Internet smut makes for market we can't glut

• Source: Global Times
• [21:36 December 17 2009]
• Comments

The universality of this desire – as natural, seemingly, as hunger or thirst – seems to be a given. So a wish to suppress it just seems a little weird. We're left with the public morality argument that porn is harmful.

If that's true, then the campaign has a clear argument. But there's no evidence to suggest that is. In fact, there's plenty to the contrary.

The aforementioned City University study concluded that viewing it made people "more liberal, more accepting and more active." What's wrong with that? They're saying porn is good for you!

A study by the University of Montreal drew similarly upbeat conclusions. "Not one subject had a pathological sexuality," said Professor Simon Lajeunesse. "In fact, all of their sexual practices were quite conventional." Now there's something you don't hear said often: Porn-watching is actually pretty vanilla.

Think of all those poor saps who really need it: From inept teenagers to the physically disabled, from shy men to the terminally ugly, there are vast swathes of society who don't have access to much sex (I'm not just talking about married people) and who need an outlet.

Whether it's loneliness, education, relief, sport or boredom, there are plenty of harmless reasons for "using" such sites.

If any society wishes to "protect the innocent," perhaps it's better to encourage parents to monitor and restrict their children's Internet use, offer free parental control software and educate them on Internet dangers.

Chinese society is no exception.

The author is a copy editor with the Global Times. roberthunwick@globaltimes.com. Cn