roundtable: Re: SmartKey article

roundtable: Re: SmartKey article

Re: SmartKey article

SHelly Warwick (WASBB@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU)
Wed, 21 Jun 95 15:33:57 EDT 

Message-Id: <9506212028.AA02069@a.cni.org>
Date:         Wed, 21 Jun 95 15:33:57 EDT
From: SHelly Warwick <WASBB@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject:      Re: SmartKey article
To: roundtable@cni.org
In-Reply-To:  Message of Tue, 20 Jun 1995 21:42:44 -0400 from


This article ignores the most dangerous question Computer Decency
amendment - who decides what is appropriate for minors.  Authenticating
the age of a participant in a group might work for those with materials
generally regarded as pornographic (i.e. graphic representations of
those involved in sexual acts that have no redeeming artistic quality),
but how does one differentiate those with artistic quality from those
without, or what language is acceptable for children.  On scholarly
lists I've seen such expressions as "...that's when the shit hits
the fan", "screwed" and so on.  Even more to the point, in a very
scholarly discussion on hate speech and the first amendment many
terms and characterizations were used as being possibily illustrative
of such speech that would have been offensive to many persons.  Without
such examples this very worthwhile discussion on constitutional law
might not have been as cogent.  In short, the amendement does not
specify who is protecting minors from what.    Nor do many of the
software solutions suggested deal with full interent access.  What is
to prevent pornographic spamming to individual e-mail addresses, not
just lists?

It is ironic to note that while the Senate as expressed concern over
the amount of violent and sexual content in television it has given 
the industry two years to fix it, not attempted to enact legislation
that would hold readily identifiable program providers and broadcasters
responsible and subject to criminal or civil penalties.

Shelly Warwick
Baruch College
wasbb@cunyvm.cuny.edu
NOTICE:  THIS MATERIAL INTENDED FOR ADULTS ONLY.  ALL THOSE UNDER 18 WHO
READ IT AGREE TO HOLD THE AUTHOR AND POSTER HARMLESS.

[CNI Home Page]