Within the next few years, sexual activity will move more and more from the real world into the virtual. What will it bring to humanity and what will take away?
“Were you listening to me, Neo? Or were you looking at the woman in the red dress?”We all remember this moment from the movie Matrix. Science fiction movies and books are full of mentions of sexy robots, holographic girlfriends and virtual pleasures. But where are we on the way to this dream? What will it bring to humanity? What will take away?“Within the next few years, sexual activity will move more and more from the real world into the virtual, that will give giving birth to new internet dependence for people,” experts say.
“Traditional sex ceases to be the means for peoples interaction,” announce Julia Heiman, director of the American Kinsey Institute, specializing in sex, gender, and reproduction. In her opinion, in next few years users will be provided with ability to create sexual content by themselves, according to their own taste, choosing behaviour, appearance and enunciation for a virtual partner. Already now, internet connected devices with so named “teledildo” technology are presented in several online shops and services. Steve Rhodes, President of Sinulate Entertainment said that his company has sold thousands of such sex gadgets. Pornography industry magnates are also interested in new branches of development. XStream3D Multimedia President, Brad Abram asserts that his internet game, Virtual Jenna, featuring famous pornographic actress, Jenna Jameson as main star is already equipped with piquant device connection capability. This service costs $29.95, machinery not included, and several hundred thousand clients have already experienced online virtual sex.
Of another game offered by DoubleB Interference Inc., Andrew Borshtein, “Play with Alice” developmet manager tells: "Market always gives us an impulse to improve. In 2006 we translate our game on new 3D engine and now users can interact right in the browser window. Our specialist visited Milan fashion week, where he spied for new cloth and lingerie collections, and as result users can wear it in the game before they can see it in shops. We also keep in mind that many people are tired of ordinary sex, and come to virtual for new feelings, some particular rooms in the game were added specially for this category.
"Some developers looks farther ahead – into robotics. Carl DiSalvo, a Carnegie University researcher, helped develop a machine that blushes and reacts to sexual stimulation. DiSalvo sumises that his product can assume a strong position in the adult industry market thanks to its realistic reactions. A simple sex doll from RealDoll site costs $6500, sex dolls with real feelings will be much more expensive.
Other researchers predict that physical sex-machines will become a thing of the past. Emerging technologies will allow direct brain stimulation. Marvin Minsky, artificial intelligence development pioneer, predicts that such devices will be able to excite corresponding brain tissue areas creating the same reaction as if actual physical stimulation were used. In the Minsky 's opinion this can be reality within 20 to 30 years. If developers work in countries wehre such expermentation is permitted by law, the development time will be much less.
The virtual sex problem is polysemantic – psychiatrist James Pheldon comments, - on one hand, this method is effective as prophylactic for mental disorders concerned with sexual continence. Many people also suffer from sexual deprivation - sailors, truck drivers and so on. In their case, virtual sex can be useful, dolly in a hygienic setting translates to more safety than would sex with an occasional partner or prostitute. Invalids and unattractive people also gain the ability to have sex through virtual partners. Such instruments, used in situations where the sexual life of partners has become monotonous may help to prevent straying and keep families togetherOn the other hand dependence problems accompany this behaviour – for dependent people, fixation on this simple method of satisfying their needs is typical. Dependent people easily fall into the trap of virtual sex, performing the act to the prejudice of real life relations; but if a person while using virtual sex devices continues building normal relations with living people, everything should be alright. Special thanks to Julia Heiman (American Kinsey Institute), Andrew Borshtein (DoubleB Interference Inc.) www.play-sex-game.com , Carl DiSalvo (Carnegie University) www.RealDoll.com, Marvin Minsky and James Pheldon for provided information
