Pornography and Free Speech | Nadine Strossen and Holly Lawford-Smith

Brain in a Vat

We welcome back Nadine Strossen for a comprehensive discussion about pornography and free speech. She highlights points from her re-released book 'Defending Pornography', explaining why she supports the freedom of sexual expression. Her thought experiment is about a respected academic who makes adult videos, raising questions about personal freedom, professional reputability, and potential harm to his university. She also explores the complex relationship between pornography, liberty, and equality, emphasizing that context matters when considering whether freedom of speech overrides other concerns. The conversation also touches on whether pornography subordinates women, Nadine underlines that she defends the right to pornography not because she is an aficionado, but because she believes in individual choices. (00:00) Introduction and Guest Presentation(00:37) Understanding Pornography and Free Speech(02:00) Controversies Surrounding Pornography(02:12) Case Study: Provost's Scandal(03:22) Debate on the Provost's Case(03:54) Exploring the Concept of Academic Freedom(05:10) Counter Argument: The Question of Judgment(06:43) The Impact of Sexual Taboos(07:30) The Role of the American Association of University Professors(08:16) Discussion on the Provost's First Amendment Claim(12:12) The Shift in Pornography Production(17:58) The Debate on Virtual Child Pornography(27:14) The Feminist Perspective on Pornography(40:13) Understanding the Real Case of Subordination(40:29) The Role of Subordination in Fantasy and Pornography(41:05) The Radical Feminist Anti-Pornography Movement(41:56) Analyzing Media and Subordinating Imagery(42:45) The Impact of Subordinating Imagery(42:59) The Irony of Anti-Pornography Activism(43:58) The Controversy of Subordinating Images in Public Spaces(45:05) The Role of Pornography in Society(46:15) The Popularity and Impact of Pornography(47:31) The Positive Benefits of Pornography(48:30) Balancing Liberty and Equality in Free Speech(55:02) The Intersection of Hate Speech and Pornography(01:00:02) The Egalitarian Nature of Pornography(01:05:48) The Controversy of Being a 'Minority Intellectual Dissident'