One of the new buzzwords of the last year or so has been ‘digisexuality’, a term coined to describe the lifestyle of individuals who seek sexual satisfaction through technology (‘digisexuals’). It captures the awareness that digital technology is affecting masturbation, sex, and relationships (even marriage) in ever increasingly powerful and disruptive ways. It can cover everything from virtual reality porn to sex robots to smart vibrators. It was defined by Neil McArthur, a philosophy professor at the University of Manitoba in Canada, and officially became part of the public lexicon when he and his colleagues published a paper on the subject in November of 2017, in the journal – Sex and Relationship Therapy.
Is digisexuality simply a term for a social trend, or might it, or indeed should it, describe a movement? It might appear offensive even to describe any sexual lifestyle a ‘movement’ if it is not suffering the kind of awful persecution and discrimination (which still takes place in many countries) suffered by the likes of the LBGT community. Nethertheless, perhaps digisexuals also need a manifesto, a declaration of being, and a commitment to fight against any discrimination, and I thought it would be fun to have first go (as far as I know).
As a disclaimer, I should point out that I do not necessarily even identify as a digisexual myself. Further, the following is really only an example perhaps to serve for others to enlarge upon. I do believe that we are on the brink of a sexual (and social) revolution brought about by technology, and for that reason, a manifesto wrapped around a convenient buzzword, might serve a useful purpose of bringing the inevitable ethical and social issues that will arise into focus.
A Manifesto And Proclamation Of Rights For Digisexuals
We, who identify as digisexuals, proclaim that it is our right to seek sexual fulfillment in digital worlds or through other means of technology.
The pursuit of sexual happiness through technology must be in accordance with all relevant laws and moral codes of society, but there should be neither legal nor social discrimination against digisexuality as a lifestyle choice.
Laws relating to future sex technology should always be the result of careful review and objective consideration, with fair representation given to digisexuals and others who possess both knowledge of sex tech and insight into its possible impact upon society.
We, as digisexuals, believe that developments in digital technology carry with them the potential to enhance the sexual lives and happiness of every adult. We believe that digisexualism as part of a sexual lifestyle can be a positive thing for society. We therefore call upon the media, politicians, and others with influence in shaping opinion, to join with us in proclaiming the positive benefits to society that digsexualism will inevitably bring. Such things as a reduction in STDs, new sexual possibilities for the disabled or elderly, a powerful new aid to sex therapy for couples and individuals, and a possible solution to the problem of a sexually alienated segment of society that identifies itself in increasingly radical and potentially harmful ways such as ‘incels’ or religious extremism.
If you have any suggestions as to what should be included in a digisexual manifesto, please feel free to share them below. And if you think the idea of a digisexual manifesto is interesting, please share this article far and wide.
