Sex Robots II

Sex robots are now for sale on the Internet (realdoll.com) As part of the Biotechnological society, robots may play a large role in this new era. The sexbots cost about $6,000 dollars and are uncannily human. Males are about 20 pounds heavier than the 100-pound females. They come in numerous sizes, races, gender orientation and special implanted audios that are custom ordered by the consumer. They are custom fitted and the genitals vibrate.

Anecdotal research suggests that females do not like the human male member and thus genital and body hair have been refurbished on the male models. Females can be ordered that typify PLAYBOY models. The bots are forever young and attractive and accommodate the consumer’s sexual needs.

There is already an ongoing debate about this kind of robot. Most writers (including both sexes) write favorably about it. I am one of the lone dissenters (see Google: sexual robots, and socialvibes.net.) My position is that the bot will become addictive, that consumers will rearrange their lives around their habituation, and they will not save marriages, but will increase divorce as the consumer becomes emotionally attached with the sexbot. Thus, the other marital partner may be left out or feel left out. In other words, humans bond with the bot. Anecdotal information suggest that owners of AIBO the robot dog come to love the dog (robot) and feel that they have a friend.

Additionally, commercial establishments may contain rental bots and conduct a lawful business. There is no reason that child bots can not be manufactured for adult consumers. Further, it is very conceivable that parents when not in the household may find their children having sex with an adult bot. Techno virgins may emerge, who refuse the risks of disease, emotional investment, and marriage commitment because the bot is better for sex. Churches will struggle with this issue. Are sexbots creatures or marital aids?

There is also the question of marital consent. In some deep southern states, adult males literally marry child female brides. What constitutes a child bot? Should a child be introduce to sex through a child bot? Is that lawful? Moral? Is sex with a same sex bot really gay sex or is it interspecies sex? The combinations and permutations go on and on.

Further, we are up against something formidable. As Steven Levy noted (Newsweek, 6/21/03:51) “We are sharing our world with another species (robots) one that gets smarter and more independent every year.”

The other side’s position is that a recent NEWSWEEK (6/30/03:41-46) article indicates that although there are numerous benefits to marriage, sexual activity is greatly diminished and infrequent. Thus, there is a technological fix. a special marital aid. It is the bot.

Sexbots will reduce teen pregnancy, abortions, premarital human sex, sexually transmitted diseases, pedophilia, pornography, prostitution, gay human sex, and extramarital affairs.

Surely, these “creatures” will remain on the margins of society. That same thing was said about television and the Internet in their early stages. As the global information society begins to assimilate (1970-2000) the Biotechnical society begins its march through history.

The bot may probably be part of the new society. Moral boundaries and barriers will be tested.