Sex and computational technology: Twitterdildonics

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In addition to the blogasm that is/was SXSW this year, there was a panel that examined the interaction between intimate relationships. Among the panel were two fabulous and equally lovely sex bloggers, Kyle Machulis of Slashdong and Violet Blue of Tiny Nibbles. The Sex and Computational Technology panel discussed how the internet supports both research and sex and how it should no longer be compartmentalized to just one or the other. While Violet approaches sex in a positive and practical manner, Kyle, the self-proclaimed mad scientist/robotics engineer gropes his way through experimental open-source inventions.

One such invention at SXSW was the Twitterdildonics couch that vibrated to the beat of 140 characters or less. Twitter, in case you've missed my subliminal link-to's is the self-absorbed, completely idiotic, yet oh so lovable internet stalking device that I highly recommend you toggle on between late night one-handed typing. The "ultimate real-time sex device mashup" translated messages, yet unlike Morse Code, the blips and bleeps were turned to vibrate. Violet interviews Kyle about Twitterdildonics on Geek Entertainment TV (TSFW - totally safe for work).

Getting back to the panel, often times there's more questions than answers. Within human/machine interfaces, does the user want to be intimate with the machine or themselves? Naturally, human beings (and Shake Well Before Use) want to sexualize every technology they come across. As such, there's a need for intuitive response between the constant negotiation that is sexuality. To the tune of Twitterdildonics, one such trend that is seen often is the syncing up of audio and sex toys. The iBuzz and OhMiBod leverage bass, while other notable newbies to the scene actually embed mp3 players inside the dirty device itself.

In the end, it seems the marriage affair between technology and sex helps expand the view of what sex is and how sex can be seen as a series of patterns. While WIMPs, synchronization, and slider controls are the current norm to interfaces, they're hard to see as sexy, even after a few drinks. By building intimate and honest relationships with technology, we're able to rethink the current technology trends of extreme fetishes into a more realistic and rewarding way.