Sex at Dawn

Exploring the evolutionary origins of modern sexuality.

Christopher Ryan, Ph.D. is co-author of Sex at Dawn: The Prehistoric Origins of Modern Sexuality (HarperCollins 2010). See full bio

Sex at Dawn

December 19, 2009

The Power and Peril of the Ridiculous

"Americans have no sense of the ridiculous," Dr. Moreno said. Then he smiled his Groucho smile and lit up another smoke. Who was I to argue? Read More

December 17, 2009

Sexual Terrorism and Tiger

Men are fascinated by sex with novel women. Is this still news? Does anyone still dispute this? Many, if not most men in positions of plentiful sexual opportunity will take advantage of that opportunity -- at least occasionally. Many women will find this offensive, but what's really offensive is our collective inability (or unwillingness) to face reality. Read More

December 14, 2009

Obama's Confusion About the Origins of War

A clear understanding of prehistory is critical to an effective response to current and future challenges. Unfortunately, President Obama is misinformed about the origins of war and thus misunderstands its relation to human nature. Read More

November 22, 2009

Palin Comparison: How Neo-Cons Misrepresent Representative Government

Representative government means that one's interests should be represented in Washington, not one's lifestyle, educational level, or drinking partner preference. Read More

November 16, 2009

Learning to Masturbate in Spain

Extramadura, which is kind of like the Kansas of Spain, has instituted a sex education program for kids between 14 and 17 that is—brace yourself—not freaked out about masturbation. Read More

November 11, 2009

David Brooks Trips Over His Own Feet

Writing isn't normally considered a high-risk activity, but when your job requires you to come up with 800 words of wisdom and originality to be read by millions week after week, things can go horribly wrong. Read More

November 9, 2009

The Courage to Quit: U.S. out of Afghanistan

For all his brilliance, President Obama appears to have painted himself into a bloody corner of Afghanistan by following the very American anti-quitting script. Read More

November 7, 2009

America Eats its Young: Playing Hurt at Fort Hood

America's self-image is founded on denial.

We see ourselves as a freedom-loving nation, but no country on Earth has more of its people in cages than we do.

Americans see themselves as defending peace in the world, but no country is more war-like. Read More

October 16, 2009

Fascinating Figures: Andrew Weil

Andrew Weil dreamt of blowing peoples' minds. He wanted to slip past their defenses by impressing them with his impeccable credentials. Then, once accepted as a trusted authority and admired colleague, he'd quietly plant the cognitive bombs. Read More

October 13, 2009

Did Monogamy Begin 4.4 Million Years Ago?

Prominent anthropologist Owen Lovejoy published a paper called, "Reexamining human origins in light ofArdipithecus Ramidus" last week in which he argues that 4.4 million year-old bits of bone found in Africa demonstrate that our ancestors were joined in pair-bonded couples even then. But to make this all-too-familiar argument, Lovejoy misleads, misunderstands, and misstates his own findings to the point where, if this were a graduate-school paper, his professor would surely demand a re-write.

Sex Basics

Sex is the most profound and intimate way to express your love for someone. Different people enjoy and pursue sex in different forms—as the pioneering sex researcher Alfred Kinsey put it, the only universal in human sexuality is variability itself. But within the universe of intimacy and pleasure that sex affords is a lot of room for error.

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