People have more dating apps and online porn at their fingertips, yet that doesn't necessarily translate into more sex. A New York Times podcast explores why, with filmmaker Erika Lust discussing how feminist, ethically produced adult films might offer a different way to think about pleasure, representation and consent.

More choice hasn't meant more sex

A crowded dating-app screen can make modern life look full of romantic possibility. But research has pointed to a decline in sexual activity among some groups, complicating the assumption that easier access to dating and explicit content means people are having more sex. The New York Times podcast asks why the gap exists. [3], [4]

There isn't one neat explanation. Social expectations, changing relationships and discomfort around sex can all shape how people connect, while access to porn is not the same thing as intimacy. Lust's contribution brings another question into focus: whether the stories people see about sex feel relevant to the lives they lead. [2], [3]

Erika Lust wanted a different kind of adult film

Lust has said she was struck by how conventional porn often centred male pleasure, leaving women with little agency or narrative voice. Her response was to explore adult filmmaking as a space for different perspectives, rather than simply reproduce familiar formulas. [5], [6]

She has also described how feminist ideas and writing about pornography helped shape her approach. That background matters because her work treats porn not just as explicit entertainment, but as a cultural product that can reflect assumptions about gender, desire and power. [5], [7]

What does ethical porn mean in practice?

For Lust, the label is tied to working conditions as much as what appears on screen. She has emphasised fair pay, transparency and communication with performers, alongside clear agreements that set out participants' rights and responsibilities. [6], [7]

That focus on consent is practical, not decorative. Discussing boundaries before and during filming can help make expectations clearer, though ethical standards still depend on how consistently a production puts them into practice. [6], [7]

A more varied picture of pleasure

Lust's films aim to give greater attention to women's pleasure and to include a wider range of people in the creative process. That sits within a broader conversation about representation: whose desires are shown, who gets to tell the story and whether intimacy is presented as mutual. [5], [7]

It's a useful distinction for viewers, too. A film's label alone can't tell you how a production was made, so look for clear information about performer treatment, consent policies and how the work is funded. [6], [7]

Can independent filmmaking shift the conversation?

Lust has argued that subscriptions help support independent adult filmmakers, while free platforms may offer less clarity about how workers' rights are protected. For audiences, choosing where to watch can therefore be part of a wider decision about the kind of industry they want to support. [6], [7]

Still, no single style of film can solve the reasons people are having less sex. But stories that make room for communication, agency and varied experiences may offer a more thoughtful starting point than simply assuming that more online choice means more real-world connection. [2], [3]

A more considered view of sex starts with people, not just what's on screen.

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