Just to take any humour out of the things mentioned here, but a priest in Italy has uncovered a ring of Eastern European slaver/people smugglers who take girls from poor Eastern Europeans states (e.g. Albania) smuggle them into Western Europe, prostitute them and then sell their offspring to the organ trade. That's something that sci-fi has conjured up as a nightmare of the dislocated world of the future. If the priest is right, then the nightmare is now.
Prostitution In Traveller
- Thread starter The Hinterworlds Rambler
- Start date
The Hinterworlds Rambler
SOC-14 5K
Most definitely Lord Elliot...
I recently (few years back) took a trip to Poland and parts of Russia, and I must say the attitude towards this is positively horrific to me. The girls are almost 100% convinced that it is the only way out for them, and it is extremely depressing. The "handlers" of this trade are some very rough customers , to put it mildly... It made me ponder the value of life in that part of the world for quite some time...
I think that is also an angle to persue with this topic... is life considered cheap in Known Space by most? If so, is part of that consideration based on the sheer population of the inhabited worlds? I am starting from the assumption that the crew of the Messalina works there "voluntarily" if that can be applied, but it could be more sinister/adventurous if they were not, and forced into it. Voluntarily is in quotes because I have a notion that few work in Prostitution because they like it... mostly they seem convinced (or have convince themselves) that that is all they have to offer, for whatever reason...
The question of Homosexuality was raised... and Why not, says I? Consider that the universe holds things that make the shock (if such a thing is shocking) and "differentness" of it seem pretty old hat... Current human sexual appetites are quite... ahem... varied...
All of this is said in an objective capacity, I don't mean to judge, but I will reassert that the Eastern Block Countries stuff is pretty horrifying, and I feel comfortable in passing judgement on that.
I recently (few years back) took a trip to Poland and parts of Russia, and I must say the attitude towards this is positively horrific to me. The girls are almost 100% convinced that it is the only way out for them, and it is extremely depressing. The "handlers" of this trade are some very rough customers , to put it mildly... It made me ponder the value of life in that part of the world for quite some time...
I think that is also an angle to persue with this topic... is life considered cheap in Known Space by most? If so, is part of that consideration based on the sheer population of the inhabited worlds? I am starting from the assumption that the crew of the Messalina works there "voluntarily" if that can be applied, but it could be more sinister/adventurous if they were not, and forced into it. Voluntarily is in quotes because I have a notion that few work in Prostitution because they like it... mostly they seem convinced (or have convince themselves) that that is all they have to offer, for whatever reason...
The question of Homosexuality was raised... and Why not, says I? Consider that the universe holds things that make the shock (if such a thing is shocking) and "differentness" of it seem pretty old hat... Current human sexual appetites are quite... ahem... varied...
All of this is said in an objective capacity, I don't mean to judge, but I will reassert that the Eastern Block Countries stuff is pretty horrifying, and I feel comfortable in passing judgement on that.
Shadowdancer
SOC-14 1K
This was the subject of a sci-fi novel I read several years ago. I believe the name of the book was "Mercedes Knight." That was the name of the film star who discovered she had been cloned to provide "living sex toys" for rich individuals. Very interesting book.
Liam Devlin
SOC-14 5K
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Identity theft/ body theft/ cloning violations--see the nice Starburst Rangers from IMOJ right over there sir..and welcome to Newcomb, the prisonworld!
Liam Devlin
SOC-14 5K
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Originally posted by Baron Saarthuran:
I had the notion Milord, That for security purposes, It would be run like a Casino Bus Trip, the Gvans and shuttles picking up prearranged customers to free them from the worries of a ship, its sort of an "all inclusive" resort ship... a diversion from the rigors of space travel. High tech level communications make picking up passengers a snap. for the high fee (yet to be determined) the customer can expect to have every whim catered to, so to speak...
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An interstellar brothel! Good idea! I have seen plans laid up for a travelling circus on a bulk freighter, this is not too far away from the mark--<tips hat to baron S>.
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So is prostitution a full blown institution IYTU? are their schools? Is it legal in your Imperium?
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Locally on planets this varies with social mores & population pressures. So yes, it exists.
Is it legal IMTU? Again, this varies. On the TRAVELLER level, I follow the geisha-model/ Firefly companion mode(see other replies above)..as in all things, quality and talent vary--the higher the fee, the higher entertainment/ skill. Thus courtesan class escorts exist, to the common subcontracting workers of belter worlds!
IMTU, there are also "geisha" types, and most tread in high levels (outside the peerage) as consorts (and spies) sort of like the Bene Gesserit in Herbert's DUNE, in a way. This is not to say that there are not less Prestigous members of the Universe's oldest profession around. There is also a hard to detect (and some say manufactured) disease that causes madness and death if allowed to progress to long, a parable to how Syphillis was back in the old days.
I was inspired to post as I have been watching "I, Claudius" of late, and Prostitutes play a major political role in parts of that.
An excellent PBS series, and I note the actor who played Claudius also did Cadfael in the Ellis peters renditions as well. Top notch stuff.
Thank you for the topic Baron S!<bows>
I meant using bioroids/replicants as prostitues. I take it, though, from the design of the ship that the workers are more than just "nightly companions" but like geishas as well, but that may have been said here outright.
Also, what
about interspecies liasons
?
Oh yeah, the I, Claudius series. So far only read the books. Isn't Robert Graves d e a d dead?
Also, what
about interspecies liasons
Oh yeah, the I, Claudius series. So far only read the books. Isn't Robert Graves d e a d dead?
Keklas Rekobah
SOC-14 1K
Watch out for Geisha's - they're six-faced and black-hearted.
While handling cargo on the Mithras run, I had a 'Gal Friday' named Aida (ah-YEE-da). She stood 180cm with just the right physical enhancements. Her martial arts skills were exemplary (HTH-4, Dagger-4, and Body Pistol-3). She managed the books, worked the comm console, stood watch, piloted the gig, and kept me warm at night.
She actually worked for the Company. Her written job description was 'Personal Assistant and Bodyguard.' Her orders from corporate HQ were 'Keep the Captain happy and on the payroll..."
"... until further notice."
During a layover at Athas highport (a privately-owned property of the Company), she received her orders to 'terminate my employment'. I hated to do what I did, but the dagger in my ribs left me no choice - the corporate goons would have 'terminated her employment' if she had failed.
I saved them the trouble.
There was a price on my hide for a while, but some friends back in Imperial Naval Intelligence (INI, a.k.a., "The Rasta") got involved and took care of the problem. It seemed a munitions barge broke loose from it's tug and collided with Athas Highport about a month after I left.
Lucky for the INI, the munitions were old and slated to be disposed of in the system's primary star. Also, the tug was owned by the Company, and had failed to report for it's last three overhauls. It was all the Company's fault, by Imperial decree.
Coincidentally, piracy was down for over a year in that subsector.
Imagine that...
While handling cargo on the Mithras run, I had a 'Gal Friday' named Aida (ah-YEE-da). She stood 180cm with just the right physical enhancements. Her martial arts skills were exemplary (HTH-4, Dagger-4, and Body Pistol-3). She managed the books, worked the comm console, stood watch, piloted the gig, and kept me warm at night.
She actually worked for the Company. Her written job description was 'Personal Assistant and Bodyguard.' Her orders from corporate HQ were 'Keep the Captain happy and on the payroll..."
"... until further notice."
During a layover at Athas highport (a privately-owned property of the Company), she received her orders to 'terminate my employment'. I hated to do what I did, but the dagger in my ribs left me no choice - the corporate goons would have 'terminated her employment' if she had failed.
I saved them the trouble.
There was a price on my hide for a while, but some friends back in Imperial Naval Intelligence (INI, a.k.a., "The Rasta") got involved and took care of the problem. It seemed a munitions barge broke loose from it's tug and collided with Athas Highport about a month after I left.
Lucky for the INI, the munitions were old and slated to be disposed of in the system's primary star. Also, the tug was owned by the Company, and had failed to report for it's last three overhauls. It was all the Company's fault, by Imperial decree.
Coincidentally, piracy was down for over a year in that subsector.
Imagine that...
The Hinterworlds Rambler
SOC-14 5K
Graves is indeed dead. If you can, Milord, I suggest trying to find the books
"Watch the Northwind Rise" about a man from edwardian england transported to the future to a country called "New Crete" very cool.
"Goodbye to All That" which Graves accounts his experiences in WWI, best if found unabridged...
"Twelve Ceasars" Graves makes a modern translation of Seutonius' immortal work about the rulership of Rome... Simply astounding...
"Watch the Northwind Rise" about a man from edwardian england transported to the future to a country called "New Crete" very cool.
"Goodbye to All That" which Graves accounts his experiences in WWI, best if found unabridged...
"Twelve Ceasars" Graves makes a modern translation of Seutonius' immortal work about the rulership of Rome... Simply astounding...
The Hinterworlds Rambler
SOC-14 5K
Im not sure the whole cloning thing makes sense, unless it was inexpensive to do... It makes for good Sci Fi, indeed, but is a little... done, from Blade Runner on down the line... I have always thought that the cost of such a venture would be prohibative... such a debate is on another post, if memory serves.
The sophontic equation would be in effect in this, based simply on the sheer numbers of Known Space's population... The prostitutes at work on such a ship, IMTU, would no be slaves or bound in anyway to stay on board in most cases, nor would every one be a geisha superspy... there must me some account for those of "average" Character, but a wolf could hide easily in such a fold, for sure...
Insofar as Interspecies Relations are concerned, If it is possible, Why not? The Universe is very Large. Without getting too graphic, there are certainly plenty of unusual fetishes on this one planet that would make Caligula cringe... that debate is also another post, what?
The sophontic equation would be in effect in this, based simply on the sheer numbers of Known Space's population... The prostitutes at work on such a ship, IMTU, would no be slaves or bound in anyway to stay on board in most cases, nor would every one be a geisha superspy... there must me some account for those of "average" Character, but a wolf could hide easily in such a fold, for sure...
Insofar as Interspecies Relations are concerned, If it is possible, Why not? The Universe is very Large. Without getting too graphic, there are certainly plenty of unusual fetishes on this one planet that would make Caligula cringe... that debate is also another post, what?
Inexpensive cloning isn't a very big assumption in the Universe of Traveller. A Clone is simply an artificial identical twin. Identical twins tend to look alike and so should clones, they aren't the same person, but in the profession of prostitution they don't have to be and the customers don't care. Imagine the prettiest model or celebrity that you've ever seen in a magazine or movie and now imagine a clone of that person available to have sex with at a price. Suppose the clone is the ruler of a distant planet and for the right fee you can go to bed with that clone and have your pictures taken with her. Now present those pictures to the ruler of that planet and you can blackmail her for great sums of money or you will take those pictures to the press.
mad13142000
SOC-13
Cloning someone without their express, written consent is against the law.
Involuntary servitude is also against the law, and actual slavery is punishable by death.
Prostitution is legal, but pimping is definitely NOT. Many women make load of credits, and it's only those leeches who prey on the girl's labor that makes the life hard...
I've seen too many brothels in the numerous startowns outside the spaceports I've visited, I wouldn't spend the extra time and money to visit one cruising around in a spaceship...Maybe if I was a noble, but I'm not...
I suppose the trained courtesians are better, but I like the 'girl next door' better...
-MADDog
Involuntary servitude is also against the law, and actual slavery is punishable by death.
Prostitution is legal, but pimping is definitely NOT. Many women make load of credits, and it's only those leeches who prey on the girl's labor that makes the life hard...
I've seen too many brothels in the numerous startowns outside the spaceports I've visited, I wouldn't spend the extra time and money to visit one cruising around in a spaceship...Maybe if I was a noble, but I'm not...
I suppose the trained courtesians are better, but I like the 'girl next door' better...
-MADDog
This has nothing to do with the subject of prostitution, per se, but I assume that interspecies relations, though rare, exist. This is obviously limited to the more humanoid races (various Humaniti, Aslan, Vargr and similar) and to those who have any concept of sexual relationships (counter-example: Droyne and Hivers).Originally posted by Jame:
Also, what?
There is one (semi-)canonical source for this: In one of the Roleplaying examples in the Aslan part of Solomani&Aslan, it is said that relations between Aslan and Humans exist, but are extremely rare and stigmatized.
Regards,
Tobias
The Hinterworlds Rambler
SOC-14 5K
As do we all, at heart, Lord Maddog. Do you mean that in your traveller universe, those laws are present, or is that Canon? (which I always thought was a Camera Company) The concept i am puttig together for the Adventure involving the Messalina, must have a different setup than the usual Stereotypes about it. It would sort of do away with the role of a Procurer (pimp) in most cases, but some ships may adhere to that sort of more criminal standard.
From some of the Nobles I have met, I would be surprised if they weren't Living onboard full time! (im saving myself for a mutually beneficial political marriage, once that's done...hmmm)
The novelty is what was presented. Anonimity, and Luxurious service of many kinds would be the crew's goal, but at a cost, of course...
The Hinterworlds Rambler
SOC-14 5K
In response to Lord Tom...
The Cloning Concept needs to be better defined...
Do you mean:
A: Making a Clone of a human and Having it born and growing up normally, or, (now that is some fetishistic sticktoitiveness, waiting for the Paramour to grow up)
B: Making a clone that is rapidly aged to be at the desired Age level? (MUST be expensive, if possible at even the highest Tech Levels... If that could be done, wouldn't everyone with the money be basically Immortal?
C: Synthetic Humans?
I just think it more likeley that either case would have a very limited return potential to the maker (and would definitely be a very peculiar scientist, to say the least). Cloning that cheap and that pervasive would impact society in many ways... I think that A Clone Army would be made before a Cloned Cathouse.
The Cloning Concept needs to be better defined...
Do you mean:
A: Making a Clone of a human and Having it born and growing up normally, or, (now that is some fetishistic sticktoitiveness, waiting for the Paramour to grow up)
B: Making a clone that is rapidly aged to be at the desired Age level? (MUST be expensive, if possible at even the highest Tech Levels... If that could be done, wouldn't everyone with the money be basically Immortal?
C: Synthetic Humans?
I just think it more likeley that either case would have a very limited return potential to the maker (and would definitely be a very peculiar scientist, to say the least). Cloning that cheap and that pervasive would impact society in many ways... I think that A Clone Army would be made before a Cloned Cathouse.
PapaGolfWhiskey
SOC-13
Yeah, let's clone a top notch bounty hunter while stiring up the kind of unrest that reveals the need within the imperium for an instant army and...
oh wait... That's been done.
oh wait... That's been done.
Liam Devlin
SOC-14 5K
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LOL/ ROFLMAO!
Welcome back garf! Longtime no post?
Glad to see you still haunt these boards!
Slainte!
PapaGolfWhiskey
SOC-13
heh yep... I'm back. Been posting for a couple of days now.
For some reason the twilight board caught my eye this time around. And I did post a... 'conclusion' of sorts to my Kursis Charter run.
Sorry for the OTU but I thought I'd say hi back and 'here I am' (textually speaking that is.)
For some reason the twilight board caught my eye this time around. And I did post a... 'conclusion' of sorts to my Kursis Charter run.
Sorry for the OTU but I thought I'd say hi back and 'here I am' (textually speaking that is.)
