Sort-of-realistic but not-quite-perfect human figures look creepy -- the so-called "uncanny valley" effect. (Real people look like real people; cartoons look like cartoons; things in between, which look mostly human but not quite, trigger a "something's wrong!" reaction in observers.) The effect is notable with CGI characters in movies such as Polar Express and the recent Beowulf. This is why animated human characters are usually caricatures or exaggerated. I think that the effect will also be seen in real-life humanoid figures used for... "social purposes".

(Lyrics copyright 2009 by Joel Polowin. To: "Red River Valley")

So I hear you have bought you a girl-doll
Lifelike eyes and a bright plastic smile
And you say that she's practic'ly human
And a near-perfect match for your style

There are many would say she is creepy

There are those who would say you are, too

But you're lost in the Uncanny Valley

With a girl who won't care what you do

You can dress her (or not) as it please you
With some makeup, she's almost okay
Warm her up in the bathtub each evening
Hang her up in the closet each day

She's got feminine parts anatomic
Replicated in soft silicone
I suppose that it's good that she's non-stick
And the real thing you never have known

Words copyright (C) 2009 by Joel Polowin. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this material in any non-profit medium provided that its content is not altered and that this notice is appended. I would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication in which it appears: Joel Polowin / 18 Norice St. / Nepean, Ont. / CANADA / K2G 2X5