Wikipedia:Hardcore pornography images: Difference between revisions
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Cost is in image, we don't have customers, only readers, and We are here to document reality, not to attract a target market, women or otherwise |
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In return for only small encyclopedic value these images, we have that: |
In return for only small encyclopedic value these images, we have that: |
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*'''Cost to the encyclopedia to host these images'''. These |
*'''Cost to the encyclopedia to host these images'''. These images are the most contentious materials hosted on the Wikipedia, decrease Wikipedia's reputation, pose political and legal vulnerability, and alienate some readers. |
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*'''Not good for young people view these images'''. Other images on the Wikipedia may also be problematic, but these images are especially problematic since they depict extreme sexual situations, and they depict events that occur in pornography but not (at a verifiably notable level) in real life. A picture being worth a thousand words, this point may be lost on impressionable viewers. |
*'''Not good for young people view these images'''. Other images on the Wikipedia may also be problematic, but these images are especially problematic since they depict extreme sexual situations, and they depict events that occur in pornography but not (at a verifiably notable level) in real life. A picture being worth a thousand words, this point may be lost on impressionable viewers. |
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Revision as of 20:22, 12 February 2011
 | This is an essay on the Wikipedia is not censored policy. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
 | This page in a nutshell: Wikipedia shouldn't include images of hardcore pornography |
Articles about hardcore pornography subjects should not contain images which are, themselves, hardcore pornography.
These articles are mostly obscure sub-genres of pornography. They are not vital articles. They are marginal articles, and any images in them are images in a marginal article.
In return for only small encyclopedic value these images, we have that:
- Cost to the encyclopedia to host these images. These images are the most contentious materials hosted on the Wikipedia, decrease Wikipedia's reputation, pose political and legal vulnerability, and alienate some readers.
- Not good for young people view these images. Other images on the Wikipedia may also be problematic, but these images are especially problematic since they depict extreme sexual situations, and they depict events that occur in pornography but not (at a verifiably notable level) in real life. A picture being worth a thousand words, this point may be lost on impressionable viewers.
- Many are misogynistic and degrading to women, and this is by intentional design (since the pornographic genres they illustrate are misogynistic and degrading to women). While it may be appropriate to display images depicting the degradation of women in certain historical or sociological contexts, its not appropriate to use them in what is a least a borderline "fanboy" context. In the war between the sexes, the Wikipedia should not be taking sides.
Scope and definitions
Scope
This page is solely concerned with those activities which are primarily notable as occurring in hardcore pornography. It does not address the use of images in articles covering real-life human sexuality where the behavior in question occurs among populations at a notable level, and this is verified, and there is sufficient material for a worthwhile encyclopedia article, and the image depicts this real-life behavior.
Definition
"Hardcore pornography" is a fairly well-defined phrase. Wiktionary, the free dictionary, defines "hardcore pornography" as "Pornography featuring sexual penetration and other sexuality explicit acts". ("Explicit" is further defined as "very specific, clear, or detailed" and (in the pornographic sense) as "containing material that might be deemed offensive or graphic".) Our article on hardcore pornography (contrast with softcore pornography) discusses this in more detail.
It is true that at the limits, the application of the term "hardcore pornography" may be debated (as is true of many English terms, at the limits). Reasonable people may disagree over whether a particular article or image is hardcore pornography or not. That doesn't mean the term has no meaning, and in most cases the application of the term is uncontentious.
The disclaimer
The Wikipedia:Content disclaimer doesn't mention that we display hardcore pornography. The closest it comes is this statement:
- Wikipedia contains many different images, some of which are considered objectionable or offensive by some readers. For example, some articles contain... depictions of human anatomy.
The implication is that "depictions of human anatomy" are an example of objectionable material to be found herein. But hardcore pornography images go quite a very good bit beyond that. True, some non-hardcore articles (such as List of sex positions) also go well beyond what is described in the disclaimer, but illustrations in hardcore pornography articles are among the most extreme and egregious of these disclaimer violations.
To be disingenuous or dishonest, or even to accidentally mislead, in our disclaimers and advice pages would presumably be criticised by all, but we're falling into that trap - largely through omission. Were Wikipedia to eschew the display of hardcore images, the disclaimers would more represent reality - perhaps the reality the wider community already believes is the case.
See also
- Essays/Writeups
- Proposals
- Page Modifications
- Policy/Guidelines/Information