I think all of the above. It gives some basic information, and can give you some inspiration too. On the other hand, they don't always do things most people do, they just do it because it sells.
I have, yes. Although that's not usually the exact reason why I'm watching it most of the time, but I definitely see things that turn me on that I'd like to try, tweaks on different positions, different locations. Sometimes it inspires a new fantasy, scenario or fetish that works its way into my mind and becomes something I want to try (or dream of trying).
When I was younger, I definitely watched to learn technique on things like blowjobs, deep throating, DP, rimming, how to handle balls, what to expect with anal etc. I've found it pretty useful as long as you take things in context and strip away the fact that prepping for anal occurs off-scene and a lot of porn is taken to extremes and the positions are modified to allow for camera angles. But yeah, I think you can definitely pick up some new techniques and ideas.
I think in the same way as past generations used things like Kama Sutra and The Joy of Sex, the internet generation uses porn and erotica.
I have considered where it can go off the rails for younger kids that are drawn to the more extreme porn that's becoming commonplace - and by extreme I'm talking about the really brutal fucked up stuff. I often wonder if there is added pressure on younger girls to do the things depicted in vids and clips that are passed around and watched by guys in their peer group. There's definitely a potential downside as porn continues to push the limits in order to offer something new and shocking as more people become desensitized to watching 'normal' sex.
It is both depending on your age and relationship status. I found porn long before I ever was with a woman/girl. I had at least some basic idea of what was going on. My dad never really filled in the blanks. so it is both. I still remember the first time I saw porn with a guy eating the womans pussy. I had NEVER even though about that before. And I haven't stopped eating yet!
Inspiration? Maybe in broad strokes, pardon the pun. I saw people having sex, and I wanted to have sex too. Different positions and scenarios added colour to that, but only really in the context of there was a variety of experiences to enjoy. I never saw any individual act that I just had to try. Nor did I ever watch porn to specifically learn anything.
As my dad put it, in an awkward, American Pie-esque moment, it's not the same as in the movies, because "they're driving for show." The reality of that came crashing home when I finally got my hands on a woman, and it wasn't quite what I was expecting. Real life is very, very different. Camera angles and cash don't prepare you for the sights, smells, sounds, feel and tastes of real sex. To say nothing of the emotions.
I think if you look at porn as anything other than a naughty thrill, it'll bite you in the ass. The way people behave and the way people are treated create really misguided expectations about human sexuality. Lots of people think what they see on screen is normal, when nothing could be further from the truth. It's really quite sad that so many people turn to porn as a source of education.
Some of it's still hot as shit though.
My latest story is a racy little piece about what happens when someone cute from work invites you over to watch Netflix and Chill. I am shocked to learn that most Russian grandmothers have sex with their grandchildren
To be honest, I can't say I rely on it too much. In most cases, I've actually gotten into specific acts and kinks in real life first, and only then started looking for porn scenes featuring them.
For example, it's often said that porn is responsible for making people expect anal sex, but personally I never even liked watching anal scenes in porn until I actually fucked a girl in the ass for the first time (and that was her idea, too). After that I was sold, and started looking for anal sex scenes, because I realised how much I liked it. And the same goes for facials. I found them weird until I was with a chick who liked cum on her face. It's the girls who got me into a lot of things, not porn lol.
I do think that porn can be misleading and even dangerous for naive and inexperienced people, though.
I haven't watched porn in a number of years, so my opinion is a bit dated :P
Personally I'm not completely sure drawing ones directions from porn is exactly the best idea, considering as a medium it's pretty entrenched in fantasy, porn is often about what looks good over what feels good, one only has to look at the facial expressions of some of the people doing the act in the videos to see what I'm talking about. Also a lot of it is fake, often the actors and actresses play up the situation or exaggerate their movements/sounds/reactions in order to sensationalize the event and make it more appealing to the viewer.
Porn is good for doing exactly what it tries to do, which is to entertain and to get people off. I'm not sure turning it into a measuring stick for your personal sexual experiences is a good idea, and there are plenty of tests that have been done which show just that.
A good example of this can even be drawn from my earlier life, in my younger years I like many folks my age was something of a porn enthusiast you may say, I watched it whenever the mood struck and it struck often. But it colored my opinions of what I thought real life encounters were like, and while I would still consider my first time to be a very enjoyable experience and fond memory, it was diminished by my pre-formed expectations of what sex was like. Expectations I had formed from watching porn.
That said hey if it gives you some ideas as to a new position or role play, or whatever then that's just an added bonus and I hope you enjoy doing it as much as you enjoyed watching it.
