"With each interaction, a soothing sensation arises": as the AI initiates its Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR)
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In the digital age, the world of media culture has seen an explosion of unique and captivating trends. One such phenomenon is ASMR, a sensory experience that has captivated millions of internet users worldwide.
ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, was initially introduced on YouTube in the early 2010s. The movement revolved around soft-spoken videos designed to elicit a tingling sensation often described as pleasurable and relaxing. Over time, the genre has evolved, branching out into various genres and incorporating more unconventional themes.
Valentina Tanni, an art historian teaching digital media culture and the aesthetics of memes at John Cabot University in Rome, discusses the captivating nature of ASMR videos in her recently translated book, Vibes Lore Core. Tanni has dedicated a chapter to ASMR videos, highlighting their evolution and impact on modern digital media culture.
According to Tanni, ASMR is a form of eroticism focused on sensory perception. She made these comments during an interview, emphasizing the growing strangeness in the type of content found in ASMR videos. Some examples include people cleaning weapons, painting with their saliva, or acting out absurd situations involving lobotomy or contagious diseases in the Middle Ages.
As ASMR continued to grow in popularity, it found a new home on TikTok. This platform, with its short video clips and trending topics, accelerated ASMR's accessibility and diversity. One recent trend is the hypnotic sensory loop, where creators design continuous, repeating audio-visual loops triggering deep relaxation or trance-like states. These loops often combine subtle whispering, rhythmic tapping, soft brushing sounds, and repeated visual patterns to create a mesmerizing effect that enhances the ASMR tingling sensation.
The tingling sensation experienced during ASMR, sometimes called "brain tingles," is thought to involve a complex interaction between the auditory and tactile sensory systems and emotional centers of the brain. When exposed to soft sounds, whispering, or repetitive stimuli, the brain may release dopamine and oxytocin, generating feelings of pleasure, calm, and wellbeing. This response can create mild euphoric and relaxing sensations, most often felt in the scalp, neck, and spine areas.
The history and evolution of ASMR videos on TikTok and the internet reflect the broader cultural growth of ASMR content from niche YouTube videos in the early 2010s to a mainstream and diverse media format. This evolution illustrates ASMR's journey from a niche relaxation tool to a popular sensory entertainment and wellness trend on modern social media platforms like TikTok.
References:
[1] Tanni, V. (2022). Vibes Lore Core. Audimat editions. [2] TikTok. (n.d.). Hypnotic sensory loops. [Online video]. Available at: https://www.tiktok.com/trend/hypnotic-sensory-loops [2] ASMR University. (n.d.). What is ASMR? [Online article]. Available at: https://asmruniversity.com/what-is-asmr/
Technology has facilitated the expansion of ASMR, a unique sensory experience, from its origins on YouTube to social-media platforms like TikTok. In the realm of entertainment, ASMR has evolved into a diverse and captivating trend, incorporating unconventional themes and hypnotic sensory loops that stimulate relaxation and wellbeing.
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