In a recent issue of "Pacific Standard" magazine, Louisa Lombard, an anthropologist at the University of California at Berkeley, described visiting a small town in the Central African Republic where she encountered two men who claimed that their penises had been stolen.
It seems that the day before, a traveler visiting the town had shaken hands with a tea vendor who immediately claimed he felt a shock and sensed that his penis had shrunk. He cried out in alarm, gathering a crowd, and a second man then said it also happened to him.
This is not the setup to a joke; it is a real psychological disorder called koro in which victims (mostly men, but sometimes women) come to believe that their genitals are shrinking or retracting into the body. The concern is not only for their sexuality, but also for their lives, since they believe that the condition may be life threatening if not reversed. In order to prevent further shrinkage, victims have been known to securely tie their penises with string or metal clamps — even sometimes having family members hold it in relays until treatment can be sought, usually from shamen or traditional healers.
"Penis-shrinking panics are a timely reminder that no one is immune from mass delusions and that the influence of culture and society on individual behavior is far greater than most of us would like to admit. Yet the main reason for the absence of penis-shrinking epidemics in Western societies is their incredible nature ... but any delusion is possible if the false belief underlying it is plausible." [Americans' Belief in Paranormal Phenomena (Infographic)]
"Penis-shrinking panics are a timely reminder that no one is immune from mass delusions and that the influence of culture and society on individual behavior is far greater than most of us would like to admit. Yet the main reason for the absence of penis-shrinking epidemics in Western societies is their incredible nature ... but any delusion is possible if the false belief underlying it is plausible." [Americans' Belief in Paranormal Phenomena (Infographic)]
Interesting in a morbid kind of way. Makes the imagination run riot though as we think of all the folks in your mid west and other parts .The Arctic Freeze we read about must be causing your blokes to walk carefully with hands protectively placed over willies to prevent irreparable countersinking. The Pres in warmer climes would have a mini umbrella over his parts to prevent sunburn and Jimmy Carter and GWHB would simply not care. See what age related conditions can do to a mans ego. If this is off topic, my defense is that so is the original post, unless we consider American Politics to be all Piss and Wind, a bit like the drovers dog.
I dunno King. I am in the mist of a research project to disprove William's dog pissing direction post. I have a lovely little Peke who because of the physical limitations of the breed actually pisses on all fours so I have a very good and willing subject. So hell maybe WM is turning this into a piss and wind affair. You might be on to something.......... the research continues.........................
Having awoke to a 1f degree temperature this very morning it occurred to me that those with innies may have a distinct advantage over those of us with outies.
Touching ones tongue to a metal pole, and outdoor bladder relief will have to wait until later in the week.
Brrrrrrrr,,,,,, a balmy 4 above predicted for NYC and Philadelphia in the morn.
http://www.livescience.com/28015-penis-snatching-panics-koro.html
ReplyDeleteIn a recent issue of "Pacific Standard" magazine, Louisa Lombard, an anthropologist at the University of California at Berkeley, described visiting a small town in the Central African Republic where she encountered two men who claimed that their penises had been stolen.
It seems that the day before, a traveler visiting the town had shaken hands with a tea vendor who immediately claimed he felt a shock and sensed that his penis had shrunk. He cried out in alarm, gathering a crowd, and a second man then said it also happened to him.
This is not the setup to a joke; it is a real psychological disorder called koro in which victims (mostly men, but sometimes women) come to believe that their genitals are shrinking or retracting into the body. The concern is not only for their sexuality, but also for their lives, since they believe that the condition may be life threatening if not reversed. In order to prevent further shrinkage, victims have been known to securely tie their penises with string or metal clamps — even sometimes having family members hold it in relays until treatment can be sought, usually from shamen or traditional healers.
"Penis-shrinking panics are a timely reminder that no one is immune from mass delusions and that the influence of culture and society on individual behavior is far greater than most of us would like to admit. Yet the main reason for the absence of penis-shrinking epidemics in Western societies is their incredible nature ... but any delusion is possible if the false belief underlying it is plausible." [Americans' Belief in Paranormal Phenomena (Infographic)]
"Penis-shrinking panics are a timely reminder that no one is immune from mass delusions and that the influence of culture and society on individual behavior is far greater than most of us would like to admit. Yet the main reason for the absence of penis-shrinking epidemics in Western societies is their incredible nature ... but any delusion is possible if the false belief underlying it is plausible." [Americans' Belief in Paranormal Phenomena (Infographic)]
Shit, there goes my trip this spring to the Central African Republic!
ReplyDeleteInteresting in a morbid kind of way. Makes the imagination run riot though as we think of all the folks in your mid west and other parts .The Arctic Freeze we read about must be causing your blokes to walk carefully with hands protectively placed over willies to prevent irreparable countersinking. The Pres in warmer climes would have a mini umbrella over his parts to prevent sunburn and Jimmy Carter and GWHB would simply not care. See what age related conditions can do to a mans ego. If this is off topic, my defense is that so is the original post, unless we consider American Politics to be all Piss and Wind, a bit like the drovers dog.
ReplyDeleteI dunno King. I am in the mist of a research project to disprove William's dog pissing direction post. I have a lovely little Peke who because of the physical limitations of the breed actually pisses on all fours so I have a very good and willing subject. So hell maybe WM is turning this into a piss and wind affair. You might be on to something.......... the research continues.........................
ReplyDeleteHaving awoke to a 1f degree temperature this very morning it occurred to me that those with innies may have a distinct advantage over those of us with outies.
ReplyDeleteTouching ones tongue to a metal pole, and outdoor bladder relief will have to wait until later in the week.
Brrrrrrrr,,,,,, a balmy 4 above predicted for NYC and Philadelphia in the morn.
Half of Congress are victims.
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