Merging different interests in play.

[annie]

I don't think LG is saying that there is anything wrong with different types of play, etc. I think what he is trying to get at is that there seems to be more participation now in some fetishes then there perhaps was years ago.

I think part of the reason it may seem as though sensation play is growing is simply because any information about BDSM and M/s is now more readily available. In the past there was a small limited amount of information to the general public, especially the vanilla section. And what was shared with them most of the time was through main stream media, which had a slanted view so most of what was presented was the image (mental/visual or otherwise) of a Dominate in black leather with an instrument of pain and a submissive cowering at their feet, tied so there was no escaping. So, pain was the more common image of what a BDSM relationship involved and those who weren't into pain were less likely to come forward and say... "I enjoy Domination by xyz" or "I enjoy submission with xyz." They may have known they had a "kink" but would never had associated with someone without that exact same kink or kept it hidden for a variety of reasons. With information more readily available and shared it seems as though a certain section is growing when it was probably there all the time.

*Sort of like underage pregnancy... it occurred 100 years ago but it was kept more secretive, etc.... so it appears as though numbers may be higher now but are they really, or is it just more knowledge is shared about them?*

For my 2 cents it is all a matter of information. How much is shared and when it was available.

**And that is just an example not to be taken as a tangent to this thread or discussed here... although if someone wants to discuss it in feel free to take it to the correct subforum! Thanks!

[Moonraker]

I don't think LG is saying that there is anything wrong with different types of play, etc. I think what he is trying to get at is that there seems to be more participation now in some fetishes then there perhaps was years ago.

And let's not forget that the spread of the internet with sites like this and bdsm not being as taboo as it once was means more people involved and a broader spectrum of tastes. Personally I can't see myself turning up at the local BDSM club in my black shirt to watch somebody getting flogged. I am therefore one of the new category my dear friend LG is refering to.