Civilization & Its Rate of Exchange

[Terrance]

The tendency on the part of civilization to restrict sexual
life is less clear than its other tendency to expand the
cultural unit. Its first, totemic, phase already brings with
it the prohibition against an incestuous choice of object,
and this is perhaps the most drastic mutilation which man's
erotic life has in all time experienced. Taboos, laws and
customs impose further restrictions, which affect both men
and women...and the economic structure of the society also
influences the amount of sexual freedom that remains. Here,
as we already know, civilization is obeying the laws of
economic necessity, since a large amount of the physical
energy which it uses for its own purpose has to be withdrawn
from sexuality. In this respect, civilization behaves
towards sexuality as a people or a stratum of its population
does which has subjected another one to its exploitation.
Fear of revolt by the suppressed element leads to stricter
precautionary measures. 

			Ziggy driving that train