A delightful gent has written into the comments on this post deriding adult video for turning people into pedophiles, rapists and sex offenders. At first I wasn’t sure whether to approve the comment, since I feel protective of the people I have as guests on my show and don’t want anyone to feel as if I’m inviting them on to be sandbagged. But then I thought more about it and realized that people who work in the field must be used to the arguments for and against adult video, and that if I’m choosing to provide a forum, we may as well have the discussion.

Here are my feelings: I’m not a big consumer of adult video. I know there are women who are super into it and I hear those reports about how it’s much more common than you think, but it just isn’t my thing. My curiosity is more as an interviewer and a human being (I mean, come on, there’s something compelling about the way it’s so polarizing and about the notion of taking something so private and making it public) and let’s not forget my weird foray into the Playboy world when I worked at the OC Weekly.

Sometimes I like to live exclusively in a world of ducklings and puppies, as it’s cute and uncomplicated, but I’m aware that a guy who says he isn’t into it is probably lying. I accept that and I’m fine with it though I’d rather not reflect on it for too long in most cases. Once, years ago, I had a house guest who arrived with some supplies he’d purchased at a bodega including a few adult mags which he was making little effort to conceal. I was concerned with the logistics of said pursuit. Sort of like if I were your house guest and came in with a potter’s wheel and some clay. You might support my interest in ceramics but not want me throwing any pots in your home since who knows where the clay might end up.

So yes, I’m sort of squeamish about the unsavory aspects of it but I support the first amendment whole-heartedly and have a real problem with those who walk around condemning and judging others, especially since, in my experience, the most judgmental people are the ones who are acting in the most hypocritical manner. I tend not to think art leads to violence and I’m sure someone is going to say, “Are you calling porn art?” and so let me rephrase: I tend not to think expression leads to violence. I think inability to express oneself, or censorship of expression leads to violence. And I think guilt about sex or the denial that sex is a very real and powerful force (one which few people know how to talk about in a healthy manner) leads to an array of destructive things.

But mostly I just feel like people are people, everyone is deserving of compassion and an  attempt at being understood, and so long as no one’s being hurt or mistreated, people should be given the freedom to make their own choices.

Stepping off soap box/high horse now!

What do you guys think?