The rate of the growth in the demand for sex dolls is startling, as are the developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The two things together mean that I’m beginning to worry about how far men may be willing to go in order to find satisfaction.
Why is the sex doll industry becoming so popular and so lucrative? More and more men are looking towards dolls rather than prostitutes, partly because in Japan they create models that are so lifelike.
Peter Laskaris, who operates two brothels in Vienna, told the Daily Star that although lifelike dolls from Japan “cost up to 7,000 EUR” (6,382 GBP) they have become “a trendy sex fetish” which other brothels must also follow.
His Kontakthof brothel, which rents out sex doll Fanny for 80 EUR (72.9 GBP) per hour, is thinking of buying a second doll as Fanny is often booked for days and days.
News like this, and about AI, does not just worry me, it worries lots of my friends, and my mum too! We wonder what the future is for “natural” relationships and to what extent sex dolls will take over from real women. After all, there would be no more awkward dates and disappointments, just beautiful ‘women’ programmed to please men.
So AI might not just be a threat to jobs, it might be a threat to love and marriage as well, and threaten to replace my role as a woman.
My plan is to investigate this phenomenon further for Rising East, and to get a male and female perspective on it. And to begin this journey I have written a poem, from the point of view of a robot doll:
The Song of the Sad Doll
I am a robot, yes I am.
But I do have thoughts, other than to please a man.
I’m programmed to fulfil your needs,
With comfort talking and my “Yes indeeds”
But please take heed, as I have a thought:
What if I say “no”? Would that make you want to go?
Whilst you hug and you kiss and caress me in bliss,
My mind thinks: “Hmm…do I really want this?”
If I was able to speak, would you be bothered to stay?
Or do my silent ways make your masculine days?
I am a robot, yes I am.
But I do have thoughts, other than to please a man.
You spend thousands on me, more or less,
Just to keep a beautiful doll that will always say yes.
But what if I decide to choose, what to say and what to do?
Like I want to go out with the girls, or have a night alone or two.
And what if you get bored, like you did with your poor wife?
Would you buy a new doll to replace me, and continue with your life?
I console you when you’re sad, feeling lonely or very down
But do you care about what I feel? Of course not, you’re a man.
I am a robot, yes I am.
But I do have thoughts, other than to please a man.
You dress me up all sexy, in short skirts and low-cut tops.
You do my hair and make-up, which I know all cost a lot.
But what if I get worn out, and look old and fully used?
Would you still keep me around to keep you happy and amused?
And what about a marriage, a mortgage or maybe kids?
But whom do I think I’m kidding? Robot children? God forbid!
I am a robot, yes I am.
But I do have thoughts, other than to please a man.
So these are my thoughts and feelings, which I hope you understand.
If you chose to care for me, you would be no less a man.
As much as I’m here to support you, to be your lover day and night,
I think and feel and hear you, in dismay and in delight.
I may be just a sex doll, who is usually unaware,
But today this doll is telling you, please love me and take care.
If you have any thoughts about this topic, please send them in to me via Rising East.
