Cyberpunk intimacy: from neon commods to companion apps

Classic cyberpunk often frames intimacy as access, surveillance and control, not comfort. In Cyberpunk 2077, paid encounters, text-message romance and partner pings turn bonds into mechanics with conditions, branches and endings. Later writing asks whether synthetic beings can be care partners, emphasizing mutual respect over domination. Research finds chatbot warmth and emotional support can raise usage intention and media dependency; warnings say one-sided AI bonds may blur tool and friend.

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