Science
The Mysterious Allure of Fear: Why Our Brains Crave Scary Experiences
27 August 2024
What is more, research on sexual activity patterns shows that today’s generation is less sexually active than their predecessors. 25% of American men under 30 are not sexually active. Furthermore, even more alarming is a study among the Japanese aged 18 to 34 showing that roughly 42% of men and 44% of women have never engaged in sexual activity.
This decline in interpersonal sexual activity seems to be benefitting the sex tech industry, which is witnessing growth. Currently, this sector is estimated at a value of US$31.4 billion globally. Predictions suggest that from 2023 to 2030, it will expand at an annual rate of approximately 17%. This industry includes businesses involved in the production of remote-controlled erotic devices, virtual reality pornography, platforms providing innovative sexual services, as well as sex robots: currently China and Japan lead in the creation and innovation of these devices for self-pleasure. Specifically, China is a dominant sex tech market in the Asia-Pacific Economic Community (APEC), hosting a multitude of companies producing erotic devices, software, and other related services.
Yet, these technological advancements in the sex tech industry raise ethical concerns, especially in the context of the long-term societal implications of integrating such technologies. The widespread use of ‘sextech’ products may foster socially maladaptive behaviors, impact user morality, and further diminish sexual activity among emerging generations.
From Dildos to Interactive Sex Robots
In 2005, archaeologists near Ulm discovered fragments of an object resembling a phallus. Upon closer inspection, it was identified as a life-sized dildo, approximately 28,000 years old. This discovery might strike many as unexpected, but it is a fact: the dildo predates the invention of the wheel by 25,000 years. However, archaeologists have never found ancient male equivalents, such as portable vaginas.
The interest in erotic devices saw an upswing in the late 1990s. This was when the company Fleshlight introduced a male-centric erotic device shaped much like a flashlight. Two decades on, the range of sexual products for men has diversified. Today, the market offers interactive devices that simulate sounds and sex robots capable of simulating a basic conversation.
One of the most popular sex robots is Harmony. She is a life-sized silicone model integrated with artificial intelligence. Users can interact with Harmony via sensors and a smartphone application. Beyond basic functionalities, she can also engage in light banter and rudimentary discussions. However, she does not meet the criteria of the Turing test, a standard for evaluating machine-human indistinguishability. The starting price for Harmony is around US$10,000, but depending on customization, the cost can rise to US$75,000.
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Bright Future for Sextech Industry?
Scholars identify two primary phases in the evolution of sexual digitization. The initial phase includes online pornography, dating apps, and rudimentary erotic devices, all primarily centered on providing sexual gratification. The subsequent phase, often dubbed ‘second-wave’ digisexuality, leans towards creating a ‘deeper relationship with the user.’ This is achieved through immersive systems like virtual and augmented reality and AI-powered sex robots. Some predict that, in a few decades, these robots might even compete in relationship markets. It is believed that as generative models advance, interactions with sex robots could become more human-like. Integrating mechanisms similar to the ChatGPT chatbot into these robots could substantially transform the anthropomorphic erotic device sector and, needless to say, heighten potential societal consequences linked to their use.
Legal and Ethical Implications
While some highlight the potential benefits of using sex robots, concerns remain. Ania Malinowska, a researcher from the University of Silesia in Poland, suggests that software tailored for sexual stimulation can come to the aid of lonely, busy singles, those in grief, disabled individuals and seniors. Malinowska references studies involving robots designed for physical comfort and robotic pets, such as the PARO therapeutic seal. These studies claim that interactions with such responsive devices can boost therapeutic outcomes for users.
The sextech industry’s progress, however, primarily triggers controversy and poses significant ethical dilemmas. There are three primary types of sex robots, each raising moral concerns. The first embodies features prevalent in mainstream pornography: pronounced breasts, full lips, white complexion, and an unusually slim waist. The second, highly controversial, is designed to simulate resistance to sexual actions. For instance, the robot Roxxxy possesses multiple ‘personalities.’ One, termed ‘Frigid Farrah’, is depicted by the manufacturer as being reserved and avoiding intimate activities. This raises understandable fears that such features might nurture or even promote rape fantasies. Groups such as the ‘Campaign Against Sex Robots’ argue that interacting with such robots could harm users’ morality, potentially leading to a rise in pathological behaviors. The third type, designed to resemble children, mainly produced in Japan, faces widespread criticism. Activists caution that these robots risk normalizing the sexualization of children, leading to increased sexual deviations, child abuse, and pedophilia.
In 2019, nearly a quarter-million people signed a petition to halt the import of sex robots to South Korea. The petition’s initiator expressed concerns about the potential increase in sexual crimes connected to the use of these dolls. While this particular ban was not implemented, South Korea’s Ministry of Gender Equality and Family did prohibit the import and sale of sex robots that resemble celebrities or minors. Australia, the UK, and the US have similar restrictions. Nevertheless, enforcing such limitations proves challenging, given the difficulty in determining a robot’s intended age, with the distinction between child-like and adult-like robots often being subjective.
Sex with Silicone Humanoids
Users of sex robots typically seek anonymity in research studies or interviews—an attitude that is understandable. Engaging with a robot is often seen as a fetish or a sign of sexual deviance. It is also viewed as a marker of incapability in the romantic sphere, a symbol of low self-worth, or even an indication of involuntary celibacy.
Yet, some believe this might be fueled by societal stigmatization and misunderstandings about the phenomenon. Neil McArthur, co-author of ‘Robot Sex: Social and Ethical Implications’, notes that new technologies often initially elicit apprehension and moral indignation, but as they become more integrated into daily life, these fears often diminish. However, this does not diminish the validity of ethical concerns surrounding them.
Technological growth in the sextech industry demands raising questions concerning its ethical dimension. Answering the ethical concerns concerning the ethics and the long-term societal implications of integrating such technologies is necessary. However, even with advancements in sex technology, a profound shift in human relationships remains far off. Experts posit that such robots will likely remain a novelty, sparking the imaginations of science-fiction enthusiasts. Lastly, our cultural preoccupation with personal robots for sexual purposes might mirror broader trends towards privatization and individualized experiences in the realm of sexuality. In this context, it is crucial to recognize and remember that our seemingly private actions undeniably have an impact on broader social life and influence others.
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