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It's hard to believe that in this day of 2007, where sodomy laws like Tin exas have finally been repealed, that what someone orders to watch, whether from DVD or from the internet, in the privacy of their own home, can be deemed as obscene.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

Why Sex Toy Innovation Isn't What Shoppers Want Right Now

During my first year in the industry, the luxury vibrator on shelves was LELO’s Gigi, priced at $109. It was made with high-quality silicone, boasted an ergonomic design, a travel lock and a warranty. Soon after, Je Joue released its first product, SaSi, which employed “rolling ball” movements to simulate oral sex.

Sarah Tomchesson ·
opinion

What France's New Law Means for Age Verification Worldwide

When France implemented its Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law on April 11, it marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing global debate surrounding online safety and access to adult content.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

How Adult Retailers Can Enhance Sales With Supplements

The supplement industry is big business. In 2024, Future Market Insights estimated it to be valued at $74.3 billion, and other market research firms anticipate that number will grow to upwards of $170 billion in just 10 years.

Rick Magana ·
opinion

From Tariffs to Trends: Staying Resilient in a Shaky Online Adult Market

Whenever I check in with clients these days, I encounter the same concerns. For many, business has not quite bounced back after the typical post-holiday-season slowdown. Instead, consumers have been holding back due to the economic uncertainty around the Trump administration’s new tariffs and their impact on prices.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Why It's Time the Pleasure Industry Got Serious About IPX Waterproof Ratings

As someone who regularly communicates with manufacturers, retailers and consumers, I’ve seen how this ambiguity can do a disservice to both the customers who use these products and the businesses that sell them.

Alicia Sinclair Rosen ·
opinion

Optimizing Payment Strategies for High Ticket Sales

Payment processing for more expensive items, such as those exceeding $1,000 per order, can create unique challenges. For adult businesses, those challenges are magnified. Increased fraud risk, elevated chargeback ratios and heavier scrutiny from banks and processors are only the beginning.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

Tips for Sexual Wellness Brands to Win Over Gen Z This Summer

As summer rolls around, the excitement in the air is palpable, especially for one particular demographic: Gen Z. College and university classes are over, vacations are booked and it’s time to let loose.

Naima Karp ·
opinion

The Barcelona Job: A Diamond Heist Drenched in Sweat and Seduction

In a city famed for its architecture and allure, something far more seductive is about to go down. The priceless NakedSword Diamond is nestled deep within a heavily fortified Barcelona museum, and master thief Sir Peter has his eye on the prize.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Celebrating the LGBTQ+ Community With Inclusive Packaging Design

Pride Month is a time of visibility, joy and self-expression. In the pleasure industry, projecting that energy can start with something as simple as a box. Market research shows that 72% of U.S. consumers say product packaging influences their purchasing decisions.

Matthew Spindler ·
profile

Sara Loverays on Tapping Her Goddess Energy

When Sara Loverays first turned on her webcam, she didn’t know it would change her life — or unlock a side of herself she’d been waiting to set free. What began as a way to make extra cash between travel physical therapy contracts soon became her full-time passion, a platform for self-discovery, and a ticket to building her own brand based on sensuality, self-discovery and “goddess energy.”

Jackie Backman ·
Show More