Sex Tracking Tech: Is It Helping or Harming Relationships?

Quantified Relationship (QR) technology refers to the use of various technological tools to measure and track different aspects of romantic relationships. This includes things like the frequency of sexual encounters, chores, or even communication patterns. The intention behind QR tech is to use this data to improve intimacy and understanding between partners. It is significant because it represents a shift towards data-driven approaches in managing and understanding relationships, which can have implications for how individuals perceive and experience intimacy.

Sex tracking apps function by allowing users to record and sometimes rate their sexual encounters. These apps allow users to log details such as their partner's name, the location of the encounter, and the number of orgasms achieved. Some apps even assign points and create leaderboards where users can compare their 'achievements'. This is important because it introduces a competitive and performance-oriented aspect to sex, potentially shifting the focus from mutual enjoyment and intimacy to a more quantified and achievement-based experience.

Wearable devices used for sex tracking collect a variety of data during sexual activity. These devices, often worn on the penis, can measure metrics such as the number of thrusts, thrust velocity, the number of sexual positions, duration, penile temperature, girth, and even calories burned. This data is significant because it provides a highly detailed, quantified view of sexual performance, which may influence how individuals perceive their own and their partner's sexual abilities and satisfaction.

The 'measurement-management' issue refers to the concern that focusing on quantifiable metrics during sexual encounters may detract from the actual experience. There is a debate around whether the act of digitally recording or taking notes during or after sex enhances or hinders the sense of spontaneity and intimacy. While some individuals may find it helpful, others may find it off-putting and distracting from the emotional and physical connection. This is significant because it highlights the potential for QR technology to interfere with the subjective and immediate nature of sexual experiences.

Phenomenological alienation, in the context of sex tracking, refers to the experience of feeling disconnected from the actual act of sex. Instead of experiencing sex as an immediate and subjective activity, individuals may start to experience it through the lens of data and numerical inputs. This means the body becomes a 'data-generating device', and the focus shifts to the representation of sex rather than the act itself, leading to a sense of detachment and alienation from the physical and emotional experience. This concept is significant as it underscores how the data-driven approach can alter our fundamental perception and experience of intimacy, potentially diminishing its intrinsic value.