Sex and Marriage with Robots?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21271545/wid/11915829?GT1=10450

I stumbled across this article on the msn news site. It is called "Sex and marriage with robots? It could happen." This, of course, intrigued me. So I clicked. After reading through the article, the title says it all. Robots are becoming more and more common in households and around people. They began only in factories, working jobs dangerous for humans with much more efficiency than humans. Then, robots began having more close contact with humans. The robot vacuums made a big step, being bought and owned by normal people.

But these scientists are talking about robots becoming more human, human enough for some to want a relationship with one. The author brings up people with social disorders that have problems forming relationships with other people. Sure, this might be ok for a few of them, but I think that actually forming relationships with people is what helps those with social problems. Also, the people that are very unlikable. David Levy, a researcher in the Netherlands, says that robots can be programmed to like people and to have the same interests as someone. So you could have a robot programmed to be your "perfect mate"? Seems a bit impersonal, if you ask me. This makes me think about my life and relationships, and of course, my fiancee. What always makes me feel so good is when someone does something for me or cares about me when they don't have to. It feels nice when your family does something nice, or your best friend since the third grade does something for you, but when it's someone you don't expect, it's even better. Like when my stepmom bought me a pair of shoes I'd been eyeing, it was great. But when Daniel, my fiancee, bought me a gift card for my favorite shoe store for valentines day (after only 3 weeks of dating), it meant so much more. Because he didn't have to. He didn't have to be sweet or thoughtful. A robot would be programmed to like you. They would have to. It seems like being loved by something that was built to love you wouldn't feel as special.

The article also mentions sex with the robots. Sure, it isn't far from the sex toys of today. But sex is made great by the feelings you share for someone. The article also mentions sex with robots as an outlet for illegal sexual urges, such as pedophilia. So they have sex with a robot that looks like a kid instead? To me, that sounds like it just condones that kind of behavior. The article also mentions bringing a robot into a good relationship. May provide for an exciting addition to open couples, or make it easier for tired wives to refuse their husband.

I think humans can only create successful and meaningful relationships with other humans. When feelings are mutual because two people have really worked to find each other, and learned how to get along and show compassion for one another. I don't think a robot can make a person feel what they need to feel from a partner in marriage.