Playboy is a men's lifestyle magazine founded in Chicago, Illinois, United States, by Hugh Hefner and his associates, which featured photographs of nude women as well as journalism on politics, sports, humor, health, and popular culture. As time went on, Playboy started publishing articles that were different from their usual fare. They published an article called "Man's Search for Utopia" which talked about communes and hippies, and they also ran stories about communes like The Family in their magazine.
The article talks about how Playboy explored taboo and fringe cultures through non-judgmental coverage, but it also highlights some of the issues that come with this kind of coverage. For example, there was a lot of controversy surrounding the article "Sexual Freedom in America," which was written by Playboy editorial director Peter B. Flannery. This article discussed everything from polyamory to swingers clubs and even touched upon the concept of open marriages. There was criticism because some felt that the article promoted promiscuity and sexual freedom at any cost. However, Playboy argued that their goal was simply to educate people about these practices and let them decide what works best for them individually.
Another issue that came up during this time period was the article "A Look at the Sexual Revolution." In this piece, Playboy interviewed various people who participated in alternative sex practices such as polygamy, group sex, and swinging. Again, there was backlash because many people believed that Playboy was glorifying these behaviors without properly addressing their potential risks or consequences. But again, Playboy defended themselves by saying that they were just trying to provide information so readers could make informed decisions.
Ultimately, Playboy's decision to explore taboo and fringe cultures paid off for them because they were able to expand their readership base beyond just men interested in nude women. They became more mainstream and accessible while still maintaining their original brand identity. And while there will always be critics who disagree with what they choose to cover, it cannot be denied that Playboy played an important role in helping us understand these topics better.