Why do political leaders become entangled in so many sex scandals? How did the US military inadvertently help make San Francisco a mecca of gay culture? And what was the original purpose of vibrators? In this well-researched exploration of human sexuality, journalist Ross Benes bares all about the role of sex in shaping the seemingly innocuous and non-sexual aspects of our lives, from religion to politics to technology. With hilarious wit, sharp insights, and a foreword by New York Times bestselling author A.J. Jacobs, The Sex Effect draws on all aspects of the social sciences, including history, psychology, religion, economics, and sociology, combining innovative research and analyses with captivating anecdotes to reveal just how much sex affects the world around us.