this post was submitted on 08 Oct 2024
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But we do know that in general, porn doesn't elicit that kind of escalation into real life. If this particular category of porn did cause that, it'd literally be a total outlier.
Same with other media, too. Rape porn lovers aren't statistically more likely to rape irl, violent video game lovers aren't more likely to be violent irl, etc., compared to the general population.
So I think it's pretty fair to hypothesize that, if anything, it would reduce the incidence of real-world offense. Just look at the massive negative correlation between the proliferation of porn (thanks to the Internet), and the overall incidence of rape.
Also, I'm familiar with one bit of evidence out of Japan that apparently showed that child molesters consume less porn than the average citizen, which I was definitely surprised to learn, but once you think about it in the context of the stuff I mentioned above, it actually makes perfect sense.
In all likelihood, fictional 'simulations' like LLMs will directly reduce the incidence of CSA, if anything. If that's the case, I can't oppose such things in good conscience--it'd be pretty narcissistic to put my personal disgust over even a single kid not getting bad touched.
I don't have resources in front of me and shitty internet, so if I'm wrong here call it out and continue the conversation. Just a heads up. Gonna off the top of the dome on this one. Also, I do agree that methods which can reduce actual exposure or action should always be seriously considered, regardless of social outcry.
What you are largely referring to are taboos that also fall under other categories. Someone with a rape kink or fetish are in reality into a gaining of, or loss of, control. People who fall into these categories may also fall into some psychosexual disorder category, I'm not sure. What I do know is paraphilia is a recognized class of mental and sexual disorder or extreme deviancy. Does this mean we fully understand it? Nope! It's just where we are right now in understanding, though my concern is always whether that understanding has been tainted by the knee jerk reactions surrounding the disorders themselves.
Anyway, I'm digressing a bit.
My larger point is that Paraphilia is understood currently as being outside of typical, or even atypical, sexual deviancy. We literally perceive and understand it as a legitimate mental disorder. Moreover, people who suffer from pedophilia and other recognized sexual disorders do struggle with their feelings and desire to act, even if the majority never do. Some even manage to lead healthy lifestyles around children or objects of their desire. Which brings up the concept of risk.
This is because as humans we can disconnect the real from fantasy. The issue with mental disorders though, and the reason they are disorders, is due to the severity of what is present. Which brings me up to another point: I don't disagree on a fundamental level. I just worry that when it comes to a basic human need that people will find a way to excuse because they've been repeatedly introduced to stimulation that could exacerbate something they may already struggle to not take even the smallest of actions on.
This is a rocky subject that should be explored. Just done so carefully. That said, and I want to be clear, I do not blame any person for a desire, only action. Whatever sexual deviancy may exist, the most important things are safety and harm, and being able to provide appropriate care to those who are victims of their own mind.