Harnessing the power of the spin cycle

While we're on the topic of sex.... (Yes, we were, even though you might have seen it somewhat differently.)

Amanda brings this piece of art from Dominic Wilcox which, as she points out, may be good art but has a few practical flaws.

While, to me, it looks as though Wilcox is providing some visual snark, it does raise the question as to why it seems to be aimed purely at females. The underlying theme appears to be that women, while doing the laundry, can get some enjoyment out of it.

As for its ostensible double purpose, I can’t help but note that a man clearly designed this. Not because it insinuates that the gender that uses washing machines is solely the kind that orgasms from straddling vibrating things. It’s obviously a cheeky comment on that stereotype, anyway. No, it’s because it looks so damn uncomfortable. Anyone who tried to use it would either blow out a knee or have deep indentions inside her thighs.

Well, yeah! And, what about the fact that in some households men do the laundry. Aside from Amanda's observations, and Ann's at Feministing, any guy who saw something like this would feel compelled to mount it. One unbalanced spin would not only damage the knees but might actually result in a few days of immobility with an ice-pack between the legs.

I am advised that not only does the Orgasmatron 3000 appear to be a modification of a less attractive patriarchal tool, but the very design has not properly harnessed the most effective parts of a washing machine.

The top is not the useful portion. I have been informed that the corners of most automatic washing machines are the most stimulating part of the equipment and if one can intentionally create an unbalanced load, all the better.

Notwithstanding, I am also informed that the whole object of automatic equipment is to "set and forget" ostensibly to allow more leisure which in fact results in finding some other bit of household drudgery to perform causing the operator to miss the spin cycle in its entirety.

The truth is, if the Orgasmatron 3000 were to be properly designed and intended to be operated on an equal basis by both sexes it would have one of these built in to a strategically useful location. (Link not safe for work).