IC raises issues of pornography and censorship in two ways. The characters discuss and debate these controversial issues from time to time within the novel. Perhaps more important, however, is the meta-debate raised by the novel itself. Indecent Communications is erotica, or if you prefer, pornography. It contains scenes which some people may find shocking or repugnant. It is my contention, however, that there is--and indeed must be--a place for such things in a free society. The mere fact that something offends someone's personal aesthetic or religious sensibilities in no way justifies legislation against it. It is this principle of free expression which is institutionalized in our First Amendment, and to suggest that this freedom does not extend to electronic communication simply because our founding fathers didn't happen to have TCP/IP connections strikes me as ludicrous and narrow-minded.
That said, I wish to assure my readers that I am not trying to provide pornography to minors, nor to anyone who might find such material objectionable.
Chapters Two, Four, Five, Eight and Ten contain sexual situations and strong sexual language. By activating a link to one of these chapters, the reader certifies that:
1. He or she is of legal age to read and view sexually explicit material in his or her jurisdiction of residence, or has the permission of his or her parent or legal guardian to read sexually explicit material.
AND THAT
2. He or she does not find offensive sexually explicit material, including but not limited to depictions of dominance, submission, bondage, sadism, masochism, lesbianism and masturbation.