GRGR(5) - Slothrop, the New World

[David Morris]

David Morris wrote:
> Trying to make sense of any relation between Pointsman's two obsessions:
>
> 1.  The V-1/V-2 explosion & sound symmetry.
> 2.  A possible conditioned hard-on response from a loud sound stimulus.
>
> The two (#1 & #2 above) are apples and oranges: a Pavlovian correlation
does
> not exist.  The explosion/sound sequence of the V_1/V-2 is NOT relatable
to
> sound experience/hard-on response because BOTH rockets produce sound.

Jeremy Osner:
>This is my understanding of Pointsman's reasoning:
>
>* Slothrop was conditioned to develop a hard-on in
>response to "a loud noise preceded by an ominous build-up" (p. 86).
>* He was then deconditioned (let us assume) beyond the zero.
>* The sequence is now temporally reversed: he develops a hard-on,
>then there is a loud noise (V-2 explosion), then there is
>an ominous build-up (sound of V-2 approaching). This had not
>happened before because there was no technology to produce a
>loud noise followed by an ominous build-up.
>
>Granted this track of reasoning is not particularly scientific;
>but Pointsman is obsessed.

Granted your textual reference supports some reasoning in Pointy's brain
but,
would the proper conditioning sequence have been penile stimulation (the
ominous build-up) followed by a loud noise?  It seems like a loud noise
following the erection would scare the baby into losing it.  Wouldn't a loud
noise preceding the penile stimulation be better for the goal of later
producing an erection w/ only the loud noise?

Also, penile stimulation to the point of erection become an "ominous
build-up" when it's followed by ejaculation.  That explosion seems a better
metaphor, of course baby Slothrop couldn't go that step.  Until that first
experience, baby boys just like the feeling and will handle it all day long
if allowed.