Cheryl wrote:
This wasn't actually my point - I'm not arguing the rights or wrongs of porn - I don't like it - but that's not the issue, the issue is introducing it in a market that is not conditioned for it and displaying the likeness of *non porn* actors on pornographic illustrations.
I should make it clear that I was discussing only written material in my post.
In the case of violence Vs sex in relation to a child
- I think a B7 type story with blown up installations,
Servalan up to her usual machinations, etc, actually has less of a possible harmful effect in the written form and even the show itself as opposed to explicit sex, especially if the cover illustrates the 'heroes' in a suggestive pose and even more so should they be of the same sex. I guess I'd better qualify that statement - Children understand the difference between good and bad only too well, however; if you start introducing them to complex human relationships then you could end up with one very confused child.
I disagree. While a merry romp through blowing up installation of the week probably doesn't have much effect on the average child -- though I'd personally consider that an example of desensitisation -- I've read stories in genzines that dealt explicitly with some fairly brutal violence (to pick just one example, 'Hunter' by Neil Faulkner in Star Two) and furthermore that seem to some extent to glorify violence-dealing tech.
My point is simply that it seems odd to me that *explicitly* violent stories (I wouldn't call blowing up Federation installation particularly explicit) appear to be ok in genzines with no age statement, while even quite tame reference to sex, especially homosexual, is deemed 'adult-only'.
I'd personally rather deal with the child who's just learned that some humans engage in homosexual relationships than the one who gets the impression violence is the solution to his/her problems.
If I've read this right, then you are saying that erotica only is dull - B7 type stories only is dull, therefore a mix of the two allows for a diversity in style to satisfy a range of moods.
Actually that wasn't really my point. I meant that a gen story is constrained by not being able to mention sex, and especially not homosexual sex. Some stories that works fine for. Great. But... some gen stories feel as if they've been squeezed into an alternate universe where the possibility of sex doesn't exist. Not so great.
Conversely, in a slashzine, knowing that the outcome of the character interactions is going to be sex can spoil the fun -- for me.
That I personally would thoroughly enjoy an (for e.g.)Avon and Jenna pairing story, I would prefer they acknowledge genuine feelings for each other in said story but a love making scene would be very acceptable to me - (IMO) this is not porn, however;
I think we've already covered the 'I like tasteful stories, you enjoy erotica and he's addicted to porn...' paradox. [Before we started this debate I was *certain* that 'porn' related to visual and erotica to written depictions of sexual acts. My dictionary believes otherwise.]
I would still say that it should be in an adults only zine - some things should remain the province of adults. The children will mature eventually, then the choice is theirs.
I agree that the overall rating of a zine should reflect the rating of the most-likely-to-offend story contained therein.
Only one thief and one attempt at embezzlement no murderers '
I'd be interested to know where you got this from. I understood that both Gan and Avon's crimes included murder.
Tavia