David Levy - Sex with Robots

I am sat wide awake again listening to the BBC World Service and a few minutes ago a Scientist called David Levy was being interviewed. His idea is that by the middle of this century robotics and AI will be so far advanced that sex and relationships with robots will be not only feasible but seen as normal for great tracts of society. He believes that people who for various mental, social and physical reasons cannot find a meaningful sexual and social relationship will embrace this new programmable partner and make it their own.

Now don’t get me wrong I would love to swap my missus in for a suction machine like a Dyson that looked like Angelina Jolie and fed me Oysters every morning. Has I’m sure she would happily swap my insomniac arse in for anybody. But is it still not just a sex toy for the sad?

Seriously though do you believe that David Levy is right about the level of robotic sophistication achievable within the time frame he mentioned? And would society really put up with it? Think about it. Plastic but sexy Jolene or Brad gets your rocks off and when you want a child you go to the lab. One test tube later you’re a prospective father or mother with a plastic spouse who never says no.


I keep thinking its wrong; in my bones I know it’s wrong. But it does sound interesting.

sexuality.about.com...

reply to post by Infidel 101

Interesting post Infidel.

I think we are already 90% there. Just Google XXX and click any link.

Sex is all in your head. That should be clear as day. Not sure if that speaks well for the human race (or for me bringing it up) but we are definitely fast tracking towards an inevitable conclusion.

reply to post by Infidel 101


The only thing I am amazed at is how long it has taken for them to even discuss this. The film A.I. posits this future approach to human - machine interaction (with the click of a neck).

Just about the time I am entering the nursing home, I'll have my own robotic Pammy, Alison, Joanne, Deborah - don't think she will mind what I call her!

At least theres something to look forward to in retirement.

Brei.

Sorry if I didn’t make myself clear but David Levy is talking about a replacement partner, not just a sex toy, hence the idea that you can programme it to your tastes and I don’t just mean sexual gratification.

He is actually talking about both men and women accepting artificial partners that suit them, he did mention those who struggle directly though as potential customers.

Sorry - me and my sick mind.

You mention A.Jolie and I went on a detour!

Replacements eh? For singletons or people who cannot strike up a relationship with the opposite sex - yes, great idea.

But the market is wider than that and I think this will eventually lead to the path I already discussed.

Seriously though do you believe that David Levy is right about the level of robotic sophistication achievable within the time frame he mentioned? And would society really put up with it? Think about it. Plastic but sexy Jolene or Brad gets your rocks off and when you want a child you go to the lab. One test tube later you’re a prospective father or mother with a plastic spouse who never says no.

Definately correct on the timescales, if not sooner! Most sophisticated machinery / computers and technology we are still not aware of or privy to.

Would society put up with it? Modern society is being sold down the materialistic river in a handbasket. Just look at Japan and their accelerated Westernisation of their people, mostly via electronic or artificial means.

In 25 years, a society like that would accept anything they deem to be ''better'' or more ''modern'' just to be in vouge. Its a plastic society, or becoming one.

As for engineered offspring etc - sad, cruel but we humans can do anything, sometimes completely immoral. If it exists, theres usually a market for it.

It will happen, timescales permitting.

My two bob.

Brei.

Thats a really scary concept

I saw a documentary that interviewed guys in Japan that have similar relationships with life size (and very human like) dolls. It was really freaky that they chose these instead of pursuing relationships with real women

As long as it lets me go to sleep right after. No snuggling and talking.

Well snuggling is OK.

Roper

I have thought about this before, and it is always an interesting topic. The answer is yes, absolutely! Who is to say what makes a being sentient anyway? It would be easy enough to develop real feelings and anthropomorphize that sort of partner anyways.

I think the sex/partner thing would be a no brainer. But imagine the impact it would have on the labor market (especially retail jobs). Boy that would shake things up big time. some people complain they are losing job opportunities to illegal aliens, imagine if beautiful, perfect, well mannered robots entered the job market as competition.

I think it could happen. I think a lot of people actully won't accept it, but yet for people who just go about having sex all the time, not caring who with, etc. It's be good for them... can't get it pregnant(hopefully), no chance of STD's(hopefully)... one day they might be as advanced as to be thought, sentient beings, if they aren't all ready.

Maybe we are also being introuduced to them already in movies? I mean, look at A.I., Bicentennial Man, D.A.R.Y.L, Short Circut, Terminator series, Irobot, Robocop, and my SO's fav Knight Rider. Maybe they are just trying to prepare us for them by making them so prevalent in movies that when the time comes, we will just kinda shurg our shoulders and go ok.

In terms of looking at this as not a sexual toy but rather as an actual companion which someone could converse with, share life experiences with, and achieve some level of an actual relationship with (i'm talking an advancement in tech. which would appear as a human to observation), I have a few thoughts.

Considering the level of highly advanced technology involved to create something capable of filling the role of a replacement for an actual companion (and not just a sex toy), this would likely be something that would only be within the means of extremely wealthy people.

Many of the wealthy people I deal with in my occupation have all manner of advanced technological toys, but in my opinion they don't always appreciate them, rather they simply enjoy the novelty of it for awhile before they cast it aside for the next cool addition to their collection.

On the other hand, there may be many less fortunate people who would place a much higher value on a "super advanced" companion (again, not talking about the sex toy value). For example, there are many less fortunate people who may live out their lives in isolation. Many have lasting relationships but some never do. Those are likely to be the people who would most appreciate something like this.

The irony here is that the people most likely to be able to afford such an expensive item would be the ones who least appreciate what it could offer, while others, who may be more likely to truly appreciate a "companion" to share life with may be less likely to afford one.

I kinda had a hard time getting my head around this one and getting it into words.....hope all that made sense.

Originally posted by MacSen191
I think it could happen. I think a lot of people actully won't accept it, but yet for people who just go about having sex all the time, not caring who with, etc. It's be good for them... can't get it pregnant(hopefully), no chance of STD's(hopefully)... one day they might be as advanced as to be thought, sentient beings, if they aren't all ready.

Just couldnt do it myself. I like REAL women way too much, and I mean if you have safe sex, you shouldnt have a problem with unplanned pregnancy or STD's

This is from the Whatever happened to the sanctity of marriage thread going on elswhere. I think the quote below applies perfectly to the subject at hand:

Originally posted by sc2099
Someone mentioned earlier the modern obsession with instant gratification...I think porn just feeds on this problem. For some porn can become a full blown addiction and the results aren't just that men aren't attracted to their wives anymore, but that they don't even bother to interact with them in other ways, like any other type of addict might.

This current thread really deals with addiction, and abandoning human interaction to support that addiction. SC2099 nails this, I think.

Can't see it catching on very widely myself. Don't have a problem with the idea though; people are into weirder stuff nowadays, and it doesn't concern me. At the very least, any implementation would be good for a few laughs on the internet.

Once we've gotten to the point where we can create sentient machines, this is one of the least interesting uses possible. Society will have to be completely revamped when there is no important difference between man and machine.

I don't understand why so many keep saying the "less fortunate" would be the most likely to have an AI long term companion.

Keep in mind, there would be NO problem chasing real women/men, difference would be you are guaranteed to get ALONG with your android companion. When you get bored and go outside to mess with real humans, your angelic android companion will wait and not be resentful and would always be there.

And initially there would be prejudice over that sort of relationship, and most would keep it hidden. But eventually some high profile individuals would become open about it and it would be accepted in society just as those that stay single, or those that choose to only live with pets. In previous eras a person that chose to live alone would be considered disabled in some way, or hiding something, but these days it is perfectly acceptable. Androids would become the same way, another lifestyle choice.

That's like saying we'll own computers in 2050 - duh. However, this will NOT be socially acceptable.

"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." - Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp. 1977.

"We will never make a 32 bit operating system."- Bill Gates

www.scribd.com...

hmmmm 1 $1000 hookerbot...or...

1000 $1 hookerbots?

I'll take five $1 hookerbots because i'm not fussy.

I don't know if anybody has mentioned this but what happens when you're getting it on with yer hookerbot or anthropomorphic-electromechanical partner and all of a sudden it crashes, er like windoze. What if it won't let go? or won't stop squeezing? Blue Screen of Death anyone? It has to have an easily accessible "Disable" button (you don't wanna turn it off 'coz then you'd have to reinstall the whole damn thing).

Yeah I think it's a good thing. Would be more like a pet. And the robot would be pretty smart so could help with projects you work on. It will allow technology and new to be developed faster.

It actually might be a good think to give to a college student so they can concentrate on their studies better. Besides you would probably trade it in every couple years for a better model like a video card.

I see only good and more advancement with this.

if you are catching up on time this premise disregards rights provisions that have been implemented in time.