The headline says, "Parents Have A New Problem: iPorn." But I'd suggest it's certain adults who will more often have a problem with iPorn, or pornography viewed on Apple Computer's snazzy new handheld video iPod. The audio iPod, of course, is already smashingly popular. It's an inestimably effective buffer against the vagaries of street noise, health club soundtracks and random interaction with other human beings. It boasts a lighter weight, smaller size and longer custom playlist than any previous portable audio device. Porn audio, or podcasts, are already widely available for the iPod. The video iPod shows TV and movie snippets, from a personally-customized menu of downloadable content, now including some very adult video podules from the ever-enterprising porn industry. Was there ever any doubt this was coming?

Just as with regard to video games, I'm not for any prohibitive laws here. Rather, I despair, ever so slightly, for our species. Because too many humanoids, even some of the brainy ones, are like lab rats being fed cocaine - whether the stimulus is professional sports, cell phones or iPorn. The upside: we can let social Darwinism work its magic one more way. For what is life, but a series of choices, and consequences? The very same people who consume pornography as a sad substitute for real intimacy with a significant other - meaning nearly all porn consumers - will now have one more tool in their hands. It may result in self-marginalization, or self-actualization.

Flash forward to a meeting of Pornaholics Anonymous. Guy steps up to the group. Says, "My name is Dakota. I'm a Systems Administrator and a recovering Pornaholic. I've been clean for three years, five months, and nine days. Engaged to a wonderful woman. We're planning to have children. I realized I was headed around the bend right around the time I began sneaking porn at work on my video iPod......."

TECHNORATI TAGS: APPLE, iPOD, iPORN, ETHICS

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Posted by Matt Rosenberg at October 31, 2005 12:15 PM