A peculiarity of American sexual mores

A peculiarity of American sexual mores is that those men who like to think of themselves as exclusively and triumphantly heterosexual are convinced that the most masculine of all activities is not tending to the sexual need of women but watching other men play games. I have never understood this aspect of my countrymen but I suppose there is a need for it (bonding?), just as the Romans had a need to see people being murdered. Perhaps there is a connection between the American male’s need to watch athletes and his fatness: according to a W.H.O report, the American male is the world’s fattest and softest; this might explain why he also loves guns—you can always get your revolver up.

~Gore Vidal, The Top Ten Best Sellers According To The Sunday New York Times As Of January 7, 1973 (essay).