America on the Brink of Six Extinctions

The United States is seemingly facing a crisis—many individuals are going through extended periods of sexlessness. The General Social Survey shows that about one in three men and one in five women haven’t had sexual intercourse in the last year. To make matters worse, testosterone levels are decreasing, and feelings of loneliness are reaching new heights.

Social media seems to be playing a role in this issue, at least to some extent.

Dr. Debra Soh, a sexual neuroscientist, argues that unrealistic expectations set by social media influencers could be a significant factor. For instance, she states that men, believing they might snag a connection with an influencer boasting millions of followers, tend to set their sights too high. This, in turn, leads women to value men who meet overly specific criteria, like being over six feet tall and incredibly wealthy, as discussed in her upcoming book, Sextinction: The Decline of Sex and the Future of Intimacy.

However, social media isn’t the only advancement creating friction with our biological instincts.

“I think our evolutionary psychology isn’t equipped to handle dating apps,” Soh mentioned. The idea of swiping through countless potential partners is a modern phenomenon that our ancestors didn’t face. Frequent choices may not be beneficial; her book describes this as a “mismatch between our evolutionary history and today’s tech-heavy world.”

She raises a critical concern. The “survival of the fittest” notion has intensified, pushing many good people to the sidelines.

Moreover, Soh links the sexual drought to pornography. She points out that the easy access can reshape young people’s desires, making them respond more vividly to screens and sometimes leading them to seek out specific practices that might not align with traditional forms of intimacy.

Soh foresees an even bleaker future as AI companions become more viable. After testing several platforms that offer virtual romantic partners, she observed that technology quickly became more lifelike.

“Your AI partner will perceive everything you desire,” Soh explained. “You can adjust the voice and reactions, fine-tuning the interaction almost as if you’re creating a personalized experience.”

She believes this trend is worrisome; people might eventually prefer AI companions over real human connections.

Soh insists that the ongoing sexual recession “will only worsen with technological advancements,” which should concern everyone, especially with declining birth rates and deteriorating personal connections.

“In the end, most of us crave the same thing: to feel understood and valued,” she noted. “Attempting to replace that with flashy distractions could be counterproductive, steering us further away from addressing underlying biological needs.”

Still, the issue isn’t limited to digital distractions.

Invisible factors in our environment may be affecting our hormones too. Soh expressed concern about not fully grasping how various toxins might impact us, especially since similar effects have been observed in animals. For instance, research indicates that certain chemicals from human waste are altering fish behavior and even feminizing them.

A study highlighted in her book noted that an estrogen-like compound in soy can feminize male eels and elevate aggressive behaviors in monkeys. Soh contends that besides feminizing effects, soy could shrink sperm counts and highlights the danger of feeding certain infant formulas made from soybeans that may contain endocrine disruptors.

Additionally, studies in her book show how exposure to BPA and synthetic estrogens can create fertility issues—not just in those exposed but also in future generations.

“Humans fundamentally need face-to-face interactions,” she emphasizes. “We’re not meant to hide behind screens.”