It's mind-expanding to see what people do in other places. I just read about a popular new activity in China. On the surface the activity sounds crazy but, as you ponder it, you realize it makes some sense and could catch on here.
The most talked about game on China's version of Twitter (Weibo) is a mobile activity called "Love and Producer." The game has been downloaded by 10 million users, almost all female. In the game users are a female character and have the option is selecting one of four boyfriends -- an egotistical CEO, a sensitive scientist, a motorcycle-riding policeman or a cute pop-star.
Players interact with their imaginary boyfriend frequently, often daily. The game is free but players can pay in advance for texts and voice-messages from their boyfriend which are designed to "advance the plot." On Valentine's Day, for instance the policeman-boyfriend leaves a long voice-message asking, "Why are you sleeping so far away from me? Did I do something wrong? It must be my fault. Tell me, honestly, why aren't you able to sleep?" The messages have pauses for the players to talk back.
Players say they find the game engrossing. Surprisingly many are married women who confess to playing as a "guilty pleasure."
It's been my experience that when society doesn't meet our needs, we search -- often with great ingenuity -- for alternate paths to fulfillment. For example, most of my life I was forbidden from living publicly as a woman -- so I dressed privately in female clothing and explored female life in secret. Similarly, a heterosexual woman whose emotional need for romance is not being met in real life might retreat into an imaginary world where a hunky boyfriend pays attention and caters to her. That's not far-fetched, is it? Seen this way, "Love and Producer" is simply an extension of romance novels, offering similar rewards with more intensity.
What do you think?
'Sensitive scientist' ftw over here!!! #veryrare
ReplyDeleteHa! Did you read about the dolls? I think they are more popular in Japan. They can't find the perfect woman so instead they buy a life size doll to spend their time with. The sad truth is that these things aren't real. I don't know just how healthy it is. Did you watch the series Black Mirror? This really reminds me of something they would have shown.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
I do know of those dolls and people's use of them. Also adult-care facilities are now using robotic dogs/cats to comfort lonely old folks. The people relate to them as if they were real (and the robots are more durable than actual animals). I love "Black Mirror" and am always looking at signs of future technology. Humans are inclined to anthropomorphize inanimate objects even when we know they aren't "real," so dolls and imaginary boyfriends can fill emotional needs.
DeleteOnly in China ... or not? I've always been a bit of a (day) dreamer, especially as a child, and I did have some "real" imaginary friends back then, possibly because I was an only child until I was 7, as I even had an imaginary sister ... I'm not sure about this game, but maybe it's not that far fetched? xxx
ReplyDeleteThose of us with imagination (you and me) understand how this idea is possible. Thanks for your report.
DeleteWow. What's scary is that some people are probably interacting with their imaginary boyfriends more than they do the real ones, or even family and friends. I could not handle an imaginary partner. I have enough trouble with the real ones. Haha!
ReplyDeleteThe great thing about imaginary boyfriends is they don't argue and give you grief the way real ones often do. That ease makes them more attractive.
DeleteWow, I haven't heard of this before, but so little surprises me in the world these days. I'm trying hard to live a life of non-judgement, so if this makes these women happy, then I say good for them!
ReplyDeleteGood response. We don't know what other people's lives are like until we walk a mile in their stilettos. (Ouch!)
DeleteI honestly think this is a creative outlet, because it reminds me of fanfiction, where people can create scenarios or entire worlds with characters that already exist. Hell, that's how 50 shades of Grey started, a Twilight fanfic,and look, now its a franchise.
ReplyDelete