Equally predictable, perhaps, were exhibitionist young women, who have been marinated in a celebrity culture and seasoned with raunch. When asked why they do Joe's bidding, many say they want to be famous. They want to be noticed. They want to be ``known.'' But known for what?

Doesn't matter. Paris Hilton has perfected the genre of being famous for being famous. You don't have to actually do anything; you just have to ``be.'' Celebrity isn't awarded for accomplishment; it is sought as an end in itself.

Meanwhile, the message to girls the past 20 years or so has been that they can be and do anything they please. Being a stripper or a porn star is just another option among many. In some feminist circles, porn is seen as the ultimate feminist expression -- women exercising autonomy over their bodies, profiting from men's desire, rather than merely being objectified by it.

Self-exploitation has become the raised middle finger of women's sexual freedom.

Girls going wild, nevertheless, has created a feminist conundrum. It's difficult to make the case that women are gaining ground by exercising sexual autonomy when they're essentially being ridiculed by men.

Question: If men are profiting from women demeaning themselves, are the women still in charge?

This is not the first generation to awaken with a hangover and a ``Say it ain't so.'' But it is the first to awaken with video footage of the night before -- and for all time. For this and future generations, there's no such thing as a memory hole for youthful transgression.

Future congresswomen (and men) beware.

It is worth remembering, meantime, that no matter how sophisticated our technology, human nature remains essentially unchanged. Girls may go wild of their own accord, but boys will still think of them as fools.