Sex is Rhythm

Susan Sontag journal entry 8-23-61



I like this idea of sex as rhythm resulting in a kind of hypnosis. But Sontag reveals perhaps an early dislike of penetrative sex when she describes sexual rhythm as inherently monotonous. Why not refer to sex as maintaining a rhythm steadily or contstantly or consistently or tirelessly? Lord knows there are plenty of bands and songs that maintain a rhythm monotonously, but the Lord knows even better that a steady, tireless rhyhtm need not be monotonous, as evidenced by James Brown's 19 minute complete take of "Escape-ism." 

But there's a reason James Brown edited almost all of his hits down to between 3 minutes ("I Got Ants in My Pants") and 7 minutes (e.g., "Cold Sweat"). A recent report, "Canadian and American Sex Therapists' Perceptions of Normal and Abnormal Ejaculatory Latencies: How Long Should Intercourse Last?" indicated that the "adequate" duration of sex is 3 to 7 minutes. To be clear, this is 3-7 minutes of actual penetration, and does not include foreplay, bra-strap unfastening, or frantic searching for a condom. 

The "desirable" duration of sex, according to the study, is 7-13 minutes. This happens to be the length of most Barry White songs.

But how long is necessary for hypnosis to kick in?

This will require further research. Stay tuned.




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