Future Sex

Future Sex chronicles journalist Emily Witt's investigation into modern sexuality and dating culture in the 2010s. Through first-person reporting and research, she examines how technology and shifting social norms have transformed intimate relationships. Witt explores various facets of contemporary sexual culture, from dating apps and internet pornography to polyamory and orgasmic meditation workshops in San Francisco. Her reporting takes her into the heart of Silicon Valley's tech scene and through the experimental communities pushing the boundaries of traditional relationships. The narrative follows Witt's personal journey as a single woman in her thirties questioning conventional paths to partnership and fulfillment. She documents her experiences and observations while maintaining the critical distance of a reporter. The book serves as both cultural commentary and memoir, examining how digital technology has reshaped human connection and intimacy in the twenty-first century. Through her explorations, Witt confronts questions about freedom, choice, and the evolving definition of relationships in modern society.

Readers describe the book as an intimate exploration of modern sexuality and dating culture through personal experiences. Most appreciate Witt's honest, journalistic approach to topics like dating apps, pornography, and polyamory. Liked: - Raw, vulnerable writing style - Well-researched reporting on sex subcultures - Balance of personal narrative and cultural analysis - Fresh perspective on internet dating Disliked: - Focus on San Francisco tech culture feels limiting - Some chapters drag with excessive detail - Writing can be cold and clinical - Several readers wanted more concrete conclusions "Too academic at times, but her insights into modern relationships ring true" - Goodreads reviewer "Great reporting but fails to dig deeper into emotional aspects" - Amazon review Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (180+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (250+ ratings) Note that many readers expected more personal memoir content based on marketing materials.

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🔹 Emily Witt began writing the book after a breakup at age 30, when she started questioning traditional ideas about relationships and exploring alternative forms of sexuality in modern America 🔹 The book originated as an assignment from n+1 magazine to cover San Francisco's porn industry, which then expanded into a broader investigation of contemporary sexual culture 🔹 The author spent time at OneTaste, a now-controversial organization focused on "orgasmic meditation," and her chapter about the experience became one of the earliest exposés of the group 🔹 Despite its provocative subject matter, the book is written in a detached, anthropological style that The New York Times described as "Joan Didion-like" 🔹 The research process for Future Sex took five years, during which Witt immersed herself in various sexual subcultures, including attending Burning Man and observing live webcam performances