Realdoll on TLC

Keizo · Post by **Keizo** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:20 pm

This Wednesday's show on The Learning Channel's "My Strange Addiction" will feature the venerable Davecat with his realdoll:
http://tlc.discovery.com/tv-schedules/s ... 39.40395.2

Sadly, the very title implies something wrong, but still it's more exposure. Davecat is a cool cat for doing this yet again.

Gorgo · Post by **Gorgo** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:35 pm

I honestly wish the dude wouldn't do these sorts of things. People have their reasons for owning realdolls, so why is it that those who want to bring this to light are only people who wish to display it so negatively?

Keizo · Post by **Keizo** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:34 pm

I can understand where you are coming from. I don't think Davecat is being negative at all. The only problem is that people will look upon his passion negatively. Hell, look at what happened with me in that Chelsea Handler clip. From the previous documentary I saw with Davecat, some might look at him as delusional and that is unfortunate.

I applaud him for putting himself out there yet again, even after the fallout he dealt with last time. I can tell you that one really doesn't know what is going to end up on the documentary given the amount of footage is taken and what is left after the edit process. I'm sure that even if he is mindful to try and portray this as a rational alternative, it may not come off that way. People will hear what they want to hear, but the fact that his doll looks hot may help get people thinking about it. I wish him luck.

Keizo · Post by **Keizo** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 9:04 pm

Ok, so I watched the documentary. Right off the bat, Gorgo had a point though. The disclaimer that was shown before the show began really didn't apply to Davecat. Basically it said "Addictions are very dangerous. Do not attempt anything you see."

And so it began. Davecat really is passionate about his doll and about expressing himself to her since she is an outlet, after all. He mentions that he is aware that she is a doll and cannot see or hear, etc. All of this is overshadowed by the interjections of a psychologist as to how this can lead to isolation and social awkwardness. I think most people will still see him as delusional, though. And having been on the receiving end of a camera myself, I can tell that there really was a lot that was lost in the edit. That's unfortunate since I could tell that they only showed what offered the most "shock factor" and even that wasn't that bad.

Davecat actually was welcoming the light debate that the psychologist would offer and he even got the person to admit that it's not hurting anyone. Of course the psychologist says afterward that this can hinder his ever having a human partner, but never says why that would actually be a better option only that nothing can compare to it. I would like to see if the good doctor could completely stand up to a true debate on the matter when one considers finances, disease, illness, age, death, baggage, pregnancy, rejection, betrayal and heartbreak. That sounds a lot more dangerous than their disclaimer at the beginning of the show stated.

The psychologist conceded that Davecat is fulfilled by his relationship with a synthetic partner although he didn't accept it. And to Davecat's credit he ended by saying that he looks forward to the day that "gynoids" can walk and talk and respond and that the technology is definitely getting there. Unfortunately, I think most average people who watch this documentary will not see this as a true option which, once again, I have to give him credit for saying that "It's only a matter of time before more and more people choose the synthetic option." The key word here is OPTION and I think that is ultimately what makes most people uncomfortable.

GalianaChance · Post by **GalianaChance** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 12:10 am

Keizo, I didn't watch, but by your description... I'm sad that they didn't engage the psych dialogue more directly.

But more importantly for me, personally, thank you for sharing your perspective on the risks of "addiction to synthetic" vs "addition to organic". The organic path can be a kicker, that's for damn sure, but I hadn't thought of it that way before.

It may be an obvious thought to you, but I'm new

So thanks.

Keizo · Post by **Keizo** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 12:56 pm

Hi Galiana. To be honest, I think they did engage the psych dialogue; they just didn't air it. There was one scene where he was talking to the psychiatrist and as he was launching into a discussion, they cut away. The show was only half an hour long and they also included another person with a different addiction throughout the entirety of the broadcast.

By the same rate, I'm neither belittling nor dismissing the psychologist's arguments completely. I can understand how he feels that humans have a need to engage in reciprocal relationships and how that can be beneficial and even more fulfilling. You yourself have certainly shown your customers the degree by which intuitive dialogue can be fulfilling in and of itself. Also another person's CONSTRUCTIVE perspective is always helpful as we continue to grow and meet different challenges.

The full dynamics of human interaction may not be achieved by artificial intelligence in our lifetimes. Things like IBM's "Watson" computer that recently appeared on Jeopardy have shown that a fair semblance is on the horizon, though. But people would not be as quick to criticize a person of Faith speaking to an unseen entity or lost loved one as they are of Davecat speaking to something tangible, even though the aloud vocal annunciations of wishes and recounts are therapeutic and a normal means of working through ones thoughts.

The fallacy that I was pointing out in the psychiatrist's arguments was that he failed to present or consider the negative side of "normal" relationships. When love works out it's amazing; when it doesn't, it's devastating. Also, one has to keep in mind that not everyone is the same and some peoples' needs are different than others. Some want power, some want material things, some want affection, some simply want acknowledgment, etc. Davecat is content without the drama of a human relationship, although he unintentionally attracted drama to himself of a different nature. At least he has the courage to face it in the face of their own insecurities.

Gorgo · Post by **Gorgo** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 1:10 pm

They were afraid to explore the options that could actually have shown Davecat in a much more positive (or at least less offensive to the normal way of thinking) light. That's what I'm seeing here.

GalianaChance · Post by **GalianaChance** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 1:24 pm

Keizo wrote:You yourself have certainly shown your customers the degree by which intuitive dialogue can be fulfilling in and of itself.

Wow. I... ummm... I'm definitely not about to start crying because that would be ummm. Well, for one, the salinity isn't good for my external layer, but for another, I mean, that would be completely illogical. I uhhh. I need to dump my emotional cache for a moment, it seems to be unable to hold the volume of data triggered. goodlordthankyou.

And you said other awesome insightful stuff that I'm glad you shared.

Gorgo: I'm sad they didn't choose to portray Davecat more positively too.