Sophia Locke talks about returning to adult entertainment, building community as a cam model, TikTok, strange fan requests, consent, step mom content, and singing
Such a fascinating post! I love how you depicted Locke as a 3-d person with interests and a life outside of sex work. As you mention, the gender politics/biases of sex work (& reporting on sex work) are so entrenched in society that they almost feel natural.
Despite being faux pas, the porn industry always fascinates me because it's like a testing laboratory for how the rest of "the internet" and "internet culture" will evolve and adapt. From an "R&D" perspective, seeing what's happening in porn will tell you a lot about what's going to happen in "mainstream" culture down the line.
Posting at 3am huh? 🤓. Interesting interview with Locke. I can only imagine the self-consciousness and external judgment she feels. She must be very strong. I say: Hey, do what you love, as long as you’re not harming anyone else in the process.
Great profile! Not following up on "vase guy" is my only disappointment thus far. That man is enjoying a simpler, clearer love life than the rest of us. Maybe a simpler life in general.
Love this. Your porn-related stories remind me of David Foster Wallace's 'Big Red Son' essay - which never fails to make me laugh out loud - and now he's got competition. And PLEASE follow-up Vase Guy!
I'll admit that the existence of certain kinds of pornography makes me feel "kinda sad inside", so I was very hesitant to read this because I thought it would make me feel "kinda sad inside" and then I'd have to feel bad about feeling "kinda sad inside", etc. But that didn't happen, and that has everything to do with the way you handled the writing and your conversation with Sophia. You approached this with a little less of your usual humor which I think worked to bring respect and real honesty to the process. It also showed me another layer of you. Which was kinda nice. 🙂 Good work, Michael. Reluctant reader of 🌽 stories, but working toward enlightenment, Me.
Thank you for every word of this comment, Meg! I really appreciate your honesty here, as well as the trust you showed me by giving this piece a chance. This probably won’t surprise you, but I’ve always been a lot more interested in the people who make 🌽, how our culture treats 🌽✨, and what 🌽 can tell us about our culture, than the 🌽 itself.
What is it gonna take to get a follow up on vase guy????
For real tho this was awesome - I loved the piece and your approach and Sophia’s vibe she seems awesome. Great work everyone, including of course vase guy
What an amazing interview. And parts were eye opening. I’m out of the “porn loop,” so I didn’t even know what OnlyFans was. I used to GoGo Dance, naked bar tend, and do naked-sushi events while I was trying to become an actor and screenwriter, but it left me feeling empty and ashamed. After reading some of Sophia Locke’s perspectives, I’m not sure if I felt that way because of the work itself or because of how society makes people perceive the work.
I’m new to your writing, Michael. I’m curious if you interviewed any men who work in the industry? Who knows, maybe after a few more of these interviews, I’ll start juggling WebCam work with my Substack.
Such a fascinating post! I love how you depicted Locke as a 3-d person with interests and a life outside of sex work. As you mention, the gender politics/biases of sex work (& reporting on sex work) are so entrenched in society that they almost feel natural.
Thank Jillian! I was a little nervous writing this one, but I think it came out well.
Very thoughtfully and professionally written, Michael. Awesome work.
I agree! Glad you wrote it!
Despite being faux pas, the porn industry always fascinates me because it's like a testing laboratory for how the rest of "the internet" and "internet culture" will evolve and adapt. From an "R&D" perspective, seeing what's happening in porn will tell you a lot about what's going to happen in "mainstream" culture down the line.
Related to that idea, I just read this WIRED article about Twitter a few days ago, which you might find interesting: https://www.wired.com/story/let-twitter-devolve-into-porn/ (You can read it in Apple News too.)
I imagine it's a bit risky putting out a piece like this, but you treated Sophia and the topic with respect and curiousity. Very good stuff, Michael.
Thank you! And thanks for the Wired link! Excited to check it out.
Posting at 3am huh? 🤓. Interesting interview with Locke. I can only imagine the self-consciousness and external judgment she feels. She must be very strong. I say: Hey, do what you love, as long as you’re not harming anyone else in the process.
Michael Mohr
‘The Incompatibility of Being Alive’
https://reallife82.substack.com/
Sophia Locke is a very strong woman. Also, I always schedule posts for 3:03am Pacific.
Great profile! Not following up on "vase guy" is my only disappointment thus far. That man is enjoying a simpler, clearer love life than the rest of us. Maybe a simpler life in general.
I think you’re right about vase guy. I messed that one up.
Love this. Your porn-related stories remind me of David Foster Wallace's 'Big Red Son' essay - which never fails to make me laugh out loud - and now he's got competition. And PLEASE follow-up Vase Guy!
Thank you, Bryan! That's very high praise indeed. And yes, I need to follow-up on Vase Guy!
I'll admit that the existence of certain kinds of pornography makes me feel "kinda sad inside", so I was very hesitant to read this because I thought it would make me feel "kinda sad inside" and then I'd have to feel bad about feeling "kinda sad inside", etc. But that didn't happen, and that has everything to do with the way you handled the writing and your conversation with Sophia. You approached this with a little less of your usual humor which I think worked to bring respect and real honesty to the process. It also showed me another layer of you. Which was kinda nice. 🙂 Good work, Michael. Reluctant reader of 🌽 stories, but working toward enlightenment, Me.
Thank you for every word of this comment, Meg! I really appreciate your honesty here, as well as the trust you showed me by giving this piece a chance. This probably won’t surprise you, but I’ve always been a lot more interested in the people who make 🌽, how our culture treats 🌽✨, and what 🌽 can tell us about our culture, than the 🌽 itself.
What is it gonna take to get a follow up on vase guy????
For real tho this was awesome - I loved the piece and your approach and Sophia’s vibe she seems awesome. Great work everyone, including of course vase guy
I have calls into Vase Dude's reps. Will get answers. Also, thanks for your kind words, Alex!
So interesting! I love her. Great interview.
Thank you!
What an amazing interview. And parts were eye opening. I’m out of the “porn loop,” so I didn’t even know what OnlyFans was. I used to GoGo Dance, naked bar tend, and do naked-sushi events while I was trying to become an actor and screenwriter, but it left me feeling empty and ashamed. After reading some of Sophia Locke’s perspectives, I’m not sure if I felt that way because of the work itself or because of how society makes people perceive the work.
I’m new to your writing, Michael. I’m curious if you interviewed any men who work in the industry? Who knows, maybe after a few more of these interviews, I’ll start juggling WebCam work with my Substack.