By Michael J. Smith on Wednesday June 22, 2011 09:43 AM
The Times has been pondering the sexting epidemic with a great deal of concern. A dangerous business, sexting, it seems:
Sexting has its own allure because as one starts to sext the messages are traded back and forth at a quick rate. The excitement builds rapidly, impulsiveness increases, and, as in most online communications, one's inhibitions are already reduced. ... There is no feedback or reminder that sexting can be dangerous to one's reputation. Sexting relationships can be emotional relationships which compete with marriage and commitment....So Motorola and Nokia and Apple and so on need to be persuaded to protect us from ourselves. Is it any wonder most people don't like liberals?Perhaps digital devices need a pop-up screen. Before a photo is sent, the message would ask: Are you sure you want to send this picture? Send now? Send later? Delete? The addition of a question, and an imposed pause, reduces impulsive behavior and should help curb some harmful sexting.
Comments (13)
This:
"Sexting has its own allure because as one starts to sext the messages are traded back and forth at a quick rate. The excitement builds rapidly, impulsiveness increases, and, as in most online communications, one's inhibitions are already reduced..."
...reads like the self-policing of a person who knows, just has an absolute faith, that he'd cheat on his wife with his daughter's best friend the moment he was alone in the room with her.
He's mistaken her batted eyes for flirtation, when it's really just her designer contacts giving her the itches.
(The author's a woman, but whatever.)
Posted by Jack Crow | June 22, 2011 10:08 AM
Posted on June 22, 2011 10:08
Oh come on, Michael. As if "conservatives" (whatever that means) are all in favor of unlimited porn and all.
The chattering classes, no matter what political flavor they claim, are always worried about the unseemly behavior of the peasants. Even as they themselves dress in fetish wear and perform a-la Eyes Wide Shut. LOL
Posted by Brian M | June 22, 2011 12:28 PM
Posted on June 22, 2011 12:28
The nagging pop-up screen (if you will) would only add to the illicitness.
Posted by chomskyzinn | June 22, 2011 3:16 PM
Posted on June 22, 2011 15:16
What It All Means -- according to the NYT -- is that if it weren't for all those teenage brats sending flirtatious text messages to each other's mobile phones the economy wouldn't be in the toilet. Anything to avoid reporting on how the banks are robbing us, now that the Weinergate scandal is played out.
I still can't see how this is any different from when I was in school, and crushes passed flirtatious notes to each other in class behind the teacher's back. Seriously, man, c'mon.
Also... while the conservative types might not exactly be for pr0n without end, the Liberals are more irksome because they're the ones who make a big deal about how anti-puritanical and "liberated" they are. And yes, you're right; it's no goddamn' wonder that even leftists hate the Liberals these days.
Posted by Mike Flugennock | June 22, 2011 3:57 PM
Posted on June 22, 2011 15:57
"Conservatives" so-called think that sexting is wrong and you shouldn't do it. Liberals think it might be imprudent, and you should calculate the possible consequences before you do it, and that Nokia should be required to noodge you to think twice. Leviticus versus instrumental rationality. I don't have much use for old Leviticus myself but I prefer him to Bentham.
Posted by MJS | June 22, 2011 6:34 PM
Posted on June 22, 2011 18:34
Whatever happened to Diogenes beating off in his bathtub? Pop-ups indeed.
Posted by Peter | June 22, 2011 7:02 PM
Posted on June 22, 2011 19:02
I've already installed the app off the Android market. (It's comforting Google developers are on top of these things.)
There's also a feature that flags photos taken with the phone that are detected having an excess of skin tone.
Posted by Peter Ward | June 22, 2011 7:06 PM
Posted on June 22, 2011 19:06
"Conservatives" so-called think that sexting is wrong and you shouldn't do it.
Conservatives think sexting is wrong and you should be punished for it, along with every other deviation from celestial perfection you may be guilty of. Liberals don't think it's wrong or you need to be punished for it, but that it carries risks to your reputation, which it does. I'd rather the noodge than a kick in the teeth, myself. Better yet, neither.
Liberals think you need to be protected from yourself. Conservatives think they need to be protected from you. The common denominator? "You" can't be trusted to control yourself, especially if you're from a lower socioeconomic strata than your minders.
Posted by Sean | June 22, 2011 9:02 PM
Posted on June 22, 2011 21:02
"Is it any wonder most people don't like liberals?"
I dunno, I love liberals... roasted on a spit with some salt and a few seasonings they're quite tasty.
(sorry for the play on a very old joke, I couldn't help myself)
Posted by Drunk Pundit | June 22, 2011 10:12 PM
Posted on June 22, 2011 22:12
How bout a cooling-off period? Like a Brady Boner Bill.
Posted by davidly | June 23, 2011 9:56 AM
Posted on June 23, 2011 09:56
Hahahaha! I really like Davidly's suggestion. I think you got it a little wrong Sean. Liberals want to forcefully protect you from yourself, as well as use force to ensure racial and gender equality, which all entail the use of police and the penal system. You punched someone? 2 years! Did you punch them because you think they're a fag? 8 years!
Posted by Paul Alexander | June 23, 2011 6:31 PM
Posted on June 23, 2011 18:31
Welcome Paul Alexander!
And I thought this joint couldn't get any classier.
You'll fit right in here, baby.
Lemme guess -- white, straight dude? You poor put-upon little creature. As everyone knows, the state and penal system are all set up to persecute you and nobody else but you.
Posted by miguelito | June 23, 2011 7:45 PM
Posted on June 23, 2011 19:45
You don't know the half of it Mr. miguelito!
Posted by Paul Alexander | June 24, 2011 12:34 AM
Posted on June 24, 2011 00:34