Article note: Oh neat, modern notes for Soul of a New Machine.
It's a little weird in modern times, but a delightful read of the history of the culture.
…it is also true that in modern times the term “pornography” connotes mediocrity, commercialism, and certain strict rules of narration. Obscenity must be mated with banality because every kind of aesthetic enjoyment has to be replaced by simple sexual stimulation which demands the traditional word for direct action on the patient.