Click Here To Purchase From Amazon Love + Sex With Robots

Author: David Levy

ISBN: 978-0-06-135975-0

After reading David Levy’s fascinating Love + Sex With Robots I would have to concur that in the short term many of his ideas and predictions would appear outlandish and will be met with considerable scepticism, or downright disbelief and even hostility. However, as Levy maintains that those who doubt the prospect of computer life or robot life lack a breadth of vision similar to the doubters in the 1960s, of the possibility of artificial intelligence. 

In Levy’s introduction Sherry Tuckle, author of The Second Shelf is quoted wherein she states that we should be asking not what the computer will be like in the future, but instead what will humans be like?

And with this in mind, Levy begins Love + Sex With Robots analysing what kind of people we are becoming. It is his believe that huge technological advances will be accomplished by around 2050 and basically his thesis revolves around the belief that “Robots will be hugely attractive to humans as companions because of their many talents, senses, and capabilities. They will have the capacity to fall in love with humans and to make themselves romantically attractive to humans. Robots will transform human notions of love and sexuality.” Is all of this mind-boggling? Just look at the Japanese, who are very advanced in the science and technology of robots and who consider robots as not just toys but also rather helpers in factories, receptionists, household helpers. As Levy mentions, the interactive aspect of a robot’s being is becoming an important element of its usefulness.  Will they also be considered sometime in the not too distance future sex partners?

Central to his book is why should people fall in love with robots and to answer this Levy divides Love + Sex With Robots into two parts, the first exploring Love with Robots that delve into topics as why we fall in love with people, loving our pets, emotional relationships with electronic objects and falling in love with virtual people (Humanoid Robots). The second part examines why we enjoy sex, why people pay for sex, sex technologies and the mental leap to sex with robots.

Is it possible that we will have an artificial partner, husband, wife or friend, or lover and would this not challenge the notion of relationships?

Levy maintains that no longer will these artificially intelligent entities be perceived as some kind of a machine but rather human like with emotions. In fact, there is now an entire new discipline devoted to robotic psychology and robotherapy. Levy believes that by 2025 at the latest there will exist artificial-emotion technologies that will not only simulate the full range of human emotions and their appropriate responses but there will also exist nonhuman emotions peculiar only to robots.

As for love relationships with robots, Levy strongly believes that the various behavior patterns necessary to endear one human being with another are already capable of simulation and in certain instances have been simulated, using various techniques that are presently the subjects of research.

In Japan, scientists are working on robots to simulate basic facial expressions as anger, fear, sadness, happiness, surprise, love and disgust.  The Japanese are so convinced of the importance of the interaction of robots and humans that they have invested millions of dollars in research and they have estimated that the industry could surge from about $5.2 billion in 2006 to $70 billion in 2025. Levy informs us that Toyota by 2010 plans to sell robots that can help to look after the elderly and to serve tea to guests in the home.

Love + Sex With Robots is certainly a timely book for a society that is in the process of reassessing what the future holds pertaining to human relationships with robots. Although some of us may find Levy’s theories far-fetched, you still have to admit that they are thought provoking. It should be pointed out that Levy is uniquely positioned to examine the question, as he is an internationally recognized expert on artificial intelligence. In 2006 he became the first person ever to present papers on intimate relationships with robotic partners at an international conference. In addition to Love + Sex With Robots, he has also authored Robots Unlimited.

Click Here To Purchase From Amazon Love + Sex With Robots

 The above review was contributed by: The Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com, Norm Goldman, B.A. LL.L, Retired Title Attorney: Norm is also a travel writer and together with his artist wife, Lily, the couple meld Norm's words with Lily's art. To check out their travel site click on Sketchandtravel.com   Click here to view Norm’s Reviews & Interviews.

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