Given the recent discussions on another forum, I thought I'd broach this "tough issue".
The question does not ask if you personally like or dislike certain things, it asks what you think is pornographic.
Notice: There is intentionally not a choice which includes children in a sexual connotation because that is illegal and as such, we as a society have already agreed that is bad.
Consider Merriam-Webster:
por·nog·ra·phy, noun
Etymology: Greek pornographos, adjective, writing about prostitutes, from pornE prostitute + graphein to write;
1 : the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement
2 : material (as books or a photograph) that depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual excitement
3 : the depiction of acts in a sensational manner so as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction <the pornography of violence>
Pornography
- gmattson
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Given the choices, I had to vote "none of the above".
Most of us hear the word and automatically link it with the word "illegal", "against the law", or most damning, a SIN; which explains why I voted the way I did.
The key words in your phrasing was "consenting adults". This, in my opinion, takes away any hint of illegality and therefore the stigma that the word "porno" might have.
If we could get religion and the law out of our bedrooms, perhaps we could de-fuse the word "porno" and allow it to take its rightful place in the dictionary as a word describing consensual sexual acts for the purpose of entertaining other people. In that case I would have voted differently.
Most of us hear the word and automatically link it with the word "illegal", "against the law", or most damning, a SIN; which explains why I voted the way I did.
The key words in your phrasing was "consenting adults". This, in my opinion, takes away any hint of illegality and therefore the stigma that the word "porno" might have.
If we could get religion and the law out of our bedrooms, perhaps we could de-fuse the word "porno" and allow it to take its rightful place in the dictionary as a word describing consensual sexual acts for the purpose of entertaining other people. In that case I would have voted differently.
GEM
"Do or do not. there is no try!"
"Do or do not. there is no try!"
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I have a hard time with this one. I feel that the first is probably the right definition except it forgets the "for others to see as entertainment" part. The other problem is the nature of the word pornography. It has a definite negative conotation for alot of people, yet there are many that enjoy that form of entertainment. So, is erotica a better word or does the word pornography suffer from PR difficulties?
We have a huge amount of trouble in the US with minding our own business. We think that because there may be a moral issue then it must become a legal one also. This is just as true for the converse, in that legality determines morality for many.
As far as I'm concerned, two (or more) consenting ADULTS can have whatever kind of sex they please. And, if those adults wish to do this in front of others or a camera and sell tickets or subscriptions then fine. The huge success of the internet porn (erotica?) industry should serve as illustration of the demand for the product. It was the first industry to actually make a profit from the world wide web and is still virtually the only one to successfully sell content. In this land of "let the market determine what works" I think we have an answer.
Tell the prudes to shut up and mind their own lives.[/b]
We have a huge amount of trouble in the US with minding our own business. We think that because there may be a moral issue then it must become a legal one also. This is just as true for the converse, in that legality determines morality for many.
As far as I'm concerned, two (or more) consenting ADULTS can have whatever kind of sex they please. And, if those adults wish to do this in front of others or a camera and sell tickets or subscriptions then fine. The huge success of the internet porn (erotica?) industry should serve as illustration of the demand for the product. It was the first industry to actually make a profit from the world wide web and is still virtually the only one to successfully sell content. In this land of "let the market determine what works" I think we have an answer.
Tell the prudes to shut up and mind their own lives.[/b]
ted
"There's only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - P.J. O'Rourke
"There's only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - P.J. O'Rourke
Ted!!!
I've been meaning to contact you... I thought about you during a recent trip South. Went to see family in NC over the holidaze and came back via Alexandria, VA. (Went down on I-81, but came back using I-95) Stayed over with relatives in Alexandria, BUT drove past the exit on I-85/I-95 in south-eastern VA for...
Dinwiddie, VA!!!
I immediately said, "Hey, I know him!" and almost (but didn't) turn around just to get a picture of the sign for you! (Maybe next trip...
)
Anyway, just wanted to tell you. Is it named after a relative? (Probably... there's a town in TX named for one of my great-great uncles...)
Take care...
Dinwiddie, VA!!!

I immediately said, "Hey, I know him!" and almost (but didn't) turn around just to get a picture of the sign for you! (Maybe next trip...

Anyway, just wanted to tell you. Is it named after a relative? (Probably... there's a town in TX named for one of my great-great uncles...)
Take care...