Let me provide just one example of how the kinds of rules conservatives want to make for other people's lives work. Remember prohibition? "Booze bad, ban it." So they did, and what happened? Crime on a stupendous scale, murder and mayhem, whee what fun -- so much better than an after work tipple, right? What people want, they will find a way to get, whether it's dangerous (we climb Everest at risk of death "because it's there"), or bad for us (yes, some people drink too much and misuse any or every legal substance), or illegal (look to the great successes we're having against fentanyl).
Conservatives, especially religious ones, have a really, really bad record of understanding human nature. Please allow me to write a "worst-case" scenario, based Prohibition (Amendments 18 & 21), of what happens after pornography is totally outlawed:
Initial Legislation
In an effort to combat what is perceived as moral decay and societal harm, the government enacts a sweeping ban on all forms of pornography. This includes films, magazines, websites, and any related materials. The law is met with a mix of approval and outrage, leading to a divided public.
Rise of the Underground Industry
As with Prohibition, the outright ban leads to a surge in illegal production and distribution. Underground pornographic films and materials begin circulating, often of lower quality and with minimal regard for safety or consent (legally mandated with record-keeping rules at present). Organized crime syndicates step in to fill the void, creating a dangerous market where exploitation and abuse are rampant.
Increased Policing and Surveillance
To enforce the ban, law enforcement agencies ramp up efforts, employing extensive surveillance tactics. Innocent individuals are caught in the crossfire, leading to widespread distrust of authorities. The law becomes a tool for harassment, targeting marginalized communities disproportionately and sparking protests.
Black Market Consequences
The black market for pornography flourishes, and consumers resort to risky methods to access content, including unregulated websites that may expose them to malware or illegal content. The lack of regulation leads to rampant abuse and exploitation of performers, often with no recourse for those harmed.
Social Consequences
The ban fuels a culture of shame and secrecy surrounding sexuality. Open discussions about consent, healthy relationships, and sexual education diminish, leading to misinformation and unhealthy attitudes towards sex. People turn to underground forums for advice, where harmful stereotypes and toxic masculinity thrive.
Erosion of Personal Freedoms
As the government tries to enforce the ban, personal freedoms are increasingly eroded. Laws that were meant to regulate pornography start infringing on free speech rights, leading to broader censorship of art, literature, and discussions about sexuality. Artists and creators face legal threats, stifling creativity and expression.
Backlash and Social Unrest
Public discontent grows, resulting in protests and civil disobedience movements. Underground parties and networks form, creating a counterculture that both celebrates and vilifies the ban. These movements sometimes resort to violence, leading to clashes with law enforcement and a further breakdown of societal trust.
Long-Term Fallout
Over time, the black market becomes deeply entrenched. Criminal organizations gain power and wealth, creating a cycle of violence and exploitation. The government, unable to effectively control the situation, is forced to allocate more resources to policing and less to education or health initiatives.
Potential Repeal
Years into the ban, a growing movement pushes for the legalization and regulation of pornography. Advocates argue that regulation would lead to safer environments for performers and healthier attitudes towards sexuality. The tide begins to turn, but the damage to societal norms and individual freedoms is profound and lasting.
In this scenario, the ban on pornography leads to numerous unintended consequences, echoing the lessons learned from the era of Prohibition, where well-intentioned legislation spirals into a complex web of social, legal, and moral dilemmas. And to create this scenario, all I had to do was look at history. Remember: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” – George Santayana, The Life of Reason, 1905. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.
That scenario suggests, or it should if you read it properly, that banning pornography will benefit America the same way prohibition did: a very, very pyrrhic and temporary victory over the demon rum.
