There is no aphrodisiac like innocence.

☛ BAUDRILLARD, Jean. Cool Memories. 1980-1985, Paris:Galilée, 1987, pp. 231.

The quote appears in English in the original French edition of the book (see below). To the extent where “innocence” (from the Latin innocentem) suggests “not guilty, blameless, harmless, disinterested” it could be said to refer to state that precedes knowledge (in a way reminiscient to the expression “ignorance is bliss”). Hence, the quote suggests two things. First, that this state has something to do with love and desire, maybe in a way analogue to the relationship we find between the word “study” and the idea of desire. Second, that as such, innocence is like a portal opened to knowledge, in a way where “knowledge” also marks the loss of something: the innocent state, the blamelessness, the indifference. To this extent, love can’t be said to be “indifferent”. This could be read in parallel to the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden (see Milton: Paradise Lost)