The Uncanny Valley - Or why furries and other sub-humans are creepy - General

Does this picture creep you out? [IMG]http://kwc.org/resources/2006/ever-2-muse.jpg[/IMG] That's one of the many human-esque robots the Japanese enjoy building, and it turns out there's a scientific explanation as to why they, and many other human-like things, are creepy as fuck: [B]- THE UNCANNY VALLEY -[/B] The Uncanny Valley is a hypothesis, originating in research in robotics, that states that as something takes on a greater and greater human likeness, it will appeal more and more to humans. However, [I]just [/I]before it reaches full human, the appeal suddenly drops dramatically, and humans will be disturbed or repulsed by it. Then it jumps right back up as it hits human. [IMG]http://www.architecture.uwaterloo.ca/faculty_projects/terri/uncanny/ross/filmpics/uncannyvalley1_422x330.jpg[/IMG] Although the valley originated with robotics, and robots that looked a little too much like humans, it can be applied to many other things, anthropomorphs for example. Level 1 - A rock [IMG]http://davidjhinson.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/rock512x512.jpg[/IMG] Reaction - "Um... kay?" Level 2 - A bunny [IMG]http://animal.discovery.com/mammals/rabbit/pictures/rabbit-picture.jpg[/IMG] Reaction - "D'awww" Level 3 - A bunny doing something a human would normally do [IMG]http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Dg91BcsSFiA/So84_W2rJ9I/AAAAAAAAA50/T_apjRF9dQE/funny-pictures-rabbit-plays-video-games%5B6%5D.jpg[/IMG] Reaction - "D'Awwwwwwwww" Level 4 - A bunny that can talk and with some human characteristics [IMG]http://www.sirlistalot.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/thumper.jpg[/IMG] Reaction - "D'AWWWWWWWWWWWW" Level 5 - Bunny Furries [IMG]http://www.sue-chan.com/art4/bunny_opheliabunny.jpg[/IMG] Reaction - "AAAAAUUUUGGHHHH!!!" What's interesting is that it effects the mainstream as well. Some have found that the success of Avatar was partly due to the design of the Na'vi, who bordered [I]right at the edge [/I]of the valley, just enough to maximize the appeal of their design. On the other hand, movies like The Polar Express were criticized as the 3D characters (which were modeled off of real people) were creepy or disturbing looking, due to them being just a little too lifelike, therefore being at the bottom of the dip in the valley. [IMG]http://img.slate.com/media/1/123125/2116707/2133610/2137155/060306_he_POLAR-EXP_Ex.jpg[/IMG] This could be an explanation as to why people are generally put off by furries, as they get too close to being human, thereby falling into the depths of the valley. Granted, I'm sure that the position of the valley depends on the individual, and some may be more tolerant to human-like creatures than others. Which explains why there are some people who actually like this stuff. :eng101: [U]Now You Know![/U]

Or because it's weird that people masturbate to animals. I like the Avatar refrence though.

Wow, this is interesting. Why do furries repulse people that don't know about their freakish fetishes though? Aren't they less like humans than the Na'vi?

[QUOTE=Sottalytober;21112202]Or because it's weird that people masturbate to animals. I like the Avatar refrence though.[/QUOTE] Well... yea. There's that too. But that's not science-y enough :science: [QUOTE=trent_roolz;21112239]Wow, this is interesting. Why do furries repulse people that don't know about their freakish fetishes though? Aren't they less like humans than the Na'vi?[/QUOTE] The thing about the Na'Vi is that it seems like they could be on the other side of the valley, on the way back up to human. Either way, it's dangerously close to the dip.

[QUOTE=The Vman;21112245]Well... yea. There's that too. But that's not science-y enough :science:[/QUOTE] That's why I rated you informative. Because you gave a great science-y explanation! :science:

I cannot see the relationship. I guess this is applying to a "normal" or "average" field of research subjects. otherwise, doesn't make any sense why would who jack off to human-esque animals, or screwing a ginger.

Interesting. So all basically the furry fetish (Dunno the name. Furophilia?) is caused by an error in perception? Sheeeett :science:

Wait Vman I have a question, what about bugs bunny or Tom and Jerry? Arguably the best cartoons ever made, but their like furries, talking animals. Yet they're the best thing to happen to the world besides the internet.

[QUOTE=Sottalytober;21112377]Wait Vman I have a question, what about bugs bunny or Tom and Jerry? Arguably the best cartoons ever made, but their like furries, talking animals. Yet they're the best thing to happen to the world besides the internet.[/QUOTE] They're hardly what i'd call furries. They don't talk except in their shitty new age movies.

[QUOTE=Richard Simmons;21112276]I cannot see the relationship. I guess this is applying to a "normal" or "average" field of research subjects. otherwise, doesn't make any sense why would who jack off to human-esque animals, or screwing a ginger.[/QUOTE] what is normal about wanting to fuck animals

[QUOTE=Sottalytober;21112377]Wait Vman I have a question, what about bugs bunny or Tom and Jerry? Arguably the best cartoons ever made, but their like furries, talking animals. Yet they're the best thing to happen to the world besides the internet.[/QUOTE] It's the fact that they're 2D. They lose their human-like appearance in the second dimension. Move them into the third dimension and the creepy factor comes right back up: [img]http://comeroundhere.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/tjerrylondon1.jpg?w=450&h=327[/img] [img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/2534940948_56792ed589.jpg[/img]

im trying to find a clip of it on 30 Rock where one of the characters explains it, I thought it was just made up but apparently it's real.

[QUOTE=Sottalytober;21112377]Wait Vman I have a question, what about bugs bunny or Tom and Jerry? Arguably the best cartoons ever made, but their like furries, talking animals. Yet they're the best thing to happen to the world besides the internet.[/QUOTE] They don't have quite the same proportions as humans, and most of their features are much more like the animals they are based on rather than more human like. I counted them under the whole "Talking animal with some human characteristics" section.

[MEDIA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKTAJBQSm10[/MEDIA]

[QUOTE=Sottalytober;21112377]Wait Vman I have a question, what about bugs bunny or Tom and Jerry? Arguably the best cartoons ever made, but their like furries, talking animals. Yet they're the best thing to happen to the world besides the internet.[/QUOTE] animals are used to more easily connect to children. animals getting hurt is not as bad in a child's eyes (animals = less emotion, no apparent family).

[QUOTE=The Vman;21112454]They don't have quite the same proportions as humans, and most of their features are much more like the animals they are based on rather than more human like. I counted them under the whole "Talking animal with some human characteristics" section.[/QUOTE] Alright, carry on then.

Finally a good thread in the GD, we haven't had a good intelligent discussion thread in ages. Also, ads can be cool. [img]http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/imgad?id=CPzXyJKf253B2QEQ2AUYTzIIOq-Gb6IwRhY[/img]

This is also the same when it comes to anime characters, I get really creeped out trying to imagine them as being photo-realistic. Also, anthropomorphic animals have the same tendency to creep me out when I imagine them as being photo-realistic.

I've never found any of the characters from the [I]Polar Express[/I] to fit in the Uncanny Valley. Even looking at it now I still don't know how people find that creepy.

Furries (or any animated characters) have nothing to do with the uncanny valley. Uncanny valley is purely for hyper-realistic models or in some cases, wax figures of people. Uncanny valley applies to things that are supposed to look exactly like humans, but something about them is not quite right. A good way to gauge the uncanny valley, is to imagine sleeping in the same room as whatever the given object is, preferably with it facing you across from your bed. Would [URL="http://insanecats.com/images/cute_bunny_game.png"]this[/URL] creep you out? How about [URL="http://www.exposay.com/celebrity-photos/lindsay-lohan-wax-figure-new-wax-figures-at-madame-tussauds-wax-museum-in-new-york-on-november-30-2007-0ulzHB.jpg"]this?[/URL]

[QUOTE=linksysruler;21112451]im trying to find a clip of it on 30 Rock where one of the characters explains it, I thought it was just made up but apparently it's real.[/QUOTE] The one in which someone explains to Tracy why his idea for a pornographic video game just won't work?

[QUOTE=hypno-toad;21112775]Furries (or any animated characters) have nothing to do with the uncanny valley. Uncanny valley is purely for hyper-realistic models or in some cases, wax figures of people. Uncanny valley applies to things that are supposed to look exactly like humans, but something about them is not quite right.[/QUOTE] Like Edward Cullen? [img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XAePxwGya7E/SzFyJMhi5FI/AAAAAAAAC1M/hgf3ufOZCXk/s400/EdwardCullen-Hairstyle.jpg[/img]

[QUOTE=Sottalytober;21112966]Like Edward Cullen? [img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XAePxwGya7E/SzFyJMhi5FI/AAAAAAAAC1M/hgf3ufOZCXk/s400/EdwardCullen-Hairstyle.jpg[/img][/QUOTE] i think he meant creepy, not autistic crack addict.

[QUOTE=Richard Simmons;21112979]i think he meant creepy, not autistic crack addict.[/QUOTE] I'd be creeped out by him if I saw him at night.

[QUOTE=Spiderjjr45;21112450] [img]http://comeroundhere.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/tjerrylondon1.jpg?w=450&h=327[/img] [/QUOTE] :crossarms: What the fuck

[QUOTE=Sottalytober;21112966]Like Edward Cullen? [/QUOTE] Yeah, sort of. His wax figuring would be a better example.

human robots would be cool what if we could live our lives as robots instead, we'll never die unless we grow old or get sick like some kind of surrogate

[QUOTE=hypno-toad;21113029]Yeah, sort of. His wax figuring would be a better example.[/QUOTE] I tried to find that first but I figured he looked waxy enough byhimself.

[QUOTE=IceCKryss;21112683]I've never found any of the characters from the [I]Polar Express[/I] to fit in the Uncanny Valley. Even looking at it now I still don't know how people find that creepy.[/QUOTE] Yeah they seem fine, but the again when I saw the rabbit I thought "Meat" and when I saw the rock I thought of the pet rocks I used to collect, so maybe I'm just not normal.

The Furries don't bug me, what does bug me is the creepy as shit life-sized dolls, where their skin isn't the right texture or reflectivity and their eyes are a bit too big.