Here’s a fascinating technology and social story developing that you probably won’t read on memeorandum or its many clones this morning.

In August last year, I noticed that Zinio who provides outstanding digital versions of print magazines was venturing further into erotic waters by offering Playboy digital subscription effective with their October 2005 issues. Apparently this went over well because yesterday I noticed they added Penthouse:

And here I thought the venerable adult publication Penthouse was on its way out? A couple years back there were stories about Penthouse having troubles covering printing costs and it looked like an adult magazine that had been in print since the mid 60’s was in some serious trouble. A sure sign that the internet has not only impacted newspapers.

Will Zinio go even more hardcore?
I say it’s just a matter of time before Hustler, High Society and other hardcore adult mags cut deals with Zinio. Of course I have no internal knowledge of this happening or not but I would be surprised if the conversations aren’t already underway. Those who are into this type of content can thank the adult webmaster publication Klixxx Magazine for starting this revolution. (Disclaimer: I used to write for Klixxx magazine). The editor, Joe D, over there was forward thinking enough to get with Zinio and work in how it would be a nice fit. The first place I saw naked flesh in Zinio was in advertisements in Klixxx.

Once that door was opened and the Zinio stuffed shirts realized that hey, it is possible to have adult content and mainstream content without alienating everybody in mainstream, the doorjambs were greased for Playboy … and now the little bit more hardcore Penthouse. Some of those Penthouse letters are very steamy. This is definitely another step.

I’ll give it a year before we’ll see more explicit adult magazine offerings in Zinio and then the waters will truly be tested.

Morality gone wild!
I realize some people don’t like porn and will see this as a very negative sign for Zinio. Some people think it’s evil and immoral and a lot of other things, but I have a much more healthier outlook on life and adult content’s place in society. If consenting adults want to look at content like this, that’s fine with me, who am I to judge? Heck, I might just buy a Penthouse subscription to support this Zinio movement. Those who dislike Zinio working their way into harder adult content, no pun intended, should realize that society as a whole needs to stop being so paranoid about sex. The hypocrisy that exists with violence compared to sex is mind numbing. We can watch people get brutally murdered on regular TV, but show wardrobe malfunctions are a national crisis.

I don’t support orgies on the streets or anything too extreme like that, so please don’t put words in my mouth, nor do I support exposing sex to non-consenting adults. I do strongly support consenting adults right to view this type of material in the privacy of their own homes. Should some businessman be viewing Penthouse or some even more hardcore magazine on his laptop on an airplane? Only with the person(s) in viewing distance permission, I think. We need to recognize and respect the rights of others as adults in public, but that guy should have the ability to look at the magazine on his computer privately as much as he likes. I will speak up, out and against the government any time they seek to strip these freedoms through backdoor legislation.

These are deep waters that Zinio is venturing into in a day and age where the legality of adult content (obscenity statutes which vary from zip code to zip code and parish to parish literally) continues to be under fire. If you aren’t supporting Zinio with a magazine subscription, please consider doing so (any subscription, doesn’t have to be an adult mag, of course). Nice work, Zinio.

• Playboy via Zinio digital magazine in October
• Study shows men gaze at women’s faces first in sex pictures
• My first ever editorial: Klixxx Magazine November 2004
• Penthouse facing demise?
• Porn becoming more mainstream
• Swinger groups and strip club court decisions in Canada and Seattle