text; permanon

[zunge]

[Another day on the planet, another anonymous post. This one's by a returning anon, though none of you would know it. A few months ago he asked people their thoughts on pain. Today.... today he has a different set of information to gather with only some overlap in topic.]

Hypothetical - you've got an AI-equipped robotic frame and you want it to experience interesting, useful sensations using its sensors. Temps-wise, pain-wise, texture-wise, whatever.

What sensations would you put it through and have it experiment with?

Comments

text; u/n: mercy

[cadeuces]

That's quite the question. Let's see...

I'd start with the pleasant things, I suppose. Silks, velvets, sherpa, down feathers and soft furs... Ice and cool metal, skin-warmth, hot porcelain warming one's hands just on the edge of too much to learn boundaries... radiant heat like that of a rice pack or hot water bottle. The gentle scratch of nails in one's hair or down their back, warming oils used for massage.

And as far as pain limitations, there are a number of medical implements to start with such as wartenberg wheels for nervous system response and clamps to pinch, burgeoning on burns with hot wax from candles... Mostly just learning tolerance and limits of both spectrums for temperatures, I suppose. Ice can be numbing but it can begin to damage the tissue of one's skin after thirty minutes or so.

And if this is a partner you're speaking of to help explore new things, it could certainly be fun to spoil someone else with many of these things. Having them close their eyes to limit sensory input allows for a greater focus on their sense of touch. Just... do be careful with the hot things.

[zunge]

[shhhh don't out him here, gosh.]

For this hypothetical all that matters is what was in the original post. Be my guest if you want to imagine it as an android in a cyborg body. That's what it sounds like you're going for.

What the hell is sherpa?

[cadeuces]

( she ain't tryna out u!!! look... everyone here is humanoid, it's her assumption )

I realize it's hypothetical, but I have yet to see anyone here who hasn't been mostly humanoid; I did indeed imagine it as an android or A.I., though I suppose there could be practical uses for some other technology to understand these things.

As for "sherpa", it's a faux shearling material. The fluffy white wool-like lining in winter coats. 🤭 It's very soft.

[zunge]

Maybe someone wants to make a cyborg rodent, ever think of that?

Never heard of it before.

[There's a lot of stuff he's never heard of before.]

[cadeuces]

Haha no, I certainly haven't thought of that.

There are quite a lot of stores still carrying sherpa blankets right now, if you keep an eye out next time you're passing any. It looks like this:

[zunge]

The picture is sufficient.

[cadeuces]

Then, here's the wartenberg wheel. It isn't meant to dig into the skin, just to be rolled lightly over it.

( She's helping!! Only people with nerve issues tend to see these in a doctor's office, also, so. You Know. (Not that she's anywhere near guessing who is behind this post; she isn't thinking on it, but it sure would be telling if she were.) )

Feel free to message me here again if any questions crop up.

[zunge]

Some kink-oriented stores have those. So that's what they're for.

Questions about a hypothetical?

[cadeuces]

Ah, I see. I hadn't noticed in the few I've ventured through.

Who am I to say what sparks inspiration and what doesn't? Perhaps you'd find other medical supplies interesting and want more detail. I'm one of the local doctors here, so I can at least answer that much.

And I have knowledge of cybernetics, as well, in case this isn't so hypothetical after all and ends up being a proper project.

[zunge]

Medical play is a kink of its own, and sensation play in general is big. That fits with both. Of course, not all stores will branch out that much. The good ones will.

It probably will stay hypothetical.

[cadeuces]

Haha, I suppose I'm a bit too old-fashioned, then; I can't say I've ever heard too much about those. Though it certainly explains the more involved nurse fantasies I've heard about...

I hope I've helped, if only a little. Even if it was just to ease some boredom.

[zunge]

nurse fantasies barely scrapes the surface of what's out there haha

you've helped.

[cadeuces]

That sounds quite ominous! Though I also suppose there would have to be, yes. Having an actual medical professional trying to play along is a bit of a mess... "Heal me with your kisses" can go so far, here, in reality, but typically bringing the reality of anti-inflammatories and compression garments for "swelling" into the mix doesn't work out.

I'm glad. And I almost forgot! I saw another response mention materials; there is also lace to consider for a bit more "scratch", and I've heard something about... gauze and lubricant?? To toe the pain/pleasure line.

[zunge]

Probably partly why they're "fantasies." Detached from reality.

Lace, huh? Fabric store kind or lingerie kind?

[cadeuces]

That is very true; there is nothing quite as discouraging for a good time as bringing up insurance, either. 🤭

And I think either/or would work; lingerie lace is meant to be worn so it's often a bit more comfortable and sturdier for manipulating, and it's right at hand if a partner is already wearing it, as well. Some laces would be too delicate or have too little "surface space", or may be decorated with beading or other difficult textures that don't make it ideal for exploring.

[zunge]

Makes one wonder the point of that kind of lace. Better not just be "it looks good."

[cadeuces]

I regret to say, that is exactly what it is. It's always just been decoration. I believe it came from decorative netting some hundreds of years ago and began to adorn clothing and home goods...?

Now it's simply "pretty".

text | un: swordsss

[swordhardy]

Knives.
Slow slices that split the skin and drag out the ache, quick cuts that bleed quick and sting. Twisting its point in versus the swiping length of the blade. Holding its edge flat and scraping, so it burns. Applying different levels of pressure and intensity. Seeing how they change when the metal's heated or iced.

It's even better when it's paired with something else, but that's just me.

cw: this thread's discussing injuries incl. self-harm

[zunge]

Interesting. Very detailed, too. What would you pair it with?

[swordhardy]

Hah, yeah. I'm remembering what I've done.
It varies
But for your question, I'd say something that's its opposite.

Pain and pleasure at the same time. I've always liked it.

[zunge]

Oooooh passing on personal recommendations. And the kind that too many would shy away from breathing word of.

[swordhardy]

Best I can do, I don't know shit about robots.

[zunge]

Most don't. The important part isn't so much about the robot but what you'd make a sentient being that's not used to having a full-sensory body try out. Shit like that.

[swordhardy]

Gotcha.
Still knives.
But also worked leather. Hemp rope, jute rope.

[zunge]

"worked" leather?

[swordhardy]

That's right.
It feels better the more it's been weathered, or used.

voice; un: thereth

[unholy_rebirth]

[baffled.]

I don't know what those words mean.

[zunge]

[This anon's gonna stay text on his end, but by all means, feel free to continue responding via voice, Cow Lady.]

Which ones?

[unholy_rebirth]

[how does she use this thing :(((( She's a bit pleased to actually have gotten a response, though. Maybe she will Learn Something today.]

Um...

Aye-equipped robotic...? I...I suppose I know what a "robot" is...you are making a machine?

[zunge]

A robot is a very advanced type of machine. AI = "artificial intelligence."

This is all hypothetical. You have an artificial being granted with intelligence and a consciousness. What would you think it important or good for that being to experience?

[unholy_rebirth]

Oh...

[Processing...it's clear she's still a little confused, but she's doing her best.]

Joy? Sadness? Calm?

...the rain?

[zunge]

What's your rationale on the rain, out of curiosity?

[unholy_rebirth]

Well, it's...it's...[She trails off, and is quiet for a while. It seems like she's struggling to get her thoughts together, but eventually, she just laughs softly.]

Because it's...so hard to describe, I suppose. The feeling, the sound, the scent...rain has always been...important to me. My people lived in the desert when I was young, so rain was always welcomed...

[zunge]

[Hrm this is turning to be vaguely more fruitful than he expected. The downside is, uh... this sure isn't the time of year for rain on this planet. Time to go out on a limb with a hypothesis.]

And not easily replicated by standing under a shower in your clothes?

[unholy_rebirth]

[A surprised laugh, which is quickly muffled. Sorry, Noiz! It was a friendly laugh, promise. She sounds both amused and slightly apologetic.]

Mmm...n-no, not exactly. Even though the showers here are very lovely. It's...hmm...[She's noticed the chilly weather too, of course, and has come to the same conclusion as he has. Is there a good way to experience rain during the wintertime?]

Maybe if there is a greenhouse, and you had a shower in there...with the plants.

[.... .D. ]

[zunge]

Do greenhouses have showers in the first place?

[unholy_rebirth]

Well....no...you would have to...make one yourself.

[Ok, maybe this isn't a good idea.]

Can the machine wait until it's warmer?

[ text ] »

[divaricate]

Well, in my world, my boyfriend was a robot (I'm human). All of the above for sure, but starting with textures is a good one since there's not a lot to get accidentally too hurt on to start with as there is with temperature - going from lighter to rougher (feathers are fun).

[zunge]

What other light textures besides feathers?

[Light textures are the ones he has the most difficulty with, since they don't register on his skin well if at all. He might as well get as many good ideas now as he can since this person brought them up.]

[divaricate]

There's this kind of yarn people use for crafts that's most often called eyelash yarn and that is great 💯✔ as well as a kind that is still very fuzzy but isn't in strands like the eyelash kind, but I'm not sure if it has a special name. A couple balls of each of those would make for good light experiments.

[zunge]

Would the average fabric or crafts store have those?

[divaricate]

Yeah! Usually in their knitting/crochet section since that's what most people are going to purchase it for.

[zunge]

I see. Can't say I've ever had reason to be in one. The information is useful.

[divaricate]

I can pick some up and send them, if you want?

[ It's a quick enough task; she might as well offer to be of help. ]

[zunge]

There's no need, but thanks. This is all a hypothetical I was curious about.

[Also shhh he's totally going to go to a crafts store in person and feel up all the fabric, then buy the items worth keeping. Good job for helping him narrow down what kind of store to go to for this shit.]

[divaricate]

[ she's gonna be nice and not nudge that her experiences with hypotheticals - either asking or answering - are often in the category of doing something 'for science' or asking 'for a friend' ❤ ]

Anytime. I always enjoy hypothetical debates, anyway. All those what ifs and maybes...yep.

[ aw yiss ]