The Technology Liberation Front - Latest Comments in Porn on Planes: 3 Possible Solutions

Re: Porn on Planes: 3 Possible Solutions

bszoka — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:28:47 -0000

Actually, I did once see a Comic-Book-guy-lookalike "reading" Playboy on the platform at Metro Center during rush hour. Other than that (and Amsterdam), no.

Re: Porn on Planes: 3 Possible Solutions

MikeRT — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:32:13 -0000

The different seating arrangements won't work because parents today insist that they not make any sacrifices whatsoever for their children; they'll insist on having access everywhere, and anything they want blocked to be blocked.

Re: Porn on Planes: 3 Possible Solutions

Peter — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:48:05 -0000

I know it's already been said, but this is no different from the other "objectionable content" already available to passengers.

And, what no-one has said is aircraft are not public libraries, you are in a little dictatorship of the pilot, administered by the crew. If they tell you to stop doing something, for whatever reason, you better stop. It's already a Federal offence (in the US) to refuse instructions from the crew.

Re: Porn on Planes: 3 Possible Solutions

Eric Crampton — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:22:30 -0000

The airlines already have plenty of incentive to offer "family friendly" flights, especially on long-haul, to segregate those with screaming kids from those without: both sets would be willing to pay extra for the separating equilibrium, but not enough (apparently) to justify the potentially lower loadings on each flight. I can't imagine that the porn incentive adds anything substantial to the one they've already got.

I'd be willing to bet that the modal traveller is willing to pay a lot more for a seat guaranteed not to be beside a screaming baby than for a seat guaranteed not to have wireless internet or other costly mechanisms to keep Lewd from his entertainment.

Re: Porn on Planes: 3 Possible Solutions

BubbaDude — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:15:49 -0000

A library bond failed in Vancouver, WA (just across the river from Portland) while I lived there because a group of creationists mounted a campaign against pornsurfing in the library. They claimed that a fleeting image of nudity can damage a young young-earther for life, and that various monkey-loving elements were grooving on porn at the taxpayer's expense all day and half the night.

I always figured most porn freaks wanted to indulge in private, so there may be lots of demand for bathroom space on the porn-enabled flights.

Re: Porn on Planes: 3 Possible Solutions

Rationalitate — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:51:24 -0000

Have you EVER seen anybody looking at porn in public? I've seen some guy browsing erotica ads on Craigslist, but the computers were far away from each other, and there were no graphics. The human feeling of shame is enough to stop people. I doubt it'll be a problem.

Re: Porn on Planes: 3 Possible Solutions

Adam_Thierer — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:23:37 -0000

Someone would probably ask you to put it away, or at least not make it so visible. And I suspect that might happen if someone starting surfing for porn on their laptops, too. And I believe most people would oblige. But, like I said in response to Berin above, all it will take is a few incidents for this sh*t to start hitting the fan and for legislation to start flying.

Re: Porn on Planes: 3 Possible Solutions

Adam_Thierer — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:21:12 -0000

Actually, I have seen people watching movies on portable DVDs that included some nudity, and certainly plenty of violence. But I think most people would recognize that there is a line they should not cross in terms of good taste when it comes to viewing hard-core stuff in public. So I don't mean to suggest that online porn viewing in planes is going to become some sort of mass cultural epidemic. But all it will take is a few incidents to set off a firestorm.

Re: Porn on Planes: 3 Possible Solutions

Self Appointed Genius — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:08:20 -0000

If I got on a plane and started "reading" Playboy, held out in front of me in such a way that the passengers on both sides of me could see it, what would happen?

How is a laptop any different?

Re: Porn on Planes: 3 Possible Solutions

bszoka — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:03:09 -0000

Since most laptops have DVD players, most laptop users could already bring their favorite porn DVD with them on the plane, no? But I've never heard of that happening (let alone seen it). So what makes you think users are suddenly going to start getting off in seats once they've got broadband?