NPR: Porn 2.0

Porn 2.0

(NOTE: None of these links go to adult sites. Not NPR's style.)

The porn industry always seems to be on the cutting edge of technology. Many credit the early success of the VHS tape and DVD to people who wanted dirty movies in their own home. On the Internet, the industry pioneered video streaming, subscription services, pop-up ads and electronic billing.

But it seems like porn is behind the curve of Web 2.0. There's a fascinating article (with no dirty pictures so don't get excited) on Wired about how the adult industry is slow to adopt social networking and community elements.

I guess it makes sense. There is a certain amount of trust involved in making friends online and sharing your photos and such. People still want anonymity on porn sites. And the Wired piece notes that U.S. law requires strict record-keeping for adult content, including verifying the ages and real names of everyone in the picture.

There are (so I hear) a few sites like PornoTube (no link for you), where people can share their explicit videos, but with nothing like the community-building aspect of YouTube, Flickr or Facebook. Maybe that's for the good. It's already a little creepy to get a friend request from someone you don't know. At least you don't have to see them naked.

- Robert Smith

3:27 PM ET | 08-10-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Nothing wrong with porn - if you want to see it, it's your choice.

Sent by Shari Braun | 5:39 PM ET | 08-12-2007

Everyone over the age of 18 has the right to read and see porn. The GOP censor police have no right telling me what I can look at or read.

Sent by Shari Braun | 1:45 PM ET | 08-17-2007

The record keeping law (2257) was just ruled on by the 6th circuit court in favour of Porn 2.0 sites like PornHub.com. Thank goodness the courts seem to have made the right decision regarding Porn 2.0 sites like YouPorn and www.PornHub.com (a new, first-rate entry into the field). These sites represent a new level of social networking and it is time that the "establishement" realizes that sex is not inherently dirty. Long live Porn 2.0!

Sent by Jbffed | 2:43 PM ET | 10-30-2007

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