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When discussing humans in the context of love, we often refer to the five love languages created by Gary Chapman in his book The 5 Languages of Love. Ways we as people can feel appreciated by our lovers, friends or families. The five love languages are Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Gifts, Physical Touch and Acts of Service. The one that grabbed my attention the most in the context of this class is Physical Touch. But with a twist, focusing on the absence of touch. The feeling of being touch starved.
''Being touch-starved occurs when a person experiences little to no touch from other living things.''
Examples of creatures that need physical touch in order to function.
A few examples of "robotic creatures" from my childhood that required care include Furbies, Tamagotchis, and Aqua Pets (See images below). These toys were popular in many households during the early 2000s, each designed to engage children through interaction and maintenance.
Tamagotchis needed regular feeding and cleaning—if neglected, they would "die." The interaction was limited to pressing buttons on the small device. Furbies, on the other hand, responded to touch and voice, sometimes unpredictably. If you were unlucky, yours might wake up in the middle of the night to chatter (brrr, the nightmares). Aqua Pets were the simplest of the three, with only two buttons for interaction, making them the quietest companions.
Furbies
Furbies
Release date: fall of 1998
Tamagotchi
Tamagotchi
Release date west: May 1 1997
Aqua pets
Aqua pets
Release date: 2004
Video by Bean Spills in 2019
Furbies
Furbies
These toy creatures provide great insight into how they function and what happens when neglected. However, only the Furby relies on physical touch as a central part of interaction. Over time, if it isn’t touched, it makes noise or shuts off after being inactive for too long.
''Must say kinda cute seeing these old ones still function.''
What would the absence of touch do to a creature? And how would the creature react when given a small amount of physical touch?
What if you could create a creature that reacts strongly to being touch-starved? Think of something that would even cry if it hasn't been petted for too long. But at the same time, if petted, it chirps with excitement and becomes jittery, only to slowly return to a state of loneliness after a few minutes when people stop giving it attention.
Being touch-starved isn't usually something you link to a robot, but I think it could give some engaging scenarios!
''Imagine walking inside a room with a table in the middle, something sitting on the table. Soft crying is heard from the table, and when you come closer, the crying volume gets louder and louder.. until you touch the strange creature on the table, and the crying transforms into a soft chirping. Happy sounds. But the second you stop petting the creature, it returns to a melancholic sound. Your touch made it happy, but the absence took away its happiness and made it lonely again.''
Sketch of the concept
Sketch of the concept
if im not to sick for it😅
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