I've not got anything against porn per se. Whatever floats yer boat, and all that. Personally, I've never viewed sex as a spectator sport, so, like football, baseball, basketball, etc., I've never seen the draw to just watch something you aren't a participant in. I don't watch sports, either, for the same reason. If I'm not in the thick of it, I can't figure out a reason to just sit and watch it. But I'm not everyone, and to each his own.
Still, without porn, we probably wouldn't have the internet, either. Even in the early days of the internet, and continuing through today and into the future, porn has driven a whopping 1/3 of the internet, and without it the internet would be much smaller and less accessible. Porn, and commerce, and later a combination of both, has driven internet development.
With that said, there are a growing number of people who have a distinct lack of impulse control, and an inability to distinguish fantasy from reality. Those folks can, and sometimes do, make the world a dangerous place for other folks because of those qualities within themselves. Note that i say "within themselves". The problem is not the porn itself, it's what some of those idjits DO rather than with what they WATCH. Watching is harmless, translating that into action, in combination with poor impulse control and an inability to distinguish, make life rough for others.
I'm a live and let live kinda guy. Problems arise when some others are not. Their "live and let live" translates into "I'll live the way I want, and make YOU live the way I want, too." That creates ugly situations in all areas of life, porn included, but not limited to porn.
So, while I don't think porn should be banned, or even severely curtailed, I DO think that certain circumstances call for a serious whomping on some folks who try to force their fantasies on other folks. The problem is not with the product, it's with the psyche of an increasing number of humans who don't quite know what to do with it. Just as with guns, I don't think the product needs regulation nearly as much as the folks who improperly use it, the miscreants of the world, need a culling.
Folks who don't abuse their freedoms should be left the hell alone to exercise them, just so long as they aren't forcing other folks into their own fantasies of power, control, or sex.
What has been called "the Wiccan's Rede" seems to have wise guidance here - "If it harm no other, then do what thou wilt".
.
Still, without porn, we probably wouldn't have the internet, either. Even in the early days of the internet, and continuing through today and into the future, porn has driven a whopping 1/3 of the internet, and without it the internet would be much smaller and less accessible. Porn, and commerce, and later a combination of both, has driven internet development.
With that said, there are a growing number of people who have a distinct lack of impulse control, and an inability to distinguish fantasy from reality. Those folks can, and sometimes do, make the world a dangerous place for other folks because of those qualities within themselves. Note that i say "within themselves". The problem is not the porn itself, it's what some of those idjits DO rather than with what they WATCH. Watching is harmless, translating that into action, in combination with poor impulse control and an inability to distinguish, make life rough for others.
I'm a live and let live kinda guy. Problems arise when some others are not. Their "live and let live" translates into "I'll live the way I want, and make YOU live the way I want, too." That creates ugly situations in all areas of life, porn included, but not limited to porn.
So, while I don't think porn should be banned, or even severely curtailed, I DO think that certain circumstances call for a serious whomping on some folks who try to force their fantasies on other folks. The problem is not with the product, it's with the psyche of an increasing number of humans who don't quite know what to do with it. Just as with guns, I don't think the product needs regulation nearly as much as the folks who improperly use it, the miscreants of the world, need a culling.
Folks who don't abuse their freedoms should be left the hell alone to exercise them, just so long as they aren't forcing other folks into their own fantasies of power, control, or sex.
What has been called "the Wiccan's Rede" seems to have wise guidance here - "If it harm no other, then do what thou wilt".
.