“Hardcore pornography only becomes a problem when viewed in private.” It has only been recently that there has been so much focus on the private sphere in relation to pornography and sexual activity. “Exploring sexuality in a public medium such as TV is acceptable, but sex in privacy is seen as problematic.” I believe that sex in the private sphere should only be paid attention to if it is relative to rape, child pornography, incest or violence. We live in a country where sex is in its abundance in television, movies and advertising. But when sex is brought into the private arena, its efforts to become exposed are enormously focused on.

Viewing pornography in private is seen as seedy, embodying a negative connotation. While people may think that, expressing sexuality and sex outwardly in the media, is seen as sexy and trendy, not sleazy or seedy. To sum it all up, society upholds a contradictory view of sex, deeming it ok for sex to rule the media, the public sphere, but not ok for the private sphere.

When reading the article however, this statement caught my attention: "The definition of sexually explicit broadly covers depictions of everything from sexual intercourse and masturbation to "sadistic abuse" and close-ups of fully clothed genital regions." I believe that the definition of sexually explicit shouldn't include closeups of fully clothes genital regions and sexual intercourse and masturbation, unless it is with children, or is accompanied with actions of rape or violence. Perhaps that content should be given a lesser rating something relative to PG-13 or PG. Sexually explicit should cover the extreme of the extreme, not masturbation, or regular, sexual intercourse. I believe, for the ratings to be accurate, the public should be polled in regards to what content should fall under what. The government is again, defining what is permissable and acceptable, and what is not.

While the government is attempting to take an active role in online censorship, parents still need to be the main forerunners in educating their children. But censorship and pornography is extremely hard to accomplish. There are so many methods of tackling the issue, but who can say what methods are truly effective or not? But like many other people, I doubt that this new law accomplish much, except to categorize pornography even moreso through ratings and warnings.

I am a Sociology and Communications double major. This course served to provide elements of each major to the class. The laws studied and discussed regarding pornography, obscenity and indecency all demonstrate law and social change. Accompanied with numerous perspectives and sociological change in society pertaining to the issue of pornography, the lectures have throroughly addressed that arena. The PBS specials exposing in depth coverage of the sex trade, topics of globalization, and inner workings of the pornography industry in regards to business and profit are highly reflective of the some principles of mass communication. These lectures have also challenged a traditional, conservative way of thinking by encouraging the viewer to look at the reasoning and why behind certain events, laws passed, and general attitudes society holds regarding pornography. The class has also been an informative tool, providing me with news and issues I never knew existed. CyberPorn and Society has gone beyond the confines of typical textbook-based courses. We are encouraged to be active listeners and thinkers through our weekly responses in our web blogs. Blogging has been such rewarding on several levels, because it forces me to pay close attention to subjects discussed and back up my argument using evidence, and simply not opinion. Reading other people's blogs have proved beneficial as well because I am exposed to a forum of open discussion and debate. Just how we discuss physically in classrooms about what is being taught, we do it here also online.

Blogging has also been a tool for seeking out research and other information outside the confines of the lectures watched on our computer screen. This class has enabled me to pursue alternative information and seek out other viewpoints before settling on one.

I can gladly say that I won't be hesitant to sign up for another distance learning/online class from now on. Besides gaining knowledge, this class has also been extremely flexible because I don't have to drag my body out of bed at say, 7 am to get ready for class. I can watch the lectures from the comfort of my own home, and I can participate in discussion by voicing my opinion through blog entries. Overall, this class has been an eye opener and I would definitely recommend it to another student.

The author makes a good point regarding the porn industry and their indifference to copyright liabilities. This provides them with an upper hand and also enables them to continue to use new technology to their advantage. The industry has acknowledged the benefits of the Internet and has used it to its advantage more so than any other media industry. Why is that? It's because the pornography industry has little limitation regarding where they want to go. Other industries, such as the movie and music industries become so wrapped up in the fear of privacy, while the pornography industry is sort of embracing it at this point.

The success of the pornography industry goes beyond its popularity. Its ability to capitalize on the new technology out there makes them so profitable. 

Parents simply can't depend on the government and the media to help prevent their children from stumbling across an obscene website or online photo. Sooner or later, the child will eventually come in contact with pornography. The heart of the issue is that it doesn't matter that they do come in contact with explicit material at a young age, its whether or not they understand that the content is not appropriate for them at that age. While Congresswoman Blanche Lincoln had a good argument supporting her case, we have to think realistically as well. She needs to understand that her children and many other children are eventually going to come across pornographic material at some point during their adolescent years. Her children need to know how to respond sensibly when they come across the situation.

It's important for parents to control their child's media consumption in regards to Internet use and television. These are the major sources of sexually explicit material. There have been many efforts made by the government to place filters, place restrictions such as the V chip into televisions to make it harder for children to access this type of material. We must not forget that parents definitely need to play a pertinent role in monitoring their children and educating them about these issues.

Over the past decade, there have been an increase in sexually orientated businesses including peep shows, strip bars, adult video shops, and massage parlors. The indecency laws in effect stem from local state government interest to preserve morality. Let's talk about nude dancing for example. Many people see the act as a form of entertainment, like watching a harmless show. Many argue that it is a form of expression that should not be labeled as obscene or indecent behavior. I really don't think that zoning makes a difference in regards to strip joints and clubs featuring strip tease dances because they are only open at night. The secondary adverse effects surrounding nudie bars and strip joints are absent in regards to the businesses being located near schools and churches. The school and church aren't in session during the hours when strip clubs, clubs and bars are open.

However, I do believe that zoning should be applied to XXX adult entertainment stores, pornographic bookstores and X rated movie theatres because those businesses are open during the day time. If they are located in a residential area, near schools and churches, then I can see how those establishments can have secondary adverse effects. The quality of the neighborhood can go down because of the blinking XXX shops sprawled on neighborhood blocks nearby a school and church. There is a sleazy connontation associated with these adult entertainment establishments and since they are open sometimes 24 hours and mostly during the day as well, they can negatively impact schoolchildren walking home and church goers who might be offended. 

In regards to the indecency statute requiring strippers to wear pasties or g strings, I think a little piece of cloth can really make a difference. During spring break, my friends from high school dragged me to a friday Hunk O Mania night at club Spirit in Chelsea, where guy strippers danced on stage in silly costumes to theme songs outlining their character, which ranged from cave man to a police cop. Many of them stripped down to a g string. The G string sort of allowed them togrind and thrust on stage to women placed in the "hot seat", in close physical contact. Without the G string, then I don't think the strippers would have grinded and thrusted as excessively. 

I guess you can say my views are sort of mixed regarding zoning and indecency issues. I believe that zoning should be applied for certain establishments, and not for others. In regards to indecency, I see no real problem with strip clubs and clubs featuring strip teases purely and only for viewing pleasure.

The federal and state government have many laws that aren't put into place, such as illegalizing masturbation, sodomy and jaywalking. However, other issues the government sees as harmful such as marijuana sale and other illict drug consumption have extremely punitive consequences. Obscenity issues relative to child pornography are prosecuted, but on the other hand exchange of pornographic material such as lesbians engaging in sexual intercourse, could be technically illegal. However, if caught, the police would most likely not prosecute the issue because frankly, some things are disregarded too minor and too expensive to be brought to trial, as Prof. Halavais mentioned. So, since there are different levels of law enforcement and prosecution for different types of "crimes" within the obscenity law, the community basis of judging what is obscene isn't good enough to shape obscenity law.

Like sex crimes with no victim and marijuana possession, some aspects of obscenity law are not enforced. The government enforces laws based on the social costs it would cause to society and the overall morale it upholds. The government inevitably acts accordingly to what they see as obscene.

There has to be some type of definition for the term obscenity in federal law. Obscenity based on community standards just isn't enough. The government doesn't need a clearly defined definition, just a few more specific guidelines which are less ambiguous than the Miller Law.

So what happens, when obscenity is justified in the name of the first amendment? What types of restrictions can be imposed on a federal level to judge the levels of obscenity in certain types of media? Can we rate obscenity on a scale of 1-10, or categorize it into areas of flesh being shown? Prof. Halavais mentioned underage girls in bikinis? Is that obscene, and should it be regarded as obscene content?

Like the War on Drugs, the War on Porn is a concern for the federal government. The First Amendment will not hold up for cases regarding obscene pornography such as hardcore rape and abuse. Can you be supportive of the First Amendment, and not consent to pornography that can be considered “obscene” by your community? Of course you can. Just like people who advocate for free speech, yet do not condone nazi speech or racist, hate speech is possible. The first amendment can allow someone to say whatever they please, but I believe there are some inherent boundaries citizens naturally assume so that their free speech doesn’t disrespect or physically hurt another individual. The same goes for pornography. The general public acknowledges the fact that pornography is acceptable if it doesn’t harm anyone.

This lecture has raised questions regarding the first amendment and how it cannot be upheld in cases of obscene, pornographic matter. When other individuals are put at risk due to free speech and behavior that can harmfully affect someone else, then that’s when the conservative nature of the first amendment is revealed.

Sdayan (http://sdayan.wordpress.com) has written grammatically correct entries as well as has provided the class with some worthy content. His/Her catchy titles easily lure me into reading what he or she has to say.

Vague (http://vague.wordpress.com) has demonstrated that he or she has been reading other blogs by linking to them, and also providing his/her own argument backed up with facts as well. He or she also writes in depth responses regarding the cyberporn readings, which I also think is a plus.