PORN
Have you ever been on MAX reading the WWeek or The Portland Mercury and get to the back pages and quickly close the paper so it doesn’t appear you are looking at PORN? The pages in question are those advertising dating and escort services with bright color pictures displaying everything but the kitchen sink. Heck, just holding the Mercury displays the latest American Apparel risque ad on the back cover for all to peruse. Does this make one a pervert? a cad? Nah. Not your fault right? You’re just reading a paper that is supported by what some in the community would refer to as immoral businesses.
But it brings up a different question in my mind. I have been on MAX reading an engrossing graphic novel when I turn the page, suddenly there is a very graphic sex scene all layed out across two pages. This graphic novel isn’t titled “Billy and Sue have sex.” It is more of a story arc involving demons, zombies, heroes and villains…oh, and a sex scene. Think of how I felt sitting there on MAX between two elderly women turning the page to expose PORN. It was kinda weird. I didn’t want to censor myself, but I also had that feeling of not wanting to offend anyone or start a scene. Yet, I thought to myself, am I doing anything wrong here? The answer is no. I then thought - could I read Playboy or Penthouse openly on the train? Why not? Granted, one would probably get some looks if you opened up the centerfold fully and began ooing and awwing, but heck, you read Playboy for the articles right?
I’m flying across the nation next weekend and will be taking my laptop. On the last flight, I watched a couple of movies while cramped between other fliers in the middle seat. One of those movies - Beerfest - (a favorite of mine) - was the unrated version with a couple of gratuitous naked scenes. All of this splashed on a 14″ screen for anyone to see if they wanted. Another movie had some serious violence and gore. Is it my responsibility to censor myself in public situations or is that my personal space where I should have the right to listen to and watch whatever I want? Granted, I’m not going to watch any hardcore German goat porn. Don’t want to be engaged by any TSA individuals. But what if I wanted to watch Top Gun - that scene between Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis is pretty steamy.
You have German goat porn, and you aren’t sharing?
I just ***really*** love that this is up on OregonLive’s home page under the one word PORN. Love that Reddit.
testing openID yet again…
I borrowed a book from a friend for a plane trip once, not realizing how ’steamy’ it was. I am forever reading over the shoulder of the person next to me - and as I turned the pages I think I really did turn quite red!
What’s even worse is trying to read graphic novels in a house with children who assume that they are just comic books. Let’s just say you can’t leave them laying around.
Y’know, this reminds me of amtraking through the south. You hit a dry county and the guy in the food car suddenly puts away the beer; you clear the county and out it comes again. I’m not sure if flying over Alabama at 30,000 feet means you need to follow Alabama law — gives new meaning to “jurisdiction shopping”.
If you were sitting next to me (or my 5 year old kid) and I was offended, I’d rather politely ask you to change your selection. Then again, I still believe in talking to people before having the sheriff deliver a summons.
I suppose in all seriousness you have two issues: Local “moral standards”, which are very real (just ask the webmasters from LA who got hauled into court in Florida for using a hosting company who had servers in Miami), and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, which is even more real.
If you’re thoughtful enough to ask the question, I’m sure you’d make the right call for a given situation.
I hear this sort of scenario is commonplace in Japan, businessmen reading both graphic novels and other types of adult material on the train.
(Although how anyone can read on the train there I don’t know:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=X9nnXw_6WQs)
Still, I sense a sort of guy’s code of honor here - That MAX rides are a time for self-restraint, to contribute to the common sanity. Especially with how packed things get these days.