the case for .xxx - and against
Clearly the existence of a swell of discussion around .xxx for some time - years actually - indicates that it is an interesting way to approach the freedom of the Net while controlling access and abuse of the innocent and also for controlling abuse of online payment practices. Will it work? Can it work? If there are one or two major adult industry players who adopt a swing towards .xxx will show the way for others. Plus of course make it easier for certain types of public access points, like libraries, to restrict access from within their own sphere of control. All of this is becoming increasingly necessary as governments turn more and more restrictive in their practices regarding the use of IT. Undoubtedly they quote very sound reasons, such as homeland security, but the net effect (pun unintended, but I think I'll leave it in) is regulatory = read "restrictive". In India the usual buzzword is "terrorism", but restrictions are being put on the use of cybercafes - the only access points for millions of Indians who don't own computers - and increasingly important for access to e-governance applications being implemented in many states, and for cheap phone calls to relatives in other countries, to quote just two uses. All of the benefits of an untrammeled Net will be further jeopardized if the adult industry too continues to keep its head in the sand and behave like a bunch of crabs in a basket. At least the .xxx domain gives the industry a chance to behave responsibly for the future of the Net, on which its business growth depends today. -- Vickram |