I've listened to a number of docos on the sex industry over the years, and one thing that's always stuck out to me is the number of sex workers who say that a good portion of what they do doesn't even involve sex—that heaps of blokes are just desperate for a cuddle or someone to talk to. A few years ago, I heard that this demographic had grown so large in Japan that there are now sex workers there who don't do sex at all (which, I guess, means they're no longer technically sex workers?). A few weeks ago, I was listening to an interview with a cam-girl (someone who does online sex shows from home) and she said the clients who often pay the most are just looking for a chat. Finally, just the other day, I was listening to a doco about a company that manufactures lifelike sex dolls, and the bloke they interviewed was saying that they're pouring heaps into developing artificial intelligence, because the one thing their customers are desperate for is dolls that can hold a conversation and express "love"*.
Now, we've all heard speculation that at some point, there'll be robots to take care of the elderly, right? Well, at some point, I'm going to be an old lady with nobody to take care of me, and it has crossed my mind that—depending on how the technology evolves—this is what I might end up with. I dunno why, but for some reason, for the first time ever, I'm thinking that maybe a robot companion doesn't sound so bad.
What do youse think?
* Another thing they're programming the sex dolls with, is expressions of jealousy. Yes, apparently blokes want their sex dolls to act catty when talking about real women.
4 comments :
I don't know - appealing on the one hand because it would nice if someone said nice things to me for once like gee Squib, you look great. On the other hand, I'd know I was being complimented by a robot so it might make me feel worse. I doubt we'll ever see a useful version that can mow lawns and clean the car and so on so that's another negative. It would be expensive to buy/power/and repair. If AI reached a point where it was seriously just like talking to a human, I might contemplate talking to an omnipresent voice, one with an appealing voice/personality. I don't really need the hassle of the mechanical body that might go with it
But the mechanical body would be useful, for example, helping you wash, or wipe your bum or the other things that old people struggle with and that are not done very well in nursing homes.
I don't think - if the robot was human enough - it would matter that much that it was programmed to do it? I think a robot companion would (mostly) be great. I do agree though that there would always be a little *sigh* letdown with the knowledge that the robot was not human and therefore had not actually chosen to be with you, but TBH, I think the advantages of it would outweigh that.
And I do think there is a place for well-programmed sexbots in the world.
Anyone watched AI? It's one of my fave movies.
Bugger that; I demand a robot that can mow the lawn, clean the car, make the meals, and do the dishes. And you've probably got around thirty-ish years until I need it, robot-manufacturers, so you'd better hop to it!
You're right that they'll probably be prohibitively expensive and break down constantly though Squib. Also, I don't want one that needs to be connected to the internet.
Oh, you posted while I was typing Suze. I will ad AI to the list. I also hear Ex-Machina is quite good.
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