Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site v1.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!mcnc!decvax!linus!philabs!v1!charliep From: charliep@v1.UUCP (Charlie Perkins) Newsgroups: net.women Subject: How to start getting rid of porn Message-ID: <128@v1.UUCP> Date: Sat, 9-Feb-85 20:12:16 EST Article-I.D.: v1.128 Posted: Sat Feb 9 20:12:16 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 16-Feb-85 05:56:47 EST References: <1612@pur-phy.UUCP> <4716@cbscc.UUCP> Organization: IBM Research, Yorktown Heights, N.Y. Lines: 95 Important Question: Instead of everyone being AGAINST porn, why don't we hear more about what people are FOR -- and what erotic expression SHOULD be "allowable"? > May question is, for those who recognise the problem and would like to > do something about it, what are some effective ways? It seems that anyone > who is opposed to porn can't help but be labeled a censor when they express > their views. While reading that posting by Paul Dubuc, I was jolted by his assertion that he was NOT interested in censorship so much as elimination of pornography. And I am hereby taking an opportunity to mention several ways that porn might be either eliminated or made completely ineffectual. In a nutshell - eliminate the demand for porn! I have just finished reading "Anatomy of Nakedness" by Paul Ableman. This book is sort of a rambling discussion of nudity as it has been viewed in various cultures. Mr. Ableman references many other books, including some by Margaret Mead and B. Daniellson which I have also read and can recommend to any interested reader. I certainly recommend Paul A.'s book to anyone whose view of nakedness (and sex) has been mostly influenced by the prevailing American mores (that's a lot of people besides myself). ANYway, I think there is evidence available to support the view, (and, moreover, little if any to counter it), that sex should be much more integrated into our daily life. Apparently this has been the case in many different cultures throughout history. For instance, in Tahiti sex was publicly OK until the missionaries came. It was a fun thing and other public rituals were oriented toward heightening sexual experiences (e.g, erotic dancing). Legalizing prostitution would be an important step along this route. Much of life could be very much better if, as in some of R. Heinlein's books, prostitution were restored to an honorable profession. As Ableman points out, prostitution was actually a sacred profession in many early religions. Now, that kind of worship I think I could get into! Public baths could become more commonplace. Sexually integrated, AND sexually segregated baths could be available. Judging from the faces of satisfied customers at the hot-tub places I've been to, there is real profitability here. Of course, truly inviting advertising might run afoul of some *CENSOR'S* rules. Given the honorable profession of prostitution and the public acceptance of nudity and bathing, it would only be a matter of time until other specialty businesses began capitalizing on our human zest and quest for sex in unusual circumstances. I really think that the next sexual revolution (the REAL one) will completely overshadow the Industrial revolution and the Information revolution. This is partially due to the probability that a better cultural view of sex would reduce the demand for the arms race, would greatly enhance most people's self image, (etc, etc, etc, etc...) Once sex is no longer considered a restricted (even criminal!) activity, I think that you'll find that practically no one is sitting around looking at pornography. SO, the things we can do to eliminate pornography are limited only by our imagination and the current state of the legality of sex in this country. I'd like to get going on some of those business ideas I listed above but so far I have been "chicken". Not to mention that I have a hard time tearing myself away from computering (netnews even!). If anyone is interested in a joint venture in the elimination of porn, let me hear from you. In the meantime, the laws preventing our society from becoming sexually healthy should be wiped off the books. I'd sure like to hear ideas about how to accomplish that. > Excellent article from C.E. Jackson. Though long it's well worth > reading. I thought it was terrible. Although M. Jackson claims not to advocate GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP, I can't see how else anyone might implement the forcible removal of porn. All the talk about whether or not porn is degrading completely misses the point. Do you think is degrading for someone to wallow in a garbage dump? Do you think we should make it illegal to do so? If humans choose to degrade themselves they will find a way legal or not! The dangerous assumption is made by many that, if they allow something to be legal, they are condoning it. Therefore, (I guess) they have to continually march against it so that they will not feel guilty about doing nothing. In fact, I have concluded that anti-porn actvists are perverting their SEXUAL ENERGIES into their warlike campaign. I cannot understand why it is so necessary to wield the huge weapon of censorship to combat the SMALL CHANCE of ill effects from (e.g.) Penthouse. -- Charlie Perkins, IBM T.J. Watson Research philabs!v1!charliep, perk%YKTVMX.BITNET@berkeley, perk.yktvmx.ibm@csnet-relay