Researcher and science writer Jesse Bering delights in being provocative. From the description of his new book, Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That?: And Other Reflections on Being Human:
Why do testicles hang the way they do? Is there an adaptive function to the female orgasm? What does it feel like to want to kill yourself? Does “free will” really exist? And why is the penis shaped like that anyway?
In Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That?, the research psychologist and award-winning columnist Jesse Bering features more than thirty of his most popular essays from Scientific American and Slate, as well as two new pieces, that take readers on a bold and captivating journey through some of the most taboo issues related to evolution and human behavior. Exploring the history of cannibalism, the neurology of people who are sexually attracted to animals, the evolution of human body fluids, the science of homosexuality, and serious questions about life and death, Bering astutely covers a generous expanse of our kaleidoscope of quirks and origins.
With his characteristic irreverence and trademark cheekiness, Bering leaves no topic unturned or curiosity unexamined, and he does it all with an audaciously original voice. Whether you’re interested in the psychological history behind the many facets of sexual desire or the evolutionary patterns that have dictated our current mystique and phallic physique, Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That? is bound to create lively discussion and debate for years to come.
Join us Sunday as we talk to Jesse Bering about the range of human behavior tackled in his book.
Related Links
- jessebering.com, your source for all things Bering.
- Bering in Mind, Bering’s blog at Scientific American
- Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That?: And Other Reflections on Being Human on Amazon
Listen to AM 950 KTNF this Sunday at 9 a.m. Central to hear Atheists Talk, produced by Minnesota Atheists. Stream live online. Call in to the studio at 952-946-6205, or send an e-mail to [email protected] during the live show. If you miss the live show, listen to the podcast later.
Christ. Bleh.
I hear Omaha will be lovely this weekend.
I thought it was so that one’s hand doesn’t slip off and hit one in the forehead. That’s pretty adaptive……
If this is the same guy who drew a number of his conclusions on the captioned subject by abstracting from the shape of the captioned organ in its circumcised state (and then had the existence of praeputia–er–pointed out to him), I predict that “Atheists Talk” is going to be a fun place.
Proof of intelligent design.
It is perfectly shaped and perfectly placed to fit into the hand. 😉