So,does anyone know what this is from?

[QuicksandMania]

I am not worried about us taking them seriously.

I am worried about others with power and an ax to grind taking them seriously.

[dlodoski]

I am not worried about us taking them seriously.

I am worried about others with power and an ax to grind taking them seriously.

Power to do what? And, please provide examples, if you don't mind.

And if I sound bothered by this sort of paranoid rambling, it's because I am.

[QuicksandMania]

The recent issue of "teenage sexting" getting blown all out of proportion comes immediately to mind.

http://adammclane.com/2011/12/07/a-brie ... ipulation/

I know there are many other hot issues for journalists to abuse but I put it past none of them to latch onto our interest a la the "misogyny" thread we had on this board a while back, especially if it proves to sell news media.

Sorry for the paranoia but as the saying goes, "Just because you are not paranoid does not mean 'they' are not out to get you."

So many cycles of history have shown journalists stirring trouble, activists seeking political "change" to "correct" the fabricated problem, oppressive laws passed that backfire, etc. e.g. the Prohibition era in the early 20th century of the USA.

The aforementioned "sexting" issue has led to adolescents being charged with distributing child pornography. Why? Certain ambitious prosecutors want to "send a strong message" against the practice. These poor kids could be labeled as sex offenders for life for their own poor judgment that comes with the territory of being teenagers.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/tee ... story.html

I know this is drifting off the original topic but since I was asked to explain myself I did.

Again, I know that standard adult pornography has enjoyed protection in the USA for decades but YouTube comments like those I see occasionally give me pause to reflect on the risks we face from those who cannot or will not understand.

As for the UK, we already see where they are headed:

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8595&p=60738&hilit=uk+pornography#p60738

[dlodoski]

I'll admit, those are compelling and verifiable examples of the media whipping something minor into a frenzy.

But - there is little or no correlation to this board.

The main component fueling that story (or stories) is the 'underage' factor. A lot of folks have teenage kids. Not very many have a deadly swamp in their back yard (too bad). Besides, we have a documented history here of being, to the best of our reasonable ability, adult only.

Another factor at play with the sexting example is that just about everybody has a cell phone, and can therefore relate to the salaciousness of the topic ("Hey, I have one of these things right here in my hand"). We, on the other hand, are just plain weird. Weird is not seen as sexy, and therefore not salacious. This last point is somewhat contrived, but it's the conclusion that I have come to over the years. Something has to be deemed sexy before it can be deemed dirty. Hate to say it, but to 'normal' folks, this is weird, not sexy. So, don't worry.

Any torches and pitch forks headed our way will most likely to be for preparing a night scene in a bog.

....Again, I know that standard adult pornography has enjoyed protection in the USA for decades but YouTube comments like those I see occasionally give me pause to reflect on the risks we face from those who cannot or will not understand.

Again, I challenge you. What risks?

As for the UK, we already see where they are headed:

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8595&p=60738&hilit=uk+pornography#p60738

I think you mean were headed. That was 18 months ago. Nothing was done. The web site of the organization Cameron was speaking to http://www.nspcc.org.uk doesn't even seem to work.

And also, Youtube comment areas being used as a cowardly bully pulpit is nothing new. Somebody tried that against UMD some time ago. Remote trolling. It only works if someone keeps linking to it.

[QuicksandMania]

Thanks for the reassuring words, Dave.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming!