ABSTRACT
The social issues inherent in the discussion so far need even more concrete observations to give a better sense of what one experiences in constructing an erotic life. The writings of moral, political, and legal philosophers fail us, because, like the movies and TV news, they simplify the explanations for why people act: we need more details. Which means more and more case material, whatever its inadequacies. The author's unusual informants represent the general dynamics of erotic life as well as do people diagnosed as "normal"—to be erased by our culture's collusion of denial about erotic subjectivity. Reporting on erotic behavior sometimes becomes a chore. Only when one is chary with details and generous with theory—only when one removes the descriptions that would help the reader/ listener link theory and behavior—will some reports be acceptable.
