Sexual priorities

Some interesting speculation on the apparent bimodal distribution of bisexuality. I do agree that cultural factors shape the curve and expression of sexuality, but I also think it likely it there are biological factors that tend to steep it toward a certain double-peak structure - just not as pronounced a one as we see due to our particular cultural hangup.

"Never make someone a priority to whom you are only an option."
One of those relationship tips that comes up often, (sadly too often among people I know). I think people love to think they can get around this one, though. I'm kind of fond of it as a guideline since it applies no matter how many people you think you should be involved with.

From a while ago, Gawker reports that researchers in Montreal trying to study the effects of pornography on male sexuality had to give up because they couldn't find a control group of males that hadn't consumed porn.

(Press Release)

"We started our research seeking men in their twenties who had never consumed pornography. We couldn't find any," says Simon Louis Lajeunesse, a postdoctoral student and professor at the School of Social Work.

Speaking of pornography: it seems only a small proportion of teens are 'sexting'.

Allies and apologies

Both from a while ago.

Tami writes some thought provoking stuff on what to do when allies fail.
Part 1:
Part 2:

Basically. Listen and have compassion - which pretty much applies to most relationships.

Mr Brorby demonstrates how to apologize.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking means correct thinking in the pursuit of relevant and reliable knowledge about the world.

It gets worse. (hat tip: risa)

In other "let's define things" news, there seems to be a kerfuffle over who is Pagan, who is a New Religious Movement, and who is Indigenous.

This strikes me as an academic discussion that spiraled out of control into personal identity issues.

James Chartrand reminds us that the secret to being a successful female writer is to appear more male.

Yesterday's Atheist meme of the day: "Believing in God is a safer bet" is a terrible reason to believe in God. If you believe because you fear being punished for not believing, it's like dating someone because they threaten to beat you up if you don't.

Some people are not happy with the new Facebook privacy rules.

More Gay

A follow-up (of sorts) by the "missing bisexuals" writer, as she discusses why we might have evolved a penchant for homosexuality.

Her theory involves spandrels - which sounds kinky but isn't. :)

King Joe Lieberman

Since the whole spectacle of Droopy Dog Joe Lieberman acting as the face of "why the US won't get meaningful health insurance reform" is so depressing, I present some various mean thoughts on the subject.

If Lieberman didn't exist, would Democrats have to invent him?

The only explanation for why he keeps getting let back in is that they actually /want/ him around to play "bad cop," so that they can say to progressives "we tried, but we just couldn't get that black sheep Joe on board."

King Joe pwns Rahm. (That's only if you don't believe the "Joe is the point man to play heel for Obama" theory.)

The Rude Pundit is not happy with Holy Joe.

We focus our rage on Lieberman out here in Left Blogsylvania not just because he is the kind of man who sucks his own cock in public and then grins, his semen-slicked teeth shining in the klieg lights, to the delight of Aetna and Wellpoint executives just before they shove his ass full of cash and tell him he can have it after he shits it back out. That would be enough. But it's that Lieberman actually takes pleasure in dicking over the Democratic caucus. Motherfucker said he supported the Medicare buy-in and then bailed? What kind of fuckery is that? That's just doing shit for the sake of doing shit. He's Shylock with less motivation. And that just makes us wanna go Berlusconi on his face. (Rhetorically, of course. Of course.)