There’s a good chance you aren’t aware of the fact that, according to some researchers, humanity is entering an age of “digisexuality,” in which a second wave of sexual technologies is beginning to come to fruition. This second wave, a successor to a first wave that includes technologies like dating apps, may not only end up drastically altering the way people interact romantically, but also creating a whole new range of relationship types, many of which will not involve a second human partner. Which means we may want to prepare for some combo of Her, Ex Machina, and Weird Science all soon happening at once.
2nd wave #digisexuality explained. #COSRT #srt #sexualandrelationshiptherapy pic.twitter.com/O7ZlyGJy3B
— Dr. Markie (@Dr_Markie_Twist) April 15, 2019
Futurism picked up on an essay published in The Conversation outlining this second wave in the evolution of digisexuality, which was co-authored by alternative sexualities researcher and specialist in the philosophy of human rights, Neil McArthur, along with sexuality educator, sexologist, and relationship therapist, Markie Twist. Both Twist and McArthur have written extensively about sexuality and technology, and they even coined the term “digisexuality.”
Speaking of which, for those unfamiliar with the term, digisexuality has a broad definition, but boils down to two general use cases according to Twist and McArthur’s essay. In a more general sense, digisexuality is used “to describe the use of advanced technologies in sex and relationships,” and in the narrower sense, is used in reference to “people whose sexual identity is shaped by what we call second-wave sexual technologies.”
What do you think about the research into digisexuality being done by McArthur and Twist? Are you excited for the digisexual revolution, or do you fear it could lead to a widespread loss of human connection? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Feature image: ThoroughlyReviewed / Nevit Dilmen
