Ian,

With respect, i must say i can't concur with your analysis.

Your concern for divorce rate, porno, correctness and then finally their cumulative impact on things as precious as relations between individuals and their societies, are not things to wave off as inconsequential but they are constituent parts of a whole which has offsetting characteristics.

The honesty of divorce vs. the concept of cuckolding, or retaining a mistress which has been the historical alternative is an example that requires consideration.

Any form of disingenuous speech has always had it's hypocritical impact but hipocracy has a long history across political, religious, and general social speech. The social requirement for respectful speech is not degraded by fools who promote cultural "babytalk" (like not allowing the term Master/Slave to describe sub-system administration/priority and flow - you know who you are City of LA - ha ha ha).

The enfranchisement of social groups who in earlier times where repressed has been a very positive social movement enhancing not degrading the resilience our society.

There are so many example of social progress that result in cultural strength when viewed with historical perspective. I would not exchange my society for that of any earlier era here in the US.

But yes, we have many, many problems to solve and my optimisism is based specifically upon the relations i have with folks who opinion i don't share but easily respect. The clear community effort that i have seen in so many circumstances which would have argued for the opposite.

regards,
p