Autonomous Meridian Sensory Response: from Internet subculture to audiovisual therapy

ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) is the name given to a pleasant sensation that can be felt most commonly on the scalp and can be triggered by various gentle sounds (like whispers, crinkles or tapping), smooth and repetitive visual stimuli, personal attention (like the touch of a hairdresser or a masseur) or other events. ASMR is often associated with a general feeling of relaxation and peace. Whilst academic research on the sociological, artistic, sensory and cognitive dimensions is still in its infancy ASMR has grown into a worldwide, cross-disciplinary, inter-cultural, multi-lingual social media sensation. This paper outlines the rise of ASMR as Internet subculture from its inception as ‘whispering community’ on Internet platforms and blogs, to become a truly popular (i.e. made by the people) platform for creative expression, self-made holistic therapy and in some instances true artistic audiovisual endeavours. This paper comments on the reasons behind the rise of the ASMR community as a fertile ground for creative expression. Audiences’ expectations are dictated by the attention-induced nature of the sensory experience, a factor that spawned an exceptionally perceptive viewership if one considers the inherently fragmented essence of ubiquitous streaming media and the impatient scanning and skipping modes of reception it encourages. ‘ASMRtists’ thus enjoy a privileged relationship with audiences who are not impressed with the relentless pour of energy and information from social media platforms and treasure, instead, the slow, the quiet and the subtle. Examples from various ASMR content creators will be analysed from the compositional standpoint, highlighting technical and idiomatic similarities with forms of improvisatory practices and experimental artistic languages such as Musique Concrète. The paper will also illustrate recent audiovisual projects related to ASMR carried out at Keele University and will introduce the audience to planned developments towards ASMR related content delivered through mobile platforms

Genetic divergence is not the same as phenotypic divergence

Far too often, phenotypic divergence has been misinterpreted as genetic divergence, and based on phenotypic divergence, genetic divergence has been indicated. We have attempted to disprove this statement and call for the differentiation of phenotypic and genotypic variation

Research priorities for autonomous sensory meridian response: an interdisciplinary Delphi study

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a multisensory experience most often associated with feelings of relaxation and altered consciousness, elicited by stimuli which include whispering, repetitive movements, and close personal attention. Since 2015, ASMR research has grown rapidly, spanning disciplines from neuroscience to media studies but lack a collaborative or interdisciplinary approach. To build a cohesive and connected structure for ASMR research moving forwards, a modified Delphi study was conducted with ASMR experts, practitioners, community members, and researchers from various disciplines. Ninety-eight participants provided 451 suggestions for ASMR research priorities which were condensed into 13 key areas: (1) Definition, conceptual clarification, and measurement of ASMR, (2) Origins and development of ASMR, (3) Neurophysiology of ASMR, (4) Understanding ASMR triggers, (5) Factors affecting the likelihood of experiencing/eliciting ASMR, (6) ASMR and individual/cultural differences, (7) ASMR and the senses, (8) ASMR and social intimacy, (9) Positive and negative consequences of ASMR in the general population, (10) Therapeutic applications of ASMR in clinical contexts, (11) Effects of long term ASMR use, (12) ASMR platforms and technology, (13) ASMR community, culture, and practice. These were voted on by 70% of the initial participant pool using best-worst scaling methods. The resulting agenda provides a clear map for ASMR research to enable new and existing researchers to orient themselves towards important questions for the field and to inspire interdisciplinary collaborations