Sex robots the future of sex tourism: Academics

Edmonton Sun ^ | 4/19/12 | QMI Agency

[baddog 219]

Japan has had sex dolls for years. Now they have become...Ahhh...Functional...and some models are animated. Japanese males are really weird. they have beautiful women everywhere and yet prefer the plastic fantastic.

[Charles Martel]

Dang, shades of A Boy and His Dog.

[P.O.E.]

[Charles Martel]

Cherry 2000

I'm pretty sure Westworld featured this theme too, years before Cherry 2000.

Actually, the sex-robot thing goes way, way back, as far as Metropolis. Even further in books.

[The_Reader_David]

Before discussing the issue, everyone should see Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence. (No spoilers: just see it. Well, see Ghost in the Shell first, since the sequel ends up having spoilers for the first, better movie. But for this thread the sequel is the relevant one.)

As you might guess, the subtitle is deliberately ironic.

[MirrorField]

Would it still lead to people basing their lives around a biological function (gays, sex addicts, adulterers, etc) or would it just be an advanced form of masturbation?

I'd say latter; most people would think of them as equivalent of a glorified vibrator. Remember that unless it's equipped with a human-level AI (which would open an entirely another can of worms), it's not good for pillow talk or psychological support after a rough day at work.

Very few people base their lives around a biological function even today and many of those understand that they have a problem. Alcoholism, sex addiction, chronic cheating... It'd just be another new vice.

Also note that without human-level AI these things won't make appreciable impact on higher-class prostitution where the working girl is expected to be sharp, charming, suave, know etiquette to accompany their client on a formal function, etc. It would have a significant impact on low-level market of streetwalkers and lot lizards.

Would it become popular for wives to buy their husbands a sex robot for their anniversary? Or vice-versa?

Probably not. Think about what your wife would think of you giving her an expensive vibrator as a gift...

Would they advance the societal slide into degeneration or serve as a stopgap making sex just like a pill to take allowing society to move away from its sexual obsessions?

It probably would have very little effect on societal degeneration; just an elaboration on something that humanity has practiced since dawn of time (ie. masturbation).

[Alas Babylon!]

Amsterdam, Baby!

[tarheelswamprat]

We need an expert opinion.

Don't forget, FR has an expert from the "other side" as well... /g

[MikeSteelBe]

Remember “Mr. Universe” the hacker/media/blogger guy they got info from?

Capt. Reynolds used his equipment to broadcast the “Miranda” info at the end.

The assassin had already killed Mr. U when they got back, but his sexbot talked to Mal.

[Publius6961]

I see a whole new generation of Luddites organizing as we read...