On Casual Sex

I was reading a funny article today. Apparently, the institution of cheating is more blossoming than ever, with social media as a welcome lubricant. You find a couple of websites, post your request or skim through the existing ones, and in matters of minutes you could be on your way to steamy fornication. It's all hush-hush, of course, but that works for both parties because more often than not, they will be just as happily involved (with someone else) as you. It's all about adrenaline, sex and novelty.
Totally understandable. Boredom comes with the package of long-term relationships and we all need excitement - otherwise we wither. It sounds so tempting that I'm not going to waste another minute - I'm gonna jump on my decision making device: the list of pros and cons.
PROS:
1. Variety. No promises, no commitment means I can choose someone new every day. I live in a metropolis, boys turn 18 everyday, this pond is not likely to drain while I'm alive. 
2. Excitement. Every new encounter is like a wrapped Christmas present. Just for those very intense feelings of anticipation and I think it's worth it already. 
3. Sex. Need I say more?
4. Networking. Didn't see this one coming, right? This open "I'm cheating-you're cheating" kind of interaction opens the door to honesty. Mutual destruction capabilities once established, the two can freely chat about anything - quite therapeutical, in fact. You might think that a relationship which started under such circumstances would not make it beyond the premises, but you would be wrong. It is different from "I lied to you about my life and now I need to hide from you to make sure you don't ruin it for me" sex; it is also different from "You slept with me to get something from me, so now I kind of feel repelled by you" sex. The striking similarity between motives and expectations actually sets the base for a nice friendship. Think about it.
5. Therapy. Escaping the daily routine and hiding from your worries will actually give you a relaxing break. Might even knock out a few years.
6. Get back in touch with your inner child. Fooling around, flirting, giggling, playing, are actually things your child loves to do. Since we spend most of our time as grown-ups or parents, the poor thing rarely has a chance to enjoy. 
7. Keep your options open. Sure, you are somewhat happy now, but you never know, right? One of these occasional flings might just turn out to bloom into something else one day. 

That was my right hemisphere. I'm soooo convinced, but for the sake of the truce in my head, I will give the floor to Lefty.
So, CONS:
1. STDS. Yes, there are condoms, but they have been known to break. As well, there are conditions that don't need fluids to spread around, they are happy enough with the proximity of the private parts. Explain that to your partner, and to yourself -when that raged conscience keeps you awake.
2. Psycopaths. Serial killers, tortionists, rapists, kidnappers and so on. They know you couldn't have told anyone where you were going and they don't even need to scheme you into going somewhere with them. And if you think you would "know", think again. Some of the most ferocious psycopaths in history were regular joes, looked-up to in their community.
3. Emotional repercussions. Most of women, but it goes for men, as well, have a hard time dealing with the emotional rampage of guilt. If that is not enough, self-loathing and depression may present an unwanted onset as well. Enjoy that!
4. You never expect the unexpected. We are very foolish when it comes to planning. We actually believe that if we think hard and plan in detail, we cover for everything. However, if the universe is in a particular mood, our carefully errected edifice can come down in flames so fast and so spectacularly, that we may even start a new religion afterwards. Extreme examples: your online pal, whom you only know by nickname and lies served so far, turns out to be your spouse; there is a detective on your trail, hired by your spouse, due to your unusual behavior lately; the person showing up at the "date" is a friend of your child's; the person showing up is a relative, friend, ex, co-worker, boss or otherwise work related; you fall into a trap set by a website or a TV show, so next thing you know, you are "live" for everyone to see. 
5. Change of plan - type A. You realize you want more from the relationship. You fall inlove and decide your casual sex is actually the one - but the feeling is not mutual. You are now heart-broken, depressed and facing either a break-up with your spouse or a long period of double shot of misery. If the sadness turns to riot, you might even threaten them with exposure and make a fool of yourself in the process. 
6. Change of plan - type B (from beware). Your "date" realizes he/she has feelings for you. That is particularly inconveniencing for you, since you have nothing of the sort. You let them know, then offer to shake hands and stay friends. End of story for you, beginning of the drama for them. After wallowing in their own misery for a while, they decide to give it another shot. They come, beg, argue, then beg some more. When nothing works, they might even threaten you with exposure. In some cases, it might escalate to violence or even crimes of passion; to make it worse, sometimes the target of a rage attack is not the loved one, but loved ones of the loved one. 
7. Pregnancy. All precautions aside, if both partners are fertile, the likelihood is there. 

Tough choice, easy choice? Not even a choice? Surprisingly enough, for most people, such a rational train of thought would never take place because the "do" or "don't do it" is ingrained in their personality. It is useful, however, if you have been on the "don't" side, but kind of feel tempted to make a change. Odds are, most "amateurs" will get hurt and deeply regret it afterwards, if they take it to the finish line in the first place. If they decide to stay in the game, it will get easier with time, but they will suffer other types of long term psychological effects. If they make it a "once in a lifetime experience", they will be periodically punched by guilt associated feelings, but they might end up enjoying their family life more. Hard to predict, really, but personal intuition is always the best guide. When in serious doubt, a coach or a therapist might be of great help as well; the worst strategy, however, is to take it to a friend, unless they are mute or otherwise unwilling to give advice and just limit themselves to listening. The other danger of involving someone familiar is that you are disclosing information that can be used against you at some point in the future. We all think that our friends would never betray us, but history has overwhelmingly proved otherwise.
Personally, I believe people should do whatever they feel necesarry in order to be happy and experience life. But just like drinking acid, while new and challenging, might prove to be a fatal curiosity, people should choose wisely what they decide to taste and make sure they are ready to meet the consequences, because they never fail to show up.