Slashdot Mirror


Robotics Researcher Starts Campaign To Ban Development of Sexbots

Earthquake Retrofit writes: A robotics ethicist from the UK's De Montfort University has started a campaign to ban the development and use of sex robots. "She believes that they reinforce traditional stereotypes of women and the view that a relationship need be nothing more than physical." The campaign was spurred by news that some companies claim to be fairly far along in development of such technology. One company even plans to start selling them later this year. The campaign's goals and concerns include "We propose that the development of sex robots will further reduce human empathy that can only be developed by an experience of mutual relationship," and, "We challenge the view that the development of adults and child sex robots will have a positive benefit to society, but instead further reinforce power relations of inequality and violence."

28 of 536 comments (clear)

  1. Bigotry Shmigotry by nospam007 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "She believes that they reinforce traditional stereotypes of women"

    Millions of gay men will hate you and your bigotry, because your arguments sucks more than a sex robot would do.

    1. Re:Bigotry Shmigotry by kaur · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Why does she believe the sexbots to be mostly feminine?
      Why only stereotypes of women need reinforcing?

      A female chauvinist pig she is!

    2. Re:Bigotry Shmigotry by monkeyzoo · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Many states used to control and ban what a lot of adults could do in the privacy of their own homes with other consenting adult humans. Almost all those laws have been wiped clean, and now, in the name of progress, this researcher wants to control what I can or can't do with a machine?!? Will the prude and pious attempts of puritan fanatics to control our sexuality, outlaw harmless "perversion," and squelch sexual freedom never stop?!

    3. Re:Bigotry Shmigotry by Kjella · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Exactly. Compare sales of fleshlights to sales of vibrators / dildos. Women are far more likely currently to be buying machines for sexual purposes. Why would the sexbot market be any different?

      Because women are buying it as substitute for a cock, men as substitute for a relationship? If you look at something like escort service and prostitution it's massively dominated by male customers who pay for women to pretend to be their girlfriends/lovers or even dressing up RealDolls. Women use vibrators/dildos because they want want sex without the "baggage" of a boyfriend/one night stand, men want to play-pretend the exact opposite. Another clear clue should be that fleshlights try to mimic a human vagina, while there's a huge market for dildos and vibrators in all shapes and colors that have nothing to do with realism.

      In any case, she's wrong and it's a massive double standard at work here. Over the last 100 years there's been a massive movement to give women economic independence. Well tough shit, now we men want sexual independence and if I can get a sexbot to screw my brains out then we start a relationship more on equal footing. No, you don't need my money. No, I don't need your pussy. We can both do fine on our own, but maybe we have some mutual interest in having a relationship together because we want to. There's many men staying in poor relationships because they get pussy, ending those would do everyone good.

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    4. Re:Bigotry Shmigotry by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      If you look at something like escort service and prostitution it's massively dominated by male customers who pay for women to pretend to be their girlfriends/lovers...

      While I'm sure some men do this, I don't believe it's "massively dominated" by those men. I am a man who HAS paid for sex, I can assure you I only did it because I wanted to fuck the woman. Jesus God, I would never want to even pretend to have a relationship with a hooker. Like the saying goes, you don't pay them for the sex, you pay them to go away after. This appears to be the predominate point of view among my peers (ie, other men who are willing to pay for sex from time to time).

    5. Re:Bigotry Shmigotry by dablow · · Score: 4, Insightful

      This.....this is exactly it.

      It's all about power, right now, in the west at least, women have it.

      If you pay attention you will often notice that a lot of women seem to oppose any kind of sexual service offered to men. They are afraid that if men can get laid whenever they want, they will not want to settle or put up with the headaches that come with being in a relationship. Of course they they never admit that, instead of opting for causes such as fighting "human trafficking" and "protecting the children".

      And with the rise of sex robots on the horizon.......they are starting to get a little worried, because it renders their arguments against male sexual freedom moot.

      I will admit, that I myself have fallen "victim" to the power of the pussy, dating horrible women because simply they "put out".

    6. Re:Bigotry Shmigotry by dablow · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The big difference is, if you are an average looking guy, it's not easy to get laid when you want or get a gf when you want.

      The reverse (average looking woman) is not true; Even blandest plain looking average woman can get laid whenever she wants, will have a lineup of men waiting to take her out on dates (getting a decent bf is not as easy though).

      This is nothing more than a woman being terrified they will lose their sexual power over men.

      Imagine how the dating scene would change if men could get off (legally, cleanly and guilt free) whenever the had the urge, instead of having to date countless women and pretend to like them to get laid until the right one came along.....

  2. Predicable do-gooder medling. by Cafe+Alpha · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Every bit as doomed as banning porn. I'd be angry at her for trying, but since she'll accomplish precisely nothing, I think her failure will be a thoroughly satisfying punishment for the attempt.

  3. makes no sense to me by NostalgiaForInfinity · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "She believes that they reinforce traditional stereotypes of women and the view that a relationship need be nothing more than physical."

    How does choosing to have sex with a robot reinforce stereotypes about women or relationships with women?

    1. Re:makes no sense to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Dildo's give hetrosexual women more options. That's empowering. Sexbots give hetero men more options. That's misogynistic.

    2. Re:makes no sense to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      It's just the same old puritan sexuality-is-evil argument dressed up in "progressive" lingo.

    3. Re:makes no sense to me by AmiMoJo · · Score: 2, Insightful

      There are plenty of vibrating sex toys for men too, you know. They are just as empowering.

      Sexbots are not dildos. They are not plastic toys shaped vaguely like genitalia. They are realistic models of a human being. The more realistic, the better. I think most adults feel differently towards sex toys and human like robots, e.g. they don't find a phallus shaped vibrator falls into the uncanny valley.

      I'm not saying I agree with this person, but I don't think the comparison to simple sex toys is valid.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
  4. Why? Sexbots could be great! by aaaaaaargh! · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Sexbots for women and men might be the ultimate chance to remedy one humanity's greatest source of conflicts, ranging from the Troian War over annoyingly crazy teenagers to sexually frustrated housewives. They could finally stop men from objectifying women for purely sexual purposes. The effects of this change could be more beneficial than the pill and the invention of the vibrator taken together. In an age in which in-vitro fertilization is easy, it would be crazy to take away this unique chance for the evolution of humanity.

    1. Re:Why? Sexbots could be great! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Men are always going to objectify women, it's in our DNA. The modern feminist response appears to be to objectify men right back, not as punishment but as a bit of harmless fun. So whatever.

      The problem with sex robots is the curious reversal of that old feminist mantra that we only need men to provide sperm. If a sex robot can provide sex and companionship and never argues with you, and we accept the feminist idea that some sexes literally have nothing to offer the world except to enable procreation, what role will women have left in society except to provide wombs? And even that can probably be automated eventually.

      But that would hardly be an improvement on the status quo.

  5. I offer conditional support by _merlin · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'll support her movement as long as she also pushes to ban dildos, vibrators, clitoral stimulators, teledildonics, "fucking machines" and other female masturbation aids. No, I don't use masturbation aids, and I don't have a problem with female masturbation aids. I just have a problem with the horrific double standard. Feminists tell us that women who use masturbation aids are strong, independent and empowered, while at the same time claiming that men who use masturbation aids are disgusting perverts.

  6. Fine with me as long by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    as we can still have the killer robots. Those do not " further reinforce power relations of inequality and violence."

  7. So what's the alternative for geeks? by nukenerd · · Score: 4, Insightful
    She said

    human empathy that can only be developed by an experience of mutual relationship

    So what does she have to offer or suggest to those people (men particularly) who have no opportunity to develop such an experience? In the West at least, a significant proportion of women have rejected men entirely, possible after one fling and a child. Equal wages and opportunities for women, as well as social attitudes, mean that it is no longer "essential" for a woman to find a husband as it was as recently as two generations ago. There are too many men seeking for the number of women available.

    1. Re:So what's the alternative for geeks? by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1, Insightful

      a significant proportion of women have rejected men entirely

      That's rubbish. Women are not "rejecting" men. They just rejecting douchbags. In other words, they are less willing to stay in bad relationships.

      it is no longer "essential" for a woman to find a husband as it was as recently as two generations ago.

      Sure, but women still want long term relationships. They just have higher standards now, and MRAs are complaining that they won't reach down to their level. Plus, many men are rejecting marriage too because of all the bad press.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
  8. Errr by elmer+at+web-axis · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Where is the campaign to ban dildos. Aren't they simple sex robots that depict men who's only purpose is to sexually furfil women and then to be thrown in a draw?

  9. Re:Competiton? by tsotha · · Score: 2, Insightful

    That's really what's under the academic gloss. Sex robots will end up being banned because women want them to be banned. Just like prostitution, and for the same reason. Feminists are afraid of a loss of power.

  10. Rather by elgatozorbas · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "She believes that they reinforce traditional stereotypes of women"

    Sounds more like "women will lose the powerful tool of sex deprivation to control men".

    Not that anyone here will suffer from that a lot.

    1. Re:Rather by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      But considering that this is a mechanical device used for pleasure, then this is not about anyone denying someone sex - it's about assisted masturbation. It's not that using a dildo equals a man being denied sex, is it?

      Why would using another device, although more advanced, be a replacement for a relationship? It's not like sex dolls are a new thing...

      If I am a wonderful man who respects women and treat them fairly in every aspect of life, then humping a blue pony robot to hell and back won't make me a sexist pig. It will confirm I'm wierd, but if you knew me you'd know that already anyway.

    2. Re:Rather by squiggleslash · · Score: 3, Insightful

      We've had 25,000 years of masturbation. Why would a technical upgrade to how we masturbate affect our relationship with women?

      The more I think about it, the less I think "sexbots" will change anything for the better or worse. Is there really a significant difference between fantasizing about having sex with {starlet of the month} with a box of tissues and a hard working left hand, and fantasizing about having sex with {starlet of the month} with your whatever being worked by a robot that looks just like her (but you know it's a robot)? (Written to assume, as the researcher does, a hetero-male scenario, but you can obviously substitute for other combinations)

      The sexbot might be (potentially) more fun, but ultimately it's still masturbation, a single lone person who's fully aware they're not actually having sex with anyone.

      --
      You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
    3. Re:Rather by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Men have the right to sex, everybody has a right to have their needs met.

      No. Sorry, there is no right to sex. Absolutely not. You have no right to force/demand other human beings have sex with you to fulfil your "needs". That's pure misogyny.

      Would you be okay if some guy demanded to have sex with you, because they "need" to? I think that is very, very doubtful.

      You have an entire culture that's based upon artificial scarcity of female sexual partners.

      No, you have entire culture built on not wanting to sleep with douchbags. Like it or not, sex is not just this casual thing. There are risks that no form of contraception completely eliminates, especially STDs. There is risk in just hooking up with someone you don't know well too, because a small number of them will try to rape or rob you, or sabotage your contraception (guys who don't like condoms, women who want children etc.) So if you are just some random bloke in a bar, people are not denying you sex. They are declining the risk you represent.

      If you want sex, get to know a nice women and she is much more likely to want to get naked with you. If you want to sleep with other women as well, find one who is up for that, but don't blame them if they don't want to take the risk of sleeping with someone who sleeps with multiple other people too.

      Too many times I've heard feminists go on about how it's unfair for a man to pressure/coerce etc etc a woman to have sex especially in relationships.

      That's called "rape", and it's illegal in many places. Doesn't matter if your sex drive doesn't line up with your partner's, you don't have a right to rape them. You can talk to them about it like an adult, try to find a solution.

      Not having your needs met does not entitle you to take what you want. It just means you need to reconsider your relationship, or ask why few people want to have sex with you.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
  11. Re:Likewise by Intrepid+imaginaut · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Again, very broadly speaking, this isn't something in the female mentality, or at least it has not been....

    The existence and popularity of dildos invalidates both your position and hers.

  12. Re:They get my Lucy Lu Bot... by Cederic · · Score: 4, Insightful

    But until AI really gets good, sexbots are only going to appeal to the tiny minority of men who are already using Real Dolls. No threat to society as a whole.

    Over half of the women in the UK already own a sexbot, I'm not sure AI is all that necessary.

  13. Re:Likewise by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I knew it had to be a chick raising these objections as soon as I read the reasoning.

    BINGO, this was my thought exactly. I wish I could mod you up to a million.

    I knew it was a woman making the comments in the article the instant I read them. She wants to ban this sort of thing not because it's wrong, but because she's offended by it. Anything that gives men pleasure is viewed with suspicion, and doubly-so anything that might make guys less dependent on women for sexual gratification.

    --
    Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
  14. Re: Likewise by ShieldW0lf · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Y'know how you can tell women are crazy?

    They used to do things that men liked. Then, they all got together and set their bras on fire, and marched in the streets, and said "WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THINGS THAT YOU LIKE".

    And, in an effort to get them to shut up, we agreed. Now, they don't do things that we like any more, and now, outside of fucking them, we don't particularly like them.

    And now, having excised every character trait they had that made us like them for their deeds, they say that we've reduced them to sex objects.

    They reduced themselves to sex objects.

    On a completely different note, here's a wikipedia link to a newspaper advertisement selling sex robots for women in 1913.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

    --
    -1 Uncomfortable Truth