Not falling for web 2.0 social porn
In response to the phenomenal rise of ‘Web 2.0′ social networking sites, it’s clear that internet porn is taking a new direction. Both the established porn industry and amateur start-ups are leaping onto the social media bandwagon, and it’s interesting to consider the implications for those of us already struggling with internet porn issues.
Pornographic equivalents of YouTube have been around for some time now, and adult versions of social news sites like Digg are rapidly catching on. As more major players in the porn industry recognise this powerful shift in surfing behaviour and networking, more ‘social’ porn sites will inevitably enter the arena.
I’m not going to spend time bemoaning or bashing the porn industry entrepreneurs – it’s a simple fact that this highly lucrative industry is here to stay. What concerns me is the increased perception of acceptability and coolness that these developments will bring.
Most porn addicts will have experienced the phase of struggling to come to terms with the fact that they just might have a serious problem in their lives. This isn’t a pleasant realisation, and the mind reaches for reasoning and justification that ‘everyone is doing it’ and ‘porn is modern culture blah blah’. This is cognitive dissonance – “a driving force that compels the mind to acquire or invent new thoughts or beliefs” to avoid facing a potential problem. We’ve all done it.
It’s easier to deduce that a solitary porn habit (watching DVDs with the curtains drawn, mags under the mattress, all night sessions staring at streaming video) is not a healthy use of time. But what about ‘social’ porn sharing? This is fine and cool, non?
Actually, the ‘social’ justification for doing too much porn is nothing new – adult chatrooms and webcams have been around for ages. The misnomer of ‘social porn’ applies to Web 2.0 just as it did to adult chatrooms – compulsive usage is still an anti-social, draining and lonely activity. Despite the advanced technology, there’s no social connection of any value. It’s deluded fantasy sex life en masse. Yucky.
On a much more positive note, let’s focus on the the advice and support potential for social networking sites. I’m thinking ReallyWorried, 43things, Zaadz and the wealth of other forums for facing up to personal issues and moving up in life.
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