As regular MSP readers will know, I love learning about the fascinating (and sometimes hilarious) sex lives of Australian fauna. Multi-vaginated kangaroos and chlamydia-ridden koalas have a new companion in MSP’s catalog of interesting antipodean animals: the Australian dumpling squid. Dumpling squid rarely miss an opportunity to copulate, but their libidos and marathon mating sessions can compromise their safety. Zoologists at the University of Melbourne collected a sample of dumpling squid and observed their pre- and post-sex swimming endurance in a lab. Since these squid regularly mate for up to three hours, their ensuing post-coital fatigue can leave them vulnerable to predators. Continue Reading →
Sex
Recent posts
Let’s Talk About Sex (Seriously)
SEX RESEARCH. The term itself is pretty self-explanatory. It’s literally the scientific study of sexual interests, behaviors, and functions. As for it’s purpose? That too should be obvious: We study sex in order to understand why we are the way we are. Continue Reading →
Disproving Myths About The Differences Between Men And Women
Have a minute? Good, go read this. The author, an anthropologist, tells us that while gender is an important factor in people’s lives, it’s not as hardwired or innate as we tend to think it is: “It is the strength of the societal myths about sex that fool us into thinking that men and women are so different by nature.” (I practically whooped out loud when I read this, because it is SO TRUE)
Male and female brains aren’t as different as we’re led to believe; differences in sexual desire and hormones aren’t that extreme either. If we can’t fall back on static old beliefs, how then do people justify treating men and women so differently? Continue Reading →
Liking Sex Doesn’t Make You a Slut
That’s right ladies, you read me correctly: You can still be crazy about sex and have a good reputation. I know this may seem like a huge shocker—but after reading Chris Jones’ latest piece in Esquire (titled, Ladies: You’re Not as Good as You Think), I feel so much more enlightened on how to be good in bed—I feel as if I could teach a college course on it. So to share my newfound knowledge on what makes women the ultimate hook-up , let me give you the breakdown on the top five lessons I learned from CJ. Continue Reading →
Dancing Is All About Choices – And So Is Sex
I recently had a revelation about sex that occurred to me in an unexpected context: at a belly dance workshop. Since relocating to Estonia, I’ve found belly dancers to hang out with and practice with, which has been really wonderful. It may be a small country, but belly dance is really popular here! Ironically, I found myself at a belly dance festival taking a workshop with an American dancer who I’d always admired but never had a chance to study with in America, so, go figure, I got to take classes with her here in Estonia. Mira Betz is a really amazing dancer–and, better yet–a really insightful teacher. Continue Reading →
Troubles Between The Sheets
According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, a recent study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh’s Sleep Medicine Institute has found that women can be grumpy and upset with their partners if they don’t get a good night’s sleep. At first when I saw the tweet “pitching” this article, I thought it was a joke (simply because this seems like a bit of a no-brainer); yet I kid you not – an actual study was performed for this information. The study involved 32 couples being monitored for 10 nights, having their sleeping patterns analyzed. The following the day, the reseachers surveyed the couples to see how they were getting along, then produced their results and findings from there. Hm. Continue Reading →
The Beauty Of Sexual Favors
Ever since graduation (which yes, FINALLY – as of May 7th – I am no longer an undergrad!) I’ve had a lot of time to catch up on one of my favorite guilty pleasures - stocking up and sifting through magazines. So as I am reading through the May 2011 edition of GQ I stumble upon an article that is encouraging couples whose sex lives may be lacking in lust to consider trading sexual favors for random tasks that need to be eliminated off the ‘to-do list’ (think…offering him oral sex if he’ll do the dishes – hence the selected image below). Although this idea of keeping the relationship interesting through sex play such as this is not new by any means – I think openness and creativity are important elements to work into the mix. Not all couples are going to have mind-blowing sex all of the time, and eventually things can become routine – so it’s important to be willing to work with your partner if they’re wanting to try new things. Not only can this concept of using sexual favors be physically satisfying, it can allow you (and your partner) to explore desires and aspects of your sexuality that normally you may be too bashful to suggest. Continue Reading →
S/M Making A Come Back
I’m sure many of you may have already heard Rihanna’s latest song “S&M” – but in case you haven’t (or in case you haven’t been able to check out the video) I thought I’d share the link to her latest piece. I heard the song a while back and now that the music video has come out, I can say - it is definitely not what I would have expected (but in a good way). I’ve always been a fan of Rihanna’s music as well as a fan of sadomasochism (or really any form of sexual expression); yet I think it’s so interesting how a pop star can make something trendy (especially when you consider how taboo S&M is to many people). The other night my roommates and I were sitting in our living room and one of them brought up the topic of Rihanna’s video – she just couldn’t believe how “out there” the video was. We then came to find out that this said roommate didn’t know what S&M stood for (so obviously it’s understandable why the video wouldn’t make much sense to her). Continue Reading →
Sex Discrimination In The Newsroom
I’ve been recently working on a piece for a war and terrorism class pertaining to women reporters and overseas affairs, and I thought MSP would be a good outlet to share some of the info and get your reaction. As the news has well informed us, back on February 11th, CBS news correspondent Lara Logan was attacked at Tahrir Square in Egypt by an outraged mob of Egyptians. We later learned that Logan was sexually assaulted and beaten in the midst of the attack, being rescued soon after by a group of women as well as (an estimated) 20 Egyptian soldiers. Once word broke of the attack, stories were popping up left and right about her assault, yet not all were informative. Many blogs* were posting stories* spewing the typical (negative) rape responses, such as “she was asking for it,” or “she should have known better and not put herself in that position.” Continue Reading →
Blog Humor
Within the past week or so, my Twitter feed has been overloaded with tweets pertaining to the crisis in Japan (which is clearly upsetting), tweets from friends who are partying because they are on spring break (which are clearly nonsensical/not legible), or tweets concerning Charlie Sheen – obviously then followed by his famous #winning/#losing trend he has initiated (which is clearly annoying). But today in the midst of all the chaos on my twitter feed, a friend tweeted an image preceeded by the text “blogger sex…” So in case you’re having similar issues, or just need a good laugh, I thought I would share the image. And how appropriate, as I am indeed sharing this on a blog! Learn about MSP posts as they happen by following us on Twitter@mysexprofessor or make friends with us on Facebook. Continue Reading →