ICANN Triple-X Domain

I wonder how many extra google hits I'm going to get from that post title? I tried to word it in a way that would generate the least, but no one really knows how Google searches, hits, and ordering show up (darn private companies and their trade secrets).

That is, however, the topic of this week's Christian Views Symposium. For those who haven't seen this before, the Christian Views Symposium is a weekly question on a current topic. Everyone is encouraged to answer the questions proposed, either on their own blog, or in the comments to the question. Feel free to join in, whether you're Christian or not.

This week the focus is on the recent rejection of the triple-x domain name ending (in place of .com, .org, etc.). The questions this week:

Should ICANN approve the .XXX domain?
Will approval of this domain legitimize pornographers?
Will this have any affect on how families protect themselves and their children on the Internet?

Some people claim that providing registrations for .XXX domains will allow purveyors of filth a place to put their filth without others "accidentally" finding it. That is completely false. If there is a .XXX domain, the porn producers will put it there in addition to all the places where it is found now.

The problem with the internet and crime is that there is zero enforcement. It's worldwide and decentralized -- you cannot enforce ANY rules on the internet, nor will you likely ever be able to. If the US or UN try to crack down on the internet, it will simply move (seriously). But on to the questions:

Should ICANN approve the .XXX domain?

No. There is no reason to give more legitimacy to filth and pornography. Folks, this isn't Playboy-level stuff that's being put out there. The average person would be shocked at what things appear on porn sites on the internet. I do a lot of work with computer crimes, so I do see a fraction of the horrible, inhuman things that appear there.
Will approval of this domain legitimize pornographers?

Absolutely, and that's why it is so strongly supported by a number of groups of people. They WANT sex with farm animals to be accepted as "normal" behavior. I really don't care that you want to and that you're a consenting adult -- it's still damn wrong, and you know it.
Will this have any affect on how families protect themselves and their children on the Internet?

It may actually make it more difficult. If a pornographer gets a .XXX domain that's now accepted and "legitimate," they will most certainly drive traffic to it from other non-.xxx domains. This will make it more difficult to catch and trap sites that are non-family oriented (as all the .xxx sites will be, again, whether you want to admit it or not).

If you are an adult male addicted to porn, head on over and read why you are. Then get help because you do truly need it.

Thanks for asking again this week, Lennie!

Posted by: Ogre at 09:30 AM

Comments

1 While I don't dispute your points, wouldn't a triple-x top-level domain make it easier to filter out certain sites? Even if a porn site keeps it's .com domain, you could filter out anything that even links to a triple-x domain, which most porn sites would surely do.

You're never going to be able to filter out 100% of the porn sites, but that's no reason to not even try.

Posted by: Echo Zoe at August 26, 2005 12:01 PM (K+h36)

2 No, no it won't. Most filtering software is based on IP address, not domain name, so adding that level will just make MORE sites that need to be filtered. In addition, porn sites will ADD to their domain names, not replace them, again adding even more domain names to filter.

Posted by: Ogre at August 26, 2005 12:06 PM (/k+l4)






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