|
|
Guest
|
 |
On fire! |
Registered: March 2012
Messages: 2344
|
|
|
I suppose I've got to start by apologising for lurking without posting for so long. A quick scan of the archive reveals that apart from a brief flurry last August, it's fifteen months since I was a regular contributor. Even the names seem to have changed since then! I HAVE been lurking, though, and I'm still on Tim's mailing list. Trouble is, I've been spending so much time travelling that I'm knackered by the time I have an opportunity for surfing. On top of that, the cut-and-thrust of debate (I prefer the thrust, personally!) seems to have gone from the board. Shame! I never could resist the opportunity to disagree with someone!
In any event, here I am, and what brings me back is 'The Story of Tim'. I have read it - twice - and have given myself three days to think it over. I still feel as I did at first reading, and it worries me. I feel the need to be serious, and - for me - that's something of a novelty.
First of all, let me say that I have always opposed censorship, and that I neither wish to oppose nor to suppress S/M. It isn't my bag, but I have betes-noir a-plenty, and I am in no position to criticise the sexual preferences of others. I confess that I found parts of the story intensely erotic. I cannot imagine deriving pleasure from suffering pain, nor from inflicting it upon others - even at their wish - beyond the level described rather aptly in the story as 'wanky-spanky'. On the other hand, there's a good deal of the voyeur in my make up - in the literal sense of 'watcher', not implying any sort on non-consensual secrecy. The thought of a gorgeous teen 'presenting' and performing for me is almost too much to cope with. For some reason, mowing the lawn naked seemed especially erotic!
I don't deny that the S/M community has a right to its own erotic literature, and as erotic fiction in that context, the story is pretty unobjectionable. But it isn't IN that context here, and in the more general context of teen gay literature I do have an objection to it. Looking at the plot objectively, I wouldn't deny that the story could be true, though it would be very exceptional. But then, that's true of lots of teen romances; miracles DO happen, but nothing like as often as we pretend they do.
I don't even take issue with the broad assumptions underlying the story. The phenomenon of abuse leading to the desire - conscious or otherwise - for further abuse is well-documented. I doubt whether a child abuse victim of Tim's apparent intellectual and perceptive ability would react in the way described, particularly as regards the suppression of his earlier abuse, but what the hell, this is fiction.
The point is, redemption COULD happen as described, but the results could equally easily be disastrous. S/M is potentially a dangerous game, and it isn't subject to rigorous rules. The sadism can override the masochism, particularly where there is an age difference on the scale described. Kids have died proving the point.
Those who are strongly drawn to S/M will find it, as we can all find our niches if we try hard enough. I just don't think it belongs on this site. Tim (our host, not the Tim of the story!) has rightly described his messageboard and site as a place of safety. It's a place where teens can discover that they are far from alone, where adults who never had the chance to find their true selves as teenagers can do so vicariously, and where those who - like me - did, but loved and lost, can, by proxy, return to those 'blue remembered hills'; those 'happy highways where once I walked but cannot come again'. (The quote is from A. E. Housman, if you're curious!)
S/M is NOT safe, and does not belong in 'a place of safety'. The fault is not in the story, but in its location. It does not enhance this site, it diminishes it. Tim, please think again.
If anyone wishes to e-mail me, I promise to reply, though you may have to wait a few days, but I think it would be no bad thing to pursue the issue in public on the board, if Tim will let us do so, and if anyone cares enough to respond.
To close with an enigmatic thought: I see from Tim's current poll that rimming is 50% more popular among practicing gays than among gay-orientated virgins. Now I reckon that rimming (as a giver, more than as a receiver) is the closest I have come to Heaven, and certainly the greatest expression of love I have ever given. I have never experienced S/M. Is this significant?
Cossie XLIV.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
The Story of Tim
By: Guest on Mon, 07 January 2002 04:28 |
|
|
Re: The Story of Tim
By: tim on Mon, 07 January 2002 10:28 |
|
 |
The Story of Tim
By: cossie on Tue, 08 January 2002 02:08 |
|
|
Re: The Story of Tim
By: tim on Tue, 08 January 2002 12:56 |
|
|
The Story of Tim: A Warning to the Curious
By: cossie on Wed, 09 January 2002 01:55 |
|
|
"Wet Paint"
By: tim on Wed, 09 January 2002 11:32 |
|
|
"Wet Paint" - well, is it?
By: cossie on Thu, 10 January 2002 03:22 |
|
|
Cossie, I do indeed agree with your analogy............
By: marc on Thu, 10 January 2002 19:28 |
|
|
However often and in whatever places you post, the story stays Marc
By: tim on Thu, 10 January 2002 20:18 |
Goto Forum:
[  ] |
A Place of Safety
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
