Can Things Like ASMR Videos Become Emotional Porn? And What Effect Will That Have on the Younger Generations?

[zeroturbulence]

I could really use some ASMR right now.

 

[Lynx]

but theres always been new ages guru and people in marketing who want to make a buck about saying its all about YOU (as long as you are paying the big bucks to hear it) I mean prostitutes are in the business of making their clients feel good arent they. as long as they get paid.

For all the stuff I disagree with in this post... lanolin sometimes you have a flash of insight that seems inspired.

 

[cinder]

I'm thinking emotional porn might not be too far off the mark as a description of such things. One of the things I've noticed in myself recently has to do with binge watching just regular old TV shows and how easy it is to get caught up in the lives and situations the characters are going through (yeah I know they design it that way on purpose), but also how it's kind of a cheap and easy substitute for having actual friends because going out and meeting people and starting those friendships is just so much more work .

I think the videos seoul is describing are just another step further down the virtualization and fantasization (not sure if that's a real word or used properly but i don't know if they have a word for substituting for real life experiences with more pleasant and controllable fantasies) of human relationships and socializing. Ultimately anything that turns relationships between people into a product that we selfishly consume is something that is likely to take us farther away from God's intentions and design than help us become more merciful and compassionate.

How long before Matrix like most of us are happier to stay in the fantasy program being piped into our brains than live a real life? (not that I saw all the matrix movies or even watched one recently, but it's hard to forget the finding out that your whole life has been just an illusion and reality is something quite a bit more horrible).

 

[Lighthearted]

Conditioning started even in our young days Kim...but it wasn't anything like the media now. Subliminal messaging has become even more rampant and harder to escape and shield our children from. You can't even trust Seasame Street anymore. At this point there's a real need for more Christian media for families...based on Biblical truth and delivered in new ways for youth of today. It's detrimental to be vigilent.

 

[GaryA]

Anything [in this context] that acts/operates as a replacement for human-to-human contact/interactions/friendships/relationships/etc. is probably not a good thing...

 

[SoulWeaver]

I could really use some ASMR right now.

I know. Just have to let this ball roll down the hill, it's a lost cause, no use.

 

[Kojikun]

Hi Everyone,

First of all, I must make a disclaimer. I almost always type on a laptop, so I forget how long these posts will be on an actual phone screen. My apologies in advance that nearly all of my posts are rather long (and more like a college term paper,) which might result automatically skipping over them, which I totally understand. But for anyone who might be interested...

I've been thinking a lot lately about how a virtually all-digital communication system affects our mental, emotional, and spiritual health. For example, just about every YouTube "influencer" ends their video with, "I love you guys SSSSOOO MUCH!!!" along with a flurry of air kisses floating into the camera. Back in "my day," it was rare to see someone on a screen "break the 4th wall" -- talk directly to the audience as a participating member -- and most people either found this annoying (because it disrupted the fantasy of the mental story) or delightful (because it made them feel as if they were now part of the story.)

Now days, we have an entire entertainment platform BUILT around treating the audience as an active (and sometimes only) participant. But what will that do to our interactions and expectations of others around us?

As a frequent victim of the YouTube rabbit hole, I started out looking for videos promoting relaxation and better sleep and quickly found ASMR. According to Google, ASMR stands for "autonomous sensory meridian response -- a subjective low-grade euphoria characterized by a combination of positive feelings and a distinct static-like tingling sensation on the skin." Just to clarify, all of the ASMR videos I've seen are NOT sexual at all (though I'm sure they're out there if you look,) but rather concentrate on creating a feeling of total relaxation through whispering, soft music, and soft noises (such as scratching, the gentle rustling of opening wrappers or shaking rice in a bowl, etc.)

Some ASMR creators take the experience even further, creating "role plays" in which they are pretending to be an esthetician at a high-end spa or medical clinic, and they invite you to make yourself at home as they offer to provide spa-like services such as facials, massage, and even basic care. For instance, one ASMR role-play is of a beautiful young Australian woman with girlish dimples and bright blue eyes saying, "You fell down! Let me take care of you!" She then proceeds, in a calm, whispering manner, to descriptively check out your injury and apply antibiotic creams and bandages, while administrating detailed, compassionate care. NOTHING about the video is sexual AT ALL. But, it is very much about someone acting as if they are there to care for you in a very complete and immersive as possible way.

On another channel, the host (again, a young, beautiful female), tells you that you are about to receive a host of complimentary deluxe services from the "spa" where she is working. She asks you to choose which candles and tea YOU want, all the while complimenting YOUR choices, then tells you that she has no other appointments for the day and so her sole focus is on YOU. She then proceeds to describe each of the services for YOU as she roleplays them in the video.

While I've only been to a spa once or twice in my life (and I'm a heterosexual female,) I can attest to the fact that the ladies in these particular videos are NOT doing anything inappropriate and aren't even dressed in a very enticing manner (though I realize that's a matter of personal opinion.) Everything they are doing imitates a real professional experience at a real professional business.

But for some reason, my spirit was incredibly agitated and screaming aloud by the end of these videos, and I had to spend a few days asking God why.

It's not at all because of the young women in the video -- I am very much attracted to men. But, I was thinking about two specific things:

* What IF the videos featured young, handsome men saying, "I'm here for YOU, I want to hear about YOUR day, I'm here to take care of YOU, and YOU are my sole focus," even if there was absolutely nothing sexual about it? How would women feel about this? (I'm sure such videos exist, but I know I'm sure not going to try looking for them.)

* How would it affect men to watch gorgeous young ladies on a screen saying to them, "You look like YOU'VE had a hard day. I want to hear all about it, and I'm here to help YOU unwind and feel as relaxed as possible"? I suppose this is part of what happens with porn? (I don't know much about the live porn world.) But even if this is only happening on supposedly casual emotional level, I would suspect that most viewers would be almost instantaneously hooked (because even if nothing sexual was happening onscreen, it can always be carried out in the mind.)

For my own personal definition, I see "pornography" as being anything, whether sexual or nonsexual, that creates a bond or attraction that causes anyone (male or female) to have expectations, thoughts, and distorted thinking about human relationships that God never intended us to have.

* Even though these videos are non-sexual, I for one can see how they would be emotional kryptonite for a good number of people, even if it was someone who wasn't interested in or hooked on sexual porn. And even if you weren't into this, how would you feel about your boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife watching videos like this on a regular basis? And they very well could have a "valid" excuse, saying that they were using these videos every night to help them sleep. After all, the girls aren't dressed seductively and nothing sexual is going on. Technically, it's "all innocent entertainment."

But is it really?

Personally, I think it would be very easy to become much too attached to creators, videos, and channels like this, to the point where we are thinking things like, "I wish I could find someone like that!!! I want someone who makes me feel that way all the time!" and it causes us to have standards so high that no one could ever meet them.

I think God also made me aware of the second part of what was bothering me so much -- the entire video is one-sided, and I understand that was the point. But I think God convicted me in that there is something very dangerous about these types of fantasies because the focus becomes all about self, with is no opportunity to serve someone else (let alone unconditionally.)

I also found it intriguing that the girl who liked to fancy herself as a high-end spa specialist, ready to cater to your every whim, wrote in her description, "I do not take requests. I'm here to do what I want. I'm not gonna be your best friend. I'm not gonna do something just because you really really want me to. The more loudly you ask for something from me, the more likely you are to (tick) me off."

This was incredibly ironic, as she has several videos in which the VERY THING she does is to set up THAT EXACT scenario (for instance, on a picnic,) in which she talks to you as if she is exactly that ("I can see you're under a lot of pressure. Want to talk about it? I'm totally here for you.") She even has a video entitled, "You + Me Forever."

Clearly, and in the most ironic twist, in almost all of her roleplays, she says, "I'm here to cater to YOU," but the real truth is, everything about her offering to pamper and take care of you -- is really about herself. It's not true service -- it's just about what she gets out of making such videos and the reactions they receive.

One of the most unnerving things I came to in conclusion for myself is that even if you manage to try to avoid one briar patch (physical porn,) an even larger twist of thorns is always waiting for us just around the corner (emotional porn,) and sometimes it's even more shiny and deceitful than the first.

* What are your thoughts? Would you see this type of "entertainment" as emotional porn, or just harmless entertainment? How would you feel if your significant other was watching this on a regular basis?

How can any of us find "love" when an entire generation is being raised thinking that "love" consists of fluffy, confectionery salutations that are emitted by a digital image of a person on a screen blowing us kisses and telling us, "I'm always here for you!" but what they're really thinking is, "As long as it benefits ME"?

I would love to know your thoughts.

Thanks so much for your time, and have a blessed day!

Almost a year ago I went to a inpatient therapy. I stayed for a week at a assisted living place and I went to group therapy lessons. Some was positive and I made a good friend there. But some of the mindfulness they thought gave me the heebie Jeebies. Some were breathing and meditation things similar to what your describing. I got very disturbed twice in a mindfulness class and exited the room (I may have got a bit heated about it too) but it felt wrong. Some felt like eastern mysticism and it made me very uncomfortable. (According to the therapist I was the first she met who had a negative reaction with it) Either my scruples was being over sensitive or God was telling me to get out. You got to be careful with modern mindfulness teachings. It's best to focus on God and as you said it's very self serving.

 

[Lanolin]

The second question am not really in a position to answer unless seouls wants to do an experiment on 5-12 year olds, exposing them to these amsr videos with porn in them.
I wouldnt recommend it though cos those kinds of experiments need ethical approval.

It is known that early exposure to tv screens, videos, not matter what it is, even if its cartoons, is harmful to children under 5. I mean babies dont respond to their mother on a tv unless its actually THEIR mother, but even then, they are behind a screen or on the tv. They cant touch them or smell them or taste them. They can only see or hear them. so automatically 3 of their senses are gone ...its desensitising them to reality.

 

[seoulsearch]

The second question am not really in a position to answer unless seouls wants to do an experiment on 5-12 year olds, exposing them to these amsr videos with porn in them.
I wouldnt recommend it though cos those kinds of experiments need ethical approval.

It is known that early exposure to tv screens, videos, not matter what it is, even if its cartoons, is harmful to children under 5. I mean babies dont respond to their mother on a tv unless its actually THEIR mother, but even then, they are behind a screen or on the tv. They cant touch them or smell them or taste them. They can only see or hear them. so automatically 3 of their senses are gone ...its desensitising them to reality.

I have a fascination with human emotions and interactions, so with the development of more and more advanced means of artificial intelligence (and therefore, artificial interactions,) I'm often thinking about what kind of impact that will have on society.

I try to keep up with documentaries about the constant development of increasingly "realistic" "companion dolls," some of which are now designed to have interchangeable faces, eye colors, features (body parts, shapes, sizes, and ethnicities,) voices, and even personalities. It's the Adult Version of Build-a-Bear in which the customer gets to choose whatever they want, whenever they want, and however they want it. But this is "Adult Entertainment," some might think, and is in a separate category of its own.

I don't think so. Things like these ASMR videos are a glimpse into the ways that even the most mundane, everyday things are becoming intertwined with artificial forms of interaction that have no consequences or need to consider another person. Unhappy with your life? Just create a new one on YouTube, or go there to find other people who fit what you want to be instead. And I am always wondering what that is going to lead to.

I think Japan's, for as absolutely brilliant as it is, is also a good example of what will happen to humanity, as its population seems to be creeping toward extinction. Apparently, fewer and fewer young people are interested in dating, let alone marrying or having children. Young people are choosing to stay at home immersed in the fantasy worlds their culture has built. Why bother looking for a real person when they have pop idols and manga characters to latch on to? I'm sure it's not a coincidence that Japan is also known for some of the most advanced companion dolls on the market.

In a desperate attempt to even maintain, let alone expand the population, the government actually funds meetups, matchmaking, and dating events in the hope that young people will meet and "hit it off." Supposedly, if the trends keep going the way they are now, it's very possible that the Japanese will die out within a few more generations.

I don't think that will happen here in the USA. There is a very pervasive hookup culture here that always produces children to some degree, so I honestly doubt the US population would die out due to a lack of reproduction (at least if current trends continue.) Unwed pregnancies and single parenthood are not culturally acceptable in Japan like they are here, so they have more reason to concerned. (And I am in no way judging anyone, seeing as I am adopted and was probably the result of an unwed union myself.)

These are all just my own hunches (and I hope that I am wrong,) but I'm guessing that we are heading towards a world in which the only time real human beings get out and interact is when they want to use each other for something, let alone marry and stay together for a lifetime.

(The men in the documentaries I watched wanted "the best of both worlds" -- a real-life girlfriend or wife to provide love and companionship, but only if the live woman was willing to accept his companion doll(s) as part of their lifestyle.) One man was married but had 4 companion dolls that cost around $4000+ each, which his wife theoretically accepted.

I'm certainly not trying to pin this all on men, as I'm sure they have male dolls available as well.

What I'm trying to say is that I think humanity is only half a step away from accepting an almost entirely artificial world, and that will be most people's preference.

 

[Lynx]

I think the only reason we don't accept an entirely artificial world is because the technology is not quite there yet. We have VR and augmented reality, but it's not quite a replacement for reality... Not yet.

 

[Lynx]

To be fair, the want to has always been there. Lots of people have tried to escape their reality, through alcohol, drugs, just walking away from their lives and starting again elsewhere... The only difference these days is, it's a lot easier to do, and getting easier with each new technological iteration.

 

[oldethennew]

these scriptures will always bring great comfort and confidence, while we witness
all of the madness and wicked devastation breeding up and down main-street...

11TH. 2:11
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12.
That they all might be damned who believed not the Truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13.
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord,
because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation
through sanctification of The Spirit and belief of the Truth:
14.
Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15.
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught,
whether by word, or our epistle.
16.
Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us,
and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17.
Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

 

[Lanolin]

hmm well

just to add, several years ago when technology was just starting to explode there was all this talk of web 2.0 and how interactive technology was going to be.

I think weve past that stage now with touch screens ever present on our lives (libraries had adopted it earlier than the rest, would you believe we had self check out machines for books DECADES before they put them in shops, mcdonalds are only just now putting in self ordering kiosks)

video games have always been highly interactive and addictive, there was one a role playng game called 'second life' in which you somehow imagined you were this other person in this game and lived out your 'second life' virtually. Some people got SO addicted they were actually commiting crimes as their second personality.


Becuase in this second life virtual world, the rules were all different and they didnt have to conform to any laws or rules of the real world. Software programmers have a lot of influence and power you know. But only if you let them. They are human just like anyone else and make mistakes and have glaring holes in their programmes that can get bugs just like a home can become infested with fleas.

 

[G00WZ]

I've seen such videos and found them so cringe worthy I couldn't last long.
And the "whispering" is horrendous. Because they can't whisper the same way one would sitting next to you. They have to crank up their mic sensitivity to be heard, filling their audio with white noise. And the whisper is so loud and forced and often with voice cracks that it does more to agitate than calm.

And I couldn't help but look at the ones that do "massages" and such and shake my head in disbelief at just how stupid they look.

It astounds me that these people get millions of subscribers. And the noise only ones it's even more amazing. Some big lipped bimbo scratching her nails across a sequined purse? What a horrible sound. 🤯

Umm... yeah. I'm not a fan...

The lips at 10 million subscribers lol

 

[Bartholomew]

Those youtubers don't actually love you, they love your subscriptions....

 

[zeroturbulence]

I have a fascination with human emotions and interactions, so with the development of more and more advanced means of artificial intelligence (and therefore, artificial interactions,) I'm often thinking about what kind of impact that will have on society.

I try to keep up with documentaries about the constant development of increasingly "realistic" "companion dolls," some of which are now designed to have interchangeable faces, eye colors, features (body parts, shapes, sizes, and ethnicities,) voices, and even personalities. It's the Adult Version of Build-a-Bear in which the customer gets to choose whatever they want, whenever they want, and however they want it. But this is "Adult Entertainment," some might think, and is in a separate category of its own.

I don't think so. Things like these ASMR videos are a glimpse into the ways that even the most mundane, everyday things are becoming intertwined with artificial forms of interaction that have no consequences or need to consider another person. Unhappy with your life? Just create a new one on YouTube, or go there to find other people who fit what you want to be instead. And I am always wondering what that is going to lead to.

I think Japan's, for as absolutely brilliant as it is, is also a good example of what will happen to humanity, as its population seems to be creeping toward extinction. Apparently, fewer and fewer young people are interested in dating, let alone marrying or having children. Young people are choosing to stay at home immersed in the fantasy worlds their culture has built. Why bother looking for a real person when they have pop idols and manga characters to latch on to? I'm sure it's not a coincidence that Japan is also known for some of the most advanced companion dolls on the market.

In a desperate attempt to even maintain, let alone expand the population, the government actually funds meetups, matchmaking, and dating events in the hope that young people will meet and "hit it off." Supposedly, if the trends keep going the way they are now, it's very possible that the Japanese will die out within a few more generations.

I don't think that will happen here in the USA. There is a very pervasive hookup culture here that always produces children to some degree, so I honestly doubt the US population would die out due to a lack of reproduction (at least if current trends continue.) Unwed pregnancies and single parenthood are not culturally acceptable in Japan like they are here, so they have more reason to concerned. (And I am in no way judging anyone, seeing as I am adopted and was probably the result of an unwed union myself.)

These are all just my own hunches (and I hope that I am wrong,) but I'm guessing that we are heading towards a world in which the only time real human beings get out and interact is when they want to use each other for something, let alone marry and stay together for a lifetime.

(The men in the documentaries I watched wanted "the best of both worlds" -- a real-life girlfriend or wife to provide love and companionship, but only if the live woman was willing to accept his companion doll(s) as part of their lifestyle.) One man was married but had 4 companion dolls that cost around $4000+ each, which his wife theoretically accepted.

I'm certainly not trying to pin this all on men, as I'm sure they have male dolls available as well.

What I'm trying to say is that I think humanity is only half a step away from accepting an almost entirely artificial world, and that will be most people's preference.

I wish i had a friend that liked talking about stuff like this. I don't mean life-like dolls, I mean stuff that's cerebral and tangible. Topic of life-like dolls included.

 

[GaryA]

I wish i had a friend that liked talking about stuff like this. I don't mean life-like dolls, I mean stuff that's cerebral and tangible. Topic of life-like dolls included.

I understand.

 

[Lanolin]

on japanese culture...which is quite similar in many respects to german culture (both countries we kind of aligned during world war 2!) many many young people are gamers.
and many many were trained to be densisitized to reality.

One aspect of people not wanting to marry and have children is...housing shortage.
Japans population is crammed into an island with not much land. It is VERY expensive to buy land. You are basically living in a shoebox.

they even have cat cafes where people go and pay to have a coffee that has cats because pets arent allowed in many apartments.

Germany, which not to long ago was split into two countries even...capitalist and communist type administrations, is very much a socially engineered, very highly mechanised country. German engineering is one of the best in the world because they are very precision orientated. its is extremely efficient.

in both countries peoples feelings are not coddled. the teutonic demeanour is to put a brave face on everything, it only comes out when people are drunk (octoberfest or sake drinking in Japan) because both germans and japanese people work so hard, some putting in hours and hours of work every week.


I think this explains at least some aspects of their culture that gives rise to why people find it hard to connect, and turn to something like gaming. in america you do have that...loads of people addicted to video games but maybe not to the same extremes, I think over there is gambling is more of the problem.

Places like disney land and las vegas and hollywood are quite obvious about americans need and desire for escapism.

 

[zeroturbulence]

Americans are into sports, not gambling. Hardly anyone goes to vegas unless it's for a vacation and there's no gambling in hollywood or disney. California has a few casinos but only 4 or 5 of them and they're really just big resorts with a casino in them. But americans are absolutely obsessed with sports. Not sports gambling, just watching and rooting for their favorite teams and players. I hate sports and not a big fan of gambling, but I used to be good at black jack until they started using multiple decks of cards.

 

[zeroturbulence]

...One man was married but had 4 companion dolls that cost around $4000+ each, which his wife theoretically accepted...