Exploring the Future of Having Sex

Technology is crashing into our intimate lives in unimaginable ways and the possibilities are, well…

…Interestingly weird, terrifying, exciting, immersive and emotionally confronting.

One thing is for sure, this entry into uncharted territory will create a new set of social dynamics.

It will put us face to face with our core desires, fears, and programming.

Dating and masturbating have long been commandeered by the web, it’s only been as a kind of middleman. Now we’re nearing the possibility of falling in love with your computer, as meeting your dream partner could be as easy as slipping on Oculus Rift—the most advanced virtual reality headset in the world.

In Digital Love, VICE investigates how love and sex is faring in the digital age, starting with technology’s notorious bedmate, the adult entertainment industry. We make a pilgrimage to LA’s “Porn Valley” to witness firsthand how virtual reality is scarily close to creating fully interactive porn before heading to Europe’s sex capital, Amsterdam, where the Dutch enthusiastically enlist the use of “teledildonics” to enhance their long-distance relationships.

Along the way they pick apart the digital world’s grip on today’s relationships. Apps and the rise of social media have revolutionized dating, while virtual affairs end real-life romances and online role-playing games have gone X-rated. Finally, we takes a look at a very modern taboo and ask: Can man’s relationship with machine ever translate into real-life intimacy? 

It’s a brave new world of sex out there, but are we ready for it mentally, spiritually, emotionally? Most likely not. “Technology always moves faster than ideology,” explains Tina Gong, the creator of the HappyPlayTime app, which has been banned from Apple’s App Store for being crude. “We have to push ahead now and people will catch up.”

What do you think about the future of sex?