opinion

Degrees of Porniness

As a card carrying member of the Colbert Nation, I came up with the phrase of the "degrees of porniness" to describe the division line in the adult industry on the issue of obscenity.

Max Hardcore is in the news now for his recent indictments on obscenity charges in Northern Florida for shipping two DVD's and for the viewing of eight video clips from his website, deemed as "obscene" by Florida prosecutors.

There are many adult webmasters who look at the extreme content like Max Hardcore and Extreme Associates, and want to distance themselves from it.

They say things like "that kind of porn is bad for the industry", or they try to distinguish what they feel is acceptable porn and what is not, essentially creating their own levels of acceptable content, or "degrees of porniness".

Many believe to throw Max and Rob under the bus, and let the extreme hardcore content to be targeted by the government, in hopes it appeases the obscenity gods for that sacrifice.

If you won't like the extreme content, its OK. It's also OK as a business member to feel that you don't want to associate your business with cases like Max Hardcore, so you shy away from supporting his cause.

Max Hardcore chose his line of business and takes the ultimate responsibility, but, this is an important case, because it is another test of what can be deemed obscene.

It's hard to believe that in this day of 2007, where sodomy laws like Tin exas have finally been repealed, that what someone orders to watch, whether from DVD or from the internet, in the privacy of their own home, can be deemed as obscene.

Anything that is filmed, written, or created has artistic merit. Nature is not artistic merit because it already exists. When we create content, we create art, and the appreciation of art is in the eye of the beholder, but it nonetheless, cannot be the only judge.

If content is displayed in the public, like Janet Jackson's nipple, then it is fair game to apply "community standards", because it involves the public locality. But what goes on in the privacy of one's home, no matter how vile or obscene the viewing of the content, it is that ADULT individual's right to view such content, which is the same right as the content producer to create that content.

If obscenity is allowed to be fully defined by a successful court case, then it does set the precedent, that the creators of a piece of work can be put in jail because a viewer of their material wanted to receive and enjoy the material in a locality that has "obscenity" laws.

The "community standards" clause is quite vague and hypocritical. It in my book, any community that has a strip club or an adult novelty store, has defined that such material is within the communitiy standards.

Cases like Max Hardcore does need to be given support, but the channeling of that support can come through the form of contributions to Free Speech Coalition.

You can object to extreme content, and you may not feel you want to defend such content, but the defense against obscenity does apply to all adult content, and if you feel like an arm's length distance or a 10 foot pole distance is needed, allow the FSC to be that middle ground, where you support FSC, so it can support those that are on the frontlines of the legal fight against the encroachment of the restrictions of the first amendment.

Fight the hypocrisy!

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

Protecting Your Business With a Data Backup Strategy That Works

If the subject of backups sounds boring to you, maybe this will grab your attention: Without properly implemented backups, your business is vulnerable to partial or even catastrophic data loss, which could screw your company and tank your income.

Brad Mitchell ·
opinion

Examining the Obstacles of Operating an Adult Business in India

The sexual wellness market in India is projected to experience significant growth in the coming years, yet sex remains taboo in this country of 1.3 billion people. Legal and cultural barriers prevent open discussions around sex.

Raj Armani ·
opinion

Raging Stallion's 'The Way to a Man's Heart' Serves Up Steamy Romance

Valentine’s Day draws near, and Raging Stallion Studios is set to celebrate with a taste-bud-tickling new adult rom-com, “The Way to a Man’s Heart,” from directors Ben Rush and Steve Cruz. Rush admits that the lighthearted flick, which centers on delicious meals and delicious men, represents somewhat of a departure from the darker themes.

Ness Miller ·
opinion

How Pleasure Brands, Retailers Can Tap Into the Popularity of 'Romantasy' Erotic Lit

Fans of the “Bat Boys” and demon-born princes alike, rejoice! Sarah J. Maas took 2024 by storm, claiming the title of bestselling author of the year with her raunchy “romantasy” novels, partly thanks to BookTok. With millions of fans worldwide, Maas’ works aren’t just dominating bestseller lists; they’re also encouraging people to embrace role-play and fantasy in their own sex lives.

Scarlett Ward ·
opinion

Ariel Demure Branches Out With Girlsway Featurette 'The Dove Plea'

Oklahoma, 1899. In a makeshift courtroom, sex worker Minnie Stacey is on trial for prostitution. In a speech that will become famous as the “Soiled Dove Plea,” her lawyer implores the jury to have compassion for this “fallen woman” rather than condemn her for her sins.

Aleks Janovski ·
opinion

Mastering the Art of the Perfect Event Selfie

The show floor at a conference or event like XBIZ or X3 is a unique world, full of industry professionals and endless opportunities for connection. It’s a space where networking happens, where outfits make statements — and where knowing just how to capture and broadcast these unforgettable moments can make your social media feed truly come alive.

Rae Threat ·
trends

Pleasure Purveyors Discuss Emerging Trends, Ambitions for 2025

2025 is upon us, and the pleasure industry is poised for another dynamic year. As brands realign their goals to satisfy shifting demand, seize new opportunities and capitalize on cutting-edge innovations, the focus for the new year is on delivering inclusive, accessible and technology-driven products that redefine pleasure and wellness.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
profile

WIA Profile: Jacqueline Macleod

To succeed in the lingerie industry, it’s imperative to keep one foot in the adult biz, another in the mainstream fashion world — and both hands spinning plates of trend reports, apparel design experience and customer support.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

Cracking the 'Book of Business' for Creator Success

In the age of digital entrepreneurship, content creators are transforming how personal brands operate, combining creativity, strategy and grit to build thriving portfolios. What was once dismissed as a fleeting fad has evolved into a sophisticated, scalable business model — and all of it is centered on a key asset: the “book of business.”

Megan Stokes ·
profile

Ashley Aoki: From Tumblr to Rising Talent

Ashley Aoki discovered that she had an interest in online exhibitionism while attending university. She found she enjoyed sending nudes to guys she was interested in, as well as posting them online for the thrill and fun of it.

Jeff Dana ·
Show More