Sex or death
This is something that I need to set straight in my mind.
We have sex, because we die. Or is it that we die because we have sex?
If we combine the genetic material (nice euphemism, that one) of a man and a woman, the result is the next generation. That new person's DNA is then set for the remainder of their lives, and will live on only through combining (via more sex) with yet another person.
Without sex, our DNA dies with us. Therefore, after sex, we must die, because even if we lived forever, our DNA would remain lonely and unfulfilled with a house full of cats.
Is that right?
The alternative is that we are feeling maudlin, and need some pepping up. We call a friend, and go to a bar for some drinks. Then we meet a girl, end up having sex, and both feel so hungover and guilty the next morning, we just want to die.
Can that also be right?
Biology isn't my strong suit.
What other blogs are saying: Why sex, why sex II, why sex III, and, errr, why sex IV.
Hint: why sex IV is the best.
Technorati: DNA, Biology, Death, Hangover.
28 comments:
You are right!
I have never wanted to die after having sex... hum... does this mean that I have never had a really bad experience?
Yet, I do know that before I die, I want to have really great, mind blowing sex... and only after that point can I die because... well, there won't be anything left to live for!
My DNA will live on in my daughter, though it is no longer exactly my DNA so... I suppose when I die, only a part of me continues to live.
It is an interesting idea.
You know you can overthink stuff, right?
wombat, you are clearly hungover.
See, EO, you get my mindset. Because your daughter has your DNA, modified by her father, you can eat muffins for breakfast, and never put on weight.
Why I thought this was complicated I'll never know.
Overthinking, T-Shirt? More than likely. Sometimes, though, from the melon of multiplicity, we find a shelf crammed with possibilities. Stick with me, babe, and we'll ride this Vespa to the stars.
I resemble that comment Skinny. I believe you are insinuating that my trousers are poorly tailored, and my french cuffs toussled inappropriately.
Maybe you're right. More whisky, barkeep!
Biology may not be your strong suit, W, and now I'm seriously wondering if you're missing the boat, period (but by what people said in that NYT article, you're not the only one, evidently)
Despite what you refer to in SEED — "One thing to note is that, in an evolutionary sense, humans and other mammals have no choice in the matter — it greatly improves one's health, physically and emotionally, to, as Marvin Gaye says, get it on.
That's the only reason I do it, ya know. Plus the fear of a houseful of cats ...
I'm very confused. Can I just do the sex part without all the death?
I'm with James on this one.
I have felt so passionatly whilst making love to someone once, that the only thing that seemed exceed it, would be to kill him.
the old I love you to death syndrome, or maybe its a black widow thing.
Wombie, is your DNA lonely?, I think you need to get some 2 legged people around you more.
Wombat,
I just commented on a post of Indy's, in which I complimented him for asking the really tough questions. I'm afraid you'll have to give him the bad news.
Somewhere deep in our lizard brains, I'm sure there are synapses firing simply to keep us propagating the species.
I'm of the opinion that most of us have sex because—as Kitsune pointed out—short of giving or taking life, it's the most intense experience available to us; the one that makes us feel most alive, and closest to another living thing.
H.
"La petite mort"
ummm...
I'm with James on this one.
And if you don't want to be a breeder does that negate the meaning and purpose of your life. Are you the walking dead?
I need a drink.
A professor of mine once told the class that there are 3 things necessary to life: Sex, food and shelter of some kind. If you can take care of that, you're doing pretty good.
At least you didn't have drunken friend sex. That's the worst. Wanting to die the next morning is just embarrassment and you will live. Don't promise to call unless you mean it.
Suggestion: Make a sperm bank donation.
Angst over...
Wombie, may your DNA live long and prosper, and you could take Girls suggestion for that .
Now why in the hell would you feel guilty, and want to die, from having sex? So what you were drunk and picked her up at a bar.
You still got to have sex.
The way praying mantises and black widows do it eh? If I'm not mistaken, only humans can have sex without needing procreation as an objective.
As humans, I believe our life should not end after only successfully creating offspring because it is also our purpose to guide that child to the point when it is able to survive life by its own. Until we have fulfilled our duty as parental units, our legacy will not continue to live on.
Cheesy as it may sound, I believe that we have never tryuly existed unless we exist in our children's hearts.
well poo, enigma said what I was going to say. Vous avez oublie la petite mort!
Apart from that...err I'm going to leave the rest of the theory to you.
Sorry Mel, I was suprized no one had said it yet,so I had to get in first, LOL
There's a deeper 'meaning' to sex???
Oh yeah - right... those two little bags of DNA currently keeping the XO and I company. ;-)
Gawd! No you've gone and got me confused Wombat... here's me thinking sex could be great on both fronts - I could be lucky enough to enjoy it (when it's not just me lol) AND... I get to propagate the species!
Oh man - how good is THAT?!
Oh shit - what about the responsibility???
;-)
Berocca is meant to give you back your bounce, Wombo - that could come in handy.
Kat, now I'm worried. What boat am I missing? The Love Boat? Can Captain Stubing help me find an appropriate life "Cruise" mate?
Help!
James, yes you may. Have you consulted your DNA to see what he wants? Note I'm assigning your DNA male characteristics, on the presumption that we men don't have female DNA.
Things are becoming more complicated again. I'll stop now.
DJ, I apologise. Sometimes it's jumbled inside my head, and you get to see that mess.
Kitsune, you clever Tri-Tail you. That's where I was heading with this...
...La Petite Mort. Next post will be about that...you win the prize.
He, this is interesting:
Somewhere deep in our lizard brains, I'm sure there are synapses firing simply to keep us propagating the species.
A theory exists that it is our DNA that actually drives us. In Richard Dawkins' book The Selfish Gene, he enumerates the idea that we humans are merely a vehicle by which our DNA survives.
This adds a new spin to commonly held beliefs.
Enigma, my DNA is sitting all surly-like in the corner looking as dark as a thunder-cloud. He's unhappy, and I know not why.
Lakota, I believe you have raised the most important question. If we don't have children, or even if we do, are we the walking dead?
Yeah, let's go get a drink.
Darkneuro, oh, my, drunk friend-sex, not to be confused with drunk-friend sex. I'm with you on that, although the one time that did happen to me, it worked out well. Luck.
Don't promise to call unless you mean it. This is one of those truths that all young men should be taught early on, but aren't. Maybe it's in our DNA?
Girl, can I make a sperm hotel deposit? I want my DNA sample to have room service and PPV tv to keep him happy. Sperm bank sounds so clinical and boring.
Enigma, I don't know, I'm not really on speaking terms with my sperm at the moment. It (they) don't seem very happy.
BatBitch, this was a hypothetical, no sexual partners were actually involved in the production of this post. Dammit.
IP, this is not at all soppy: Cheesy as it may sound, I believe that we have never truly existed unless we exist in our children's hearts.
I think that's at the heart of the matter, and still comports with my theory that DNA doesn't like being lonely.
Very nice.
Mez, you and Enigma made the connection on my mind. What? You don't like my theory?
Oh well, back to the whiteboard.
Belongum, it's actually a good deal isn't it. Have the sex, which feels good, and receive the wee DNA carriers as a result, which make your heart sing as well.
Oh, then there is the responsibility part. That seems to be part of our universe: an upside and a downside. No freedom without responsibility. No beer without empty calories. Drat.
Magnet, why thank you. B-b-b-b-berocca gives you back your b-b-bounce, right?
Why settle for a hotel? Let's make it a resort!
Two more observations, W.
Forget DUIs — friends don't let friends FUI, if you know what I mean.
And, since we're going to die eventually, don't we always (except in extreme virginal cases) die after sex, anyway?
Love Boat, indeed ...
You've just confused the be-jesus out of me. I will be thinking about this post during my next love-making session. Thanks wombat
Count me amongst the walking dead, then.
James <- doesn't want kids
James <- does want a drink
Sorry, DNA! (Big toothy smile.)
Girl, let's do it. We could even set up a business, catering to the busy Sperm who is looking for a little luxury while waiting for his cute egg to come along.
No, Kat, friends don't let friends...do that thing. Although sometimes it takes quite some persuasion. And yes we do. That's my point, I think, although by this stage I'm completely confused.
Miss A, you're welcome. How delightful is your expression. Love-making session. Sweet.
I'm sure you'll find a way out of my mental musings.
I'm with you, James. Let's head pubwards and forget the whole deal.
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