The day before yesterday, Yahoo reported that scientists from Singapore had figured out how to operate a vibrating jacket on a chicken via web-based controls. They have some plans to study the feasibility of manufacturing wired up pajamas for children whose parents travel often. So absent parents could hug their kids long distance. Aw. I was going to write something cheeky and funny about the obvious eventual sexual uses of cyberhug technology. Only yesterday, Yahoo reported that the Australian government was pleading with Singapore authorities to permit the mother of a smalltime drug smuggler to hug her sun before he is executed by hanging on Friday. Apparently Singapore has a law against physical family contact for death row inmates. Apparently Singapore might really be pressed for cyberhug technology for actual hugging purposes. The rest of the world, of course, is waiting on the edge of their seats, coming up with ways to use the forthcoming devices to touch each other in different ways. Glad I do not live in Singapore.

According to an excellent New York Magazine feature article penned by Julian Dibbell, we may be as close as three years away from an actual proper sexual arousal medication being brought to market. PT-141 is still undergoing clinical trials, but word is that the sex drug makes users feel, not only sexually excited, but just plain good. Oddly enough, this Viagra alternative comes in an inhaler. The nightclub possibilities of something which makes users both happy and horny and comes in an inhaler … well, let’s just say the possibilities are both obvious and inevitable and, as CFIDS can impact an individual’s sexual energy the same as it does everyday energies, I can’t help feeling that is a good thing. I mustn’t forget to mention that PT141 appears in current clinical trials to work on both men and women, as the nasal spray goes to the brain and rather than the sex organs to actual create the type of excitement one would feel when wholly naturally extremely in the mood. I’m guessing the idea is that it is supposed to be like cocaine without the erectile dysfunction and possibly without the ranting or overly effusive anecdotes. Then again, people on the make do tend to rant and tell overly effusive anecdotes anyway. Maybe just without the ED.