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The End of an Era

I don't have strong feelings one way or another, but the decision by Craigslist.com to stop carrying "erotic" ads (read "prostitution") is a sorta defining moment in the internet.

Have we (the internet) grown up? (Prostitution is illegal in the U.S.; why allow ads??)

Have we stifled free speech? (Why not go after Yellow Pages or alternative papers for the same ads???. Why is it bad/worse when it's on the internet?) Update: 2009-05-23: Yeah, Craigslist has already fired back: An Apology Is In Order

I dunno, but it's interesting. To me, it's Craigslist saying that it's not worth the hassle. They have States Attorneys all over them (legit or not).

Will this action slow prostitution? No.

Will this action slow prostitution ads on the web? No.

Will this action slow prostitution ads on the Craigslist? Nah - just shift them to other areas with code words.

Will this action make it harder for those who want to crack down on prostitution to find prostitutes advertising their services? Yes.

Our tax dollars at work...or, working the street...

And - sadly - we remove (or drive underground so it's not easily accessible) this part of the zeitgeist. This is a part of sociology that is "poof - gone!"

And we seem to forget the Safe Harbor section (hosts not responsible for stuff folks upload, essentially) of the DMCA (or CDA - I fergit. Section 230??)

Thoughts?