Spring Break
I heart Robot
Kellan McAffee
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: Valentine's
Wondering what to get your robot for Valentine's Day this year? While the idea seems strange now, human-robot marriage will be legal by the year 2050 according to a new book called "Love and Sex with Robots" by David Levy. Levy is an internationally renowned expert on artificial intelligence.
Not tonight honey, I'm downloading some important files.
"People have been using machines and toys for sexual gratification for years and robots are just a natural evolution of the technology," Levy writes. "The Japanese are already making sex robots and sending them to outlying fishing villages."
Sex toys are a billion-dollar a year industry according to Levy.
Erika Knissin, an employee at "The Blue Boutique," a sex shop in Salt Lake, said they have yet to receive requests for sex robots at their store.
"Our [blow up] dolls have cyber-skin, which is very real, but not robotic functions," Knissin said.
Some dolls at the boutique can "talk dirty" but cannot reciprocally communicate.
Levy argued that robots would be physically and mentally indistinguishable from humans within 40 years. He wrote that a person could be standing within two feet of a robot and not know it.
"People will be able to choose the size, physical characteristics, personality types and knowledge that the user wants," wrote Levy. "Robots will learn about your likes and dislikes. The robot will be able to understand you and change behavior accordingly,"
WSU student Xitlali Loza said robots would not appeal to her emotionally. She said she thought robot sex could teach men and boys the wrong lessons about women.
"If you have a robot that does whatever you want it to do," Loza said, "you will tend to dominate the real women you meet later on."
WSU student Christian Harris said the prospect of robot marriage was appealing.
"I think it's a great idea," Harris said. "I could have her do my laundry, fix my car, buy groceries, and please me in the bedroom."
Not tonight honey, I'm downloading some important files.
"People have been using machines and toys for sexual gratification for years and robots are just a natural evolution of the technology," Levy writes. "The Japanese are already making sex robots and sending them to outlying fishing villages."
Sex toys are a billion-dollar a year industry according to Levy.
Erika Knissin, an employee at "The Blue Boutique," a sex shop in Salt Lake, said they have yet to receive requests for sex robots at their store.
"Our [blow up] dolls have cyber-skin, which is very real, but not robotic functions," Knissin said.
Some dolls at the boutique can "talk dirty" but cannot reciprocally communicate.
Levy argued that robots would be physically and mentally indistinguishable from humans within 40 years. He wrote that a person could be standing within two feet of a robot and not know it.
"People will be able to choose the size, physical characteristics, personality types and knowledge that the user wants," wrote Levy. "Robots will learn about your likes and dislikes. The robot will be able to understand you and change behavior accordingly,"
WSU student Xitlali Loza said robots would not appeal to her emotionally. She said she thought robot sex could teach men and boys the wrong lessons about women.
"If you have a robot that does whatever you want it to do," Loza said, "you will tend to dominate the real women you meet later on."
WSU student Christian Harris said the prospect of robot marriage was appealing.
"I think it's a great idea," Harris said. "I could have her do my laundry, fix my car, buy groceries, and please me in the bedroom."
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Joseph Barney
posted 2/13/08 @ 12:31 PM MST
I don't see a robot as a mate, unless it's just friends. They'd make great companions, say for space exploration or geology, or even in the office. You can program them as super smart assistants that would benefit you in your job. (Continued…)
Ashley
posted 2/13/08 @ 2:50 PM MST
I don't care if gay marriage or robot marriage become legal, it's still not O.K. under God's laws. I agree that the law shouldn't have a say in who gets to marry, that is a religious matter in my view. (Continued…)
Caleb Hess
posted 2/13/08 @ 5:59 PM MST
Um... I'm all for robots, but they should just be used for things that humans don't want to do or shouldn't do - like porn and working in sweat shops. (Continued…)
Dan M.
posted 2/14/08 @ 8:05 PM MST
Isn't it strange that it took thousands of years to overcome slavery, and now we're basically developing new ways to once again have personal slaves?
I would agree though that a "sex bot" wouldn't teach young men the proper way to treat a women unless they specifically programmed it to act like a real women. (Continued…)
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