MAY 7 — Porn is what makes the world go round. Well, the media world anyway. If you observe, the success of any media depends on whether porn takes a liking to it or not.

Take digital video technology, for example. Before any independent filmmakers utilised the cheap technology to make their films, the porn industry did it first.

In fact, their industry thrived because of the technology. They needed a format that allowed them to shoot cheaply and efficiently, and they found that in digital video.

Independent filmmakers took their cue and decided that if they can’t shoot using expensive film cameras, they might as well go the way of the porn.

Then, take the Internet, for another. When the World Wide Web made its appearance, it wasn’t that popular. People still preferred television and going to the movies.

Of course, in strutted the pornographers. They used the accessibility of the Internet to distribute their work to a global audience. And up went the popularity of the Internet.

Porn sites are the ones that get the most audiences and also make the highest profits as they are the number one online industry. And they don’t seem to be reaching a plateau.

And only quite recently, other parties and organisations are starting to make use of the Internet. News organisations, politicians, etc, are all following their lead now.

In fact, porn is so influential that even individuals are starting to use it for their own gain, whether popularity-wise or financial. So, we now have the sex tape.

It all started with a rock-star drummer and a bikini actress who hates being called “Babe”. Yes! Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson. So smart!

When their video first leaked, the both of them freaked out. They sued to block the distribution. But after seeing the benefits, namely US$1.5 million (RM4.8 million), they settled.

Then, a slew of people followed suit. We are all familiar with how Paris Hilton looks with green tinge. Kim Kardashian’s kitty calls to Ray J gives us all goose bumps.

Heck, even cute little Mini-Me got into the act! And they all ended up in much better positions (pun intended!) after their apparent violation.

Our own little country is far from immune to all this. The porn fever has hit our shores, too, and in a big way.

It started with pictures of celebrities frolicking naked together (although it was “claimed” to be doctored).

Videos followed, although a milder version of the Tommy-and-Pam style video. But romping around naked around the living room does get enough people excited.

Even the ordinary folks wanted to get into it and we were flooded with all kinds of forwarded 3gp format videos from mobile phones.

These videos became very popular. Usual settings for these videos include oil palm estates, apartment stairwells, and nature parks.

But the big daddy of it all has to be when one of the leaders of this country had a sex tape of his own (albeit without his permission). He’s back stronger than ever!

Maybe documentary isn’t the thing to do. I should get into porn.

* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.