Message-ID: <+cmu.andrew.graffiti.bboard-censorship+kk7Mrrm00UfCI10a0T@andrew.cmu.edu> From: Matthew.White@cs.cmu.edu Subject: Contributors to the Rimm Study This document is a compilation of comments made by the individuals listed as contributers in the paper, "Marketing Pornography on the Information Superhighway" by Martin Rimm. The purpose of this compilation is to provide a forum for these individuals to express their insights into this paper. The text presented here is uncut save as requested by the authors and reflects the latest comments I have received from them. I will continue to accept comments from contributers (even those who have already submitted responses) indefinitely. This document will be updated to include additional responses as required. ***DISCLAIMER*** The opinions and viewpoints expressed herein are solely those of the individuals. They do not represent the opinions, viewpoints or policies of their employers, host institutions or other external supporting agencies. They also do not represent the opinions or policies of Carnegie Mellon University, its board of trustees or any of its affiliates. In order to solicit comments, I sent out the following email to those listed as having contributed to the report. Throughout all correspondence, I was very clear that all responses will be made public, except as requested by those responding. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 14 Jul 1995 15:41:18 -0400 (EDT) From: Matthew White To: Subject: Rimm Study You are receiving this mail because you have been identified by Martin Rimm as assisting/contributing to his recent paper, "Marketing Pornography on the Information Superhighway: A Survey of 917,410 Images, Descriptions Short Stories, and Animations Downloaded 8.5 Million Times by Consumers in Over 2000 Cities in Forty Countries, Provinces, and Territories", published in the Georgetown Law Journal. In the light of the controversy now surrounding this study, it has become apparent that many people listed as contributing to the study now wish to dissociate themselves from it. Others no doubt wish to reaffirm their commitment to this work. I would like each of you to send me a quick note indicating your feelings about the study. Express yourself, but do try to be succinct. Your responses will be compiled and made publicly available in their uncut form. Let me urge *each* of you to respond. The compiled document will include a disclaimer that these are your personal views and not those of the organizations you may represent. Thank you for your time, Matt White ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To date, I have received the following responses: Principal Faculty Advisor: Dr. Marvin Sirbu Department of Engineering and Public Policy Carnegie Mellon University Date: Fri, 14 Jul 1995 21:50:52 -0400 (EDT) From: Marvin Sirbu To: Matthew.White@cs.cmu.edu Subject: Re: Rimm Study Excerpts from official.cmu-news: 14-Jul-95 UNIVERSITY STATEMENT ON RIM.. by Bruce Gerson > The following is the university's statement about the study, "Marketing > Pornography on the Information Superhighway," by Marty Rimm. > > Carnegie Mellon University is responsible for the integrity of research > conducted at the university. As a community of scholars, in which truth > and integrity are fundamental, the university generally examines > carefully issues raised concerning the propriety of research conducted > by members of the university community, taking due care to protect the > rights of those members. > > Provost Paul Christiano already has informally sought and received > advice from some faculty members about the study conducted by > undergraduate student Marty Rimm and published by the Georgetown Law > Journal. He will soon form a committee of distinguished and > knowledgeable faculty to examine in more detail the issues that have > been raised about the study. The committee will recommend the > appropriate next steps, if any, that should be taken relative to this > study and, if necessary, relative to policies on undergraduate research. Faculty Advisor: Dr. David Banks Department of Statistics Carnegie Mellon University Date: Fri, 14 Jul 1995 22:47:54 -0400 From: David Banks To: Matthew.White@TALON.BOLTZ.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Rimm Study Martin, Marvin, and I disagreed over several issues in the management of the study, and they terminated my involvement in November. I had no participation in the study after that, and did not see the article until a week ago. Regarding the merits of the study, I think the tone of the paper is regrettable, and I don't like the way it was hyped to the media. Insufficient attention was paid to ethical concerns, in several different ways. On the positive side, I think the substance of the study is more sturdy than critics currently credit, and I think the strategy for studying the phenomenon of pornography overcomes many deficiencies that have rendered previous research nearly useless. David Banks Faculty Advisor: Dr. Timothy McGuire Dean, Charles H. Lundquist School of Business University of Oregon No response. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nancy Melone Associate Professor of Management Charles H. Lundquist School of Business University of Oregon No response. Faculty Advisor: Carolyn Speranza Artist/Lecturer, Department of Art Carnegie Mellon University No response. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Edward Zuckerman Department of Psychology Carnegie Mellon University No response. Senior Programmer: Hal Wine Carnegie Mellon University No response. Programmer: Adam Epstein Masters student, Information Networking Institute Carnegie Mellon University No comment. Programmer: Ted Irani Junior, Math/Computer Science Carnegie Mellon University Mail bounced. No other addresses known. Research Assistant: Patrick Abouyon Dept of Statistics Carnegie Mellon University No response. Research Assistant: Paul Bordallo Carnegie Mellon University No response. Research Assistant: G. Alexander Flett Sophomore, Math/Computer Science Carnegie Mellon University No response. Research Assistant: Christopher Reeve Sophomore, Electrical and Computer Engineering Carnegie Mellon University Date: Fri, 14 Jul 1995 17:17:18 -0400 (EDT) From: Christopher B Reeve To: Matthew.White@cs.cmu.edu Subject: Re: Rimm Study I've backed Martin up until now because I have not been convinced that he possessed any malicious attempt to slander Usenet. His motivation, it seemed to me, was merely to study pornography and make a name for himself in doing so. Not having access to the study or peer review of the study the entire time, I was unable to fairly judge Martin's intentions or even the study at hand. In light of the reviews circulating Usenet, I do believe that Martin's study contains serious flaws. However, it wasn't until I heard of the recent findings concerning his past ties with the bulletin boards he studied that I decided his study has critical flaws, rendering it near useless. I am still unsure of Marty's precise intentions. What disturbs me above all is the reputation that Carnegie Mellon's undergraduate research program is being served. I think Martin has done irreparable damage in this respect. -and- Date: Fri, 14 Jul 1995 21:04:09 -0400 (EDT) From: Christopher B Reeve To: Matthew.White@cs.cmu.edu Subject: Re: Rimm Study [excerpts of my thanking Christopher for his prompt response deleted] It was difficult to write, seeing that Rimm, until now, didn't know my feelings on everything. You might want to note that my involvement in the study was very minimal - not for my sake, but to make it clear that I am not really a part of the Rimm camp rebelling (it's not like that at all). Research Assistant: Melissa Rosenstock Carnegie Mellon University Administrative Assistant: Timothy J. Burritt Office of the Dean, Carnegie Institute of Technology Carnegie Mellon University Administrative Support: Dr. Chris Hendrickson Associate Dean, Carnegie Institute of Technology Carnegie Mellon University Administrative Support: Robert P. Kail Associate Dean, Carnegie Institute of Technology Carnegie Mellon University Administrative Support: Barbara Lazarus, Ph.D. Associate Provost for Academic Projects Carnegie Mellon University Administrative Support: Jessie Ramey Small Undergraduate Research Grant Program Carnegie Mellon University Contributer: Lisa Sigel Doctoral student, History Carnegie Mellon University Contributer: C. J. Taylor Robotics Institute Carnegie Mellon University To: Matthew.White@cs.cmu.edu Subject: Contribution to Marty's paper Date: Fri, 14 Jul 95 17:21:51 -0400 From: C_J_Taylor@IUS4.IUS.CS.CMU.EDU I haven't seen the final version of the paper, so I can't say I agree or disagree with everything in it. My main "contribution" to the study was a couple brainstorming sessions with Marty as well as the occasional email feedback I'd send his way following each posting to the group. I'm not saying this to disassociate myself from the study, but rather avoid stealing credit for other people's work. From what was revealed in the Time article, the study appears sound. While the Time article might have blurred the distinction between Marty's data source (predominantly Porn BBS) and the open internet, the draft I saw of Marty's study appeared to make the source of the data clear. I wrote something in response to the flame in WIRED which I sent directly to Marty. If he forwards that back to me, I'll edit it for the official release. Contributer: Erikas Napjus Network Development Carnegie Mellon University Date: Sat, 15 Jul 1995 12:59:55 -0400 (EDT) From: Erikas Aras Napjus To: Matthew.White@cs.cmu.edu Subject: Re: Rimm Study My involvement in the study was simple: After the study was conducted, I publically posted some ideas on how people might regulate pornography on the Internet and how those methods generally won't work. Martin Rimm asked if he could use my material in a footnote in the study, so I gave him permission. I also edited two other footnotes for technical accuracy, but hadn't seen any other portions of the study until last week when I requested a copy from Public Relations. I was not involved in obtaining any data for the study, reviewing or editing any part of the study outside of the three footnotes, or supporting any information contained in the study. Contributer: John Gardiner Myers Systems Programmer, Systems Group 82 Carnegie Mellon University Date: Mon, 17 Jul 1995 02:57:53 -0400 (EDT) From: John Gardiner Myers To: Matthew.White@cs.cmu.edu Subject: Re: Rimm Study The extent of my involvement with the study was to provide, at the request of Dr. Sirbu, Rimm with access to aggregate Usenet readership data I had collected over the last six years and to answer questions Rimm had about the data. I was not asked, nor did I request to review any part of the report. I have no comment on any part of the report not dealing with Usenet readership. "Special thanks for review of the legal notes": Ron Rohrer Wilkoff University Professor Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Carnegie Mellon University No response. Daniel Weitzner Deputy Director Center for Democracy and Technology No response.