Best developmental artifact EVAR!

Over the last four decades, scientists have come up with a variety of theories, arguing, for example, that orgasm encourages women to have sex and, therefore, reproduce or that it leads women to favor stronger and healthier men, maximizing their offspring's chances of survival.

But in a new book, Dr. Elisabeth A. Lloyd, a philosopher of science and professor of biology at Indiana University, takes on 20 leading theories and finds them wanting. The female orgasm, she argues in the book, "The Case of the Female Orgasm: Bias in the Science of Evolution," has no evolutionary function at all.

Rather, Dr. Lloyd says the most convincing theory is one put forward in 1979 by Dr. Donald Symons, an anthropologist.

That theory holds that female orgasms are simply artifacts - a byproduct of the parallel development of male and female embryos in the first eight or nine weeks of life.

In that early period, the nerve and tissue pathways are laid down for various reflexes, including the orgasm, Dr. Lloyd said. As development progresses, male hormones saturate the embryo, and sexuality is defined.

In boys, the penis develops, along with the potential to have orgasms and ejaculate, while "females get the nerve pathways for orgasm by initially having the same body plan."

Nipples in men are similarly vestigial, Dr. Lloyd pointed out.

While nipples in woman serve a purpose, male nipples appear to be simply left over from the initial stage of embryonic development.

The female orgasm, she said, "is for fun."

Oh! Determine your class. It's kinda freakish to see it quantified methodically. And I'm sure actual high class people would laugh and laugh at the idea. Still, it's fascinating to see myself placed in relation to the country -- it's very easy to lose perspective.

Orgasms vestigial?

eta: freakish x-post!

It must be news-readin' time.

The female orgasm, she said, "is for fun."

Best argument for God being female that I can think of. "Yeah, the process of ejaculation feels good for a guy--and, hey, a freebie for My girls! Enjoy!"

Is there an implication there that guys wouldn't have sex if it didn't feel real good, but it's not a concern for the chicks?

I'm sort of sad to see my occupation is low class.

Huh. The class determinator puts me at 53% in my current job, and 66% in the job I hope to get. I didn't think I was being class motivated, but who knows.

The female orgasm, she said, "is for fun."

I've always thought so. Go team fun!

Is there an implication there that guys wouldn't have sex if it didn't feel real good, but it's not a concern for the chicks?

Yeah, I'm wondering the same thing. Why would ejaculation have to be wildly pleasant?

And if female orgasm is "merely vestigal" how come its so superior to the male version?

Is there an implication there that guys wouldn't have sex if it didn't feel real good, but it's not a concern for the chicks?

Well, cats have sex even though cat penises have spines and the females yowl in pain when the penis is withdrawn. However, if you've ever been around a female cat in heat, it is clear that she isn't being put off by the thought.

I didn't think I was being class motivated, but who knows.

Mine drops me 10% for my dream gigs.