Written by Bear @ 1:44 pm

Written by Alley @ 6:04 pm

I was browsing around the internet looking for interesting sex-related tidbits, when I came across this post about Durex’s new ad campaign on the Sexist.  If the people in these ads are made of the thoughts that construct their bodies, I have to say this is some of the weirdest, least sexy advertising I’ve seen in a while.  I haven’t been to marketing school, but I’m pretty willing to guess that no one suggests you use the phrase “fatal error” repeatedly to sell your product.  One of the commenters on the Sexist very astutely suggested that perhaps the man had some sort of STI and was preventing transmission through use of a condom, thus allowing the woman to happily deliver a blow job.  Once I considered that, it lessened my dislike for this ad slightly, but overall it’s still highly problematic.

Ideally, if you’re going to have sex with someone, you would both be enjoying yourself.  If you’re about to make a “fatal error”, please, please, just masturbate instead.  Sometimes it’s just not worth it!

In this second ad, the woman is experiencing orgasm, but also her mind reads “paralyzed, confused”.  The man in the ad is primarily just experiencing muscle tension.  Again, not fun, not worth it.

For me the only argument that works to support these ads is this: if you’re going to have terrible sex that leaves you numb, confused, paralyzed, or tense, at least you can walk away without getting pregnant or contracting an STI. Kind of a depressing bright side if you ask me.

Written by Jonesy @ 11:01 am

Hey babies! Tell your friends. The Smitten Kitten youtube channel is up and running. So far we’ve just got one posted, but soon we’ll be sharing all kinds of video magic with the world. Stay tuned…

Written by Little Meow @ 7:53 pm

Dildos have been around since people have been creative and horny, and those crazy Victorians were no exception. They improved on the dildo by adding vibration. The age of steam and electric power ushered in a whole new wave of sex toys, like this steam powered vibrator called the Manipulator, invented in 1869 (AH!)”:

I’m pretty sure that’s not 100% medical grade silicone.

Here’s a small gallery of other strange contraptions, some more terrifying than others. I wonder if in 150 years, people will say–I can’t believe they used those as sex toys! Who knows where the innovative designers of sex toys, like Lelo or Fun Factory, will take us?

Written by Bear @ 12:57 pm

I try to think about Buck Angel on rotten days especially. Ever since he came last August to The Smitten Kitten, the very thought of him makes the day seem less long, the coffee a little fresher, and the mounting paperwork seem like nothing. Buck is a light in the world whether he is caring for his team of dogs at his home in Mexico, donating money to Haiti, or producing some f*cking hot porn. Having struggled in his early life, transitioned to male, and become a icon in the porn industry, Buck offers a unique, and often challenging, perspective within the sex industry. He makes porn that he likes to make, with people he likes to work with, and at the end of the day, he controls the show. He even has time to start a Body Building Website. Damn that man never tires.
So I have been following the mounting discourse around his presentation at Yale University. Yale hosts a biennial Sex Week, where they offer an amazing spread of events ranging from sex and religion to appearances by porn stars like Buck. Oh and there is free STI testing. For some Alums and students this is an exciting event, supporting the discussion on the sex industry, sex, and sexuality, others are upset by a guest such as Buck Angel, porn being not an academic topic in their minds, and a few are upset that there exists a sex week at all. One forum member comments, “Bringing in a porn star to speak at sex week is like bring mark mcgwire to speak at a diet and exercise conference - that is unless the more legitimate reasons for sw are really just a cover for perpetuating the systems of dominance and image manufacturing purveyed by the commercial sex industry”. Buck Angel is a business man no doubt, he understands what sells and what doesn’t, he gets the internet versus DVD thing. But, he also continues to be a radical presence in the sex industry, creating sex positive, inclusive porn, when so many are not. This presence, like so many others mentioned on this blog (Tristan Taormino, Madison Young, Pink and White Productions) are rallying against system of dominance in its own language, resemantizing Porn, creating more and better.
Plus it is really really really hot stuff.
I wish I went to Yale or had the budget of Yale to put on such an event. Hanging out with Tristan, Buck, and Madison for week doesn’t sound to shabby. I am glad to have met these people who are doing such great work and who happen to be smart and kind individuals. I know their presentations will be radical, well thought out, and a bit funny too. Have fun at Yale!