Serious Questions for JDT

I have a few questions about your penis studies; specifically, about your methodology. If you can answer these questions, It’s certainly possible that a number of people here will be willing to take you more seriously. If not, then maybe they can be used to strengthen or extend your theories in the future. Or maybe not.

I will cover several claims that you have made which intrigue me. I would like to know how these conclusions were reached; I am certain that a man of your obvious skepticism and high education has good reason to believe everything that you say.

Please correct me if I assert any things that you did not in fact say, but the original circumcision thread appears to have disappeared into the void.
ANATOMY OF THE PENIS

You have stated that the foreskin is the most sensitive part of the penis. How was this conclusion arrived at? Is it simply from studying the physiology of the organ, or have you performed any studies on percieved sensitivity? (see the section on sexual activity below)

Have you done any research on foreskin reconstruction? If the nerves of the foreskin are removed during circumcision, how could restoration restore any sensitivity to the area?

SEXUAL ACTIVITY

You have suggested a sexual method which, according to your research, is far better than any currently employed method. It has been asserted by another poster that your reccomended method has never been widely practiced by any human population in recorded history. Where did the idea for this method come from, if I may ask? Is it your own invention, or did this idea come from another researcher?

I would like to know about any studies you have done on the efficacy of this sexual position. By what method did you decide that this method would be more pleasureable than others? Has any study been done on the erotic sensations of both the man and the woman, comparing your method to other methods?

Is there any way in which sexual pleasure can be measured? It seems to me that the only method avaliable would be for the subjects to perform self-assessment. What variables, other than sexual position, may need to be controlled or measured in order for such a study to be meaninful? It seems to me that mood, stress level, the relationship of the participants to one another, and probably many other factors would need to be isolated, as these things could affect percieved sexual satisfaction.

What other controls would be needed for such a study of sexuality in order to make sure that our results are accurate, and free from bias?

Your sexual suggestions leave little room for the woman to do the things she likes to do in the bedroom. What would be your response if certain women don't enjoy your method, or don't enjoy it as well as other methods? Is the woman's pleasure in bed as important as the man's?

ASPD

You have claimed that the lack of a foreskin can lead to a psychological disorder. What, exactly, are the criteria for diagnosing someone with this disorder? Is it possible to have this disorder without having been circumcised? What is the risk factor of circumcision, i.e. what's the percent chance that a circumcised man will develop the mood disorder you have described?

When was this disorder first recognized, either by you or by others? When was the theory that it is caused by circumcision first advocated? By what method have you demonstrated the link between the psychological illness and the surgical procedure?

It seems to me that this would be a good candidate for a double blind test. Subjects could be psychologically evaluated, and the tester could judge which ones were circumcised and which ones weren't by the test results. If the predictions and the actual penis states match up, this provides evidence to support the theory. Have you performed such a test? Again, what controls should be employed to make sure the results of such a test are valid and free from bias?

Does foreskin reconstruction reverse psychological trauma? How many cases of this have been studied? How drastic is the behavior change following reconstruction?

SKEPTICISM

I would like to know a little bit about your interest in epistemology. Are your theories about penis function, sexual activity, and psychology falsifiable? (I realize, of course, that falsifiability is not necessarily a requirement of a scientific theory, but I feel this question is important to learn more about your methods) If falsifiable, what sort of evidence would need to be presented for you to change your theory, or declare it as false?

Is it strictly permissible to draw conclusions from casual observation, or should such conclusions be tested before they are accepted? Given the following statements, which ones can be determined a priori, and which ones should be verified emperically?
- Circumcision destroys sexual sensitivity
- The foreskin is a vital organ with many functions
- Circumcision leads to a variety of illnesses
- Circumcision has no ill effects
- Every person finds sexual pleasure in the same way
- Sexual position "X" (insert your favorite) is better than all others
- All circumcised men are poor lovers
- Circumcision is a good thing
- Circumcision is always wrong

Of the items which should be tested emperically, which ones have been?

Finally, have you ever heard of Wilhelm Reich? What do you think of his writings?

Thank you for your attention. I’m sure that responding to my questions will clear up many uncertainties and misunderstandings about your theories.
–Pyrrho12
It’s not a troll if it’s playing with goblins.

Pyrrho12,
Wow. I’ll be more than happy to answer your questions. But, let’s have you reopen this in Great Debates before I do, OK? So, copy and paste what you have written in this thread over to GD, OK? Your questions just seem to be too intelligent to be dealt with in the pit. BTW, the original thread is still available clicking on the link in the first post of this thread: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=47631

Jack, not to question your observational skills, methodology or conclusions, but you didn’t happen to notice that the link you just provided was in the second post of this thread, did you?

AFAIK, one of the moderators should be able to move this thread, if they think it’s appropriate. I originally posted my message in the pit because of the general direction in which all discussions on this topic have proceeded thus far…

The pit also seemed an appropriate place because all those readers of the message board who have an interest in your research will likely be checking this forum.

The best thing to do, in my opinion, would be to post replies to my original query here, and request that the thread be moved to a more appropriate forum. That way, the discussion will be unbroken, those who want to read about your methods will see your replies, and there will be no need to create a redundant thread in another forum.

Can I ask a stupid question, Pyrrho12? Have you not seen the pages and pages of misinformation he’s already written? I’m pretty sure he’s covered most of your questions already. This horse has been beaten to death, ressurected, beaten some more, and then shot.
You can go on asking him for info, but I imagine you’ll get the same answers he’s already given. There’s nothing wrong with that, I just honestly wanted to make sure you’ve seen all the stuff already on the boards. I’m guessing that’s why most people are avoiding this thread. Sometimes enough is just enough.

Zette
PS- It’s my opinion that JDT is a possibly mentally unstable person, and as such I’ve stopped posting to his threads because of some of the bizzare things he’s said. I believe his goal here is to get people to discuss sex with him and use it for his personal “uses”. Be wary. Of course, he did provide me with this groovy sig line.

Yes, Zette, I have read the pages and pages of stuff already written. And yes, I would agree with you, that starting a new thread on the subject may not be the smartest thing I’ve done in the past week or two. These questions are questions that I’ve wanted to ask all through reading the previous threads. Most of them have not yet been answered to my satisfaction. So, I’m asking them now, long after the proverbial horse has passed on to its final reward.

I have no intention of discussing my own sex life here on the message board, and for that I’m sure everyone will be thankful. My chief interest in this thread is with JDT’s methodology. Perhaps, once he posts a reply to my questions, it will show how he reached the conclusions that he has. Or perhaps it will vindicate his research. Or perhaps it will even provide evidence for your own theory, that of JDT’s mental instability. I want to see.

Pyrrho12,

>AFAIK, one of the moderators should be able to move this thread, if they think it’s appropriate. <

But, the moderators won't think that it's appropriate in this case. The subject matter is taboo. It's a hot potato and no one wants it in their forum. I can understand that actually.

> I originally posted my message in the pit because of the general direction in which all discussions on this topic have proceeded thus far… <

The original thread lasted just as long in Great Debates. It was a lot more civilized there.
I can keep the riff raff under control in the pit without too much problem. I mean, they're really nothing more than robots, anyway. But, if you start a thread in the proper forum the moderators will have to help keep the riff raff under control.

> The pit also seemed an appropriate place because all those readers of the message board who have an interest in your research will likely be checking this forum. <

Nothing special about the Pit when it comes to this topic. Anyone who is interested will read about it anywhere.

> The best thing to do, in my opinion, would be to post replies to my original query here, and request that the thread be moved to a more appropriate forum. <

Pyrrho12, when one goes against the tide of public opinion in this society, one learns to expect to be viciously mistreated and attacked. There will be little if any objectivity initiated by the moderators for a lot of reasons. You have to initiate it and the moderator will very likely concede because the moderator would be in a position where it would look suspicious if they didn’t explain why they closed a thread. That’s the way it is. Since you are so interested in circumcision and how this incredible crime could have been perpetrated on America, you should be glad to have learned this first little lesson.

>That way, the discussion will be unbroken, <

No discussion has started that can be broken.

>those who want to read about your methods will see your replies, and there will be no need to create a redundant thread in another forum.<

Let the moderators decided if a thread is redundant.

Gee, if it’s taboo, please explain why theses thread have been going on for weeks and weeks and pages and pages.

I understand your cynicism about this post being moved, but stick by my original assertion that if this thread belongs in Great Debates, one of the moderators will move it there. Starting another thread in said forum seems pointless since, if they really didn’t want this thread in their forum, it would be just as easy for the moderators to move that new thread out of GD as for them to move this one out of the pit.
**

I’m afraid that I don’t quite follow you here. What are you reccomending? What lesson am I supposed to have learned?
When you are ready to discuss the questions I asked in my OP, please either reply to this thread or start a new one in GD (as you seem to be more comfortable there).

Pyrrho12,

> I understand your cynicism about this post being moved, but stick by my original assertion that if this thread belongs in Great Debates, one of the moderators will move it there. <

No, you don't understand my cynicism, quite obviously.

>Starting another thread in said forum seems pointless since, if they really didn’t want this thread in their forum, it would be just as easy for the moderators to move that new thread out of GD as for them to move this one out of the pit. <

Why would you think that it would be easy to throw a thread into the pit? Don't you think that it would look suspicious? Do you think that it's easy to look suspicious? It may not be all that hard to look suspicious in this particular society at this time but it still isn't all that easy either.

> I’m afraid that I don’t quite follow you here. What are you recommending? What lesson am I supposed to have learned? <

Well, you're suppose to learn that when one's position isn't well received by a lot of people, one can expect very bad treatment because members of this society don't know any better. That's the case with circumcision. The moderators are not going to treat such a discussion about circumcision with the same level of objectivity with which they treat other discussions. This is true for a lot of reasons: (1) they don't want to be perceived by the riff raff as being in any way sympathetic to the outsider; (2) they don't want to have any political problems with their fellow moderators who might now have to deal with a very high-maintenance thread; and (3) maybe they just outright hate me for my positions, anyway, and are looking for any excuse to give me problems.

> When you are ready to discuss the questions I asked in my OP, please either reply to this thread or start a new one in GD (as you seem to be more comfortable there). <

Oh, well now, see, you understand more then you're letting on, don't you? Me start the thread in GD????? You're asking the question, why don't you start the thread???? You don't want to because you don't want to take the political heat for it. Well, I can't say as I blame you. That's hard for anyone to do. So, I'll compromise with you. Ask the moderator to close this thread and then you reopen a new thread in the pit where apparently YOU feel more comfortable. Only this time, name the thread something appropriate such as "Seriously Fucked Up Questions for JDT." I want to make sure that everyone knows that I know that I'm just trying to educate the riff raff against all odds. There is nothing "serious" about a thread that is started in the pit, IMHO.

Damn it, Damn it… I thought this shit would pass… Fuckety Fuck fuck fuck a chicken.

Hands absoul an Ex-Lax

Don’t push too hard, buddy. You could get a hemmorhoid.

Damn it!
I have already, and they are posting on my computer when I’m not looking! They are evil. They wait until I am watching tv on the couch and then slowly creep, our of my ass, to my computer and start posting under all these fucked up names- JTD, Pyrrho12, Serlin… bastards…
I need to take a bath in PrepH. I feel dirty.

Blame me people, blame me…

that should be “out” not “our” sorry for any confusion.

**

I have already started a thread. If you were interested in seriously answering my questions, I think maybe you would have done so by now. Are you yanking my chain? What reason have I given you to do so?

**

That’s interesting speculation about my motivation, but I have already stated my reasons for not wanting to open another thread. It is also quite irrelevant to my original questions for you.

Let me restate my opinion on this thread in clear language, in case I was being cryptic earlier. If this thread deserves to be moved, one of the moderators will do so. If not, it is okay where it is. As long as we post to this message board, we must abide by the rules and norms of the system. If we do not agree with those rules and norms, the only option is to switch to a different message board. It’s not a matter of “political heat”. It’s a matter of being a user of a private message board, and wishing to stick to the agreements I made when I entered.

I wish to hear your response to my questions. Whether you post said response here, in GD, or anywhere else is of no concern to me. Please do not feel overly defensive about this.

**

Several posts ago, you said that my questions seemed intelligent. Now, you claim that they are “fucked up”. How is that possible? Has your opinion changed?

New question. Suppose I was someone who disagreed with you on one or more points. How would this affect the way you percieve my questions? Are they hostile? Insulting? Now, suppose I am someone who truly believes you may be right about these things. How do my questions seem now? I am truly curious about your thoughts on the questions posed by my OP.

Let’s not get lost in irrelevant details, please. My original questions stand as I posted them. If you intend to educate this board regarding your theories, then please reply to my OP, in any way you feel to be appropriate. If not, then a polite declination to discuss these things would be appropriate.

Admit it. You’re one of those people who can’t stop picking at an infected scab. I know what it’s like.

Pyrrho12,

> I have already started a thread. If you were interested in seriously answering my questions, I think maybe you would have done so by now. Are you yanking my chain? What reason have I given you to do so? <

Well, you opened what is suppose to be a serious thread in The Pit of all places. It makes no sense to do this unless YOU are not serious. Why do you choose to try and communicate with all of this human refuge chiming in to distract you?

> That’s interesting speculation about my motivation, but I have already stated my reasons for not wanting to open another thread. <

You haven't given any real reason for having opened this thread in The Pit, though.

> It is also quite irrelevant to my original questions for you. <

No, it's very relevant. If you're just some moron asking questions to annoy, then I'm not going to go to too great of  trouble in answering your questions. If I perceive that someone honestly wants to know something, then I feel an obligation to make the effort to given them really good information. Basically, the effort that I put into answering a question is equal to the effort put into the asking of the question. How much effort did you go to before you decided to ask these questions in The Pit?

> Let me restate my opinion on this thread in clear language, in case I was being cryptic earlier. If this thread deserves to be moved, one of the moderators will do so. If not, it is okay where it is. <

Yes, I understand you position.

> As long as we post to this message board, we must abide by the rules and norms of the system. If we do not agree with those rules and norms, the only option is to switch to a different message board. <

Who was talking about breaking any rules?

> It’s not a matter of “political heat”. It’s a matter of being a user of a private message board, and wishing to stick to the agreements I made when I entered. <

There is no rule that says that you can't open a thread in one of the other forums, AFAIK. If there is such a rule, it's been broken a lot since I've been here, anyway.

> I wish to hear your response to my questions. Whether you post said response here, in GD, or anywhere else is of no concern to me. Please do not feel overly defensive about this. <

Then why don't you ask your questions in polite company when you can so easily do so?

> Several posts ago, you said that my questions seemed intelligent. Now, you claim that they are “fucked up”. How is that possible? Has your opinion changed? <

You questions sound very thoughtful and intelligent. I have a problem with such questions being asked in The Pit. Asking such questions here gives the illusion that the riffraff that chimes with their profanity and nonsense is deserving of any amount of respect for their actions. I believe that intelligent people have a moral obligation to converse with the riffraff (as long as it can be done with a reasonable amount of safety). When the riffraff decides to elevate itself beyond being just riffraff and speaks honestly and intelligently, then I speak with them in the same way. When the riffraff acts retarded, then I deal with them accordingly. I'm not going to control the riffraff and try to have an intelligent conversation at the same time.

> New question. Suppose I was someone who disagreed with you on one or more points. How would this affect the way you perceive my questions? Are they hostile? Insulting? <

All depends on the point where we come into disagreement with one another. All people have this point. Any intelligent person is instantaneously in disagreement with the riffraff. As one moves up the evolutionary ladder, though, intelligent people will agree on more and more things. Sooner or later, I suppose, any two people will disagree with one another. But, the disagreement should be of the form that the two agree to disagree.

> Now, suppose I am someone who truly believes you may be right about these things. How do my questions seem now? I am truly curious about your thoughts on the questions posed by my OP. <

I would say that I'm not going to let down anyone who is willing to just trust-me-for-no-apparent-reason. I would integrate lessons about deceit into anything that I tell them, though. Anyone who just trusts me like this gets pretty much the same evidence that the riffraff gets except that I would be more attentive. And, further, I wouldn't hold back any information from someone like this the way I do with the riffraff.

> Let’s not get lost in irrelevant details, please. <

Nothing can be more relevant than these details. The masses must be educated. All that I do is in harmony with this thesis.

> My original questions stand as I posted them. If you intend to educate this board regarding your theories, then please reply to my OP, in any way you feel to be appropriate. If not, then a polite declination to discuss these things would be appropriate.<

Well, since you chose to open this thread in The Pit, I very IMPOLITELY decline to answer your questions.

You could solve it all by posting answers to his questions. They’re valid questions, no matter where they’re posted. You could even just answer them in another forum; can’t be hard to cut them out and paste them.

Psst! Pyrrho! I think he’s ducking your questions.

[sub]this could be because he’s a moron with no real answers.[/sub]

Just call me riffraff…

Wanders in with a wife-beater stretched over his pasty white hairy beer belly and a six-pack, belches, and starts scratching

So, uh, what’s all this here noise about? Doncha know some of us is tryin to be watchin wrasslin? Y’all gwan and take yer fancy book-larnin elsewheres, y’hear? We don’t need yer type o’ folk around, fancying up the place. We’s fine just the way we am, OK? Sheeeeit.