Pornography: A secret history of civilisation (2006) CasTaN.avi

Pornography (often abbreviated as "porn" or "porno" in informal usage) is the portrayal of sexual
subject matter for the purpose of sexual arousal. Pornography may be presented in a variety of media,
including books, magazines, postcards, photographs, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound
recording, film, video, and video games. The term applies to the depiction of the act rather than the
act itself, and so does not include live exhibitions like sex shows and striptease. The primary
subjects of pornographic depictions are pornographic models, who pose for still photographs, and
pornographic actors or porn stars, who perform in pornographic films. If dramatic skills are not
involved, a performer in a porn film may also be called a model.

Various groups within society have considered depictions of a sexual nature immoral, labeling them
pornographic, and attempting to have them suppressed under obscenity and other laws, with varying
degrees of success. Such works have also often been subject to censorship and other legal restraints
to publication, display or possession. Such grounds and even the definition of pornography have
differed in various historical, cultural, and national contexts.

Social attitudes towards the discussion and presentation of sexuality has become more tolerant and
legal definitions of obscenity have become more limited, leading to an industry for the production and
consumption of pornography in the latter half of the 20th century. The introduction of the home video
and Internet saw a boom in the worldwide porn industry that generates billions of dollars annually.
Commercialized pornography accounts for a nearly US$100 billion worldwide industry for the production
of various media and associated products and services. This industry employs thousands of performers
along with support and production staff.
It is also followed by dedicated industry publications and trade groups as well as the mainstream press,
private organizations (watchdog groups), government agencies, and political organizations.

Irrespective of the legal or social view of pornography, it has been used in a number of contexts. It is
used, for example, at fertility clinics to stimulate sperm donors. Some couples use pornography at times
for variety and to create a sexual interest or as part of foreplay. There is also some evidence that
pornography can be used to treat voyeurism.