I don’t think there is a way you can satisfactorily explain how something as fundamental to the human experience as touching became taboo. to a society that isn’t some dystopia. Best to leave it as “it just happened”. (See “Demolition Man” and how Cocteau was allowed to take over San Angeles)
Gonna have to disagree with you on that one. If you have to resort to shrugging and saying that something like human touch became taboo because ‘it just happened’ is poor writing. You’d really need to do some serious world building and research into the effects of being touch starved to tackle something like that.
When Covid necessitated us all to keep 6 feet distance from those not in our “circles” and quarantining/masking, etc, I could totally see how a society could eventually evolve where touch was not seen as something one did. I don’t think it’s that hard to imagine. It could be that at some point in this universe’s history there was a virulent disease that spread very easily through close contact, and if the vaccine or cure took longer to develop and distribute (much more possible when you’re talking about distribution to multiple worlds, and having to adjust for various immune systems that have evolved for living on those multiple worlds), the longer those precautions were needed. Until eventually, touch went from disease prevention to considered taboo as memory of the reason why touch was prohibited in the first place faded from the generations.
Alternatively, there are societies here on Earth now who regard touch as something Not Done except with very intimate partners. Think of Regency times or even modern Japanese culture where touch is frowned upon and where romance novels in those settings where development of the main relationship in the story hinges on even sharing an umbrella, or laying a hand lightly on another’s during a dance. It’s not outside the realm of possibility, and wouldn’t be that much of a stretch to this story’s taboo. It would be interesting to learn the origin of this cultural taboo in the context of this story, perhaps, but perhaps it is as simple as Regency mores taken to their logical extremes.
Deo
There are ways it could happen, though I don’t think we can use historical periods to back it up as much. In Regency times and romance novels related to it, the taboo on touch is with only non-related people of the other sex. Women walking arm in arm with each other is found in the books of the time period, as affectionate friendships were more normalized than they are now in the same places,. Writings of the time period also showed times when even that potentially scandalous touch was accepted at times, like organised chaperoned dances — modern writing on it tends to exaggerate it in order to emphasise that first touch moment.
physical touch was much more required in caring for one another prior to modern inventions like the stethoscope. Medical inventions have brought less touch to care, and I think the technological angle making it oudated, much like a medical professional now putting their head to someone’s back or chest to listen, combined with medical concerns feels a more likely root – and modern Japanese culture is following in that with more robotic care than most.
I don’t think we can call it forgotten when the whole recent conflict that happened was due to the taboo. Literally on this very page we’re getting people blushing and flustered over our main couple just publicly touching in front of them.
Recent parts of the story have had characters becoming more comfortable with touch, and now public displays of touch, on purpose. So, I think it makes sense that we’ve seen less instance of the taboo.
Also, I thought Abeille’s unhappy experience with the touch club and Aster’s explanation of Vital touch Chapter 14 Page 31 made it seem like the taboo isn’t just touch, it’s connection.
To me the story resembles the present day in that we lack connection. The facade of community and friendship is present, together with the assertion that no one really matters, and if they disappear from your life, you should not care. Connection is seen as oppressive.
I don’t think there’s a taboo on connection, we’ve seen countless instances of families and relationships connecting in different ways, with and without touch. Miel’s parents don’t touch, and they’re as in love as anyone could be, and Aster’s sister Tulip doesn’t touch (even though she comes from a touch positive family, it just isn’t for her) but she cooks to connect with people she’s close with, and given that Jollie party she’s organising I’d argue she’s the most connected person in this comic :p
This society is fine with connection, and they’re fine with sex (with a computer, though having it next to your partner and letting them play with the settings seems to be a common way of connecting also), they just find touch to be, childish? Maybe unhygenic?
(I reread the beginning of the comic to find out more about why touch became taboo, and it just says “touch has become an outdated concept”)
actually, rereading from the beginning, it feels like a different comic to now. Abeille WAS looking for love and connection, and for her that is found through touch. At the time Ivy and Holly were basically just friends with benefits, Ivy says love is overcomplicated and unnecessary. So lacking love and connection was absolutely a theme (I got a giggle when I realised/remembered “Love Not Found” came from Abeille searching it in her sex simulation programme)
The Touch Club was to show that Abeille doesn’t just want “old fashioned sex”, certainly. But, as the comic progressed, as Abeille and Ivy found their own relationships (with people and with touch), we’vw been shown that while it shouldn’t be taboo, it is not nevessary for connection and love, that its okay to be uncomfortable, set boundaries, and express your affection in your own way, with it still being just as meaningful. You don’t have to have held a hand to cry when it disappears.
Kendall
I think I’m reading from the perspective of experience and relating it to the story, rather than asserting what Gina meant. I even like the idea that the meaning of stories comes from the reader (in a limited way). I love treading comments where people compare the story to the their life.
All the connection between the family members you mention are the supportive families of our main characters. Dryads too.
It sounds like fun to go look for some secondary characters that are sharing an emotional connection (I want Marigold and Flax to be among them). But then, that plus connection not needing touch, like you mention, includes them among the people who are not afraid of connection, and maybe that makes them different from society. (Tulip is way into touching Poppy!).
Anyway it took me a minute to realize Miel purposely grabbed Abeille’s hand hehe. Atta boy! Also hearing that things are a mess with Miel’s old work place has me hoping that eventually both of these 2 might return to their old jobs. We’ll see though.
Hey, Gina! I love the new site but I’m really missing the old character profiles; didn’t you have one of the main characters listed as left-handed? As a leftie that always stuck out to me. Love this page and seeing that Allbright isn’t doing quite so well without one of their star employees. 😉
I hope it’s not too far afield. Comparing LNF to the world today, as I perceive it: The gender and/or cultural non-sexual touch taboos in the world were the main dysphoria for me. Managers and teachers who are women touch men on the shoulder as emotional support. Female friends who I’ve seen lay in each other’s laps, with nothing seeming sexual about that. Holly addresses that. I knew people who crossed that barrier when I was younger, but it’s still a terrible touch taboo that we live with, I think.
20 thoughts on “Love Not Found – Ch23, p19”
Netty
I love how the woman is poorly hiding her happy grin behind the guy in the front lol.
Maureen
I think it’s more a grimace than a grin. You notice that there’s the same motion lines above the guy with glasses, and he doesn’t seem at all happy.
Netty
That definitely looks happy to me, her face does not look the least bit strained to me but I’m sure we’ll see in the next panel or two for sure.
Alli
I’m not so sure! I think it’s kind of a mix, like “ooh the scandal”
Deb R.B.
It might be more of an awkward nervousness.
K
I hope we’ll be getting more of the taboo of touching coming soon. I feel like it was the set up of the society and recently has been forgotten.
Freezer
I don’t think there is a way you can satisfactorily explain how something as fundamental to the human experience as touching became taboo. to a society that isn’t some dystopia. Best to leave it as “it just happened”. (See “Demolition Man” and how Cocteau was allowed to take over San Angeles)
PuMa
Gonna have to disagree with you on that one. If you have to resort to shrugging and saying that something like human touch became taboo because ‘it just happened’ is poor writing. You’d really need to do some serious world building and research into the effects of being touch starved to tackle something like that.
Felis Dee
When Covid necessitated us all to keep 6 feet distance from those not in our “circles” and quarantining/masking, etc, I could totally see how a society could eventually evolve where touch was not seen as something one did. I don’t think it’s that hard to imagine. It could be that at some point in this universe’s history there was a virulent disease that spread very easily through close contact, and if the vaccine or cure took longer to develop and distribute (much more possible when you’re talking about distribution to multiple worlds, and having to adjust for various immune systems that have evolved for living on those multiple worlds), the longer those precautions were needed. Until eventually, touch went from disease prevention to considered taboo as memory of the reason why touch was prohibited in the first place faded from the generations.
Alternatively, there are societies here on Earth now who regard touch as something Not Done except with very intimate partners. Think of Regency times or even modern Japanese culture where touch is frowned upon and where romance novels in those settings where development of the main relationship in the story hinges on even sharing an umbrella, or laying a hand lightly on another’s during a dance. It’s not outside the realm of possibility, and wouldn’t be that much of a stretch to this story’s taboo. It would be interesting to learn the origin of this cultural taboo in the context of this story, perhaps, but perhaps it is as simple as Regency mores taken to their logical extremes.
Deo
There are ways it could happen, though I don’t think we can use historical periods to back it up as much. In Regency times and romance novels related to it, the taboo on touch is with only non-related people of the other sex. Women walking arm in arm with each other is found in the books of the time period, as affectionate friendships were more normalized than they are now in the same places,. Writings of the time period also showed times when even that potentially scandalous touch was accepted at times, like organised chaperoned dances — modern writing on it tends to exaggerate it in order to emphasise that first touch moment.
physical touch was much more required in caring for one another prior to modern inventions like the stethoscope. Medical inventions have brought less touch to care, and I think the technological angle making it oudated, much like a medical professional now putting their head to someone’s back or chest to listen, combined with medical concerns feels a more likely root – and modern Japanese culture is following in that with more robotic care than most.
Floweramon
I don’t think we can call it forgotten when the whole recent conflict that happened was due to the taboo. Literally on this very page we’re getting people blushing and flustered over our main couple just publicly touching in front of them.
Kendall
Recent parts of the story have had characters becoming more comfortable with touch, and now public displays of touch, on purpose. So, I think it makes sense that we’ve seen less instance of the taboo.
Also, I thought Abeille’s unhappy experience with the touch club and Aster’s explanation of Vital touch Chapter 14 Page 31 made it seem like the taboo isn’t just touch, it’s connection.
To me the story resembles the present day in that we lack connection. The facade of community and friendship is present, together with the assertion that no one really matters, and if they disappear from your life, you should not care. Connection is seen as oppressive.
Rinofthemill
I don’t think there’s a taboo on connection, we’ve seen countless instances of families and relationships connecting in different ways, with and without touch. Miel’s parents don’t touch, and they’re as in love as anyone could be, and Aster’s sister Tulip doesn’t touch (even though she comes from a touch positive family, it just isn’t for her) but she cooks to connect with people she’s close with, and given that Jollie party she’s organising I’d argue she’s the most connected person in this comic :p
This society is fine with connection, and they’re fine with sex (with a computer, though having it next to your partner and letting them play with the settings seems to be a common way of connecting also), they just find touch to be, childish? Maybe unhygenic?
(I reread the beginning of the comic to find out more about why touch became taboo, and it just says “touch has become an outdated concept”)
actually, rereading from the beginning, it feels like a different comic to now. Abeille WAS looking for love and connection, and for her that is found through touch. At the time Ivy and Holly were basically just friends with benefits, Ivy says love is overcomplicated and unnecessary. So lacking love and connection was absolutely a theme (I got a giggle when I realised/remembered “Love Not Found” came from Abeille searching it in her sex simulation programme)
The Touch Club was to show that Abeille doesn’t just want “old fashioned sex”, certainly. But, as the comic progressed, as Abeille and Ivy found their own relationships (with people and with touch), we’vw been shown that while it shouldn’t be taboo, it is not nevessary for connection and love, that its okay to be uncomfortable, set boundaries, and express your affection in your own way, with it still being just as meaningful. You don’t have to have held a hand to cry when it disappears.
Kendall
I think I’m reading from the perspective of experience and relating it to the story, rather than asserting what Gina meant. I even like the idea that the meaning of stories comes from the reader (in a limited way). I love treading comments where people compare the story to the their life.
All the connection between the family members you mention are the supportive families of our main characters. Dryads too.
It sounds like fun to go look for some secondary characters that are sharing an emotional connection (I want Marigold and Flax to be among them). But then, that plus connection not needing touch, like you mention, includes them among the people who are not afraid of connection, and maybe that makes them different from society. (Tulip is way into touching Poppy!).
At the end of the touching club Chapter 7 page 26, Abeille says:
“I’m being touched, but its not the same. This isn’t making me feel ANYTHING.
I want more than a stranger’s touch. I want his touch.”
Maybe that means she doesn’t just want random touch, but I call that special thing about their touching connection.
Tiffany
Congrats to all of the Kickstarter cameos!
Anyway it took me a minute to realize Miel purposely grabbed Abeille’s hand hehe. Atta boy! Also hearing that things are a mess with Miel’s old work place has me hoping that eventually both of these 2 might return to their old jobs. We’ll see though.
Crane
heck yeah Miel
Bee
Hey, Gina! I love the new site but I’m really missing the old character profiles; didn’t you have one of the main characters listed as left-handed? As a leftie that always stuck out to me. Love this page and seeing that Allbright isn’t doing quite so well without one of their star employees. 😉
Gina Biggs
Oh, I’ll add those profiles back in next month then! And yeah, Abeille is a lefty!
Gina Biggs
Heads up! The Cast page has been restored! <3
Kendall
I hope it’s not too far afield. Comparing LNF to the world today, as I perceive it: The gender and/or cultural non-sexual touch taboos in the world were the main dysphoria for me. Managers and teachers who are women touch men on the shoulder as emotional support. Female friends who I’ve seen lay in each other’s laps, with nothing seeming sexual about that. Holly addresses that. I knew people who crossed that barrier when I was younger, but it’s still a terrible touch taboo that we live with, I think.
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