The Rise and Rise of Sex

Technological advances have had an effect on sex and sexuality since the dawning of time. The introduction of an organized postal service heralded the start of the love letter. Even if your fancy man didn't have a Shakespearean way with words, he could still tickle your g-spot from afar. The love letter still survives today as an email or text message.

Instant messaging and Internet chat rooms have taken it a step further and enabled real-time love letters to be written and responded to. ‘My love is like a red, red rose,’ your Net lover might write. ‘Eh? Please explain what you mean...’ you might respond in a trice. The telephone enabled lovers to communicate across distances and teenagers to whisper sweet nothings into the night without being together in bed.

The sex industry soon made use of the wires and set up sex chat lines to bring comfort to thousands on lonely nights, while raking in the millions. The first dirty magazines came soon after the invention of the printing press. The first porn film came soon after the invention of the motion picture. But the real breakthrough for porn came when the VCR was invented. The stigma of going to X-rated cinemas could be avoided by watching adult films in the privacy of your own home.

The CD-ROM gave rise to interactive sex games such as Virtual Valerie developed by Mike Saenz in the Eighties. This purpose of this Mac-based game was to stimulate Valerie to arousal and beyond. If a person's handiness with the computer mouse could have been transferred to the real world, the game might have had a profound effect on couples everywhere.

Next up was the DVD format, which enabled full movies and more to be included on a single disc. The ability to include different camera angles and more interactive elements has made DVD an attractive proposition for the porn industry and its punters. At the same time, cheap video cameras have enabled anyone to start making adult forms of entertainment at minimum cost.

Now the Net has enabled the ultimate in interactivity. You can chat dirty, view live sex shows, lap up what you will via personal Webcams, shop securely and in secret for sex toys and condoms, and find like minded people in relevant newsgroups.

Anyone can explore different sexualities or try swapping genders for a while using the safety net of online anonymity.

Teledildonics allow a greater degree of interaction than many might want. But if they scare you, visit the Erotica Museum in Barcelona one day and have a gander at the contraption known as The Pleasure Chair. This device, looking quite like a chair and a frightening lot more, was invented in the 19th century. Humans haven't changed their wicked ways much - it's just the enabling technology that's different.

The Pros and Cons of Virtual Sex

For

If you like it, you like it - that's the best reason

No chance of contracting a sexually transmitted disease

No unwanted pregnancies

More peace on earth. If everyone's at their computers being happy, then they can’t be causing fights in the world

Less prostitution on the streets

Limitless supply of partners from around the world

No messy body contact

No excuses

Available 24/7

When the technology exists to create your own virtual partner you'll be able to get together with Britney or Brad

Against

There isn't anything like the real thing

Skin-on-skin is part of the pleasure

Where would sex be without that awkward condom moment?

You can't get a free massage at the same time

You might never see the light of day again

You can't explain down the pub what you've been doing all weekend

You probably use your computer at work. Don’t you want to get away from it?

Pressing buttons on a keyboard isn't like pressing all the 'right' buttons

Your front room will be filled with even more wires and peripherals: printer, scanner, sex toy

You might forget to clear them away when your parents come to visit

About the Author:
Sandra Prior runs her own bodybuilding website at http://bodybuild.rr.nu.