This massive response to a keyword search on 'sex' serves to highlight the expanse of the internet's staple industry: porn. The sex industry has become the driving force behind the internet because the technology suits nearly all of its requirements.

The most apparent ability of the internet is transparently transcending international boundaries. It's not just geographical boundaries being dissolved but personal, moral and legal ones as well. Porn sites rarely have to concern themselves with censorship laws outside of the countries they are based in as it is the responsibility of those downloading to avoid breaking the law. Consequently those viewing it can look at things they cannot usually get, which is partly what porn is all about. The beauty of the situation is that it makes a mockery of the institutions which impose rules of censorship and morality for the 'good of the people'.

Porn has frequently been the first to use many new technologies on the net. It is possibly the most popular content of net traffic. Most Usenet servers are absolutely stuffed with porn as well as the multitude of websites. The large file sizes of pictures and video have prompted ever widening bandwidth and faster lines. Cutting-edge video streaming technologies are commonplace on porn sites. It was one of the first industries to actually make money out of the internet and has been a pioneer of on-line transactions with credit cards and secure forms. As a consequence it has a lot of money to invest in technologies which make the whole experience smoother.

In countries like the UK, where censorship laws are relatively strict, the sex industry is centred around being a rip-off industry rather than a sex industry. It is all mouth and no trousers and no-one can complain to anyone because it is all so illicit and embarrassing. But as long as people don't see sex and nudity governments don't care about people being the subject of fraud.

The interesting thing about the internet is that porn sites have become much more about customer service. You can get most of what you are after from the Usenet groups for free. The reason for going to a website is for the service. You get better quality, faster connections and, of course, live video. Also, unlike most industries that try and funnel style and taste towards a particular brand style and fashion, the porn industry actively caters for different tastes. This is particularly appropriate within an interactive structure that allows you to choose your preference. Is anal your thing? Fine. Dwarf orgies? Sure, just search our database. You can even cross reference, inter-racial & anal & animals & facials. You're sure to get what you're looking for. Somewhere.

Andy Polaine [andyp@antirom.com]