Every so often, someone in possession of my contact information finds it appropriate to drop an atom bomb into my little bubble. I'm not saying that it's always the same person, and I'm not saying that it's always the same contact method, but I can guarantee that it has yet to be positively received. Though I wouldn't expect it to be their intention, such actions rub me in the most uncomfortable manner. I'm not talking about sexting. My views on that matter are formulated on a case-by-case basis. I'm talking about the openly disseminated pornographic images that keep finding their way onto my screen. I might be considered by some as old-fashioned, but that's one thing of which I am not ashamed.
As the years pass us by, it feels this is becoming more and more common practice. I guess that, given the tools, there are people who will choose to misuse them. Since the acceptance of smartphones as a staple of our society, these messages have increased exponentially, especially in relation to the number of your contacts. Not only have these devices made it easier for people to commit such invasions of my privacy, but they have boosted the amount of channels by which such attacks might occur. I could blame the technology, but that would blame would be improperly dispensed. I would much prefer to blame a disturbing trend which I have noticed in our society.
For some reason, pornography has become socially acceptable. I would like to attribute this to the simple facts of life as a civilization progresses, but that would imply a positive turn. As civilizations proceed, one would expect moral standards to shift, and it's something which has been apparent for centuries, but I believe it has gone too far. It used to be highly frowned upon for anyone to be caught enticing their senses with some pornography, but, in this technology-centered world, it seems the entire concept has been openly embraced. People seem to have no discomfort discussing the act of looking at pornography. It seems the stigma is gone and that people feel no shame in comparing notes on different works much like a movie. Its normalcy has become classified in as almost equivalent to that of drinking coffee.
Some people may have issues with the exploitation of pornography, but, though I understand their position, I don't have any problem with the existence of pornography. I do, however, have a problem with the deterioration of the moral standards of our culture. I don't believe it should be considered civilly responsible to partake in such an open acceptance and distribution of such images and videos. It materializes the decay of the moral fabric to which I believe we should cling. In my eyes, pornography is a dark area. If you are a Christian, it falls in the area of sin. Now, I'm not a preacher, nor do I intend to be, but I do find myself thinking such crude actions should come with the attachment of shame. It's not a graceful display, and ones explorations should be kept within the confines of their mind. Sending it about cyberspace and talking about it openly is putting it into the mainstream, far from where it should dwell.
Now, I know I may be starting to sound quite Amish, but such messages stretch the comfort level of any friendship and they cause me to judge the person responsible for sending it my way. I shouldn't be in the position to judge someone, nor do I wish to be. However, we all spend some time sizing up those around us, and, in this case, it allows me to put that person's moral character more in line my personal perception of that person. To put it simply, those that forgo such actions are placed in higher standing in my book. I'm not saying that my opinion is that relevant, but I don't believe I am alone, and everyone wants approval from those for whom they care, their friends and family.
So, let me wrap things up. I don't care if it's a text message, a multimedia message, or an email. I don't care if I am simply part of the flow of a highly circulated message. I don't care if they find it so breathtaking that they have to share it. I don't care if they couldn't stop laughing and thought I might enjoy it. I wouldn't, I don't, and I would prefer they kept it to themselves. I already don't like the messages, and I really don't like having to feel a need to explain why I might be blushing when I publicly check my phone. If you must know, it's because I'm embarrassed, and it's because of having such messages sent to me. If they could keep it to themselves, I would be greatly pleased. No, I don't want a warning added to prepend these message. I just want them gone all together. As I choose not to send any such messages out, I wish people would realize I would prefer not to receive them. I guess I'm calling for a return to decency.
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