Tron: Legacy,
Tron: Legacy,

Disney's neon infused sequel to the 1982 classic,
Disney's neon infused sequel to the 1982 classic,

includes a particularly egregious example of a trope that has bothered me for years.
includes a particularly egregious example of a trope that has bothered me for years.

QUORRA: "I'm Quorra!"
QUORRA: "I'm Quorra!"

It's a gendered convention that will be instantly familiar to science fiction fans.
It's a gendered convention that will be instantly familiar to science fiction fans.

The convention shows up over and over again in speculative media,
The convention shows up over and over again in speculative media,

but it didn't have a name, so I gave it one.
but it didn't have a name, so I gave it one.

I call it Born Sexy Yesterday.
I call it Born Sexy Yesterday.

SAM: "She's an ISO."
SAM: "She's an ISO."

The character of Quorra is an isomorphic algorithm, or ISO.
The character of Quorra is an isomorphic algorithm, or ISO.

Basically she's a sentient computer program in the shape of a woman.
Basically she's a sentient computer program in the shape of a woman.

KEVIN: "She's the miracle, man.
KEVIN: "She's the miracle, man.

Everything I ever worked for.
Everything I ever worked for.

A digital frontier to reshape the human condition."
A digital frontier to reshape the human condition."

As the last of the ISOs,
As the last of the ISOs,

Quorra is described this way:
Quorra is described this way:

KEVIN (voiceover): "Profoundly naive,
KEVIN (voiceover): "Profoundly naive,

unimaginably wise"
unimaginably wise"

If that sounds vaguely like something someone might say about a child, it's no accident.
If that sounds vaguely like something someone might say about a child, it's no accident.

Because that's exactly how Tron: Legacy portrays Quorra,
Because that's exactly how Tron: Legacy portrays Quorra,

QUORRA: "But, between you and me,
QUORRA: "But, between you and me,

Jules Verne is my favorite.
Jules Verne is my favorite.

Do you know Jules Verne?"
Do you know Jules Verne?"

SAM: "Sure."
SAM: "Sure."

QUORRA: "What's he like?"
QUORRA: "What's he like?"

She has the mind of a naive
She has the mind of a naive

yet highly skilled child,
yet highly skilled child,

but in the body of a mature, sexualized woman.
but in the body of a mature, sexualized woman.

She also serves as our hero's love interest.
She also serves as our hero's love interest.

'Profoundly naive yet unimaginably wise' captures the essence of this trope.
'Profoundly naive yet unimaginably wise' captures the essence of this trope.

'Born yesterday' is the idiom meaning extremely naive, inexperienced, or ignorant.
'Born yesterday' is the idiom meaning extremely naive, inexperienced, or ignorant.

BILLIE: "He thinks I'm too stupid, huh?"
BILLIE: "He thinks I'm too stupid, huh?"

PAUL: "No" BILLIE: "He's right. I'm stupid and I like it."
PAUL: "No" BILLIE: "He's right. I'm stupid and I like it."

PAUL: "You do?" BILLIE: "Sure! I'm happy!
PAUL: "You do?" BILLIE: "Sure! I'm happy!

I got everything I want. Two mink coats. Everything."
I got everything I want. Two mink coats. Everything."

As a media trope, 'Born Sexy Yesterday'
As a media trope, 'Born Sexy Yesterday'

has both a figurative and, in many cases, a literal meaning.
has both a figurative and, in many cases, a literal meaning.

The 1997 Sci-Fi cult classic
The 1997 Sci-Fi cult classic

The Fifth Element is probably the most quintessential example
The Fifth Element is probably the most quintessential example

of Born Sexy Yesterday.
of Born Sexy Yesterday.

MACTILBURGH: "I told you ... perfect!"
MACTILBURGH: "I told you ... perfect!"

Like Quorra, Leeloo is whimsical and naive,
Like Quorra, Leeloo is whimsical and naive,

but she's also deliberately framed in a sexualized way.
but she's also deliberately framed in a sexualized way.

DAVID: "They really make her..." CORNELIUS: "Perfect. I know."
DAVID: "They really make her..." CORNELIUS: "Perfect. I know."

The female characters that this trope is built around
The female characters that this trope is built around

are defined by their innocence of,
are defined by their innocence of,

and inexperience with, worldly things.
and inexperience with, worldly things.

MADISON: "Pretty!"
MADISON: "Pretty!"

Especially when it comes to sex, romance, or basic social interaction.
Especially when it comes to sex, romance, or basic social interaction.

STEVEN: "Would you mind if I kissed you?"
STEVEN: "Would you mind if I kissed you?"

CELESTE: "Does it hurt?"
CELESTE: "Does it hurt?"

Through the use of science fiction conventions,
Through the use of science fiction conventions,

they're brought into the human world already fully formed;
they're brought into the human world already fully formed;

the mind of a child
the mind of a child

manifest in a mature female body.
manifest in a mature female body.

She may be an android, a computer program,
She may be an android, a computer program,

a mermaid, an alien, a magical being,
a mermaid, an alien, a magical being,

or otherwise raised in an environment isolated
or otherwise raised in an environment isolated

from the rest of human society.
from the rest of human society.

Many of these female characters have one very specific thing in common
Many of these female characters have one very specific thing in common

They're all deliberately written to be completely unaware of their own sex appeal.
They're all deliberately written to be completely unaware of their own sex appeal.

This then provides filmmakers with an excuse
This then provides filmmakers with an excuse

to include at least one scene in which she disrobes in front of men,
to include at least one scene in which she disrobes in front of men,

and because she's so naive, she doesn't understand the implications of this action.
and because she's so naive, she doesn't understand the implications of this action.

ALTA: "Good morning. Come on in!"
ALTA: "Good morning. Come on in!"

JOHN: "Didn't bring my bathing suit."
JOHN: "Didn't bring my bathing suit."

ALTA: "What's a bathing suit?"
ALTA: "What's a bathing suit?"

JOHN: "Oh, murder."
JOHN: "Oh, murder."

As you might imagine, there's quite a bit of overlap here
As you might imagine, there's quite a bit of overlap here

with the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope
with the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope

GISELLE: "This is a magical room!
GISELLE: "This is a magical room!

Where does the water come from?"
Where does the water come from?"

ROBERT: "Well, the water comes from the pipes."
ROBERT: "Well, the water comes from the pipes."

GISELLE: "Where do the pipes get it?"
GISELLE: "Where do the pipes get it?"

Although characters who are Born Sexy Yesterday are often highly skilled
Although characters who are Born Sexy Yesterday are often highly skilled

at something that men will respect.
at something that men will respect.

Frequently, that thing is combat.
Frequently, that thing is combat.

Now so far, we've only focused on the female characters associated with this trope,
Now so far, we've only focused on the female characters associated with this trope,

but it isn't really about them.
but it isn't really about them.

ALAN: "That doorway spins."
ALAN: "That doorway spins."

Like most things in Hollywood, Born Sexy Yesterday is written for men,
Like most things in Hollywood, Born Sexy Yesterday is written for men,

and ultimately it's a relationship trope.
and ultimately it's a relationship trope.

KORBEN: "5'9", blue eyes,
KORBEN: "5'9", blue eyes,

long legs, great skin...
long legs, great skin...

you know, perfect."
you know, perfect."

So that means we need to talk about the other side of the equation:
So that means we need to talk about the other side of the equation:

the male heroes.
the male heroes.

Typically, he's a straight, red-blooded man who has, for a variety of reasons,
Typically, he's a straight, red-blooded man who has, for a variety of reasons,

found himself alone or unsatisfied in love.
found himself alone or unsatisfied in love.

He finds himself disenfranchised, or otherwise directionless.
He finds himself disenfranchised, or otherwise directionless.

He either can't find, or doesn't want, a woman from his own world.
He either can't find, or doesn't want, a woman from his own world.

A woman who might be his equal in matters of love and sexuality.
A woman who might be his equal in matters of love and sexuality.

He does have one thing going for him, though:
He does have one thing going for him, though:

he knows all about living life as a normal human being.
he knows all about living life as a normal human being.

STEVEN: "It's too bad you don't eat food.
STEVEN: "It's too bad you don't eat food.

Might find it could be quite pleasurable"
Might find it could be quite pleasurable"

CELESTE: "You get pleasure out of food?"
CELESTE: "You get pleasure out of food?"

STEVEN: "Here." CELESTE: "No, thank you."
STEVEN: "Here." CELESTE: "No, thank you."

STEVEN: "If you want my secrets, you'll eat my sandwich."
STEVEN: "If you want my secrets, you'll eat my sandwich."

Of course so does every other guy on Earth,
Of course so does every other guy on Earth,

which should make him unremarkable.
which should make him unremarkable.

STEVEN: "Chew! Chew!"
STEVEN: "Chew! Chew!"

Except to a woman born yesterday.
Except to a woman born yesterday.

Because she's presumably never known another man,
Because she's presumably never known another man,

he would seem like the smartest,
he would seem like the smartest,

most amazing guy in the entire universe.
most amazing guy in the entire universe.

CELESTE: "This is fun!
CELESTE: "This is fun!

What is it?"
What is it?"

STEVEN: "Ham and cheese on rye with mayo."
STEVEN: "Ham and cheese on rye with mayo."

And here's where we start to see how the trope is constructed as a male fantasy.
And here's where we start to see how the trope is constructed as a male fantasy.

It's precisely her naivety and her innocence
It's precisely her naivety and her innocence

that allows her to see something special in him,
that allows her to see something special in him,

something that other less innocent, or more experienced women, cannot.
something that other less innocent, or more experienced women, cannot.

MACHINE: "Systems normal.
MACHINE: "Systems normal.

Estimated resuscitation times: 600 seconds.
Estimated resuscitation times: 600 seconds.

Commencing countdown."
Commencing countdown."

Now, we don't have time to go into it here,
Now, we don't have time to go into it here,

but Born Sexy Yesterday is absolutely everywhere in Japanese anime.
but Born Sexy Yesterday is absolutely everywhere in Japanese anime.

Now, I should note that Born Sexy Yesterday is not a modern trope.
Now, I should note that Born Sexy Yesterday is not a modern trope.

In fact, It's been a fixture of classic Hollywood science fiction films
In fact, It's been a fixture of classic Hollywood science fiction films

since the beginning of the genre.
since the beginning of the genre.

GEORGE (voiceover): "This was intriguing
GEORGE (voiceover): "This was intriguing

I wonder just how far women would permit this to go?"
I wonder just how far women would permit this to go?"

JOHN: "It's nothing really personal, just a kiss."
JOHN: "It's nothing really personal, just a kiss."

ALTA: "Why should people want to kiss each other?"
ALTA: "Why should people want to kiss each other?"

JOHN: "It's an old custom. All of the really high civilizations go in for it."
JOHN: "It's an old custom. All of the really high civilizations go in for it."

ALTA: "But it's so silly."
ALTA: "But it's so silly."

JOHN: "But it's good for you, though. It stimulates the whole system.
JOHN: "But it's good for you, though. It stimulates the whole system.

As a matter of fact you can't be in tip-top health without it."
As a matter of fact you can't be in tip-top health without it."

ALTA: "Really? I didn't know that."
ALTA: "Really? I didn't know that."

JOHN: "I'd be only too happy to show you."
JOHN: "I'd be only too happy to show you."

ALTA: "Well, thank you very much, Lieutenant."
ALTA: "Well, thank you very much, Lieutenant."

JOHN: "No trouble at all."
JOHN: "No trouble at all."

Forbidden planet in 1956 is one example;
Forbidden planet in 1956 is one example;

The Time Machine in 1960 is another.
The Time Machine in 1960 is another.

ALEXANDER: "Well, what's your name?"
ALEXANDER: "Well, what's your name?"

GIRL: "Weena." ALEXANDER: "Weena?
GIRL: "Weena." ALEXANDER: "Weena?

How do you spell it?"
How do you spell it?"

GIRL: "Spell?"
GIRL: "Spell?"

ALEXANDER: "Spell, write. Can't you write?"
ALEXANDER: "Spell, write. Can't you write?"

Then there's the character of Nova from the original Planet of The Apes
Then there's the character of Nova from the original Planet of The Apes

TAYLOR: "Look at that,
TAYLOR: "Look at that,

I taught you to smile."
I taught you to smile."

who is the protagonist's love interest, despite not understanding the concept of the language.
who is the protagonist's love interest, despite not understanding the concept of the language.

The trope usually involves white women
The trope usually involves white women

but Born Sexy Yesterday is an offshoot of a much older media convention,
but Born Sexy Yesterday is an offshoot of a much older media convention,

one in which white adventurers discover indigenous women.
one in which white adventurers discover indigenous women.

Although in this case science fiction replaces colonialism
Although in this case science fiction replaces colonialism

as the mechanism driving that narrative.
as the mechanism driving that narrative.

LEELOO: [unintelligible ancient language]
LEELOO: [unintelligible ancient language]

LEELOO: "Boom!" ZORBEN: "Yeah, big bada boom."
LEELOO: "Boom!" ZORBEN: "Yeah, big bada boom."

LEELOO: "Bada boom!" ZORBEN: "Big, boom, big bada boom!"
LEELOO: "Bada boom!" ZORBEN: "Big, boom, big bada boom!"

Still sometimes it's a little of both.
Still sometimes it's a little of both.

Born Sexy Yesterday fetishizes the stark power imbalance
Born Sexy Yesterday fetishizes the stark power imbalance

between a wiser, more experienced man and a naive, inexperienced woman.
between a wiser, more experienced man and a naive, inexperienced woman.

It's the ultimate teacher-student dynamic.
It's the ultimate teacher-student dynamic.

KIRK: "It's the custom of my people to help one another when we're in trouble."
KIRK: "It's the custom of my people to help one another when we're in trouble."

Star Trek is famous for making frequent use of this trope.
Star Trek is famous for making frequent use of this trope.

Perhaps infamous is a better word
Perhaps infamous is a better word

because the trope shows up in the original series and then in every other series afterwards.
because the trope shows up in the original series and then in every other series afterwards.

ALIEN: "And this, is this also helping?"
ALIEN: "And this, is this also helping?"

KIRK: "You could call it that."
KIRK: "You could call it that."

ALIEN: "Please help me once again."
ALIEN: "Please help me once again."

DOCTOR: "Let's start by doing something different with your hair."
DOCTOR: "Let's start by doing something different with your hair."

Seven of Nine's relationship with the Doctor on Star Trek: Voyager is a prominent example.
Seven of Nine's relationship with the Doctor on Star Trek: Voyager is a prominent example.

Especially as depicted in the episode Someone to Watch Over.
Especially as depicted in the episode Someone to Watch Over.

DOCTOR: "Try shaking your head a little bit."
DOCTOR: "Try shaking your head a little bit."

SEVEN: "Is this more appropriate?"
SEVEN: "Is this more appropriate?"

Fans of that series will remember that the doctors own social naivety
Fans of that series will remember that the doctors own social naivety

is never framed by the show as something sexy.
is never framed by the show as something sexy.

SEVEN: "How should I choose?" DOCTOR: "I think you'd look very nice in this one."
SEVEN: "How should I choose?" DOCTOR: "I think you'd look very nice in this one."

SEVEN: "I am uncertain how to wear such a garment.
SEVEN: "I am uncertain how to wear such a garment.

Assist me."
Assist me."

DOCTOR: "I'm sure you'll manage.
DOCTOR: "I'm sure you'll manage.

I'll go prepare the holiday. Remember, the idea is to have fun tonight.
I'll go prepare the holiday. Remember, the idea is to have fun tonight.

I'll expect a full report in the morning."
I'll expect a full report in the morning."

Although Born Sexy Yesterday was a major part of Seven's character,
Although Born Sexy Yesterday was a major part of Seven's character,

at least to begin with, she is ultimately made much more than that.
at least to begin with, she is ultimately made much more than that.

And outside of a handful of rather cringe-worthy episodes
And outside of a handful of rather cringe-worthy episodes

Seven's story is largely one of self-realization and self-discovery
Seven's story is largely one of self-realization and self-discovery

which manages to transcend the constraints of the trope.
which manages to transcend the constraints of the trope.

To a large degree this is also true of a character like Sonmi 451 from Cloud Atlas.
To a large degree this is also true of a character like Sonmi 451 from Cloud Atlas.

Like Seven, her romantic relationship is downplayed
Like Seven, her romantic relationship is downplayed

while her character development is made central.
while her character development is made central.

SOMNI: "Knowledge is a mirror. And for the first time in my life,
SOMNI: "Knowledge is a mirror. And for the first time in my life,

I was allowed to see who I was and who I might become."
I was allowed to see who I was and who I might become."

Which brings me to this point:
Which brings me to this point:

The problem with this trope is not necessarily with the female characters themselves;
The problem with this trope is not necessarily with the female characters themselves;

if these were simply stories involving naive, extraterrestrial women
if these were simply stories involving naive, extraterrestrial women

who learned about love and humanity, then that wouldn't be an issue.
who learned about love and humanity, then that wouldn't be an issue.

Likewise, if the male hero was also inexperienced and our two protagonists could discover love and sex together
Likewise, if the male hero was also inexperienced and our two protagonists could discover love and sex together

then that would avoid most of the troubling power dynamic issues.
then that would avoid most of the troubling power dynamic issues.

JOHN: "What's going on?"
JOHN: "What's going on?"

CAMERON: "You need to understand how it works."
CAMERON: "You need to understand how it works."

JOHN: "What?"
JOHN: "What?"

CAMERON: "This chip. This body."
CAMERON: "This chip. This body."

So, for example, Cameron from the Sarah Connor Chronicles TV show fits the trope,
So, for example, Cameron from the Sarah Connor Chronicles TV show fits the trope,

but her relationship with the young John Connor is framed as much more of a mutual exploration.
but her relationship with the young John Connor is framed as much more of a mutual exploration.

Since Born Sexy Yesterday hinges on a lopsided power dynamic,
Since Born Sexy Yesterday hinges on a lopsided power dynamic,

it's almost never portrayed the other way around.
it's almost never portrayed the other way around.

It's extremely rare for a more experienced female character to teach a naive man about sex.
It's extremely rare for a more experienced female character to teach a naive man about sex.

SKIP: "I think I'd better go home now, Mary Sue."
SKIP: "I think I'd better go home now, Mary Sue."

MARY SUE: "Why?"
MARY SUE: "Why?"

SKIP: "I think I might be... ill.
SKIP: "I think I might be... ill.

Something's happening to me."
Something's happening to me."

MARY SUE: "That's supposed to happen."
MARY SUE: "That's supposed to happen."

SKIP: "It is?"
SKIP: "It is?"

MARY SUE: "Yeah, trust me."
MARY SUE: "Yeah, trust me."

JENNY: "What, wait, no, no, no!
JENNY: "What, wait, no, no, no!

That's your dessert.
That's your dessert.

You eat that with a fork."
You eat that with a fork."

Perhaps that's because most grown women don't find the idea
Perhaps that's because most grown women don't find the idea

of dating an inexperienced adolescent boy all that appealing.
of dating an inexperienced adolescent boy all that appealing.

JENNY: No, no, but, uh. You eat that last.
JENNY: No, no, but, uh. You eat that last.

Sandwich first, dessert last."
Sandwich first, dessert last."

On the rare occasion when the genders are reversed, male ineptitude then becomes the butt of the joke.
On the rare occasion when the genders are reversed, male ineptitude then becomes the butt of the joke.

EVA: "Hi! This is the woman for the baseball card store, remember me?"
EVA: "Hi! This is the woman for the baseball card store, remember me?"

ADAM: "Oh, yes, hi!
ADAM: "Oh, yes, hi!

Hello, hot diggity dog!
Hello, hot diggity dog!

Thanks for calling me on the telephone!"
Thanks for calling me on the telephone!"

She may even end up falling for him, but she falls for him despite his inexperience, not because of it.
She may even end up falling for him, but she falls for him despite his inexperience, not because of it.

ZORBEN: "Oh, so sorry, forgot about the autowash."
ZORBEN: "Oh, so sorry, forgot about the autowash."

Born Sexy Yesterday is about an unbalanced relationship, but it's also very much connected to masculinity.
Born Sexy Yesterday is about an unbalanced relationship, but it's also very much connected to masculinity.

The subtext of the trope is rooted in a deep-seated male insecurity around sex and sexuality.
The subtext of the trope is rooted in a deep-seated male insecurity around sex and sexuality.

The crux of the trope is a fixation on male superiority,
The crux of the trope is a fixation on male superiority,

a fixation with holding power over an innocent girl.
a fixation with holding power over an innocent girl.

But in order to make that socially acceptable
But in order to make that socially acceptable

science fiction is employed to put the mind of that girl into a sexualized adult woman's body.
science fiction is employed to put the mind of that girl into a sexualized adult woman's body.

It's a fantasy based on fear.
It's a fantasy based on fear.

Fear of women who are men's equal in sexual experience and romantic history,
Fear of women who are men's equal in sexual experience and romantic history,

and fear of losing the intellectual upper hand to women.
and fear of losing the intellectual upper hand to women.

In Woody Allen's 1973 comedy Sleeper,
In Woody Allen's 1973 comedy Sleeper,

the protagonist is frozen and, when he wakes up in the future,
the protagonist is frozen and, when he wakes up in the future,

he's suddenly and very conveniently the only man left on Earth who still remembers how to have sex.
he's suddenly and very conveniently the only man left on Earth who still remembers how to have sex.

That same exact thing happens to Stallone's character in Demolition Man.
That same exact thing happens to Stallone's character in Demolition Man.

HUXLEY: "Oh, my! Are all fluid transfer activities like this?"
HUXLEY: "Oh, my! Are all fluid transfer activities like this?"

SPARTAN: "Better." HUXLEY: "Better?"
SPARTAN: "Better." HUXLEY: "Better?"

So born sexy yesterday is a science-fiction trope that's designed specifically so
So born sexy yesterday is a science-fiction trope that's designed specifically so

male heroes get to automatically be the most extraordinary man in a woman's life.
male heroes get to automatically be the most extraordinary man in a woman's life.

Again, because they're basically the only man to have ever been in her life.
Again, because they're basically the only man to have ever been in her life.

As such the trope rests on some troubling patriarchal ideas about female purity and virginity
As such the trope rests on some troubling patriarchal ideas about female purity and virginity

By definition characters Born Sexy Yesterday
By definition characters Born Sexy Yesterday

have no past lovers and no previous sexual experiences.
have no past lovers and no previous sexual experiences.

She is framed as pure and innocent, sexually and romantically,
She is framed as pure and innocent, sexually and romantically,

unchanged and uncorrupted by the attention of other men.
unchanged and uncorrupted by the attention of other men.

The male hero therefore avoids even the possibility of being compared,
The male hero therefore avoids even the possibility of being compared,

of being judged, of not measuring up.
of being judged, of not measuring up.

At the end of the day, this is a male fantasy about escaping the humiliation of rejection.
At the end of the day, this is a male fantasy about escaping the humiliation of rejection.

Since he's the first and only man in this woman's life, he gets to be the best by default.
Since he's the first and only man in this woman's life, he gets to be the best by default.

Which means he doesn't even have to try to be a better partner,
Which means he doesn't even have to try to be a better partner,

a better boyfriend, or a better lover.
a better boyfriend, or a better lover.

PEABODY: "That's what we call a kiss."
PEABODY: "That's what we call a kiss."

Of course the reality is that life experience is a plus and not a minus in relationships.
Of course the reality is that life experience is a plus and not a minus in relationships.

And we need more media to reflect that.
And we need more media to reflect that.

We need media where men enthusiastically embrace women who are their equals.
We need media where men enthusiastically embrace women who are their equals.

Equals in everything, including in matters of love and sex.
Equals in everything, including in matters of love and sex.

So to all you would-be science fiction writers out there.
So to all you would-be science fiction writers out there.

I'll leave you with this: innocence is not sexy.
I'll leave you with this: innocence is not sexy.

Knowledge and experience, on the other hand, now that, that's extremely sexy.
Knowledge and experience, on the other hand, now that, that's extremely sexy.

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If you'd like to see more videos related to media and manhood,

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