RE: "Guys and Dolls" Documentary

This is in response to the documentary, "Guys and Dolls", that we saw in class today.  Indeed, the people in the documentary are not "normal".  They seek genuine companionship in inanimate but lifelike dolls.  Humans are social creatures, but sometimes, it doesn't always work out right.  As stated by some of the men in the video, they had bad experiences with real women or other circumstances (mother's sudden death for instance) that prompted them to seek out alternative partner options.



Honestly, this doesn't surprise me.  I've heard about these dolls before; some people refer to them as "dutch wives".  However, at least these dolls are very... realistic.  I want to take this discussion to Japan, where there are a small minority of men (and even women) who take this further than lifelike dolls.  These "otaku" (a generally derogatory term for subculture "geeks" and "nerds" obsessed with a particular thing) have taken this concept further.  Dakimakura are essentially body pillows with pillowcases imprinted with an anime (Japanese animation) girl.  No "3D girls" for these men.  There was even a Korean man who married his love pillow.  Back to Japan, and indeed, taking it even further, was a man who married his Nintendo DS console.

"I am soooo not lonely!"

If I haven't weirded you out yet, that's good.  To be honest, it's important to realize that this behavior isn't "normal".  However, I want to stress tolerance; everyone should keep an open mind.  As long as these men (and women do this too although much less publicized) do not hurt anyone, we should let them be.  Another interesting thing to keep in mind is that there are many skeptics: these men might be either demonstrating alternative partner behavior to seek attention and fame... or even to get a few laughs from their fellow otaku.  Regardless, I think it's important to respect their decision.

"I married my DS!"