Mapping the terrain

image credit: hchalkley

When picturing human sexuality, it is difficult to separate sexuality from sex. This is where some people find themselves overwhelmed with pornographic images that are too focused for such a general term. Sexuality is all about nuance and variation. So many similar systems of practice and fantasies that are not always easy to distinguish from one another. These differences can be obvious like hand cuffs and whips to very subtle like the difference between balloons and bubble wrap. Everything is so different but, it is all under the banner of sexuality.

The landscape of human sexuality, much like the landscape above, is full of varying shades of similar colors. Where a practice bears more importance to a person that area of their sexual landscape is more pronounced. The area associated with an unused practice may be more concave. A region that pertains to a specific fetish may be a different shade than that of an area that relates to a fantasy. This creates a patchwork of complexity that can be mind boggling. The above image is a breathtaking example of how there is so much variation between to areas in close proximity. Even neighboring plots have distinct differences.

No two people have the exact same sexual landscapes. They can only hope that they have enough similarity for a complementary relationship. Over time the landscapes may change. It may be eroded by the winds of peer pressure or the changing weather of curiosity.