Aya Haneda - Blog #5

Throughout this semester in the CAS283 course, students have been exposed to mixtures and variations of features and qualities that CMC can bring to the public. Students studied not only the advantages and the good that computers and the internet can accomplish but also the corruption and cruel aspects of computer mediated communication.

The dark side of CMC is large in that it can involve extensive disruptive behaviors from spamming websites or a target individual, negative how-to guides online, pro-eating disorder websites, flaming and of course, the highly controversial topic, pornography.

Pornography is very large with the millions of visitors it attracts worldwide and on a daily basis. It is estimated to have a $2.5 billion annual revenue and is thought to increase significantly in the next few decades.

While some believe that pornography does well, there are disadvantages in that some become addicted to internet sex. 10% of men are estimated to be addicted to internet sex and these 10% of men are stated to slowly desensitize women and lose interest in relational sex.

Everything posted online has to be understood under ethical guidelines. “The Growing Trend of ‘Revenge Porn’ and the Criminal Laws That May Follow” is an article that states that the growing number of individuals using technology has consequently increased the incident of the idea of ‘revenge porn’. ‘Revenge porn’ are nude or sexually compromising images by an ex that have been publicly posted online or sent to other individuals without consent. Technology, in this aspect has moved so fast that police departments and the DA are having trouble settling justice to this kind of crimes. In one case, People v. Barber, the New York Criminal Court charged an ex-boyfriend for aggravated harassment, dissemination of unlawful surveillance and public display of offensive sexual material. Understandably, looking at his charges, it is clear that the individual was not specifically charged with sharing explicit photos without the consent of the owner of the image. The reason behind this is because New York does not any law against ‘revenge porn’.

This is only one example of many other incidents where in some states, these cases are simply just ignored. Technology has advanced so much that our laws simply cannot catch up with them. The first Amendment states that one should not be arrested or imprisoned for publicizing speech; this can take form in images or photographs. Some individuals suggest that the criminal law is an inappropriate area to deal with these type of situations. It is agreeable that these crimes are non-violent and that it is partly a type of freedom of expression. So the real question of where we deal with these crimes? How do we establish laws or distinguish between the appropriate consequences for this type of behavior? Can this type of crime truly be regulated by the law? Some have stated that the better action to these types of crimes is to file a civil suit for the damages that have occurred because of the leak of these types of photographs and images.

As technology become more and more complex, it will not only bring advantages to one's everyday life or change one's life completely but with that being said, there is surely going to be negative aspects and problems that will come with it. Is this really worth the advancement of our technology? What do you think?

A real life case involves Kim Kardashian. When back in 2012, Kim signed off on the controversy of her sex tape with Ray J. There were rumors that Kris thought that the tape would launch Kim and the rest of the family to fame. The Kardashians made over $10-15 million from the tape and it got them to create an empire and life they currently enjoy. Kris is said to have aided to get the tape sold but Kim and Ray J had firstly had to sign off on it; every single sex tape that sees the public or light of day must be signed off by those involved in the video, before it can be sold to the public. Kim was at first embarrassed until she saw the amount of money she could bring from it.

Taking this story and putting a twist in it, what happens when an ex decides to publish 'revenge porn' but you realize the pro; money outweighs the cons. What happens when individuals start posting their own 'revenge porn' and taking it under the law and try to get as much money off of it?

Both full articles stated above can be seen here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-brill/the-growing-trend-of-revenge-porn_b_4849990.html

http://hollywoodlife.com/2012/08/10/kim-kardashian-sex-tape-kris-jenner-regrets-settlement-deal/