There is currently a discussion at the en:WP content noticeboard whether we could or
should
1. Use collapsed galleries for particularly graphic sexual images (requiring the reader to
click "Show" to see the content)
2. Display them openly, as has been normal practice so far
3. Dispense with images and just add a link to a relevant Commons category.
I've come across examples of collapsed images in other language versions of Wikipedia
recently, and it seems to me that is an option we could pursue in en:WP as well, in cases
where the content is particularly graphic. If you have views on this, please contribute to
the discussion.[1]
On a related point, I've seen people argue recently that we shouldn't be applying
a double standard of explicitness to sexually explicit images and images of explicit
violence, such as those displayed in the en:WP article on the My Lai massacre.[2]
The gist of the argument is that it reflects badly on us if we are fine with images of
explicit violence but somehow cannot stand the sight of explicit images of sexuality,
which is after all a normal and essential part of human existence.
I see some merit in that argument, as far as it goes, but it seems to me it misses a key
difference in the social functions of images of sexuality vs. those of images of
violence.
Images of violence like the ones in the My Lai article document human suffering. Such
images have historically been shown to be key factors in mobilising public opinion and
political action to reduce or end such suffering. There is a genuine, vital public
interest at stake.
Sexually explicit images on the other hand, like those included in our en:WP articles on
cock and ball torture[3] or hogtie bondage[4], illustrate practices that individuals
engage in of their own free will, in their private leisure time.
So while both types of images are explicit (and I wouldn't completely rule out
collapsing a particularly gruesome war image), I think the two cases, and the purposes
explicitness serves in each case, have far more to set them apart than they have in
common.
Andreas
[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Content_noticeboard#Cock_and_ball_to…
[2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Lai_Massacre
[3]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cock_and_ball_torture_(sexual_practice)
[4]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogtie_bondage