Hear the Tap, Feel the Scratch: The Transgressive Intimacy of ASMR

How do digital experiences shape intimacy? What role do sensory stimuli play in creating connections across virtual spaces? ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response), a growing cultural and media phenomenon, invites us to reconsider the ways intimacy, care and relaxation are nurtured through immersive soundscapes and visuals. This book situates ASMR within the landscape of contemporary affective culture, exploring how sounds, visuals and tactile elements build intimate and soothing connections in digital environments. Through a detailed analysis of ASMR videos, it reveals how posthuman perspectives and post-cinematic aesthetics blur the boundaries between human and non-human, reshaping our experience of media and creating new spaces for connection, care and emotional resonance. Ultimately, it uncovers how ASMR opens the door to new forms of transgressive intimacy, challenging traditional notions of closeness in today's world.