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Tuesday, February 8, 1994
OPINION
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UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VIEWPOINT
Industry self-regulation makes sense for media
The decision by cable and broadcast networks to police themselves for violence is the ideal outcome in the recent debate over violent programming on television.
Industry self-regulation is preferable to federal legislation, as it probably will be more efficient and keep the government out of the sticky business of deciding what programming should be available to whom. In addition, the networks' proposals contain workable solutions to the dilemma parents face when monitoring family television viewing.
Particularly commendable is the cable networks' agreement to rate programs for violence and to support technology that would allow individual households to block violent shows from appearing on their TVs. Both of these would help parents be better informed about what is available for their children to watch and prevent their children from watching excessivelyviolent shows
Some would argue that any restriction on or regulation of television programming smacks of censorship. It is not censorship but good parenting when adults take an interest in what their children see and hear. Parents should be able to withhold what they feel is unhealthy or potentially harmful.
Frustrated by a disturbing level of violence on television, a parent might decide to toss out the television entirely. Would that be attacked as censorship?
If the networks follow through on their promises, the result would not be censorship but a better informed public and parents who are able to act in what they see as their children's best interests.
MARGARET BECK FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Harding's deceit calls for dismissal from team
The United States Figure Skating Association's call Saturday for a disciplinary hearing against Tonya Harding represents the latest chapter in a bizarre story. Regardless of any part Harding had in the attack on Nancy Kerrigan, her actions to this point justify her disqualification from the Olympic team.
The USFSA, in calling for the disciplinary action, found it was reasonable to believe that Harding "committed an act to carry out a plan and/or was involved in a plan to injure Nancy Kerrigan; or made false statements about her knowledge concerning it."
While some may argue that her character has nothing to do with her ability to skate, it does reflect on her as a U.S. ambassador, which is ultimately what our team members are.
For the U.S. team to include a figure skater who has lied about her involvement in a vicious attack on her rival teammate would be detrimental to our team's credibility and to its spirit.
Olympic hopefuls spend most, if not all, of their lives concentrating on being good athletes and good citizens. Although Harding is a great skater, others may feel cheated that she was able to make the Olympic team while violating the principles of sportsmanship.
Apart from her conduct, Harding is still under investigation by the authorities. There is even speculation that her arrest may be drawing closer as investigators uncover new evidence.
What image would the U.S. team project if the FBI showed up in Lillehammer to cart off one of its skaters for assaulting her rival? Certainly not the image of fairness and sportsmanship for which U.S. citizens strive.
DONELLA HEARNE FOR THE EDITORIAL BOARD
KANSAN STAFF
BEN GROVE. Editor
LISACOSMILLO, Managing editor
TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser
TOM FRIEN
JUSTIN GARBERG Business manager
BILL SKEET, Systems coordinator
JENNIFER BLOWEY Retail sales manager
Editors
Asset Managing Editor...Dan England
Assistant to the editor...J.R. Clairborne
News...Kristi Fogler, Katie Greenwald
                Todd Seffert
Editorial...Colleen McCain
                Nathan Oleson
Campus...Jess DeHaven
Sports...David Dorsey
Photo...Doug Hesse
Features...Sara Bennett
JEANNE HINES Sales and marketing adviser
Campus sales mgr ..Jason Eberly
Regional Sales mgr ..Troy Tervetra
National & Coop sales mgr ..Robin King
Special Sessions mgr ..Shelly McConnell
Production mgr ..Laura Guth
Gretchen Kottenherlindt
Marketing director ..Shannon Reilly
Creative director ..John Cartton
Classified mgr ..Kelly Conneally
Teaheatsa mgt ..Wing Chan
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Sex in the '90s:Virtual reality no substitute for the real thing
I'd be the first person to admit I'm nearly computer illiterate. It takes all of my knowledge just to get my columns typed into the computer system each week. And in this day and age, when nearly everything is controlled by computer, not knowing how to operate one can be a serious problem. Let's face it. Nowadays you can not only write papers on your personal computer, but with the correct equipment you can send electronic mail, pay the bills, obtain information about the stock market, have sex...
Are you shocked by the last example, like I was when I first heard about it? Well, don't be. In the near future, people are going to be able to have sex through their computers. Welcome to the world of cyberspace, better known to the public as virtual reality.
I first came across the idea in my Sociology 104 class this semester. Now, like I said, I'm not very knowledgeable about computers, so I'm not about to attempt to explain the details of virtual reality. But I must say, I find
the concept of virtual reality sex quite unnerving
The idea that sexual activity should be an act used solely for procreation has passed most of us by, and many of us look for sex anywhere we can get it. But computers?
work. Sexual relationships constantly pose new challenges. These challenges are lost with the ability to press a few buttons, flip a couple switches and instantly fulfill sexual desire.
For many people, sex can be a challenge. Before two people have sex, they must develop some sort of communication, even if it's only something like, "Hi, I find you attractive. Do you want to have sex?" This communication, and many times, the relationships which follow, take some
I also have a problem with a comment that my sociology professor made regarding the concept of virtual reality sex. My professor suggested that this type of activity may appeal to those people who have religious beliefs, which forbid premarital sex. Since the two persons participating in virtual reality sex are not actually involved in intimate contact with one another, truthfully, no sexual act is taking place. Therefore, these people can have sex through a computer without rebelling against their religious ideologies.
The truth is, the reason many religious sects forbid sex before marriage is their belief that sex should be used solely for procreation and for no other purposes. So I'm sure most religious affiliations would be against the
idea of any sexual activity, even if it is occurring within the confines of a computer-generated environment.
But the biggest problem I have with the whole concept is that virtual reality sex just isn't natural. Whether a recreational activity or one meant to create offspring, sex should be an act in which two people express love for one another. The physical bond and affection shared by two people making love are lost when sexual acts are carried out through a computer.
If you've gotten the impression that I'm against the entire computer revolution, you're wrong. I feel the computers of today serve many useful purposes and should be used to the best of their capabilities. Like I said, without them I wouldn't be able to bring you my opinions each and every week. But in the future, I want condoms and birth control pills — not an on-off switch — to continue providing sexual protection.
Scott Titlington is a Poway, Calif. sophomore in exercise science and journalism.
Computers make life more efficient?
People often say to me: "Dave, as a professional columnist, you have a job that requires you to process large quantities of information on a timely basis. Why don't you get a real hair-cut?"
What these people are REALLY asking, of course, is: How am I able to produce columns with such a high degree of accuracy, day in and day out, 52 weeks a year?
COLUMNIST
The answer is: I use a computer. This enables me to be highly efficient. Suppose, for example, that I need to fill up column space by writing BOOGER BOOGER BOOGER BOOGER BOOGER TO accomplish this in the old pre-computer days, I would have had to type "BOOGER" five times manually. But now all I have to do is type it once, then simply hold the left-hand "mouse" button down while "dragging" the "mouse" so that the "cursor" moves over the text that I wish to "select;" then release the left-hand "mouse" button and position the "cursor" over the "Edit" heading on the "menu bar;" then click the left-hand "mouse" button to reveal the "edit menu;" then position the "cursor" over the "Copy" command; then click the left-hand "mouse" button; then move the "cursor" to the point where I wish to insert the "selected" text; then click the left-hand "mouse" button; then position the "cursor" over the "Edit" heading on the "menu bar" again; then click
the left-hand "mouse" button to reveal the "edit menu"; then position the "cursor" over the "Paste" command; then click the left-hand "mouse" button four times; and then, as the French say, "voil! (Translation: 'My hand hurts!')"
If you need this kind of efficiency in your life, you should get a computer. I recommend the kind I have, which is a "DOS" computer. The other major kind of computer is the "Apple," which I do not recommend because it is a wuss-o-rama New-Age computer that you basically just plug in and use. This means you don't get to participate in the most entertaining aspect of computer-owning, which is trying to get the computer to work. This is where "DOS" really shines.
It was invented by Bill Gates. He is now one of the wealthiest individuals on Earth, wealthier, even, than some people who fix our car transmissions. Why? Because he's the only person in the world who understands "DOS."
Every day he gets frantic phone calls like this:
BUSINESS EXECUTIVE: Our entire worldwide corporate accounting system is paralyzed, and no matter what we type into the computer, it replies, "WHO WANTS TO KNOW? (signed) DOS."
BILL GATES Ha-ha! I mean, sounds pretty serious.
BUSINESS EXECUTIVE. We'll give
BILL GATES: OK. Press the "NUM
LOCK" key.
My current computer, in addition to "DOS," has "Windows," which is another invention of Bill Gates, designed as a security measure to thwart those users who are somehow able to get past "DOS." You have to be a real stud cybermuffin to handle "Windows." I have personally, with my bare hands, changed my "WIN.INT" and "CONFIG.SYS" settings. This may not mean much to you, but trust me, it is a major accomplishment. Albert Einstein died without ever doing it. (WAIT a minute! Weren't his last words, "It erased my equation! It was E equals something!)
I am not the only person who uses his computer mainly for the purpose of diddling with his computer. There are millions of others. I know this, because I encounter them on the Internet, which is a giant international network of intelligent, informed
computer enthusiasts, by which I mean, "necobole without lives."
We don't care. We have each other. While you are destroying your mind watching the worthless, brain-rotting drivel on TV("Dave's World." Monday nights, CBS, check your local listings), we on the Internet are exchanging, freely and openly, the most uninhibited, intimate and, yes, shocking details about our "CONFIG.SYS" settings.
You would not believe how wrought up we get about this type of thing on the Internet. I regularly connect with a computer group that has a heated debate going on about — I am not making this up — the timing of Hewlett-Packard's decision to upgrade from a 386 to a 486 microprocessor in its Omnibook computer. This has aroused enormous passion. People are sending snide, angry, sometimes furious messages to each other. I'm sure that some participants, even as we speak, are trying to figure out a way to alter their CONF. FIG.SYS settings so that they can electronically punch their opponents in the mouth. This debate has been raging, soap-opera-like, for months now. I tune in every day. You probably think this is weird, but I don't care. I am a happy nerd in cyberspace, where nobody can see my haircut.
Dave Barry is a syndicated columnist for the Miami Herald.
Nudism is respectable, growing in popularity
This letter is in response to Jacob Arnold's article that mentioned a little about the positive aspects of nudity. I thought this would be an opportune time to inform people about one of the fastest-growing social phenomena in America: social nudism.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
The American Sunbathing Association (ASA) was founded more than 60 years ago to promote all the aspects of social nudism in Canada and the United States. There are more than 200 nudist clubs that are members of the organization. Most
have swimming and hot tub facilities, volleyball courts, various other sports, restaurants and playgrounds for the kids.
Other organizations include the Naturist Society and the International Naturist Federation (INF). These groups, along with the ASA, are very politically active to ensure that nudists' rights are not violated. The ASA is continually on guard to make sure that some obscure law is not passed that would interrupt the legal protection members enjoy while on ASA grounds. These are the same laws that let you go nude in your own home or skinny-dipping in an appropriate place on national park property.
Nudists are sensitive to others' personal space. Touching is kept appropriate, and behavior is expected to be "without excuse." A family atmosphere is maintained.
Nudists believe in the essential wholeness of the human body. We also believe that nude is not lewd. Every part of the human is natural, wholly devoid of any vulgarity or obscenity. We believe that children raised in the nudist philosophy will be healthier of mind than non-nudist children. Nudism will teach them moral and physical cleanness and will permit them to grow up with a natural acceptance of themselves and others as human beings, not objects.
Most clubs have several rudist etiquette rules, such as limited use of cameras. Also, anonymity is kept in order to not jeopardize some people's careers.
Organized family recreational nudism is not far from Lawrence. One nudist camp is less than 45 minutes away. Kansas City has a nonlanded nudist club that does lots of fun activities. Those interested in more information should write to the ASA at 1703 N. Main St., Kissimmee, FL. 34744-9988.
My advice is: Try social nudism, and most of the questions will answer themselves.
St. Louis graduate student
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