One reason why humans are special and unique: We masturbate. A lot
scientificamerican.com
One reason why humans are special and unique: We masturbate. A lot
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Re: One reason why humans are special and unique: We masturbate. A lot
#2This is interesting; but I can't help feeling that limiting comparison mostly to primates has potential to mislead his conclusion.
I started from Wikipedia [1] and worked outward with the reference material and the implication is that masturbation to completion is actually quite common.
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_sexual_behaviour#Autoero...
Re: One reason why humans are special and unique: We masturbate. A lot
#3Note that the author doesn't claim that humans are the only species who masturbates, but rather that humans masturbate the most often. The author goes on to speculate that this is because humans have the ability to fantasize, though I think the claims that humans masturbate more than any other animal and that chimps are unable to fantasize dubious.
If you found this article interesting (or amusing, as it very well may be), you may want to check out the Wikipedia page on the Bonobo ape, one of the few species that have been observed to participate in oral sex. Primatologist Frans de Waal described the Bonobo as "the erotic champions of the world."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonobo]
Another fun fact: homosexual behavior has been well documented in both the Bonobo and koalas, an interesting counterpoint to fundamentalists claims that homosexuality isn't natural. :) [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/strewth-...]
Further reading: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_sexual_behaviour]
And a graphic video of a monkey masturbating with a frog (because, after all, this is the internet): [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwegzhXAqaQ]
Re: One reason why humans are special and unique: We masturbate. A lot
#4> Males report having sexual fantasies earlier in development (average age of onset 11.5 years)
I find that figure to be surprisingly high. My first dream that was definitely sexual was when I was 7 going on 8, in the second grade.
> today’s Internet pornography scene, where zero is left to the imagination.
I disagree. The primary psychological goal of porno seems to be for the viewer to imagine one of the actors as themselves, and/or the other actor(s) as those the viewer knows or sees. The amount of clothing, the level of visual detail, and the nature of the sexual acts performed are merely to cater to the viewer's tastes.
Re: One reason why humans are special and unique: We masturbate. A lot
#5> Males report having sexual fantasies earlier in development (average age of onset 11.5 years) I find that figure to be surprisingly high. My first dream that was definitely sexual was when I was 7 going on 8, in the second grade. > today’s Internet pornography scene, where zero is left to the imagination. I disagree. The primary psychological goal of porno seems to be for the viewer to imagine one of the actors as…
A bit off-topic, but do you have clear recolection of other dreams at that age (or younger) or does this one just stand out because of its nature? I have a terrible long term memory and I can hardly recall everyday things from that long ago, much less one specific dream.
Re: One reason why humans are special and unique: We masturbate. A lot
#6Note that the author doesn't claim that humans are the only species who masturbates, but rather that humans masturbate the most often. The author goes on to speculate that this is because humans have the ability to fantasize, though I think the claims that humans masturbate more than any other animal and that chimps are unable to fantasize dubious. If you found this article interesting (or amusing, as it very well ma…
> "I think the claims that humans masturbate more than any other animal and that chimps are unable to fantasize dubious"
In addition to skepticism due other masturbating animals, there's the question of human child masturbation. Anyone who's had children can vouch that they're rubbing the parts that feel good well before they're expressing complex ideas, let alone thinking sexually.
And, FWIW, I believe homosexuality has been well documented in every sexual species that's been well documented.
Re: One reason why humans are special and unique: We masturbate. A lot
#7> Is the next generation going to be so intellectually lazy in their sexual fantasies [because of Internet porn] that their creativity in other domains is also affected?
Wow. I know each generation ends up spreading FUD about the habits of the younger ones, but I never expected to be criticized for not masturbating creatively enough. Puritanism sure ain't what it used to be.
Re: One reason why humans are special and unique: We masturbate. A lot
#8> Males report having sexual fantasies earlier in development (average age of onset 11.5 years) I find that figure to be surprisingly high. My first dream that was definitely sexual was when I was 7 going on 8, in the second grade. > today’s Internet pornography scene, where zero is left to the imagination. I disagree. The primary psychological goal of porno seems to be for the viewer to imagine one of the actors as…
A bit off-topic, but do you have clear recolection of other dreams at that age (or younger) or does this one just stand out because of its nature? I have a terrible long term memory and I can hardly recall everyday things from that long ago, much less one specific dream.
I recall all of my more eventful dreams from that age (and younger, but only back to 5 or 6), and that particular dream was definitely a welcomed shock to my young mind at the time.
Re: One reason why humans are special and unique: We masturbate. A lot
#9Funny title, interesting article. Is this really HN material though?
Re: One reason why humans are special and unique: We masturbate. A lot
#10Note that the author doesn't claim that humans are the only species who masturbates, but rather that humans masturbate the most often. The author goes on to speculate that this is because humans have the ability to fantasize, though I think the claims that humans masturbate more than any other animal and that chimps are unable to fantasize dubious. If you found this article interesting (or amusing, as it very well ma…
> Another fun fact: homosexual behavior has been well documented in both the Bonobo and koalas, an interesting counterpoint to fundamentalists claims that homosexuality isn't natural. :)
You didn't mention some things from your link like, The furry, eucalyptus-eating creatures appear to develop this tendency for same-sex liaisons when they are in captivity. In the wild, they remain heterosexual.
What's natural about captivity?