i did not realize that obscenity standards were actually still considerably stricter than they were in the 70s, which actually really explains a lot to me about how culture has changed these days (i personally think the 'kids today are just too uptight!" is pretty facile as an actual explanation for what is actually a pretty complex phenomenon)

like, the context in which i always saw the free speech movement always felt like it was in ascendancy to me; most previously banned works seemed like they were not only available but seemed quaint in their depictions, and there were organizations dedicated to protecting that right, and all their high-profile cases seemed to be about protecting nazis so surely obscenity was pretty much done right?

i guess i just assumed as a teen that market forces-- aka the internet--were what actually caused the shutdown of porn theaters and stores and never really thought to reconsider that it might have started in part due to a federal effort to tamp down on what had been an honestly pretty wild period in the 60s and 70s. something to consider as it feels like culture is starting another swing back in that direction!