Australian Censorship

[Crazed Rabbit]

I have someone I'd like you to meet. His name is freedom of expression.

I think it's a stretch to say porn (or even tamer, babe thread stuff) has anything to do with freedom of expression.

That said, I see little point in the government trying to control it.*

CR
*Besides making sure no one is forced, the models are old enough, it's not marketed or easily available to kids, etc., etc.

[HoreTore]

I think it's a stretch to say porn (or even tamer, babe thread stuff) has anything to do with freedom of expression.

That said, I see little point in the government trying to control it.*

CR
*Besides making sure no one is forced, the models are old enough, it's not marketed or easily available to kids, etc., etc.

I think people who are trying to define what is and what isn't protected by free speech are really stretching it.

Porn is made in the form of pictures or movies. Both photography and movies are forms of expression. Hence, porn is an expression and protected by our free speech. Just like Arnold's 9237432480239th kill-movie.

[Vuk]

I have someone I'd like you to meet. His name is freedom of expression.

Do you realise that many porn models are women from poor countries taken advantage of, and then forced to degrade themselves with poses, or to be raped on camera for others to enjoy? Do you also realise that many of them are really underaged? Porn not only harms the individual women involved, but also women as a whole. It is not "empowering" for women when other women are taken advantage of and raped. It is degrading and makes men think of women as objects of sexual pleasure rather than human beings. It also sets expectations for them that they then think they have to meet in a relationship, which is unfair to them. Not only is it harmful to women, it is almost just as harmful as men. Argue if you want, but I have seen what happens when men get addicted to porn. They turn into completely dependent, filthy-minded, perverts who do nothing for the reputation of their sex as a whole. Men get thought of as mindless perverts with a one-track mind. Also, dare I mention the other thing which always accompanies porn? There have tons of scientific studies which have showed that to be extrememly unhealthy.
In short, if you want sex, don't sit there like a desperate loser fondling yourself because you are not man enough to get a real girlfriend. Get a girlfriend, and stop supporting an industry that is built on human misery and suffering.

[Vuk]

I think people who are trying to define what is and what isn't protected by free speech are really stretching it.

Porn is made in the form of pictures or movies. Both photography and movies are forms of expression. Hence, porn is an expression and protected by our free speech. Just like Arnold's 9237432480239th kill-movie.

Discussing sex is free-speech, video-taping someone stripping and having sex isn't. Freespeech extends only as far as others are not harmed. To return to my previous example, a taliban training video will hurt people in the long run, and should not be allowed, likewise porn (for the reasons mentioned about) hurts all of society and should be allowed. I am not saying that Australia is right in what it did, because porn is NOT illegal, BUT simply that I think it should be.

[Strike For The South]

Do you realise that many porn models are women from poor countries taken advantage of, and then forced to degrade themselves with poses, or to be raped on camera for others to enjoy? Do you also realise that many of them are really underaged? Porn not only harms the individual women involved, but also women as a whole. It is not "empowering" for women when other women are taken advantage of and raped. It is degrading and makes men think of women as objects of sexual pleasure rather than human beings. It also sets expectations for them that they then think they have to meet in a relationship, which is unfair to them. Not only is it harmful to women, it is almost just as harmful as men. Argue if you want, but I have seen what happens when men get addicted to porn. They turn into completely dependent, filthy-minded, perverts who do nothing for the reputation of their sex as a whole. Men get thought of as mindless perverts with a one-track mind. Also, dare I mention the other thing which always accompanies porn? There have tons of scientific studies which have showed that to be extrememly unhealthy.
In short, if you want sex, don't sit there like a desperate loser fondling yourself because you are not man enough to get a real girlfriend. Get a girlfriend, and stop supporting an industry that is built on human misery and suffering.

O rly? Do you have links or perhaps a nice study? We should just ban everything that could hurt children in the long run like beauty pagents and football.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

O rly? Do you have links or perhaps a nice study? We should just ban everything that could hurt children in the long run like beauty pagents and football.

The problems Vuk decries are real enough Strike. The best paralell from the user perspective is alcohol. Many can use it on a take-or-leave basis. Some will temporarily lose control or perspective. A few will become psychologically addicted with potentialy ruinous complications.

The exploitation issue is valid. The only limitation on Vuk's point is that he would need to argue that THIS form of exploitation is qualitatively worse than other forms of economic exploitation.

Obviously, my point is setting aside morality concerns -- a whole different arena.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

You know, if you want to argue that pornography is degrading to women, you can also make a fair case that it is degrading to males as well.

[Vuk]

You know, if you want to argue that pornography is degrading to women, you can also make a fair case that it is degrading to males as well.

Did that, check my post. I wouldn't say just as degrading, but I think it is pretty close.

[Furunculus]

an utterly stupid idea to try and maintain a country firewall against 'undesirable' elements.

technology is alway against the gov't

and i don't trust the gov't

i'd much rather they monitor usage of undesirable sites........... and then try and justify it in the courts.