Reader comments
Utah No. 1 in online porn subscriptions, report says
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Bill | 10:57 a.m. March 3, 2009
Porn is a problem throughout the United States. It is a problem whereever you
go. It doesn't mean that only LDS are looking at it, nor does it mean only
non-LDS are looking at it. What it means is that it is greater in Utah and
other states where the statistician has used his data based on his own
findings.
Every statistician can take a study and make it work regardless how it actually is to prove a point.
If I walked into all the Wards in a particular stake in Utah and then went to a stake in say Nebraska, South Dakota, Idaho, Wyoming and I stated that all of the majority of the members in the Church are white. Technically I would be right. However, if I went to say Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and others I would say that the membership is diverse.
Which is correct? Both are.
That is the way it is. Utah is basically 70-30 LDS from what my understanding is. However, Salt Lake City is the other way around. Either way you slice it members of the Church are into porn. We all need to rid ourselves of this.
Every statistician can take a study and make it work regardless how it actually is to prove a point.
If I walked into all the Wards in a particular stake in Utah and then went to a stake in say Nebraska, South Dakota, Idaho, Wyoming and I stated that all of the majority of the members in the Church are white. Technically I would be right. However, if I went to say Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and others I would say that the membership is diverse.
Which is correct? Both are.
That is the way it is. Utah is basically 70-30 LDS from what my understanding is. However, Salt Lake City is the other way around. Either way you slice it members of the Church are into porn. We all need to rid ourselves of this.
nom | 11:03 a.m. March 3, 2009
So out of a 1000 internet connections 5 in utah subscribe to porn. Does that
really say anything about the state. You're describing one half of one
percent. So most states have one third of one percent. Those numbers can
easily be attributed to porn addicts in Utah prefering online over buying it at
the store, because you can't get it at the store.
Comments continue below
All we know now is... | 11:09 a.m. March 3, 2009
I imagine nobody will read this since there are so many comments already, but
all this study tells us with any real accuracy is that in states where it is
harder to buy porn from stores, people are more likely to buy it online. No big
news story there.
Anonymouse | 11:24 a.m. March 3, 2009
Don't knock research until you've had the chance to actually read it.
How many of you have actually read it before assuming it was biased? Really!
If this study says anything at face value, it's that Utahns by and large are too dumb to find good porn for free.
If this study says anything at face value, it's that Utahns by and large are too dumb to find good porn for free.
How about stats on comments made | 11:27 a.m. March 3, 2009
One evident truth is that porn is neither good nor accepted, whatever stance the
commentary here takes. Comments from people here fit people into one of four
groups (Disclaimer: Regardless of whether they be Mormon, another religion, or
of no religion at all, from Utah, or anywhere else makes no difference in my
findings):
1) Few are good people who know and accept that they need to try to do their best no matter the circumstance, to live according to the truths that they know (ie-not viewing porn).
2) Some people are hypocrites. We all have conscience enough to know deep down when something is not good, so those who do evil anyway are hypocrites, but only if they preach to others against said sin.
3) Some people wallow in sin. The only reason these aren't hypocrites is because they don't profess to be clean, but rolling in the mud with pigs still makes you one, and the worst person to be untrue to is yourself.
4) Many people falsely accuse. Ironically, they justify it while claiming superiority to the people they have stereotyped, thereby claiming their own hypocritical status instead. They are what they despise.
1) Few are good people who know and accept that they need to try to do their best no matter the circumstance, to live according to the truths that they know (ie-not viewing porn).
2) Some people are hypocrites. We all have conscience enough to know deep down when something is not good, so those who do evil anyway are hypocrites, but only if they preach to others against said sin.
3) Some people wallow in sin. The only reason these aren't hypocrites is because they don't profess to be clean, but rolling in the mud with pigs still makes you one, and the worst person to be untrue to is yourself.
4) Many people falsely accuse. Ironically, they justify it while claiming superiority to the people they have stereotyped, thereby claiming their own hypocritical status instead. They are what they despise.
It's everywhere | 11:27 a.m. March 3, 2009
Who needs the internet to see women degrade themselves to please men? Just
watch TV.
SJ | 11:29 a.m. March 3, 2009
re: Nyal D
No it's not logically consistent. Your looking at one aspect and not the whole picture. Utah's computer usage is tops in the nation and it's porn laws are strictist in the nation. More computers and less retail access to porn. Of course the number is highest in the nation in on-line porn.
If you consider ALL sources, then Utah wouldn't be the highest. But then again, ignorant people don't investigate when they hear something that sounds good to them. They go with it to the point where everyone can see their foolishness except for them.
No it's not logically consistent. Your looking at one aspect and not the whole picture. Utah's computer usage is tops in the nation and it's porn laws are strictist in the nation. More computers and less retail access to porn. Of course the number is highest in the nation in on-line porn.
If you consider ALL sources, then Utah wouldn't be the highest. But then again, ignorant people don't investigate when they hear something that sounds good to them. They go with it to the point where everyone can see their foolishness except for them.
Random Commenter | 11:29 a.m. March 3, 2009
Those of you who say that this lacks inferential statistics are operating on the
assumption that the study worked on a -sample- of billing data. To me, the
context of the article seems to indicate that all the data were used, i.e., a
population--and there are no inferential statistics in population based studies.
With a population based study, all you can do is report what was found. If the
rate in one state is higher than it is in another, then that's how it is.
However, I'm not willing to attach myself to that interpretation until I can read the research article. I have it ordered on interlibrary loan, so it should be here in a few days.
But after reading this article, I don't have any trouble believing that online subscription rates are higher in Utah than in other states. That prompts me to ask one question: "so what?"
But that's just the interpretation of a guy with an MS in statistics.
However, I'm not willing to attach myself to that interpretation until I can read the research article. I have it ordered on interlibrary loan, so it should be here in a few days.
But after reading this article, I don't have any trouble believing that online subscription rates are higher in Utah than in other states. That prompts me to ask one question: "so what?"
But that's just the interpretation of a guy with an MS in statistics.
Sneaky snake | 11:30 a.m. March 3, 2009
When your husband stays up late nights or for that matter your wife, after you
have gone to bed, maybe you should sneak in and see whats going on, on your
family computer behind close doors.
We're #! | 11:42 a.m. March 3, 2009
Never mind the BCS, we made it after all.
Bender Rodriguez | 12:01 p.m. March 3, 2009
It's everywhere | 11:27 a.m. March 3, 2009
>>Who needs the internet to see women degrade themselves to please men? Just watch TV.<<
So? You like Desperate Housewives & Lifetime, eh?
>>Who needs the internet to see women degrade themselves to please men? Just watch TV.<<
So? You like Desperate Housewives & Lifetime, eh?
M&M | 12:22 p.m. March 3, 2009
It doesn't matter were you live, or your religion, Porn is addictive and
dangerous. Like illegal druges, It continues to ruin the lives of those who
participate in viewing it and their families. It sad that people / governments
are so concerned about keeping our bodies healthy by regulating/restrictions
foods, meds, etc. Yet when it comes to the healhty minds and families, in the
name of "free speach" Porn gets a free pass.... continues to spread
like a wild fire consuming everything in it's path.
We have the knowledge of it's destruction, but we do we have the wisdom to do anything about it?
We have the knowledge of it's destruction, but we do we have the wisdom to do anything about it?
Shannon S Dastrup | 12:30 p.m. March 3, 2009
Hey you comment spammers that ridicule the Morman Faith. Go back to the tribune
and slander the Morman Faith in the Tribune. We don't want you here to
begin with. Take it to the Trib. This paper will take action, if you know what I
mean.
Shannon S Dastrup | 12:31 p.m. March 3, 2009
By the way, I have deleted my link to the Tribune, and will not be posting
anything there anymore. This may be printed by the Tribune, but is a Sererate
Newspaper. You may work there, but not for long.
OH SNAP! | 12:32 p.m. March 3, 2009
Looks like We're all busted! I'll bet more than 50% of the men in my
Ward look at porn on a monthly basis. It is the most prevalent reason that keep
men from attending the Temple. Any Bishop will tell you how widespread
pornography in the Church is. Porn is mentioned in EVERY general Priesthood
meeting. It is the bane of our existence men. It will always be a temptation.
Lemur | 12:36 p.m. March 3, 2009
Utah is on the decline.
Anonymous | 12:38 p.m. March 3, 2009
Utahns love to think they are better than the rest of the country, but do things
in secret that show they are not any different at all. I left Utah, in part,
because of the raging hypocrisy in business, politics and personal dealings. I
really expected more, but was disappointed.
Shannon S Dastrup | 12:41 p.m. March 3, 2009
I was born, and raised here in Utah my entire life. I am a morman woman who has
lost her way, and has admitted that in The Tribune. Did you know that the
Tribune has started sensering my comments. Not only there, but here as well. I
posted 2 comments prior to this one, and they deleted them.
They said Why can't these people go, and spam the Tribune with their out of state, bad, rude, religion hating comments. Also, that I have deleted the Link to The Tribune off of my compter favorite places. I will only read this newspaper. This is a Morman Paper, and if those of you don't like this faith, don't read our paper. Go to the Tribune.
This paper is printed by the Tribune, but is not owned by The Tribune. That is why the wonderful man is coming here from California to stop this from happening.
BTW, my ex is watching me type this in, and if it doesn't post to here then send me a restraining order to my doorstep to not post here anymore.
They said Why can't these people go, and spam the Tribune with their out of state, bad, rude, religion hating comments. Also, that I have deleted the Link to The Tribune off of my compter favorite places. I will only read this newspaper. This is a Morman Paper, and if those of you don't like this faith, don't read our paper. Go to the Tribune.
This paper is printed by the Tribune, but is not owned by The Tribune. That is why the wonderful man is coming here from California to stop this from happening.
BTW, my ex is watching me type this in, and if it doesn't post to here then send me a restraining order to my doorstep to not post here anymore.
Study Results | 12:43 p.m. March 3, 2009
The Results of the study were that Utahn's buy more pornography online.
Not Mormons buy more pornography online. Don't get the two confused. I
don't know why so many people think Utahn = Mormon, that just isn't as
true as it used to be. Not everyone living in Utah is an active LDS person. In
fact many are anti and have the disease of spiritual apathy or people who were
offended. Let's not jump to conclusions that it is the LDS' falt.
RE: Hmm... | 12:50 p.m. March 3, 2009
Pornography is prevalent and becoming more so. We need to be vigilant
Some are quick to judge. Additions are addictions. Everyone has them to one degree or another. We need to find ways to help others overcome their addictions.
I believe we should:
-Require porn companies to register domain of .prn.
-require age limits to access to any .prn website.
Porn is multi billion dollar a year machine. Addicts make it a very lucrative business. Pornographers do not care about the families it destroys nor the heartache coming out of all of this. It is designed to put money into the pockets of its producers.
My view is that pornographers will be held accountable before God for their actions.
Some are quick to judge. Additions are addictions. Everyone has them to one degree or another. We need to find ways to help others overcome their addictions.
I believe we should:
-Require porn companies to register domain of .prn.
-require age limits to access to any .prn website.
Porn is multi billion dollar a year machine. Addicts make it a very lucrative business. Pornographers do not care about the families it destroys nor the heartache coming out of all of this. It is designed to put money into the pockets of its producers.
My view is that pornographers will be held accountable before God for their actions.
Re: SJ | 12:54 p.m. March 3, 2009
I was just trying to say the Gentile excuse was flawed...
RE: M and M | 12:58 p.m. March 3, 2009
Please explain how porn ruins people's lives, is addictive, or deserves to
be outlawed. I believe a free person has the right to behave as he chooses, so
long as he does not infringe on anyone. No matter how much porn anyone looks at,
it does not affect you in any way. That is, unless you choose it.
Porn gets a "free pass" because of that pesky free agency thing that Jesus kept pushing.
Porn gets a "free pass" because of that pesky free agency thing that Jesus kept pushing.
Gavacho13 | 1:00 p.m. March 3, 2009
Wow. Sad. Really sad
Keecko | 1:03 p.m. March 3, 2009
Who pays for porn anymore? And what married LDS man (cause that is who you are
all pointing your fingers at) pays for porn and gets away with it? And what LDS
wife is stupid enough believe that her husband has a subscription charge each
month for Men's Health, Bowhunting, or whatever else he can think of. My
point is that this is not a surprising statistic. Rather than point your fingers
at the LDS people, why not look the non LDS folk who moved here from out of
state (ie, California, Nevada) and need their porn fix and have no where to get
but from online subscriptions.
Shannon S Dastrup | 1:07 p.m. March 3, 2009
Well, it looks like these don't post automatically. I owe this paper an
oppology. I am truely sorry. I had a much better comment written, and was
editing it. When I tried to backspace out a word, it deleted my entire comment.
Just know this, it had to do with celibacy, and being true to yourself.
Wonder | 1:08 p.m. March 3, 2009
A few years ago, Utah was number one state (if not in the top three) for the
number of homes/families with computers ( # per 1000 I think), along with
Internet connections. I wonder if this was a factor. Surveys are almost always
ambiguous vague and imprecise.
In fact I just found an article titled: Utah No. 1 in homes with computers - By Stephen Ohlemacher Associated Press and By Deborah Bulkeley - Deseret Morning News (Published: Monday, Oct. 31, 2005)
The opening paragraph reads: Nearly three in four Utah households own a computer, a higher percentage than in any other state, according to a new census report. (Deseret News should ask a question based on this finding.)
Now, Im sure that has a direct relevance to the study. But since Utah may have been bypassed by other states now, I therefore wonder how current the data from which the conclusions were drawn - one or two years old?
Anyhow, there seems to be an apparent link between being technology savvy and porn access among Utahns. Look for a specific address in Gen Conference on this subject, as has been in the past.
In fact I just found an article titled: Utah No. 1 in homes with computers - By Stephen Ohlemacher Associated Press and By Deborah Bulkeley - Deseret Morning News (Published: Monday, Oct. 31, 2005)
The opening paragraph reads: Nearly three in four Utah households own a computer, a higher percentage than in any other state, according to a new census report. (Deseret News should ask a question based on this finding.)
Now, Im sure that has a direct relevance to the study. But since Utah may have been bypassed by other states now, I therefore wonder how current the data from which the conclusions were drawn - one or two years old?
Anyhow, there seems to be an apparent link between being technology savvy and porn access among Utahns. Look for a specific address in Gen Conference on this subject, as has been in the past.
Otis Spurlock | 1:10 p.m. March 3, 2009
Wow! Utah has some real issues they need to deal with: bankruptcy, depression,
suicide, mortgage fraud, and now, porn.
This is the place!!
This is the place!!
McKay | 1:13 p.m. March 3, 2009
We should all try and settle this out by the flag pole, that would be a lot of
fun.
Check this out on Ben Edelman... | 1:18 p.m. March 3, 2009
Harvard's Benjamin Edelman latest to be suckered by AVN's $12B/year
Figure 2/25/09.
Captain Kirk | 1:19 p.m. March 3, 2009
I looked up the zip codes and 3 of the 4 counties have populations between 8,000
and 20,000 (a total combined population of around 40,000 people)
and are in the middle of nowhere. Not very representative of the state as a whole.
The 2 Salt Lake County zip codes are for the Univeristy of Utah and The Copper Mine Area.
Give me a break. This data means nothing.
Someone just wanted to have a good headline.
and are in the middle of nowhere. Not very representative of the state as a whole.
The 2 Salt Lake County zip codes are for the Univeristy of Utah and The Copper Mine Area.
Give me a break. This data means nothing.
Someone just wanted to have a good headline.
Let's take a look at ourselves | 1:25 p.m. March 3, 2009
Folks, what is the first thing we do when we are caught doing something bad? We
become defensive and rationalize that we are not doing it. We are too proud of
admiting that we are guilty of the offense. Instead of doing that..let's
look within the walls of our home and see if there is truth in this study.
Let's read and ponder these comments and see if we can make the mighty
change to be better people of this State. just my 2 cents....
observer | 1:25 p.m. March 3, 2009
It's a multi-billion dollar industry. If we knew everyone who was accessing
porn on their pc, it'd turn our hair white. Assuming we still have hair...
RE: RE: M and M | 1:28 p.m. March 3, 2009
Porn destroys lives the same as any addiction and then some. First, it destroys
your life by taking you away from doing anything productive. Slowly it captures
your interest (like drugs) until you can't think of anything else except
that. Jeffrey Palmer started out with soft porn and wanted more stimulus in his
life. Secondly, it skews your ability to think, rationalize and judge things
around you and how others are thinking. You socialize with others with the same
thought process and think everyone else thinks the same as you. This leads to
harassment in the workplace and loss of friends who don't want to be part
of it. Thirdly, you act on your fantasies and ruin a perfectly good
marraige/relationship, loose the trust of your children and peers and degrade
yourself to nothing more than a person with no will power to accomplish anything
useful. The thing is, it is a slow process that happens over time which results
are not seen immediately.
Figures Lie and Liars Figgure | 1:28 p.m. March 3, 2009
I just don't believe this story. Doesn't ring true to me at all. I
agree with earlier writer that this appears to be a contrived story in order to
get a headline and get back at Mormons for Prop 8. The methodology (using zip
codes) compared to population is a bit murky. Why don't they give total
numbers? Like, X number of subscribers in Utah versus X number in Minnesota,
and there's the overall percentage? Too straight forward, huh? They had
to go through those statistical contortions in order to come out with their
desired conclusion...
to Captain Kirk | 1:30 p.m. March 3, 2009
Then why is it a constant topic in PM and bishop's interviews and has been
all along and well before this survey was published?
Alex | 1:38 p.m. March 3, 2009
Captain Kirk:
"Give me a break. This data means nothing.
Someone just wanted to have a good headline."
I understand your meaning, but I wouldn't go as far as to say the data means nothing. It just may not factor in enough information to give an accurate picture. I would be interested in a study that includes data on other sources of pornography.
Any way you slice it, the bottom line is, Mormon or non-Mormon, pornography is not good for anyone. It is likely that the brethren will continue to sound the warning, like they have in the past. Like you, I definitely want the truth, but I don't want to buy a bad bill of goods.
"Give me a break. This data means nothing.
Someone just wanted to have a good headline."
I understand your meaning, but I wouldn't go as far as to say the data means nothing. It just may not factor in enough information to give an accurate picture. I would be interested in a study that includes data on other sources of pornography.
Any way you slice it, the bottom line is, Mormon or non-Mormon, pornography is not good for anyone. It is likely that the brethren will continue to sound the warning, like they have in the past. Like you, I definitely want the truth, but I don't want to buy a bad bill of goods.
whoops | 1:38 p.m. March 3, 2009
It's dalmer not palmer and even then I think I was refering to Ted
Bundy....can't get those serial killers straight....
Logical, Captain Kirk | 1:41 p.m. March 3, 2009
Yep, the deep blue Obama-loving University of Utah is downloading all the pron
in the state. Whod'a thunk?
Now, if it were the area around BYU that was leading the state in pron downloads, you'd have an argument for hypocrisy.
But this is just the natural reaction of non-Mormon students who live in a state that outlaws XXX pron.
Now, if it were the area around BYU that was leading the state in pron downloads, you'd have an argument for hypocrisy.
But this is just the natural reaction of non-Mormon students who live in a state that outlaws XXX pron.
magnus | 1:43 p.m. March 3, 2009
Any time there is an issue like this non-LDS point the finger at the LDS folks.
It's childish, really, grow up.
The article makes some very good points in general...
It pointed out that internet porn supscriptions are generally higher in areas with stricter porn laws, not just those crazy Mormon Utah.
Wait so, what you're saying is that people who can't just go to an adult book store and get porn tend to pay for it on the internet at a higher rate, NO! REALLY? I'm not sure if I can beleive that...how much did he get paid for this study?
Also, did anyone else notice that the areas with the highest rate of subscriptions are either not majority mormon (Hello Downtown, West Jordan, and San Juan County) or are sparsely populated rural counties with no other access to pornography.
Second, the total rate of subscriptions was below 6 percent. About 60% of Utah is Mormon and about half of those actually live and practice their religion. So what percentage of the 6% who have subscriptions do you think are practicing (going to church every week) Mormons? Bet its under 5.
The article makes some very good points in general...
It pointed out that internet porn supscriptions are generally higher in areas with stricter porn laws, not just those crazy Mormon Utah.
Wait so, what you're saying is that people who can't just go to an adult book store and get porn tend to pay for it on the internet at a higher rate, NO! REALLY? I'm not sure if I can beleive that...how much did he get paid for this study?
Also, did anyone else notice that the areas with the highest rate of subscriptions are either not majority mormon (Hello Downtown, West Jordan, and San Juan County) or are sparsely populated rural counties with no other access to pornography.
Second, the total rate of subscriptions was below 6 percent. About 60% of Utah is Mormon and about half of those actually live and practice their religion. So what percentage of the 6% who have subscriptions do you think are practicing (going to church every week) Mormons? Bet its under 5.
mark | 1:44 p.m. March 3, 2009
It's a simple cause and effect, the MORE you repress all things sexual, the
KINKIER the population becomes.
Victorians who thought it SHOCKING to see a woman's ankles, fueled the most BIZARRE Paris porno post cards. The renewed sexual repression of the 1950's, made the Playboy magazine an EMPIRE, and made S and M pin up models the most popular in the country. Utah made their own bed, (so to speak)...now lay in it.
Victorians who thought it SHOCKING to see a woman's ankles, fueled the most BIZARRE Paris porno post cards. The renewed sexual repression of the 1950's, made the Playboy magazine an EMPIRE, and made S and M pin up models the most popular in the country. Utah made their own bed, (so to speak)...now lay in it.
Just wondering | 1:51 p.m. March 3, 2009
why anyone would pay for porn? There is so much free porn on the internet, it
would take years to view it all.
C.W. | 1:53 p.m. March 3, 2009
I see a "Porn Tax" on the horizon!! The bill will arrive in a
"plain brown wrapper" courtesy of State of Utah.
Sex Sells | 2:10 p.m. March 3, 2009
Isn't that the point, that America has a problem. I do not think this
article/study is meant to disgrace a religion or a people. It should be a wake
up call to say pornography is a strong, evil addiction that is consuming America
in many ways, from Utah to TimBucToo. Do you have a problem with any form of
pornography? If so get help. Learn to fight it.
Too many posters on here, especially the ones anxious to point a mocking finger, do not even think pornography is bad. Most consume it daily. Turn from it. Put it in your past. Get over it. It is creating societal problems nationwide. And yes, it even effects some of the very elite. Let's all collectively and individually find ways to insulate ourselves from it or to have a change of heart so that it has no power to tempt us, and then to destroy us. We can overcome it.
Too many posters on here, especially the ones anxious to point a mocking finger, do not even think pornography is bad. Most consume it daily. Turn from it. Put it in your past. Get over it. It is creating societal problems nationwide. And yes, it even effects some of the very elite. Let's all collectively and individually find ways to insulate ourselves from it or to have a change of heart so that it has no power to tempt us, and then to destroy us. We can overcome it.
Fredd | 2:10 p.m. March 3, 2009
Lots of articles recently on porn "addiction". Are Utohnians using a
little hyperbole? Honestly. If a guy looks at porn online once a month would
you call that an addiction? I mean if your paying for porn that would indicate
something since from what I've seen there is more free stuff out there then
I care to look at.
Alex | 2:14 p.m. March 3, 2009
Let's take a look at ourselves | 1:25 p.m. March 3, 2009:
"Folks, what is the first thing we do when we are caught doing something bad? We become defensive and rationalize that we are not doing it. We are too proud of admiting that we are guilty of the offense. Instead of doing that..let's look within the walls of our home and see if there is truth in this study. "
If you arent doing it, then you arent rationalizing. You are just trying to make sense of the data.
My family and I keep the guidelines given by the brethren, the Spirit and the Scriptures, and we have kept safe. There is nothing proud or self-righteous about that. We have obeyed and have been blessed and protected by the Lord. The Spirit is in our home. No guilt. You either use pornography or you don't. You either use safeguards to protect and check pornography from getting into your home or you don't. There is no we.
So, yes, this conflicts with the actual reality of our home.
"Folks, what is the first thing we do when we are caught doing something bad? We become defensive and rationalize that we are not doing it. We are too proud of admiting that we are guilty of the offense. Instead of doing that..let's look within the walls of our home and see if there is truth in this study. "
If you arent doing it, then you arent rationalizing. You are just trying to make sense of the data.
My family and I keep the guidelines given by the brethren, the Spirit and the Scriptures, and we have kept safe. There is nothing proud or self-righteous about that. We have obeyed and have been blessed and protected by the Lord. The Spirit is in our home. No guilt. You either use pornography or you don't. You either use safeguards to protect and check pornography from getting into your home or you don't. There is no we.
So, yes, this conflicts with the actual reality of our home.
Read the Study... | 2:16 p.m. March 3, 2009
From Edelman's study:
"...my analysis of subscription patterns to online adult entertainment websites could suffer from reverse causation: That is, interest in adult entertainment could cause users to obtain broadband Internet access, whereas my analysis takes broadband access as given. If users obtain broadband to improve their ability to access adult entertainment, regression estimates would be biased towards zero. Thus, to the extent that my analysis yields correlations that appear to be statistically significant, reverse causation does not taint the significance of the estimates..."
As the Wall Street Journal says, Edelman's idea that reverse causation doesn't taint his study assumes "the tendency to get broadband in order to get porn, rather than for other reasons is evenly distributed across states. But it seems quite plausible that in states where retail porn is harder to get, a greater number of consumers get broadband in order to get porn. Since the numerator (porn subscribers) is much smaller than the denominator (broadband users), this effect would have a much more pronounced effect on the numerator, and therefore on the differences in rates among states." The first line of the study says internet porn use varies little around the country.
"...my analysis of subscription patterns to online adult entertainment websites could suffer from reverse causation: That is, interest in adult entertainment could cause users to obtain broadband Internet access, whereas my analysis takes broadband access as given. If users obtain broadband to improve their ability to access adult entertainment, regression estimates would be biased towards zero. Thus, to the extent that my analysis yields correlations that appear to be statistically significant, reverse causation does not taint the significance of the estimates..."
As the Wall Street Journal says, Edelman's idea that reverse causation doesn't taint his study assumes "the tendency to get broadband in order to get porn, rather than for other reasons is evenly distributed across states. But it seems quite plausible that in states where retail porn is harder to get, a greater number of consumers get broadband in order to get porn. Since the numerator (porn subscribers) is much smaller than the denominator (broadband users), this effect would have a much more pronounced effect on the numerator, and therefore on the differences in rates among states." The first line of the study says internet porn use varies little around the country.
To Alex from Captain Kirk | 2:21 p.m. March 3, 2009
I never said poronography is not a problem in Utah.
It is a problem everywhere.
It is a problem among LDS and Non-LDS.
It is the part of the natural man to desire it.
I doubt that porn is a bigger problem in Utah than anywhere else.
I suspect that it is less of a problem with active LDS people and others who try to live by specific moral standards... not because they are better ... but because they have personal reasons to not view it.
Many fail but many succeed.
The stats presented in this article don't help me prove or disprove my theory.
These stats don't even take into account all the free stuff that is more likey to be viewed by those doing it in secret and by young men.
All I said is the data presented in the article is meaningless. It is hyped-up data to create headlines.
It got a lot of people to read the article and post stupid comments like the one I'm writing now.
:)
It is a problem everywhere.
It is a problem among LDS and Non-LDS.
It is the part of the natural man to desire it.
I doubt that porn is a bigger problem in Utah than anywhere else.
I suspect that it is less of a problem with active LDS people and others who try to live by specific moral standards... not because they are better ... but because they have personal reasons to not view it.
Many fail but many succeed.
The stats presented in this article don't help me prove or disprove my theory.
These stats don't even take into account all the free stuff that is more likey to be viewed by those doing it in secret and by young men.
All I said is the data presented in the article is meaningless. It is hyped-up data to create headlines.
It got a lot of people to read the article and post stupid comments like the one I'm writing now.
:)
Mormon Bishop | 2:26 p.m. March 3, 2009
The study does not tell us everything, but it tells us something - that there
are a relatively large number of Utahans viewing pornography online and paying
for it. I don't have a statistical study to prove my feelings about
pornography. My primary concern is for members who tell me that they want to
quit viewing porn but time after time they give in to temptation and "fall
off the wagon" so to speak. I firmly believe that pornography has an
addictive element and is causing harm to our society. While it may be
embarrassing to have our transgressions exposed, we should not "shoot the
messenger" but evaluate why the author found the data that he found and do
something to lower the viewing rate in our state.
Interesting Specific... | 2:28 p.m. March 3, 2009
"...and adjusted his data accordingly;"
I am sure that this adjustment was strictly above board. I am certain that professor EDELMAN of HARVARD university does not have ANY ulterior motive whatsoever or in any way is he POLITICALLY influenced to skew data to find those so called "Red Light States".
In fact, I think that the argument that conservatives are repressed hypocrites is a BRAND NEW INSIGHT? Isn't it? You know what we bible-bashing hypocrites always say, "If politicians are liars, then statisticians are d-mn liars!" But I am probably just repressed.
I am sure that this adjustment was strictly above board. I am certain that professor EDELMAN of HARVARD university does not have ANY ulterior motive whatsoever or in any way is he POLITICALLY influenced to skew data to find those so called "Red Light States".
In fact, I think that the argument that conservatives are repressed hypocrites is a BRAND NEW INSIGHT? Isn't it? You know what we bible-bashing hypocrites always say, "If politicians are liars, then statisticians are d-mn liars!" But I am probably just repressed.
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His study is likely biased.