Washington Post Staff Writer Monica Hesse draws our attention to the increasing problem of winding up trapped in an airplane or subway seat next to someone watching porn on his mobile electronics. Thanks to her article, I've found a new blessing for which to give thanks—it has never happened to me before. Apparently, according to the article, such incidents are on the rise and it is only a matter of time before I'm on a Southwest Airlines flight trying to avert the view of my kiddies from the iPhone in 13B.
Hesse creatively nicknames the phenomenon "Secondhand Smut."
Her article comes at a time when I'm seriously thinking about abandoning Twitter to return to an exclusive relationship with Facebook. Being a Twitter member, for me, has meant the constant fending off of attempts by porn mistresses (or are they 27-year-old male geeks living in their parents' basements? Who knows?) to get me to "follow" them.
As a historian, I long ago learned to be skeptical of the tiresome refrains of "The world has never been this evil before!" We forget so quickly—being the most evil is a stiff competition in human history. We're pretty good at evil, and have had several distinguished competitors in the Hall of Infamy.
But I'm tempted to make such a proclamation these days. Technology is making a difference for the worse. Will people ever develop the widespread willpower to overcome their addictions to porn?
"Secondhand Smut." I like the phrase. I just think it deserves wider application. The secondhand effects of smut are so much more than an uncomfortable airplane ride. It manifests itself in husbands who lose interest in their wives, in women objectified and used, in diseases spread and people dead, in "actresses" and "actors" whose lives are thrown away, and in a modern plague of human slavery and sex trafficking.
I'm praying that we reach a tipping point where people can see that pornography is so much more corrosive than tobacco, and that societal ills are just as worthy of legal disincentive as are physical ills.
Modern technology does not make us any more or less prone to engage in sinful activity. But it does make certain temptation ubiquitous.
ReplyDeleteThe best way to respond often depends.
We should not shun technology generally (though I am not commenting on your personal decision). We will all become like the Shakers or the Amish, insulated religious groups that slowly dwindle.
The best we can hope for is to affect the market place by increased pleas for some sort of "tweaks" in the technology or the development of "counter technology." Or to affect the flying marketplace by asking for private restrictions on planes etc.
We, also, with care, can ask for legal protection.
But most of all, we pray for an increased resolve and level of piety that will help us to be faithful.
Louis
Well written. Sadly, we've been victims of secondhand smut. Another "danger zone" would be driving behind another vehicle where you can clearly see the screens inside it. Especially now that these tv screens are getting bigger and bigger...
ReplyDeleteWe're surrounded, I'm afraid.
Recently found your sight. I enjoy it greatly. You are now bookmarked. Keep up the good work in Kingdom Service.
ReplyDeleteKyle
I wonder if there is a law that would cover the scenario you mentioned with the kids. If someone has porn and displays it so that children see it, wouldn't that be some kind of violation?
ReplyDeleteYour stuff is always good, Bart, but you've been on a roll recently.
(Except when I disagree with it)
ReplyDeleteAmanda,
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm glad to know that you are reading.
Kyle,
Welcome, kind sir. I'm proud to have you as a reader. I hope that I live up to your expectations.
Dave,
I suppose someone could attempt to prosecute it as some sort of corruption of a minor. The question is whether there's a prosecutor in the USA who would wish to take it up.