What I Have Learned From Academic Research

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As I might have mentioned, the topic of my research paper is how the proliferation of the internet has impacted people's sexuality and sexual behavior. In order to come up with research articles, I spent a lot of time searching various sex-related journals for use of the word "internet". (This was the best method I found; all attempts to narrow or focus my search ended with no results.) Since my search methods were less than precise, I've spent a lot of time browsing through unrelated journal articles. Combined with the research for my paper, I've learned a few things, namely:

• A LOT of scientists have studied the practice of condom-less sex among gay men. Seriously, during my research I thought about creating my own Research Paper Drinking Game where I would down a shot every time I came across the word "barebacking".
  
• "Autassassinophilia is a paraphilia (i.e. "fetish") in which a person is sexually aroused by the risk of being killed." I have no idea how to pronounce that.
  
• Social scientists REALLY enjoy coming up with cutesy article titles. Some of my favorite examples: “Signed, Sealed, Delivered ... I’m Yours”: Calibrating Body Ownership through the Consensual Mastery/slavery Dynamic; the elegantly simple Hey stud: Race, sex, and sports; and the enigmatic Silver 'porn bullet' for information technology industry?
  
• Studies regarding the use of pornography and other sexually explicit materials are still disturbingly biased toward male use.
  
• Apparently sex, and especially porn, is bad, yo. Not all of the research agrees, but man: it is difficult to find good, comprehensive research that focuses on normal, healthy, positive sexuality.
  

Comments

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

Have you ever read Allan Brandt's No Magic Bullet?

No, I haven't, but: a history of venereal disease? Sounds right up my alley. ;)

I enjoyed Bonk, though there were definitely parts of it that have put me off sex forever.

As for the funny bits and her personal commentary, I feel like it's her trademark. Have you read any of her other books? In both Stiff and Spook I thought she did a good job of throwing in the odd wry observation; I find her dry humor very entertaining. However, in Bonk, she does seem to be reaching a little for the jokes; it does come across like she's trying too hard.

[alias-amy.livejournal.com]

I love Mary Roach -- in all seriousness, I would be her if I had the talent to write popularized science. I think writing about sex is a particular challenge though, since you're not quite as confident that the reader thinks the same way you do about it.

there were definitely parts of it that have put me off sex forever.</> hee! Honestly, I feel that way about some romance novels.

"Autassassinophilia" -- it's not supercalifragilisticexpialodocious, but it's close.