Gloves are essential for the machine, to separate
one's porous skin from the actuality of what one manipulates.
For example, gloves prevent exposure to infected blood,
or to the bacteria that breed in decaying bodies, or
to disturbing notions. They protect against waste (radioactive
or otherwise); extreme weather conditions; mutant spiders;
sexual and/or emotional sensations; media pundits,
politicians, footballers and other demons; worms and
parasites; children; broken rocks; and many other by-products
of civilised society. Bare touch may indeed be fatal
and almost certainly will be morally compromising.