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Archives

1. old – November 2006
2. – January 2007

I think some of the images on this article are distasteful. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.197.95.185 (talk) 15:13, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

Creepy glowing black semen image by RichieX

I deleted this because (1) it doesn't look like semen with those weird iradescent black edges and odd black lumps of sperm caused by the lighting and shadows. I've seen enough semen in real life & porn to know that it's not BLACK and SHINY. That's just not normal. If anyone wants to see cum, they can google any porno site - and see a normalass picture of it. This was the most bizarre picture of semen I have ever seen. The fact that RicheX is apparently a pube-less exhibitionist, based on his contributions to wikipedia, didn't help matters... but that's not the sole reason I deleted it (and believe it just should remain deleted.). Frankly, I'd much rather see cum spattered across a woman's face in this article than the black, glowing balls of semen that were in this picture. That would be far less disturbing. Thank you Angelatomato 13:56, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

In this picture, the semen sits upon a black fabric, which wets and darkens it and shows through the transparent contents of ejaculate, and makes the light reflection on this wet substance stand out. It is not black, it is not glowing, and it's not disturbing if you know a little bit about semen composition and understand how wetness darkens colors and reflects light. But for these optical tricks brought on by the environment, it is not a very good example picture. -- AvatarMN 22:56, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

I think it is important to have a picture of human semen on this page because it demonstrates the subject matter in a way relevant to the readers (humans). Pilotbob 03:59, 14 September 2007 (UTC)

Yes, it is important to have a picture. But we don't need a poor quality photograph like this one from a terrible source. The image should be removed until a more suitable one can replace it, preferably one showing semen in a lab setting so it can be viewed in an academic manner instead of being sloppily displayed smeared on a piece of furniture. --12.170.26.98 10:03, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

We do need a different photo. I don't care who it comes from or anything, I just think that semen in a person's palm or on flat piece of glass would be a better picture instead of a pic that makes it look like its glowing. Asarelah 04:01, 10 November 2007 (UTC)

User Richiex is a wikipedia exhibitionist, whose ejaculate is in the photograph, part 2

OH COME ON PEOPLE!! MY FRIENDS AND I HAVE BEING JOKING ABOUT THIS PAGE FOR NEARLY A YEAR! I HONESTLY CANNOT BELIEVE THIS PICTURE STILL HASN'T BEEN DELETED!!!

09/11/07
—Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.98.8.123 (talk) 20:21, 9 November 2007 (UTC)

This rather important topic was taken off this page and not archived for some unknown reason, so I thought to continue it here to advance discussion of it. http://commons.wikimedia.org/Special:Contributions/Richiex User RichieX is a troll, who as evidenced by his contributions page, has taken photographs of his own naked body in a variety of graphic images, very likely to troll wikipedia for exhibitionist reasons. Several of his pictures were nominated for deletion by wikicommons, he doesn't have an actual userpage meaning that in spite of his "contributions" he wasn't particularly interested in feedback or being a part of the wikipedia community with regards to discussion over said contributions. The image of his ejaculate that is now on the page is a cropped version of a photo which previously included part of the man's genitals in the picture. The bottom line is that there are a trillion better-quality photographs of semen readily available via a mere google image search that could suffice in the stead of a low-quality image that takes the idea of "original research" ridiculously too far, and why the image even needs to be up there at all given its quality/nature is a mystery. --68.111.70.104 22:02, 7 February 2007 (UTC)

I agree. Took picture off. Movietrailer 00:36, 10 February 2007 (UTC)

Not archived? It's the very first discussion on the January archive.Prometheus 09:38, 10 February 2007 (UTC)

I feel that this image is more suitable for an Ejaculation subject, and should be removed until a more clinical image can be found. This is clearly not in context with the rest of the article, and not a very professional photograph. Movietrailer 11:26, 10 February 2007 (UTC)

This is an old discussion, that has been rehashed many times, (See archives). See the discussion further below reegarding the current consensus. Removing the image is against that consensus. If you have tried to remove the image eight times in three days, and been reverted every time that is a sign that your opinion to remove the image is against consensus. If you read WP:3RR it says "Editors may still be blocked even if they haven't made more than three edits in any given 24 hour period, if their behaviour is clearly disruptive." and "The bottom line: use common sense, and don't participate in edit wars. Rather than reverting multiple times, discuss the matter with other editors. If an action really needs reverting that much, somebody else will probably do it — and that will serve the vital purpose of showing that the community at large is in agreement over which course of action is preferable." Atom 15:04, 12 February 2007 (UTC)

Removing the image isn't against consensus. "Consensus" was only achieved because vocal critics eventually stopped paying attention to the controversy because of your bias towards keeping the pic and infuriating and insulting behavior as a senior editor. <spetz>.71.187.179.213 20:01, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

I have reviewed the logs several times and I still fail to see this "consensus" you keep talking about. A minority of editors such as yourself seem intent on keeping the image here for whatever strange reason that I cannot fathom. Most of the posts by users have been against the image for generally the same reasons. --66.75.238.69 11:47, 25 March 2007 (UTC)

This discussion should focus on the content,not the editor who added it. It seems completely plausible that even a notorious exhibitionist can sometimes make useful contributions. Interestingstuffadder 19:34, 11 February 2007 (UTC)

How is this a useful contribution then? It is an ugly image that was created by a user photographing his own ejaculate. Congratulations, we now have an image that is a mocking point undermining the credibility of wikipedia as a resource. --66.75.238.69 11:47, 25 March 2007 (UTC)

I Agree. Richiex is a exhibitionist, the picture should be deleted because someone could be offended. (My english is bad) (Spanish: Estoy de acuerdo, Richiex es un exibicionista y la imagen debería ser borrada porque alguien podría ofenderse) Berfito 22:24, 6 April 2007 (UTC)

I disagree. if a user does a search for "Semen", they should not be shocked to come across an image of it. --John T. Folden 03:25, 7 April 2007 (UTC)

It is not watching "semen", it is how it is presented. The photo is already a running joke on The Register mocking User-Generated content. The photo itself shows without any explanation required, that this was morbidly ejaculated (why isn't it shown, say, in a test tube?) 148.244.43.169 01:13, 12 April 2007 (UTC)

What's morbid is the controversy such a simple image produces among a select few. I fail to see how a picture of a test tube would be more clear than a clear image of the item in question itself. --John T. Folden 04:55, 13 April 2007 (UTC)

A test tube or petri dish photo WOULD be a clearer image than a bad photo taken of spunk on someone's sofa. --64.58.148.66 09:57, 16 April 2007 (UTC)

A petri dish might work fine, provided there's a dark background. A test tube would not. Feel free to submit a pic. --John T. Folden 00:27, 17 April 2007 (UTC)

I don't see what the huge problem is. The image might be bit unprofessional, with the semen just on a couch or whatever that cloth is, but if a user uploads a pic of his semen in something like a petri dish as mentioned above... what is the problem with that? Exhibitionist or not, it's still human semen. You don't have to be in a laboratory to jack off. 66.190.142.200 (talk) 01:17, 6 April 2008 (UTC)

Actually, I think I have a petri dish somewhere around here. I may come back to this article later. Wink, wink. 66.190.142.200 (talk) 01:20, 6 April 2008 (UTC)

Addition to Cultural Aspects

I added some information to the "martial arts" section regarding Chinese culture and semen.

Good. I think we need more information added to this section, for instance hyppocrates shared aristotle's view on the subject of semen retention. DRAGOMIROV 04:59, 13 September 2007 (UTC)

could you add please la:Eiaculatum, thank you

Could you add please la:Eiaculatum, thank you--85.1.75.238 21:51, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

done -- zzuuzz 22:01, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Discussion from November 2006-January 2007

What happened to the discussion from that period. Why is it not archived? 24.248.9.162 04:59, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

I have no idea, but the discussion over the disgusting image that exhibitionist troll user RichieX put up of his own semen can still be read in them. Hopefully eventually the image will be taken off permanently, since I have yet to see one credible argument as to why low-quality content created by a user trolling wikipedia with pictures of his penis should be included anywhere on wikipedia except in a humorous parody article. --68.111.70.104 13:46, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

Of what I read, only two people wanted to keep that image up. How is that a consensus? 24.248.9.162 03:10, 25 January 2007 (UTC)

Feature Picture

Make sure to vote for the picture of human semen as a featured picture at http://en.wikipedia.org/Wikipedia:Featured_picture_candidates/Semen ChicagoPizzaYumm 22:56, 25 January 2007 (UTC) This does not appear to be a valid link.

:Image:Semen2.jpg

The image was deleted without following any process by user:Danny. Atom 15:00, 27 January 2007 (UTC)

Not out of process, a user can delete images on sight if they believe that they are of no use to Misplaced Pages, pose no value, are illegal, and a large amount of other things. Cbrown1023 15:41, 27 January 2007 (UTC)

No, that is not true. We have a deletion process, including a speedy delete process. That process was not followed. Whether the image is of no value, or illegal is a matter of perspective and discussion. In this case, clearly neither was the case. It does not violate 2237, as it is not a sex act, there are not even any people in the image. After months of discussion by dozens of people to come to consensus on the use of the image in the semen article, including a compromise to place it lower in the article, it would be hard to argue that it is not used, or of no value. Atom 15:59, 27 January 2007 (UTC)

I have restored the image; we'll see what happens next.

Could someone please summarize the previous discussion at the top of this talk page?

Fred-Chess 16:19, 27 January 2007 (UTC)

I see that the image is back on the commons site, but not appearing on the Misplaced Pages semen article? Perhaps the image name on Misplaced Pages is salt'ed? It does not seem to be on the MediaWiki:Bad image list. Atom 16:29, 27 January 2007 (UTC)

Seems to be visible now. Thanks, to whomever, Atom 20:31, 27 January 2007 (UTC)

"By dozens of people?" Last I checked, the comments in support by two or three people is not "dozens." 24.248.9.162 20:02, 28 January 2007 (UTC)

Please look at the archives. Dozens is more accurate than two or three. This debate has been going on for about a year and some consensus seemed to have been arrived at after a lengthy process of discussion, with many arguments on both sides. Interestingstuffadder 20:38, 28 January 2007 (UTC)

Well, it looks to me like a number of people have participated at one time or another. If you mean did all of them vote for the recent consensus? Consensus is not normally by vote. Obviously for the past month it has been quiet, and people have been satisfied with the compromise moving the image lower in article. We all would like if we could find a good image to replace the current one. Until then it seems to be a compromise acceptance.

Here are the people that I have seen discuss the issue in the past year or so: Atom, Prometheus, zzuuzz, Johntex, Scix, The Linguist, Slickshoes3234, Trevor H, Tim1988, Interestingstuffadder, Yourebustedyo, carlb, Daniel Olsen, walot, 67.23.140.120, CerealBabyMilk, Darksun, Zero1328, Nycmstar, Erielhonan, PHDrillSergeant, 134.225.12.50, Andrew 8754, Offensiveandconfusing, 209.172.240.254, BanyanTree, 66.75.238.69, 72.76.248.151, 68.5.45.126, 66.212.48.76, Fallom, 128.220.159.42, 24.58.14.1, Ronnierosenthal, MMad, Quadzilla99, 66.167.202.101, Rockules318, 24.243.60.29, Robb0995, Kirvett, 204.90.50.252, 75.3.204.100, 24.58.14.1, Pymkinkin, Rlcuda, 68.44.192.170, ckules318, 68.5.45.126. Each offered opinions, and discussed.

Here are the people who actively edited the article since 3 december when the compromise to move the semen image to the middle of the article was made. (That is to say editors, rather than lurkers): Kirvett, Robb0995, Obacoomb, Uriel8, Zzuuzz, Atomaton, PrometheusX303, BanyanTree, SchmuckyTheCat, Erielhonan, KenFehling, Danny Yee, Salad Days, and Wafulz. Since the compromise, the image has been removed against consensus, without discussion three times, and was replaced back on the page by one of the editors above.

In all of January, it has not be removed even once.

We have a consensus, and actively or passively, all of these people are supporting it. If we leave things as they are, then it should remain quiet. If someone decided to move the image to lede position, it would start a war on consensus anew.Atom 20:43, 28 January 2007 (UTC)

The article is locked from new or unregistered users altering it (otherwise I would have done so myself) and regardless of how many people feel strongly against it, a minority (which appears to be the case here) can still re-edit and restore something all they like until intervention is made. Additionally, the people you've gone back and looked for to support are still small in number compared to those against it. You're making an argument for consensus based on very faulty reasoning indeed, Atom. I would also add that many have tried and grown frustrated with the antics of users like yourself, who effectively have stonewalled this discussion in a manner worthy of being dubbed one of the many "lamest edit wars" of wikipedia. This image is an embarrassment to wikipedia, and users like yourself using such disingenuous tactics over something as ridiculous as a user-created image of their own bodily fluids are an embarrassment as well. --68.111.70.104 14:37, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

Please provide some evidence for your claims about a "minority" "stonewalling". When I look back at the discussion, it does not seem at all clear that an overwhelming majority has opposed this picture. Also, your majority/minority reasoning itself is faulty. Misplaced Pages operates by reasoned consensus, not majority votes (see WP:NOT#DEMOCRACY). Moreover, many of the voices opposing this photo have said things along the lines of "that's gross", which is certainly not a valid wikipedia rationale. Interestingstuffadder 14:58, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for a good explanation. I can see your perspective well, and how you view things. I hear you saying that a series of anon IP's and a few Misplaced Pages users have one opinion, and a handfull of editors have an opposing opinion. The reason that the article is protected against anon edit is because a series of random people who aren't familiar with Misplaced Pages policies or our community culture remove an image that they think is pornographic. They often aren't personally offended (some are) but they think that the image is someone's vandalism, or not appropriate because children might see it, or that all explicit images must be contrary to an encyclopedia. (They have a variety of well meaning reasons). In your case, you could register, which would give you more anonymity, in a way, than the IP address, and participate in building this article in a few days. If you don't want to go to that level of effort, then you are probably the kind of anon that we don't want to edit the article, because someone who feels that way probably is not aware of Misplaced Pages policies that we do censor, and have not read the content disclaimer that warns ALL users "Misplaced Pages contains many different images, some of which are considered objectionable or offensive by some readers." And also don't know about WP:AGF or WP:CON and WP:CIV.

There is a mindset, not universally shared, but common, that there are a set of people who actually contribute to an article by improving it with citeable, verifiable information relevant to the topic, add pictures, offering editing and layout enhancements, etc. The contributing editors, even when they have very different perspectives, work together, and usually hash out differences of opinions to make the article better. Then there are a set of people who "drive-by" the article, have not participated in the discussions (as you obviously are) but just cut out whatever they disagree with in the article (for political, religious, philisophical reasons). Or, in the rare case, they criticize on the talk page, but don't contribute. These contributing editors, with differing opinions, tend to feel a sense of ownership and protection of the article. After spending dozens of hours to finely tune the article, and discuss in depth issues related to the quality of the article with other contributing editors (which includes listening to the drive-by participants) they resent when someone who has never even seen the article before decided to make some large edit that undoes their hard work and efforts to find consensus with others. You view these contributing editors, in this article, as a handful of people acting against a mass of dissent, when they view themselves as hard working participants that have tried hard to work together to build an article, and protect it against an uniformed mass of well-meaning vandals. Atom 15:21, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

In that case I will be registering to remove the image. This has gone on long enough. --68.111.70.104 21:48, 7 February 2007 (UTC)

The picture is a disgrace, makes me sick.

>>It's images like this that makes wikipedia a joke. Please, the picture of the bottle of horse semen is good enough. If you're gonna post a picture of human's semen, have the semen be in a cup or tube...

I am going to quite deliberately butt in here without reading the archived debate and just state that this picture is utterly pointless and expendable, in my opinion. And as BBF3 would say, "I left it at that". Lfh 21:17, 27 February 2007 (UTC)

After reading a bit of the discussion, it seems that the concensus is that the picture, although relevant, is in no way medical or scientific. As pointed out, a simple Google image search would give over 40,000 pictures of semen, in both scientific and pornographic settings. After sifting through the first page in the name of sceintific integrity (ew...), I found that a few of those are obviously more medical in nature than the splotch on Misplaced Pages's page. Why not leave the horse picture on and remove this pointless pic? SivArt 06:13, 27 March 2007 (UTC)

I've added another pic of human semen in a condon, a typical collection device. Also added the pics in a gallery format to aid with the visual layout of the article BigBoris 23:09, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

BigBoris, how does that picture add to the article? Also, you claim that the semen was produced during intercourse. It could have been just as easily (if not more easily) produced by masturbation.

I don't think that the original picture was removed for a good reason, even if it did become famous on the internet. People looking at this article probably want to see human semen, not horse semen. Bare in mind that female virgins who have never seen the stuff probably want to know what it looks like before they will in most cases be inevitably impregnated with the stuff will read this page accordingly. I don't think it should be in a test tube, but perhaps an unphased individual could wank onto something less suggestible than a bit of carpet to finally settle this. Perhaps a sheet of glass, photographed in front of a non-suggestively coloured background. I ain't putting pictures of my own semen up, but I'm sure there's people out there who are less timid than I could help out here. Any unembarassed masterbaters up for the "challenge"?

TfD nomination of Template:Linkimage

Template:Linkimage has been nominated for deletion. You are invited to comment on the discussion at the template's entry on the Templates for Deletion page. Thank you.   — Jeff G. (talk|contribs) 23:40, 8 March 2007 (UTC)

I just jacked off on my coffee table and am submitting the subsequent photo to Britannica for consideration in their upcoming edition. The picture up right now is ridiculous and makes this place look like an unprofessional, perverted junk show. Show some class and delete this picture immediately.

Excuse me....

Why on earth is there an a picture of semen on a pair of pants? I'm not against having a picture, just something a LITTLE bit more classy please! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.163.120.175 (talk) 22:41, 12 March 2007 (UTC).

Pants, huh? I always thought it was a curtain or a couch. It looks too taut to me to be a pair of pants. Salad Days 22:28, 15 March 2007 (UTC)

Oh, I always thought it was the Statue of Liberty. 87.112.84.60 15:41, 29 March 2007 (UTC)

That picture lacks class alright.83.233.58.55 21:07, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Why slugs?

It seems completely random that slugs are mentioned near the start of this article. It could equally read that "Semen is ... secreted by ... male or hermaphroditic animals, including badgers" or "...wombats" or whatever. I guess what is meant is that slugs are examples of hermaphrodites but that is not what the text actually says, and is irrelevent in an article on semen anyway.80.229.220.14 02:02, 20 March 2007 (UTC)

the semen photo

that picture is completely offensive, uncouth at best. Can you not find one in perhaps a more sterile seeming environment like in a medical setting? is it even necessary to have a photo? could it not just as easily be a diagram explaining the ejaculatory process or drawing? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 70.125.102.141 (talk) 13:54, 29 March 2007 (UTC).

No, because that would be CENSORSHIP, and the free love folks around here could not stand for that! 24.248.9.162 22:21, 3 April 2007 (UTC)

emulsification is erroneous term. Correct term is liquefaction.

Finally, the photo is gone... 129.174.184.3 05:30, 10 April 2007 (UTC)"

Misplaced Pages is not censored. Do not remove the photos under the rationale that you find it obscene or disgusting. That's not a valid reason. Malamockq 19:46, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Since when does censorship mean that "anything goes?" I guess snuff films should also be on here... Rockules318 23:35, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

Yes, there's nothing wrong with an article on snuff films. Feel free to make one if there isn't one already. --John T. Folden 19:09, 27 April 2007 (UTC)

What about child pornography? If an editor took a bunch of photos and videos of children--like, below the age of 11-children--doing various pornographic things, his own work, and then put them into a Wiki article, not only would there be no worthy enough rationale for taking them down, but any visitor to the article could arguably be breaking American and I believe international law by viewing child pornography. After all, if someone seeks out information on child pornography, they shouldn't be surprised to see it or, pardon the pun, come across it.

Or what about researching amputation? Should a researcher not be surprised to find one or more of his appendages missing because he dared ask the question?

<spetz>.71.187.179.213 20:19, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

That's not a comparable situation, as you *should* know. In that case it would involve two people in the photo and if the photographer lived in an area where the age of consent is above the age of the other individuals then he may be breaking laws in his own country by posting them BUT I don't think Wiki itself has any restrictions against it. Your ramble about amputation is just silly, sorry. --John T. Folden 23:14, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

You're free to post whatever you want. Just don't be surprised if the FBI shows up to your front door 20 minutes later because you were actually stupid enough to post child porn on Misplaced Pages. And no, no one else would get in trouble if they viewed the page, just you. --24.19.251.143 (talk) 06:24, 25 December 2007 (UTC)

I like that a photograph of human semen is considered as offensive as a film depicting an actual murder.

1337wesm 03:49, 3 May 2007 (UTC)

I guess some people have nothing else to do than to be offended by a picture of semen...? That's just silly. Exigence 05:02, 14 June 2007 (UTC)

This is not a good picture of semen. It looks black for heaven's sake... am I the only one who sees this? It's freaky weird. 24.91.135.118 13:07, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

I think that a picture is OK. I don't think it's a bad idea to have images of semen on the semen page. Come on guys, seriously, semen isn't illegal. It's not the same as child pornography. However, the SOURCE for the image reads "my penis" and this is just silly and (while I did laugh for a good minute), I think it should be removed. Either correct the source to read the USERNAME of the photographer, or remove the picture altogether since the person who took it is obviously not serious enough to contribute to the article or, even worse, is very excited by the fact that his semen is the example given on wikipedia. -Laikalynx 19:52, 16 September 2007 (UTC)

I think the most annoying thing about the picture is that is looks like the following series of events happened: Some bored member of the Misplaced Pages community noticed that there was not a picture of human semen on this page, so he wanked off on the spur of the moment, erupted all over the nearest surface, took a picture of his "issue" and then uploaded it onto this page. I don't find this vulgar so much as I find it lame. The picture could definitely be improved upon. Come on, people--let's work on this. --68.173.15.204 20:37, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Misplaced Pages is not censored? That's the funniest joke I've heard all year. Anyway, what is the need of showing a picture of human semen when you can't even distinguish the main ingredient (sperm) from the "money" picture? A more appropriate picture would be showing a picture of the sperm cells (such as a diagram). Armyrifle (talk) 00:04, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

Incorrect information?

This website disagrees with the information provided on the table. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/menshealth/facts/semenandsperm.htm

April 2, 2007 12:29 AM EST —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.91.217.2 (talk) 04:29, 2 April 2007 (UTC).

2 Things 04/29/2007

First off, the first paragraph should be re-done, possibly broken into more parts. Someone else had added a discussion thread about the weird inclusion of slugs - and he's right. It just doesn't make any sense.

The picture?! I mean, what the hell? I'm not for censorship, but the picture looks like the end result of a high-school sense of humor and a digital camera. I'm not sure about the merits of the horse-retrieval device at the top, but at least it appears to be some pseudo-professional application. If I can find one, would anybody object to my replacing the current "stain" photo with one of, say, semen in a Petri dish? How about any container that might have been built with collecting bodily fluids in mind? I don't know how this has sneaked under the radar for so long, but this screams prank.

Lastly, and this is a minor point, the section on "Composition" has a brief mention of the flavor of semen. Is this necessary under the banner of academic pursuit? As always, your comments are welcome.--Legomancer 07:28, 29 April 2007 (UTC)

I'd happily trade both current pictures for something clearly visible in a Petri dish, or similar receptacle. I'm afraid I don't see a problem with the mention of smell or flavor, however. As 'distasteful' as that may be to some, it is applicable to certain mature acts out in the real world. I'm sure more than one person has wondered why it tastes like that and thanks to Wiki now they know.  :-) --John T. Folden 01:30, 30 April 2007 (UTC)

Fair enough. One person saying "Flavor" has academic value of any kind certainly allays my slight trepidation (yay thesaurus!).

My next goal as a human being is to find (or create) a picture of, uh,medical harvesting of semen.

I just want you people to know the lengths I go to. I post a good number of pictures, mostly anonymous, as a result of sending weird-sounding emails making requests. Just imagine what this raft of messages to trained medical professionals will read like... Just so as you know.  :)--Legomancer 01:14, 1 May 2007 (UTC)

As long as the Petri dish is against a dark background. The normal pale colours of, say, a lab, are a bit rubbish for showing what semen looks like. Vimescarrot 18:55, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

Oooookay. I don't even want additional information on this. Most labs are slow to respond to my requests, to put it lightly. I'lll continue working and keep you posted.--Legomancer 01:59, 7 May 2007 (UTC)

Semen cause blindness?

does semen cause blindness?--Spiderman3venom 02:10, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

No. Semen is a natural bodily fluid. It can no more induce blindness than blood, or sweat, or urine. The old wives tale of masturbation causing blindness is completely baseless and was spread primarily to discourage said behavior. The consituents might cause some minor eye irriataion if introduced directly into the eye, but this would in no way be permanent. Hope that helps, --Legomancer 01:59, 7 May 2007 (UTC)

This is original research so i wont add this to the article, but actually it causes considerable irritation, i wouldnt describe it as minor....certainly more irritating then say water...probably on par with a fairly strong soap. 58.105.184.125 22:44, 29 May 2007 (UTC)

I'm not disagreeing with you, just trying to sound clinical. When I said, "Minor irritation" I meant temporary, and less painful than a soldering iron - you know, like when the doctor warns you of the "slight pinch" you'll feel during a spinal injection. A person's diet, general health, hydration level, exposure to chemicals and myriad other things affects what comes out of his body. You might have just been lucky enough to find someone with a PH level your eye found offensive. Disease awareness probably suggests you avoid contact with any bodily fluid, particularly in mucous membranes - but in the interest of science see if you can work out a few weeks worth of wildly varying diets and vitamins and come up with a less caustic solution. :) --Legomancer 03:59, 22 July 2007 (UTC)

This has absolutely nothing to do with the article. If you want advice about sex, look elsewhere, it isn't hard to find information about the world's most loved subject. —Preceding unsigned comment added by HandGrenadePins (talk • contribs) 14:41, 22 July 2008 (UTC)

"breeding purposes"

why is "breeding purposes" between quotation marks like it's some sort of euphemism, i mean, it's as if it's implying it's going to be consumed or used for something else. --AnYoNe! 22:10, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

Yes, I had the same reaction to that edit, as well. Unless someone can explain it, I think it should be reverted. --John T. Folden 02:12, 28 May 2007 (UTC)

Suggestion to the wiki-gods-that-be

These pages have directly material which should be referenced and added: Quotations from Aristotle about semen with references: Aristotle on Semen Quotations from Hippocrates with references: Hippocrates on Semen Democritus, Ancient Greek Philosopher: Democritus on Semen Claudius Galenus of Pergamum (131 - 201 AD) Ancient Greek physician and philosopher. His works on medicine & philosophy total 22 volumes.: Galen

Then there is the plethora of 19th century & 20th century doctors referenced on the site. I think that would make this page a lot better than having pictures of horse semen in a bottle. I do not think their ideas on the value of semen should preclude them from this site. It is not more scientific to be able to break down the constituents of semen without ascertaining it's value for health which was the concern of the previous era of doctors. As108 02:17, 13 July 2007 (UTC)

Since there has been no comment in 2 weeks on my comment I am going to propose the following to be added to the article. I do not know if I should add it directly to the page, so I will use this as the staging area. If there are any objections kindly bring it to notice.--As108 00:40, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

2.2 Cultural Aspects

Aristotle wrote on the importance of semen as follows: "For Aristotle, semen is the residue derived from nourishment, that is of blood, that has been highly concocted to the optimum temperature and substance. This can only be emitted by the male as only the male, by nature of his very being, has the requisite heat to concoct blood into semen."

"Sperms are the excretion of our food, or to put it more clearly, as the most perfect component of our food"

If men start to engage in sexual activity at too early an age... this will affect the growth of their bodies. Nourishment that would otherwise make the body grow is diverted to the production of semen. ... Aristotle is saying that at this stage the body is still growing; it is best for sexual activity to begin when its growth is 'no longer abundant', for when the body is more or less at full height, the transformation of nourishment into semen does not drain the body of needed material.

Footnotes:

1. Salmon, J. B., Foxhall, L., (1998), Thinking Men: Masculinity and Its Self-representation in the Classical Tradition, (Routledge), pg 158

2. Sumathipala, A., Siribaddana, S.H., Bhugra, D., (2004), Culture-bound syndromes: the story of dhat syndrome. British Journal of Psychiatry. 184: 200-209, table 2

3. Aristotle & Kraut, Richard (1997), Politics, (Richard Kraut, trans.), Oxford University Press, pg 152

No one had anything to say, and I spent the time to learn some Misplaced Pages syntax so I added to main page As108 01:58, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

Good job; mankind owes you one. Mikael Häggström 17:16, 25 August 2007 (UTC)

      Good. DRAGOMIROV 05:06, 13 September 2007 (UTC)

two session photo

Perhaps it should be said that he semen condom photo is "Two sessions worth of semen deposited in condom after sexual intercourse." (from the image-description page). Best, --24.63.210.237 15:38, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Nobody finds this worth noting on the edit-protected page? ... --24.63.210.237 20:46, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Human seminal plasma protein hypersensitivity (SPH)

I took out the following sentence: "The semen of a disease-free individual is harmless on the skin."

The human seminal plasma protein hypersensitivity (SPH) is similar to an allergy to semen, so it is possible, in rare cases, that a person may be allergic to semen. Because of this disorder, a person can become over sensitive anywhere on their integumentary system.

References:

• Go Ask Alice! - Columbia University's Health Q&A Internet Service (http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/0252.html)
• American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 52 (1), 42–44 - The Approach to Conception for Women with Seminal Plasma Protein Hypersensitivity (http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2004.00180.x)
• Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 25, Number 4, July-August 2004 , pp. 261-262(2) (Localized Seminal Plasma Protein Hypersensitivity)

— Enigma55

reduces a strong stomach aches

Also uncommon to belief semen also reduces a strong stomach aches, pains and sometimes Nauisia. Most people have not realized this but recent studies by Brown U. have descovered proof of these occurences.

Semen in Espionage

Okay, can someone please enlighten me as to how on Earth the claim of semen making "good invisible ink" is relevant to the purpose of this article. Pastel kitten (talk) 20:38, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

It's entertaining - and referenced! What more do you want? 71.110.135.133 (talk) 05:12, 31 December 2007 (UTC)

I loved that section, even funnier with the surname of the one who discovered that... Relevance? Well, obviously it's documented in the history books and have to do with semen. — Northgrove 01:18, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Semen

Hi! I have a question:
I have a picture of semen under UV-light. But I can't put it into the article. So please could anybody do it for me??

Image:Sperma unter UV-Licht und ohne UV-Licht (Semen with and without Ultraviolet).JPG|thumb|Semen und UV

--Daffman1408 (talk) 16:11, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

Taste of Semen

Given the popularity of oral sex, I'm surprised there is no discussuion on the taste of semen. Why not??

203.2.218.145 (talk) 03:28, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

I agree, having taken part in snowballing, it does have a very unique taste, I think there should be an article on it, if not, I might prepare to right something up.--General kaiden (talk) 05:39, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Deleting inappropriate image

Since no one else has bothered to do so, I'm deleting the recently added as being inappropriate. A picture of human sperm semen in a petri dish would be one thing, but in a used condom, no. Heck, it's not even a normal amount: the description on the image's source page specifically says "Two sessions worth of semen deposited in condom after sexual intercourse." Clearly an image added here merely for the exhibitionist value. There are lots of xxx sites where the poster can post stuff like this and get his jollies, but WP ain't one of them, IMHO. Textorus (talk) 02:18, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Misplaced Pages is not censored. See WP:NOTCENSORED. If you have a better picture, go ahead and put it up, but don't delete a perfectly relevant picture just because you find it distasteful. Furthermore, your accusations of exhibitionism against whoever put it there are uncalled for. You have have no way of knowing his motivations. Asarelah (talk) 04:40, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

And you do know his motivations? Censorship is not the issue here, Asarelah, appropriateness is. Misplaced Pages is not a porn site, it's an encyclopedia. There is a difference. But do what you please, this user DGAF. Textorus (talk) 04:56, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Porn is supposed to be sexually arousing. There is nothing arousing about a used condom. I do not his motives, but I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. Asarelah (talk) 15:29, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

I suggest to replace the amatorial Image:semen2.jpg with the better looking and more encyclopedic Image:Human semen in petri dish.jpg. 88.149.245.182 (talk) 16:23, 23 June 2008 (UTC)

I kind of object to the appearance of the Semen2 pic, even though I am usually anti-censorship (and I have read Misplaced Pages's policies on this, so I know it's not grounds in itself to remove the image). I just cannot imagine any other encyclopaedia in the world using such an image to illustrate its article on semen. Then again, maybe it's right that we should be pioneering explicit illustration. After all, most people will identify that pic as better representing semen than the one in the Petri dish, just from their own experiences. My concern with Image:Human semen in petri dish.jpg too is that the colour is so off, because of the surface it has been photographed against. It makes the semen look orange, whereas Image:Semen2.jpg is a much more realistic-looking appearance. That's why it still has a place here, though I think we should be aiming to replace both of them with a single better picture. leevclarke (talk) 04:06, 24 July 2008 (UTC)

This is ridiculous. This has nothing to do with censoring Misplaced Pages, this has entirely to do with removing a completely irrelevant image, the sole imaginable purpose of which is that the producer (no pun intended) wants to demonstrate to the world at least two things: (1) he can produce sperm, and (2) he doesn't know that you're not supposed to reuse condoms. I'd be willing to bet a paycheck that the semen in that condom is (1) not the result of sexual intercourse (contrary to what the caption and image description say) and, if it's not watered out or in some other way adulterated, (2) at least part of it has been in the guy's refrigerator or freezer. In long, there is nothing useful that can be learned from this image except that (1) its producer is an exhibitionist and (2) he's white. The image should not only be removed from the article, it should be removed from Wikimedia altogether, unless someone wants to put it into a new article on Immaturity, exhibitionism, lying, and unsafe sex practices. Cheers, Tomer 02:08, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Please see the history of the article, and archives of the talk page. That image has debated many times before, its bad points and good points. Removing an image without discussing it and gaining consensus, on this article anyway, it not appropriate. We would have no imagaes otherwise. I respect your opinion of the many hypotheticsl origins and motivstions of that image, but that really isn't relevant. Atom (talk) 19:51, 15 August 2008 (UTC)

Re: Semen

Hello

I have a very "odd" question to ask. My best friend and her boyfriend have alot of oral sex and she has stated that his semen taste like blood. What would cause this? He did use to drink alot of beer, what alcohol cause this to happen? Please advise. Thank you very much for your help Sincerely, (Profplutoid (talk) 19:27, 28 June 2008 (UTC))ProfPlutoid

Alcohol certainly can make semen taste bad, but as for tasting of blood specifically, it could be a burst blood vessel. This can be caused during the force of ejaculation, and is not necessarily a problem. Is there any visible redness in the appearance of the semen? leevclarke (talk) 04:10, 24 July 2008 (UTC)

Misplaced Pages talkpages are not advice fora or chatboards. Please use this venue to discuss the article at hand. Tomer 02:09, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

How many is too many?

How many pictures of human semen does this article need? It seems as if it's suffering the same problem that the penis article used to suffer -- people, who are proud of their own deed, taking pictures of their genetals/semen and posting them on Misplaced Pages for the world to see.

One picture demonstrating what human semen looks like, and PERHAPS the picture demonstrating what horse semen looks like, should be sufficient. The other photos are redundant, and add nothing of value whatsoever to the article other than demonstrating the exhibitionist tendencies of the people who posted them.

Oye oye. Tomer 02:10, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

I vote to keep the dish photo and the horse photo, and get rid of the photo of the semen on the cloth. siℓℓy rabbit (talk) 02:48, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

If we're voting, I'm inclined to agree. The petri dish is a bit sterile, but the cloth image is more appropriate for the Masculout article. Clearly, however, someone is highly enamored of the completely-unrelated-to-this-article two-spunks-in-a-rubber image, which is not only not appropriate for any existing (or imaginable future) article, but especially not to this one (and even more especially, not in the "composition of semen" section!)... Tomer 03:05, 14 August 2008 (UTC)

It was just an opinion --- we aren't voting. The images here each offer something unique to the article. We wouldn't want to remove any of these. Atom (talk) 04:57, 14 August 2008 (UTC)

You clearly don't understand what's going on here. Tomer 13:56, 14 August 2008 (UTC)

There is no need to be uncivil. You should assume good faith wp:AGF. I regularly monitor nearly 500 sexology and sexuality articles, and have watched this one for some time. Every now and then someone like yourself notices the article, decides that they are offrended, and tries to remove one or more images without prior consensus. The image that you have repeadetld removed has been in the article for a couple of years now. it is a perfectly good image and illustrates vsaluable information. I saw your earlier comments about wanting to reduce the number of images, but in general, we want to continue to find MORE images that a relevant to articles. We don't need a great deal of redundancy, but a new image that offers new information is alway welcome. We have no need to reduce the images in this article, as there are only four images, and they each offer something unique. The placement of the image you have removed wasw discussed in the past, and placed there by a consensu of editors at the time. I respect your desire to remove images that you find offense from Misplaced Pages, but this would be the wrong article for that. I read your earlier post, and respect your opinion on the matter, but I don't feel that your opinion overides long time consensus on the article. There is nothing obscene or offensive in this article, it is about semen. Removing the images without gaining consensus first is not desired, please don't remove the images again. Atom (talk) 22:42, 14 August 2008 (UTC)

My saying you clearly don't understand what's going on here was neither uncivil nor an assumption of poor faith...it is a statement of opinion. Let me state it as a fact this time: If you know what's going on here, you're intentionally acting like you don't. Nobody has said anything about reducing the number of images in the article, except by removing poorly chosen images. A crappy image does not improve the quality of any article, even one in which the image is relevant (which is not the case here). Nor have we said the image is offensive. The image serves no constructive purpose in this article. In what way are you arguing that it is relevant to the subject of "Semen", especially to its makeup (the subject of the section you're so enamored of keeping the image in)? Your consensus arguments don't follow any school of logic of which I'm aware, since the rest of what you say indicates that there never has been any consensus. Please clarify what value you see in the image, and how the value you see in the image is related to the article at hand and failing that, propose an article in which this image might be more appropriate. Thanks, Tomer 02:35, 15 August 2008 (UTC)

Reasoning

I'm not following the reasoning for the following diff -- . Please explain. Jaakobou 23:36, 15 August 2008 (UTC)

I monitor and watch primaily sexology and sexuality articles on Misplaced Pages, with about 500 articles in that area on my watch list. This area seems to get a high number of vandalisms, page blankings, and image removals. In this specific case, on the semen article, the editor wanting ro remove the images seems to have good intentions, I don't mean to imply bad faith. But, the images on that article have been there for some time. Those specific three images have existed on the article for more than a year with no issues, and no one wanting to remove them. Several of these images have been argued over and over for many years. An editor sees the article for the first time, feels offended for some reasons -- often expressing that the image is prurient, low quality or inappropriate -- reasoning I classify as rationalizing why the inage should be removed without saying that it offends them. A number of other editors, myself included, often need to discuss what the merits of the images are, sometimes they gto away, sometimes there is an edit war, and eventually the issue drops, until the next time.

In this case I see discussion along those lines on these images. The same arguments as before, stated differently, by a different person. All three images offer a unique and interesting view of the topic, helping someone who sees the article to better understand the topic. They aren't identical images.

As the images have been on the article and survived attempts to remove them before with a number of editos participating, I feel that they are defacto consensus images. I feel that one editor dropping into the article and removing the image violates the long standing consensus and risks yet another edit war just about an image. Certainly there are a range of opinions about the images, and many perceptions about what they think they see. The image in the petri dish was added when someone wanted to add a more clinical image. The problem with it, of course, is the coloration, and the orange color masks the coloration of the semen. The one on the fabric background is interesting in that is shows the texture and consistency of the semen better than any other image -- even if the pattern is a bit odd. The image of the horses penis and semen was added because someone wanted to only have animal semen but not human semen -- and we kept the image. The condom picture is interesting in that is shows the color and fluid consistrency of the semen better than any other image. Also, it gives an idea of the quantity of ejaculation (although one has to read the image to see that it is two ejaculations) but that is minor. Objections to the image because "one should not re-use condoms" is an example of the rationalizations that sime people use to try to remove something that they just don't personally prefer.

In general I am an advocate of more images over fewer images. When some new editor pops in and wants to remove the images, yet again, often with the same lame reasons form before, I'm prone to just putting them back. That often resolves the issue without an edit war. Atom (talk) 13:01, 16 August 2008 (UTC)

If there are editors serious about discussing the images, yet again, from an objective perspective, I am fine with that. We can discuss it and build a new consensus. For the moment though, removal of the images against a long standing consensus by a single editor is not appropriate. If we have that discussion again, it should be based on the quality of the images available, what each image can offer for the article, etc. Arguments that there are too many images, or that we should not have human samples, or suppositions about the motivation of the person who submitted the image all seem to spurious. These current images have been in the article for more than a year without problems, there should be no immediacy to remove them. That is, I don't think anyting about the images presents urgency. I would like to keep the article stable without an image being removed every time a new editor sees the article for the first time. Atom (talk) 13:10, 16 August 2008 (UTC)

This is a bit too much text for my weary eyes (I apologize, but the number of articles you watch is non of my concern and I would appreciate an attempt to stick to the question asked). The main problem with what I managed to skim over seems to be that you are asserting a "long standing consensus" (link please?). Another problem seems to be that there is really no value in statements like "an objective perspective" (see: WP:CIV) when dealing with established editors. You may have a different perspective on the article and believe some picture contribute while I on the other hand might have a different view and don't see the value in two images of human semen.

I'd apprecaite an explanation to why you believe there is an added value for an encyclopedia by adding a "semen on couch" image. If that explanation does not satisfy me, then I may try and explain why I disagree and if we fail to reach consensus, we can try dispute resolution. That is how Misplaced Pages works.

With respect, Jaakobou 18:55, 16 August 2008 (UTC)

I noticed you half replied to this question, but I'd appreciate it if you bring it out (read: copy/paste) of the non relevant material.

Cheers, Jaakobou 19:00, 16 August 2008 (UTC)

Like yourself, I am busy. I don't care to argue with you, or anyone else. I don't own the article, but I do protect it from drive by editing as well as vandalism. If you want to discuss the merits of changes that will improve the article, let's do that. You might consider focusing on the text first. The images have been here for more than a year without substantial uproar. Prior to that, there had been. The year with the images is a de facto consensus on the content. I have no problem with discussion and building a consensus on adding additional images, moving images around, or removing images if there is a discussion and a new consensus is formed. Drive by editing of the article where someone removes an image for unspecified images, without discussion will get reverted by me, and others watching the article immediately. Discussions (like yours) endeavoring to improve the quality of the article are great. Removing an image because you don't like the image, or your perception that is is poor quality, or that the original posted might have had sordid motivations isn't acceptable though. It is perfectly fine if you don't see the qualities of the images that others see, or if we view them differently. Atom (talk) 22:51, 17 August 2008 (UTC)

Please,

1. Avoid uncivil suggestions. Stick to content, not editors alleged conduct (per "drive by editing") or understanding (per "an objective perspective").
2. Answer the above highlighted question. i.e. please provide an explanation to why you believe there is an added value for an encyclopedia by adding a "semen on couch" image.
3. Unless you have proof of a discussed consensus, stop mentioning it as fact - it is not a persuasive nor is it a legitimate argument for keeping the article in bad shape. The current situation where we have three images of human semen is just ridiculous.

With respect, Jaakobou 00:08, 18 August 2008 (UTC) clarify 00:10, 18 August 2008 (UTC)

Sir: I'll express myself as I please, thank you. The consequence of how I use my words will be my failure or success at communicating to others. I am obviously failing to communicate with you. This a talk page and its purpose is opinion as well as fact (in the context of the article). Which BTW your comments are not addressing. If you have advice to me on editing and etiquette, I invite you to express yourself freely on my talk page. Atom (talk) 09:17, 18 August 2008 (UTC)

I have no doubts that I have failed to persuade you, as you have had no intention of being persuaded. Your opinion that the article is "in bad shape" is welcome, but just another opinion, and each of us editors contributing to this article have one. The history of the article and the talk page express many of those on this. I agree that the article could be improved, and nearly every article I contribute to, or for that matter on WIkipedia could be improved. Having contributed to a number of GA and FA's, I think I have a general idea of that process. Your process, which someone might characterize as "slash and burn" is not generally viewed as contributory. You could edit the text, add citations, and more to the point, contribute or locate images more to your liking if you are not satisfied with the current images. At one time this article had no images, and now it has four images. Each of the contributory, even if flawed in some way. Your view (which as I said has as much weight as any other editor) may be that no images are better than the existing one. My view (an apparently others in the past) has been that one flawed image was better than none, and then an additional image was better than just that one, et cetera, which is how we ended up here. As we do not have a gallery of 90+ images (as occured on the breast article at one time, our focus should be on improving the quality of the images, and not on delitionism and wasted time criticizing the writing and communication styles of other editors. You note I have not directed any energy at how improvements in your etiquette, writing and communication style could benefit us all, which I think fairly someone could do. As, again, I have tediously typed more than a sentence, I know most of this has been a wasted effort. Let me go on to a new section, and keep it brief. Atom (talk) 09:17, 18 August 2008 (UTC)

Could you contribute to the article in a positive way please, rather than attacking others who don't share or agree with your opinions. As you are wasting my time, and I am apparently wasting yours, let's both find something more productive to do. Atom (talk) 09:17, 18 August 2008 (UTC)

For an encyclopaedic entry on this subject, only pictures taken in a scientific environment should be included. ephix (talk) 00:28, 18 August 2008 (UTC)

Thank you for your opinion. That does not echo Misplaced Pages policy, but is good advice for contributors to follow in the future. Also, as the images are in an encylopedia, they are by definition "encyclopedic". I think "clinical" or "scientific" are good things to strive for. When better, more clinical images are contributed, we should use them. Atom (talk) 09:17, 18 August 2008 (UTC)

While it is true that prior consensus supported the use of Image:Semen2.jpg, I have a strong impression there was a strong feeling of "until a more clinical image can be found." Image:Human semen in petri dish.jpg, which seems to have been uploaded after the lengthy discussions you're citing, seems to me to be a far more clinical image. I have the greatest sympathies for your prior efforts to keep an image on this article (I'm usually pretty high on the WP:NOTCENSORED horse, myself), but I frankly think this newer image is superior. There is consensus to have images on the article, but we're not obliged to keep every picture of human sperm, ever. It's crucial to remember that consensus can change to fit new circumstances. – Luna Santin (talk) 10:01, 18 August 2008 (UTC)

Yes, your recollection that the petri dish image was provided by someone who objected to the same image being discussed not is accurate. And that was indeed our intent. The petri dish image is mor clinical, but it had/has the issue of orange coloration, distorting the color of the semen. Also, the image was shot from farther away and we can see no detail of the semen. I had preferred something much larger and closer with normal lighting. For that reason the other image remained and the new image was only additional. I agree with all of your points regarding editorial discretion. From your words along side the other vocal editor it seems that we should have a survey and discuss in order to build a consensus for removal of the image. Atom (talk) 13:08, 18 August 2008 (UTC)

Survey to gain consensus to remove an image

An editor has suggested a removal of the Image:Semen2.jpg. For various reasons he does not find the current image to be appropriate for the article. I am starting this survey to discuss opinions in an attempt to gain consensus to remove the image.

Feel free to state your position on the proposal to remove the lead image by beginning a new line in this section with *'''Support''' or *'''Oppose''', then sign your comment with ~~~~. Since polling is not a substitute for discussion, please explain your reasons, taking into account Misplaced Pages's naming conventions. Comment period to end September 18 2008.

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