I know I've done this a few times, so I'm gonna post this here, rather than in the originating thread, just in order to not be a thread-jacker; bad enough I'm making myself the heavy again.

Over in the "Pretty" thread, some leaked cellphone photos of celebrities were put up. This... disturbs me on an ethical level. This isn't about ogling beautiful girls, or objectification, or (dear gods I hate this bullshit phrase with a passion) "political correctness"; it's about basic principles of decency to other human beings.

Yes, these women make their living as celebrities. However, they are paid for that work, and they sign contracts and otherwise make agreements that set what they're getting paid for. On a purely mercenary level, this is theft. If it was someone you actually valued as a person, you'd be rightfully pissed off.

Now, there's all sorts of conspiracy theorists out there suggesting that these are not authentic leaks arising from a criminal invasion of privacy, but rather a publicity stunt. This MIGHT be the case, but then it just puts the people who are looking at the photo in the "patsy" category--not really a better place to be.

I removed these to help Freemage feel more ethical about which celebrity photos we ogle. While that is a joking explanation, he makes a pretty convincing point.

Can't do anything about the ones that were quoted...

I'm torn in that I HATE 'hackers' (who should really be called crackers, since hackers build things and crackers break in). I work in IT and know how much effort goes into building and maintaining a system that people depend on, every hour of every day, for their job and livelihood. Having some jackass troll find a way in, just to cause damage or harm a user is deplorable. Therefore, these "phone hackers" (if that's what they are) are bad people doing bad things.

On the other hand, I looked at the photo's and I looked the last time this happened, too. I was curious and the girls are cute and there is something nigh irresistible about getting a glimpse at someone famous when they have their guard down and are not wearing the PR Agent approved public face. So, shame on me, but I looked.

Honestly... If there were a keyhole and Christina Hendricks were undressing on the other side, I'd look. (And be in the wrong.) (Unless she'd put up a sign that said 'Peep Show.) (But I'd still look.)

For the record, I'm not trying to claim moral high-ground here--I did pause over the pics for a bit. And obviously, I have no issue with images of attractive people in general. It was more of a delayed guilt thing, and honestly, I think I'd have pretty much the same reaction to that hypothetical keyhole, DrMikey.

So I don't have a cut-and-dried answer. I felt uneasy, and figured I'd throw it out there, and thought this was a better way to do it than another wrench-toss into the Pretty Thread. I really have been responsible for enough of those, lately.

I'm in the same boat. I can't help but look, but I know I really shouldn't.

Freemage,

I didn't feel as if you were condemning me, but after reading your post, I felt a bit like indicting myself. And after removing what pics I could, I also decided to be brutally honest about it.

If Ms. Hendricks were my wife (or sister, or daughter, or personal friend) I'd feel much better about her being ogled in ways she signed up for, as opposed to being ogled via personal pics she didn't want released.

Mea culpa.

It also brings up the obvious question: Why are so many celebrities dumb enough to take naked pictures of themselves if they don't ever want anyone else to see them?

Celebrities are people.

People make mistakes (or even just decisions that not everyone agrees with or understands.)

Lots of people take naughty pics of themselves. (Don't worry. You won't find any of ME on the interwebs.)

Celebs have that right as well (though they suffer a disproportionately higher risk of them being stolen, leaked, etc... and then published.)

Well, there go my hopes and dreams. I'm sure Chris has a few we could find...