When I feel lonely/touch deprived:

LovelightLovelight
edited June 2019 in General

I find listening to ASMR is one of the things that helps me some. Especially, since my body reacts to it. So, I get tingles. I wish they were stronger, though. ?

I don't think everyone gets tingles from ASMR, and if you are a newbie to it: it can take time to get used to it. Or you might find it's/not for you.

Someday, I want to get massage devices, as well. Feel free to share what helps you.

I am hopeful in a few decades, huggable robots that can hug back, will be invented. If there isn't already a prototype. Or an alpha/beta version in process. For many, I doubt it'd replace the real deal, time with another person. Though, I think it'd be of some help to many. ?

Comments

  • hogboblinhogboblin
    edited June 2019

    Such a thing already exists. Sort of. I’m imagining a mix of Big Hugs Elmo and a Realdoll.

  • SideonSideon

    Robots can't replace human touch, and no, just no, oh heck no to huggable robots.

  • [Deleted User]CharlesTwisted (deleted user)

    If someone truly makes a “robot” that truly satisfies the human need for attention/community/connection/recognition/touch then our species would have a rapidly declining population VERY quickly.

    Although, I suspect we also require conflict, lose, setbacks, and triumphs to be truly human.

    On the other hand, I get about 95% of my daily required humanity via music, so I am likely not the best judge...

  • LovelightLovelight
    edited June 2019

    @Sideon

    I don't think they can replace us, as I also stated. I think if well done, they can however help to provide others some level of comfort. The same way listening to podcasts/whatever can keep us entertained, and provide us some comfort. Though, it's still important, and we try to connect with others.

    General comment:

    With a few exceptions aside. I don't think these robots will replace humans. Virtually pats all your backs. lol. Don't worry!

    @CharlesTwisted

    I doubt we will ever get THAT advanced, if we do: it'll likely be for the super rich, anyway. Til another hella of a long time that they become more affordable to many. Even then, it'd likely be sort of like how most people aren't sporting the most expensive phones, cars, etc. that generally have a much better quality of this, that, and in some cases virtually everything.

    I disagree that we require such things. Though, we just happen to have them, and need to keep trying to overcome/cope/deal with them. I don't think metaphorically speaking gradual decline of us is the end of the world. It could be bad for some, for some time. Though, it's for the greater good. Having a need to have less babies = more decline = possibly the end of the world = doesn't sound SO bad to me. I think continuing the cycle of creation is more or less a selfish thing anyway. "Babies are so cute, I want to hold them/create them. I want to feel needed. I want to be taken care of when I no longer can take care of myself." To me, that drives most of human creation. If people begin to have less of a need for things like that with the help of themselves, and tech/robots: it isn't so bad to me. Anyway, again, highly doubt robots/tech will replace humans in more or less their entirety.

    @hogbolin cool, I forgot about these. Baby steps then! ?

  • [Deleted User]LelsieSphinx (deleted user)

    I like to curl up with pillows and blankets. Make a nest, or lay down with and hug a pillow. Occasionally my cat will deign to sit by me and be petted. That can be nice to. :)

  • cuddleNsqueezecuddleNsqueeze

    Yes petting my cat and cuddling with my kid is very nice, I also get a heating pad and lots of pillows to snuggle up with and I watch a funny movie, that helps me when I'm feeling down and/or lonely. It's best to get busy or at least get your mind occupied. Talking on the phone with family also helps the time fly by, my sister is always reassuring and I'm usually in a better mood when we get off the phone.
    I doubt that robots will replace connection/comfort/cuddles for me, I think they at least would need to feel like warm bodies...

  • LovelightLovelight

    @LelsieSphinx that's great. I also love cats! ?

    @Cudde4health right... that's great, as well. Robots + heating feature = almost there. lol. Don't mind me, I am a little, or so obsessed with robots, and tech. ?

  • deefinedeefine
    edited June 2019

    A robot cuddler doesn't sound much different from a massage chair... it might be nice sometimes but it'll never be the same as a person.

    Seriously when robots can replace humans is when robots will be considered people... and legally banned or discriminated against.

    If humans simulate ourselves in just another combination of matter, or even if our bots become conscious themselves or figure out how to make sentient beings, then I'm not sure I'll be able to tell the difference between a bot and a human. All I know is I was born with the flesh and breath that I have, and I most appreciate other flesh and breath like it.

  • SnowboundSnowbound

    Bring on the bots! 24/7 convenience? No looming session end? No crazy travel time? If one can convince you that it's comfortable and occasionally that its arm has fallen asleep, how can you go wrong?

  • abbey_rabbey_r

    You can actually stimulate oxytocin release by gently stroking and holding yourself. There's a whole psychosensory therapeutic technique that's been developed based around this (Havening).

    When you stroke your arms, face and hands you can switch on the parasympathetic nervous system, altering brain waves and respiration rate. There's lots of videos on youtube if you want to check it out to do it 'properly' or you can just try it out and do what feels good in the moment.

    Personally when I feel really lonely/touch deprived I make it a priority to go out to an event where I know I'll get lots of social interaction and hugs!

  • [Deleted User]kadafra (deleted user)

    @abbey_r what kind of events have lots of hugs?

  • abbey_rabbey_r

    @kadafra - I go to a lot of dance stuff where people are very tactile. Check out 5rhythms, biodanza, dancing freedom ... and there's also cuddle workshops! :)

  • Cuddlestogo64Cuddlestogo64

    I usually play music, and dance around the Apartment. I begin to feel happier and my mood is lifted up.

  • HugsAndAttitudeHugsAndAttitude

    @davebutton AI is already incorporated into healthcare and is growing in other industries. To deny that robotic AI will not impact us economically and socially is burying one’s head in the sand. We do need to engage in ethical conversations with the tech community now before the issue becomes too large and overwhelms us.

  • LovelightLovelight
    edited June 2019

    @HugsAndAttitude well, personally I was speaking in just cuddle/ context. Though, robots "taking over the world" while, I find it less likely. I don't think it's necessarily terrible. We could find a lot more time for ourselves, loved ones, and families. Our life could become easier.

    Sure, there could be much issues, some of which I am a bit familiar. Though, these may just be sacrifices we need to make a bit. Or for some time. I suppose when computers, tvs, machinery, etc., were being invented many people were freaking out. Some losing their work because they didn't have the new required skills. Though, eventually I think it was for the better. I think it's more a matter of going more into tech, etc., fields because still even most of those robots need people to operate, maintain, and fix them.

  • HugsAndAttitudeHugsAndAttitude

    @Lovelight I work tangentially in that field and yes many jobs will be supplanted in the next 20 to 40 years. The ethics of this are being discussed in higher education right now. The universal income argument is being pushed by tech giants and CEOs because they know the economic impacts that are coming. I am not saying robots are taking over because that is a Hollywood fantasy way of viewing it nor am I an alarmist, but robots/AI will affect everyone very, very soon. Higher education is evaluating themselves as AI takes hold in the subtlest of ways. Liberal arts degrees will become less marketable (they already are) in the foreseeable future, yet they account for the lions share of degrees bestowed at pretty much the same price as a STEM degree. Is it ethical to continue down this path? And how do you alter this path in light of economic realities? These are some of the questions.

  • winterof19winterof19

    I enjoy lying down with my eyes closed and recreating past cuddle sessions in my mind

  • Dante_SDante_S

    @winterof19 I totally do that as well. I also have a weighted blanket that makes it feel like there is someone cuddled up with me as well. (Honestly though, weighted blankets... amazing.)

  • winterof19winterof19

    @Dante_S oo i may have to get myself one, I've heard of lots of good things about weighted blankets on here

  • kleenkleen

    Cuddle with my dog :)

  • pmvinespmvines

    Find something to do and not fret over it

  • hertouchhertouch

    I have friends that let me cuddle them, I have a beautiful 10lb mutt of a dog I'll love up on, I also have weighted blankets :)

  • LovelightLovelight
    edited June 2019

    @winterof19 sure give it a try. Ask about their return policy they might have one: in case it doesn't suit you. I think I heard baby sized ones are also excellent for babies. As well as for people/kids with Autism. It's calming I heard. ?

  • [Deleted User]SJSpooner (deleted user)

    If I have the money I treat myself to a professional massage or facial or simply a manicure with some extra hand and arm massage time.

  • Sheena123Sheena123

    I like to have a long (4hours) bath with salts, wine, chocolate, bath bomb and just play sudoku with people online and listen to either Linkin Park or yoga music, depending on my mood lol

Sign In or Register to comment.