Sex Writing is Controversial, Especially When It Helps You Win and Then Lose a Coveted Professorship at Oxford

On May 16, a notable British poet Ruth Padel became the first woman in 301 years to win a poet professorship at Oxford University. One of her most popular works “describes a lover putting honey glaze on a Sainsbury’s free-range duck. The poet then runs a fingernail down the lover’s spine ‘Ending in a fuck’ along the kitchen table.”

Hooray for sex writing!

But controversy arose when it was rumored that this poem was about a sexcapade she had with journalist John Walsh who conveniently helped push out Padel’s main opponent Derek Walcott by revealing sexual harassment charges in Walcott’s past.

Ten days after winning the professorship and after vehemently denying any involvement in her opponent’s demise, Padel resigned her position and admitted that she had played a part.

Dear Ruth, damn your slimy ways. Thanks for helping to set talented women back another 300 years. I won’t deny your talent, just your morals.

“Home Cooking”

You spread our Free Range Duck
Breasts with your trade-mark mix

Of honey, soya,
Chinese Five SpiceWhile I etch
A fingernail down your spine

Ending in a fuck
The length of our kitchen table

Making the bread-board rise
To its feet, the dog beneath us whine,
And the Sainsbury's poultry burn

("Home Cooking" found in Ruth Padel’s book “Voodo Shop”)

Do 50-year-old women really want the sex life they had at age 25?

"But is it reasonable for women over 50 to expect the same level of sexual satisfaction and drive as a 25-year-old? And is this what women really want?

"By the time they reach their late 40s or early 50s, women should be savvy enough to know that feeling sexy is a state of mind, and that a good man doesn't need a partner to look perfect in lingerie in order for her to be desirable."

Late 40s and early 50s? Come on ladies! That’s worth learning much earlier. There’s something incredible about a female who is comfortable and confident with her sexuality, at any age! When did you learn? Or have you yet? Let's just say for me, I was a Victoria's Secret wearer far before any man came into my life to enjoy it.

Newsweek columnists weight in. Counter-Cougar Thinking

Sex Theme Park Closed Before it Ever Opened

Love Land, a sex-themed park set to open in China has been squashed by the local Chinese government.

“The park manager, Lu Xiaoqing, had planned to have on hand naked human sculptures, giant models of genitals, sex technique ‘workshops’ and a photography exhibition about the history of sex, according to China Daily. The displays would have included lessons on safe sex and the proper use of condoms.”

Read more via the NY Times: Chinese City is Chilly to a Sex Theme Park

The photo of the mannequin torso in a red g-string that would have graced the park's entrance reminds me of a scene in the movie Patch Adams. Welcome gynos, at your cervix.

How Do You Make Sexy Writing Creepy? Have Chris Gethard Read It Aloud

“Each week Chris Gethard plucks his favorite erotic works from the vast sea of novice fiction produced for the internet.” Some of the fan fiction highlights include Twilight, Star Trek, and Lord of the Rings.

I hope they don’t turn their attention away from sci-fi pulp culture and to soap opera fan fiction. I’ve got some old stuff out there…

Even most brilliantly written erotica would sound creepy read by this guy. You’ve successfully weirded me out, nuclear palm.

Children who view adult-targeted TV may become sexually active earlier in life

Good thing most 4th graders aren't reading erotica...

"Television and movies are among the leading sources of information about sex and relationships for adolescents," says Hernan Delgado, MD, fellow in the Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine at Children's Hospital Boston and lead author of the study. "Our research shows that their sexual attitudes and expectations are influenced much earlier in life."

Children who view adult-targeted TV may become sexually active earlier in life

Why do we have sex? Because we're hot for each other

“After exhaustively compiling a list of the 237 reasons why people have sex, researchers found that young men and women get intimate for mostly the same motivations. It's more about lust in the body than a love connection in the heart.

“College-aged men and women agree on their top reasons for having sex — they were attracted to the person, they wanted to experience physical pleasure and "it feels good," according to a peer-reviewed study in the August edition of Archives of Sexual Behavior. Twenty of the top 25 reasons given for having sex were the same for men and women.

“Expressing love and showing affection were in the top 10 for both men and women, but they did take a back seat to the clear No. 1: "I was attracted to the person."

Why We Have Sex: 237 Reasons and Counting