A Ridiculous History of Sex: Exploring Scandals and Societal Impacts with Ross Benish

Released on July 1, 2025 | Host: Ben Bullard

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Ridiculous History, host Ben Bullard delves into the intricate and often scandalous world of sex throughout human civilization. Joined by esteemed journalist and author Ross Benish, they unpack how sex scandals have shaped societies, influenced policies, and left lasting impacts on cultural norms. This detailed exploration offers listeners a blend of historical insights, intriguing anecdotes, and thought-provoking discussions.

Origins of Ross Benish’s Fascination with Sex Scandals

Ross Benish begins by sharing his journey into writing about sex scandals. He reveals that his passion lies in exploring topics he loves—Nebraska politics, 90s pop culture, and, notably, sex.

"My books are just on things I love. So Nebraska politics, 90s pop culture, and sex. Gotta have that triumvirate there."
[03:41] Ross Benish

He recounts his early career aspirations to author a nonfiction work akin to Freakonomics, focusing on the economics of sex. This ambition led him to freelance for prominent publications like Esquire, Mental Floss, and Slate, paving the way for his first book and subsequent works centered on the peculiar history of sex.

Impact of Sex on Various Aspects of Society

Benish elaborates on his thesis that sex has been an invisible yet powerful force shaping economies, religion, and technology.

"Invisible Handjobs... it's all about how sex will guide our economies and our religion and our technology in ways that aren't always appreciated."
[06:40] Ross Benish

1. Technological Advancements Driven by Pornography

Ross highlights how the adult entertainment industry inadvertently spurred innovations in internet technologies, including cookies, web browsing, streaming, and e-commerce.

2. Governmental Influence on Birth Rates

He discusses how governments manipulate birth rates to sustain economic stability, using China’s one-child policy as a prime example. Such policies aim to maintain a balanced workforce and prevent an aging population from overwhelming economic structures.

"You don't think of sexuality as a function of GDP, but it kind of is when you think about birth rates and what that means for a working young workforce that can sustain an elderly base."
[07:47] Ross Benish

Historical Inventions Stemming from Repressed Sexuality

The conversation shifts to the invention of the vibrator, tracing its origins to the Victorian era's sexual repression and the misguided treatment of women's hysteria.

"The first vibrator looks nothing like something that you would buy at Adam and Eve today, but the origin goes back to sexual repression and a medical device."
[10:21] Ross Benish

Benish explains how doctors used the device to manually stimulate women diagnosed with hysteria, inadvertently paving the way for sexual self-stimulation tools.

Sexual Policies and Their Long-Term Societal Effects

The discussion touches on how institutional sexual policies have long-lasting implications. Ross emphasizes that historical laws and societal norms around sex have shaped contemporary behaviors and attitudes.

1. Polygamy and Crime Rates

Ross explores the theory that monogamy was institutionalized as a means to reduce crime, positing that societies allowing polygamy may experience higher rates of violent crime due to increased male competition for mates.

"Monogamy was instituted not as a religious practice, but as a political one... to quell unrest and reduce violent crimes."
[39:27] Ross Benish

2. Religious Interplay and Reproductive Practices

He delves into the complexities of religious doctrines affecting reproductive technologies, citing cooperation between Sunni and Shia communities in the Middle East to navigate restrictive reproductive laws.

"Sunnis would rely on Shias for reproductive assistance because Sunnis’ stricter laws prohibit using others' gametes."
[44:40] Ross Benish

Defining and Understanding Sex Scandals

Ben Bullard steers the conversation toward the crux of the episode: sex scandals and their societal repercussions. They define a sex scandal as an event where a public figure's disapproved sexual behavior threatens their career or reputation.

"It's a person of public interest, often a politician or a celebrity, engaging in disapproved sexual activities that derail their career or reputation."
[28:44] Ross Benish

Ross underscores that the perception of what constitutes a scandal is fluid, varying across different eras and influenced by media coverage.

"What's permissible in one era isn't permissible in another... part of the scandal lies in how the information is spread and interpreted at the time."
[31:31] Ross Benish

Case Study: Todd Cursor’s Unconventional Scandal

A particularly intriguing example discussed is the scandal involving Michigan State Representative Todd Cursor. Portraying himself as a seeker of male prostitutes to distract from his affair with another married representative, Cursor's strategy backfired, leading to his expulsion.

"Cursor asked his staff to spread the rumor that he was seeking male prostitutes to create a distraction from his actual affair... he ended up getting expelled from the house."
[32:50] Ross Benish

This case exemplifies the unpredictable nature of scandals and the flawed attempts to manage public perception.

Why the U.S. Remains Obsessed with Sex

As the episode nears its conclusion, Ben asks Ross why the United States maintains a complex and often repressive relationship with sex.

"The Europeans who decided to come here were a lot of them were crazy and repressed sexually. I just don't think we've gotten over that."
[48:43] Ross Benish

Ross attributes America's continued obsession with sex to historical repression carried over from early European settlers, compounded by persistent religious influences that reinforce conservative sexual norms.

Conclusion

Ben Bullard wraps up the episode by appreciating Ross Benish's contributions to uncovering the hidden threads of sex in history. The discussion not only sheds light on past scandals but also prompts listeners to reflect on how sexuality continues to influence modern societal structures and personal lives.

Notable Quotes

• "Invisible Handjobs... it's all about how sex will guide our economies and our religion and our technology in ways that aren't always appreciated."
  — Ross Benish [06:40]

• "Monogamy was instituted not as a religious practice, but as a political one... to quell unrest and reduce violent crimes."
  — Ross Benish [39:27]

• "What's permissible in one era isn't permissible in another... part of the scandal lies in how the information is spread and interpreted at the time."
  — Ross Benish [31:31]

• "The Europeans who decided to come here were a lot of them were crazy and repressed sexually. I just don't think we've gotten over that."
  — Ross Benish [48:43]

Further Engagement

Listeners intrigued by Ross Benish's insights can explore more of his work at rossbenish.com and follow his occasional updates on Twitter and LinkedIn.

This episode of Ridiculous History offers a captivating examination of how sex scandals not only reflect societal norms but also actively shape them, revealing the profound and sometimes ridiculous ways sexuality intertwines with history.