I’m always ready to moan about PC - whether that’s Personal Computer or Political Correctness.

However before we had PC we had to deal our own cards at solitaire and had adverts (and attitudes) like this

http://www.icanhasinternets.com/2010/05/25-horribly-sexist-vintage-ads/

I’ve been watching the Sex Education Show vs Pornography on the tv. The claimed aim of the show is  expose (it does plenty of exposing!) myths that come from pornography and campaign to protect kids from on line porn. You always have to question the media (C4 more than others?) about whether they are genuinely trying to be educational or just sensationalising - especially on this kind of subject. Whatever the education / sensation balance I thought there was some valuable stuff in there.

One of the things they have been doing is challenging ISP’s & PC retailers to put protection on by default. Why aren’t safe search filters and parental controls set by default? Given that I’m not sure what they are talking about with “activating Parental Controls” we can assume most parents will find it a challenge to activate them. Of course the show implies that a couple of simple settings will keep your kids safe. I didn’t think it was that easy - please (please, PLEASE!) correct me if I’m wrong.

Somewhat depressingly, having visited their web site (http://sexperienceuk.channel4.com/sex-education) I can find nothing to actually help people to make the settings they are recommending. http://sexperienceuk.channel4.com/protect-from-porn tells you what you should do but not how - or how much good it will do.

The stats they quote on pornography (especially relating to kids exposure) is shocking - even allowing for some statistical massaging

That can’t be good - what can we do about it?

Not on an IT topic but a very interesting article from another publication

As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God | Matthew Parris - Times Online

Of course  as a Christian I am pleased to hear about the practical good Christians are doing but his comments about attitudes and philosophy are even more interesting.

I think, as with most things, the pendulum has swung too far in “cultural respect” PC sort of way. The time when we (”the west” “British Empire” “Christians”) told everyone else how to do it right (and when I say “it” I meaning everything - including “it”, that’s why it’s called “the missionary position”) has gone (thankfully) but in order to avoid imposing our values we don’t always speak up for what we believe to be right. 

The BBC reported today about The Taliban bombing schools for the heinous crime of educating girls. That women shouldn’t be educated may be their belief but I don’t think it is cultural imperialism to argue against it. Once things get to the bombing stage obviously a great deal more is involved.

What we all need is to express what we believe in (”our beliefs” but that sounds a bit too spiritual) in an open and respectful way and maybe even have grown up conversations. Oh well, I can dream…