still can't fully understand.

Having been married for 13 years this summer, allow me to be the first to sign up for an arrangement like that. :D

[Ahoskie59]

I would love to know what the guy was getting disability for. B/C he has PTS? I thought it was so odd how they talked about how he able to live a life in the beginning, have a job, then come home and live his life, and showed him in the hardware store, only to then say he gets disability. The caregiver can't be all there to take part in this, but I don't think that's considered a "disability" either. Somewhere, Judy Sheindlin's head is exploding.

A person doesn't have to be incapacitated to be on disability. Maybe this guy had a heart problem and can only work for one or two hours a week. I know someone who is on disability because she had a stroke two years ago. Even though she seems okay now, there are still things she cannot do; she might be able to work, but only for a few hours a week.

[kiki38]

Wasn't as big a fan of this episode: The whole 'Hoarders' thing is kinda being done to death...didn't need to see it repackaged.

But 400 pigs? Srsly?

[Pepper Mostly]

In her HOUSE! Jesus. That poor woman was really over the edge.