January 2 2000 EhBC Online Discussion
<ti`mara{OR}> hello Bernie Sir
<KarenD> hey, there he is...the life of the party :)
<BernieRoehl> Hi, everyone!
<KarenD> hi Bernie :)
<^missy-> Evening Bernie, Sir.
<ti`mara{OR}> wb SirLancelot
<SirLancelot> Thanks ti
<Galadan> heya Bernie, SirLancelot
* BernieRoehl smiles
<SirLancelot> same to you
<BernieRoehl> brb
<katiias> we're in big truble if the life of the party is away
<katiias> hullo
<ti`mara{OR}> hey ya DD
<ti`mara{OR}> wb Bernie
<KarenD> wow...Duke and `abi in the same room?
<DukeDom> <smile> hello all
<katiias> g'evenin DukeDom
<BernieRoehl> Hi everyone
<KarenD> hi Dukey :)
<`abi> we're frequently found in the same room Karen
<`abi> hiya Dukey *kiss*
<BernieRoehl> I've started logging, and I've set an automatic message on the channel that reads as follows:
<BernieRoehl> Welcome to our regular Sunday night discussion. Please refrain from sending "hi" and "bye" messages until after 10 pm. Also note that the discussion is being logged. If you wish to say something, but remain anonymous, you should change your nick. We recommend using raptor.ab.ca.dal.net as your server, to minimize lag. Tonight's discussion topic is "BDSM in the New Millennium". The moderator tonight is BenieRoehl. Enjoy the discussion!
<BernieRoehl> The topic is pretty broad, but the basic question is "where are we going? What does the future hold for the BDSM community?"
<BernieRoehl> So, anyone have any opening thoughts?
<SkyDom> I think it will be the same as it has been for the last millenium.....fun.
<katiias> lol
* BernieRoehl smiles
<BernieRoehl> True enough, SkyDom!
<^missy-> I see the community expanding at least for awhile until the "fad" of it wears off. Then I would imagine it will be smaller once again.
<BernieRoehl> That's what a number of people have said, missy. And it's certainly true that as soon as something enters the public consciousness, there will be "joiners" who appear for a while and then move on to the next cool thing.
* Kilted_One with the effect of the internet I cant ever see it getting smaller!!!!
<KarenD> I think that everyone will live happily ever after....except for those that don't :)
<BernieRoehl> I think the internet has been an amazing catalyst
<BernieRoehl> There are more people openly in the scene now than ever before, and the numbers are growing every day.
<Galadan> the net has made many things available to many people that othereise would not be..information among them
<concubinary> i think bdsm is going to continue to have a bigger and bigger division btwn real life people and cyber players
* KarenD nods
<BernieRoehl> Will we see much migration from the cyber-only players to the real-life community? Or will people retreat to cyber?
<Kilted_One> do you think that as time progresses that ppl will be more accepting of internet relationships <relationships that were formed on line first then r/l>
<SirLancelot> Cyber wets the appetite....
<Galadan> I'm not sure on that one Bernie, but oen thing I can say....
* ^missy- nods in agreement
<concubinary> i think some cyber people get 'turned on' and migrate but i also believe for a lot it's a different thing altogether
<^missy-> Then the desire to at least try real life seems to come into play. Whether they stick with it or not is another thing. :)
<Galadan> being able to chat and larn at least some about it first online has helped me...I don't think I would have even thought of meeting you had someone just told me to go meet you and wehat you did.
<BernieRoehl> So we seem to be agreed that the internet has been a major factor in the growth of the scene, and that it will continue to be in the future.
<BernieRoehl> What else do we see happening down the road a bit?
* Kilted_One throws Mltdwn a @! *boink*
<Mltdwn> Thx
<Galadan> part of it depends on how the Net itself evolves I think though
<BernieRoehl> In what way, Galadan?
<KarenD> I think some rl folks are gonna start pulling away from community as the Net influence grows....even if they themselves started online...
<Galadan> hard to explain..but I'll try..
<Mltdwn> How so KD
<Galadan> in the beginning, there were BBS's..more lliek newsgroups then anything else..then along came gopher..then the net more as we know it today
<Galadan> how the Net evolves next may or may not impact how much a part it has in this, or any other, lifestyle
<Kilted_One> I beleive that the net has allowed the "working person" to become involved in the scene....
<BernieRoehl> So Galadan, you feel that as technology improves, it'll have a different (stronger?) influence on our community?
<KarenD> I think that once the people who are serious get a taste of real life, it's hard to go back to the Net....and eventually the whole Net culture seems kinda ...fake and unfulfilling...
<concubinary> i agree with Karen
<Mltdwn> I c...you were referring to cyber v/s r/l thjen
<Galadan> one of the more logical progressions I can see is to a VR type Net next..where we'll strap on VR units, and "see" and "talk" to each other in a more realistic setting and situation
<Mltdwn> - j
<Galadan> on any community actually, but yes Bernie
<KarenD> but they'll see the Net influence on people at munches too....so there will be some withdrawel into groups of like-minded friends...
<KarenD> instead of the organized (read: largely coming off the Net) community..
<Galadan> even for people who may find the Net unfulfilling KarenD, it is at leats a forum for idea sharing and to meet friends, if not in person, at least meet
<BernieRoehl> Do you think that as the Net becomes even higher-tech (live two-way video, VR, things like that) we'll see people opting for an online "scene" rather than the real thing, Galadan?
<shadodancer> the net allows people the fantasy which is all some wish to have
<KarenD> there's no end of munches now to meet real people at..
<Galadan> I'm not really a god one to speculate ont hat Bernie
<Kilted_One> I dont know if they would "opped" for that v's r/l Bernie however it maybe the next step in the evolution and leading up to r/l
<Mltdwn> I find that the net if nothing else...allows ppl tp know the 'name' for what it is that they are interested in...it gave ppl a way to explore online and see that thier fetish was a small part of a larger lifestyle
<Galadan> the Net also allows some to "live" the fantasy they can not otherwise have shadodancer
<BernieRoehl> The munches have been a really big factor lately, and there's a lot of synergy between them and the online world. Are munches here to stay?
<SkyDom> I think that will add a lot of flavor and variety, Bernie.
<shadodancer> agree Galadan
* BernieRoehl nods at KO
<ti`mara{OR}> ohhhh yes Bernie they are and they are growing all over North America
<KarenD> I think munches are here to stay, Bernie..
* Kilted_One hopes that munches are here to stay
<Mltdwn> LOL
<KarenD> I wouldn't be surprised if they continued to expand more still..
<shadodancer> munches are a nice safe way for people to become intoduced to the scene
<BernieRoehl> So in the past decade we've seen the "scene" move from exclusive private clubs to an "underground" scene (mostly in the gay leather community) to a more open and public scene, with munches and fet nights.
* Galadan nods in agreement with shadodancer
<BernieRoehl> What's next?
<katiias> video conferencing
<BernieRoehl> (should have been decades, not decade!)
<^missy-> It's also an excellent place for people who have met on line to meet in person in a safe environment.
<Kilted_One> anyone done talkers???
<BernieRoehl> I've done MUDs, which are the same kind of technology. What do you think of them, KO?
<Mltdwn> Does anyone feel that BDSM is becoming more mainstream now that we are online?
<lil^bear^> Once a sub (speaking as a sub) experiences real life..on line does not comapre I think initially at first, that as computers become more high tech and play a more dominant role in our lives that many will opt of the computer "scene" but eventually one will crave the feel of a real flogger..and once having a taste of the flogger or hand or whatever..a computer will not match or compare..the computer is an exceleent starting point tho, especially for o
<KarenD> I loved the MUSH (same as a MUD) I was once a part of...it got me into this stuff..
* Kilted_One has never done them was asking about them
<BernieRoehl> Yes, Mltdwn -- I think it is
<Kilted_One> what about 3D tech as well do you think that will influence the cyber scening??
<^missy-> I think so too, Mltdwn, Sir.
<Mltdwn> Do you then feel it will/has lost its mystique?
<shadodancer> hopefully it has Mltdwn and also the personna of being abuse
<Mltdwn> Is there a part that is =lost due to this 'opening up' of the lifestyle?
<BernieRoehl> 3D tech is my area of expertise, and I'd have to say that it will never be as good as the Real Thing.
<Mltdwn> agreed shado on the abuse factor.
<ti`mara{OR}> nothing is as good as the real thing Bernie
* KarenD smiles at Bernie
* BernieRoehl smiles
<Galadan> would you want it to be as good Bernie?
* SirLancelot nods at ti'mara
<Kilted_One> I would agree Bernie but will it be better that IRC?? I think maybe a better way to look at it
* ti`mara{OR} smiles at SirLancelot
<KarenD> I find that interesting...that Bernie is still such a real, down to earth person, even though he's fully involved in the cutting edges of 3D tech..
<BernieRoehl> Yes -- I think once 3D is everywhere, and we can design good, easy-to-use interfaces, a 3D environment will be much more natural and expressive than text.
* BernieRoehl smiles again
<BernieRoehl> VR is good for a lot of things (entertainment, education, simulation...) but BDSM is really not one of them
<KarenD> I don't think the vast majority of the population will be able to stay so healthily _real_ when 3D tech is widely available
<TechnoMage> Heard a few years ago, some outfit was working on a VR bodysuit - think multichannel tens electrodes in a wetsuit. Frightening safety implications...
<BernieRoehl> The touch, the intimacy, the pleasure/pain... no matter how good the sights and sounds of VR are, they can never match real human contact
<SirLancelot> I saw that suit at a Comdex
<BernieRoehl> I think concubinary was right -- there will be a bit of schism between those who stay at home at play only online, and those who go out into the real world to play. Better technology will make that rift more apparent.
<SirLancelot> Ever see the movie Brainstorm??
<BernieRoehl> What did you think of that suit, SirLancelot?
* Kilted_One would agree that vr is no match or comparison with rt but it still will be mucho better that irc typing
<TechnoMage> What was it's umm.. potential? Sir L? Could it produce strong sensations?
<SirLancelot> It was pretty neat...
* KarenD nods, agrees about the schism...
<Mltdwn> So as BDSM becomes more mainstream...what does everyone feel it will loose/gain?
<SirLancelot> It gave no feedback to the person...It showed on the screen what the person (she) inside the suit was doing
<KarenD> Gain ...some foothold in legal acceptabillity...
<BernieRoehl> For those who like the thrill of doing something "wrong", the mainstreaming of BDSM will take some of the edge off. But for the majority, I think it will be a very positive thing.
<Galadan> one thing it may lose is the image of abuse..forced or freely given
<KarenD> so parents don't lose kids over it unnecessarily..
<Galadan> or at least I would hope it does
<SirLancelot> however you take that suit and the movie Brainstrom and put them together....
<Kilted_One> what do you thing that advancements in tech will do for our "toys"????
<SkyDom> I think this is a hands-on program and VR isn't going to cut it with the real people.....
<KarenD> Lose....the edge...the feel of an 'underground'
* tru_s{Ach} glances at Karen
<Mltdwn> MMMMMMMM......implants :))
<Mltdwn> I will know where she is at all times LOL
<luvs2btied> I fear it will lose some of the wholeness...the spirituality for those who approach it just as a game or some new fun thiing to try
<Mltdwn> Agreed luv
* tru_s{Ach} is nervous about any more cyber or VR...
<`abi> I don't think it wil lose it's "wholeness" for those who want wholeness luvs...diversity doesn't diminish possibilities
* SirLancelot waves at tru
* KarenD nods to luvs 'like paganism...the more that get into it, the sillier a lot of it gets'
<Kilted_One> I think we have seen that with the "velco ko-lars" as a result on vr ko-lars dont you think that is the way of the future with other aspects of the lifestyle??
<BernieRoehl> That raises a good point, abi. Will we start to see more diversity within the community, as it grows?
* tru_s{Ach} did the cyber thing for a couple months and look where it got her...nothing but trouble
<Mltdwn> I think it will have a seperated diversity as it becomes more mainstream...diiferent ppl different reasons.
<`abi> we will if the community accepts diversity Bernie...I think it's important to realize that we don't all have to live a carboncopied version of the lifestyle
* KarenD can hardly stomach the flaky nature of most books in paganism coming out these days. I fear the same for Kink
<ti`mara{OR}> i hear ya tru
<BernieRoehl> And do you see that acceptance happening, abi?
<TechnoMage> Yuk... BDSM for dummies cant be too far off KD....
<^missy-> Acceptance of what?
<`abi> there is no "one true way" ... this isn't a right wing religion, it's a lifestyle...hopefully one with room for alot of different versions
* ^missy- nods
<Mltdwn> exactly abi
* KarenD rolls her eyes at the thought of 'BDSM for Dummies'
<Finn^m^> Domming For Dummies?..lol
<Kilted_One> and the pot just becomes more interesting the more flavour in it abigaille dont ya think??
<^missy-> It seems to me that the "real life" people I've met are far more tolerant or accepting of others then the on line community seems to be.
<katiias> shorten that name
<SirLancelot> You still need to match Dom to sub in anycase
<Galadan> there allready appear to be many different ways of living the lifestyle abi..so I don't really see that as a problem
<`abi> I think so KO
<BernieRoehl> I'd like to get back to Mltdwn's questions about mainstreaming, and tie them in with the question of public acceptance
<BernieRoehl> Will there come a time when we're truly accepted by the vanilla world?
<KarenD> well, at least there's one good thing about it mainstreaming....and more people getting involved...should be easier to find a mate
<ti`mara{OR}> noo i don't think so Bernie
<shimmer``> there will always be some "moral" group that opposes us
* lil^bear^ wiggles her toes
<KarenD> perhaps, Bernie....by the next millenium
<shadodancer> agreed shimmer
* Kilted_One cant see that in the next millenium....but certainly moving closer
<Finn^m^> I wonder sometimes...if technology advances....will ppls be as willing to get into it...if there's less anonymity...irc has that saftey of being distant from it..
<Kilted_One> heyyy we have a hard time accepting ourselves never mind the vannillas
<shimmer``> no kiddin`, KO Sir
<Mltdwn> I think it will become a 'oh...youre one of those...' style of acceptance....no longer thot of as an abuse style of living but yet not readily accepted.
<ti`mara{OR}> wtg KO
<shadodancer> agree with that Mltdwn
<shimmer``> sort of like the gay lifestyle, Mltdwn?
<Mltdwn> we ll always be freaks Im afraid :))
<Mltdwn> similar yes.
<Kilted_One> bit like the gays are right now ya mean??
* katiias chortles
<BernieRoehl> Much the way gays are viewed by the mainstream world?
<DukeDom> I think it's sort of fun the way it is now :)
* KarenD thinks there already is a huge lot of that kind of acceptance
* BernieRoehl has had very good luck in finding acceptance, but not everyone has been so lucky
* KarenD has as well 'Bernie, do you think it's our campus connection?'
<ti`mara{OR}> my thing is if you don't like me the way i am too bad i like me the way i am and if they can not accept it that is there loss not mine
* ^^blush^^ has been very open and hasn't really had any problems with anyone so far yet
<shimmer``> i personally don't really care if vanillas accept me ... but it would make things easier.
<Mltdwn> I feel that there is a general openmindedness in society in general not just in bdsm....and as that develops so will our acceptance by our communities.
<BernieRoehl> I think working at the university helps, but it also helps that a lot of my friends are theatre people, or just generally cool and accepting people by nature.
* tru_s{Ach} thinks deviant, perverted, sick, 'different', etc...
* BernieRoehl agrees with Mltdwn
<BernieRoehl> What about the way we're portrayed in the media? Will that change?
<Finn^m^> it helps if youre allready a wee bit on the odd side..lol
<shadodancer> do you think geographic location plays a factor....ie: Canada vs USA?
* Kilted_One thinks that we are seeing more "indifference" that acceptance
<shimmer``> lol
* BernieRoehl smiles
<lil^bear^> I think if your honest about it, dont try to hide the facts, and give them the answers ppl are asking then it is more easily accepted
<SirLancelot> I do shado
* BernieRoehl nods in agreement with lil^bear
<Mltdwn> our society has taken great bounds in prejudging...but it still needs work...and we too need to correct and presnet ourselves adequately....
<^missy-> I would like to say one thing in support of our community. I have a very difficult time with acceptance in the so called vanilla world because I'm a fat woman. I have found NOTHING but total acceptance in real life within the BDSM community.
<Mltdwn> in not prejudging
<shimmer``> we are human ... humans are judgemental.
<^missy-> I'm very proud of us for that alone if nothing else.
<TechnoMage> The few friends who Know my leanings are quite accepting - once the misconceptions are explained away...
<Galadan> is it because this lifestyle puts us in a.'bad light"..one that has others prejudging us, that we are then less judgemental of others? (or seem to be less judgemental?)
<Finn^m^> most of the women I know in the lifestyle are a bit heavier than the general population...but this is one good thing bout irc..you meet the person's personality first..usually
<lil^bear^> I went to a party a couple of weeks ago and assumed that the four of us where the only ones there into the BDSM lifestlye come to find out another one is interested in it..not explored it yet..he will be coming to channel soon to discuss it some more..but once we got together on ICQ and I answered him honestly he was much more open to the fact that yes this lifestly does exist and its ok to be in this lifestyle..least thats what I told him...
<Mltdwn> I agree in the sence that ppl in this community are more openminded and accepting to all no matter what theyu are on the outside....this is about your innner growth and struggle....
* katiias seconds that one Mltdwn
<shimmer``> i've found very judgemental people in the lifestyle ... and outsde of it ... we're not special by any means, too many think their way is the only way and are reluctant to accept differing opinions...as long as that lasts, this mllenium won't be much different than last
<lil^bear^> agreed Mltdwn but how can one have inner growth if the fact that we are subs/slaves/bottoms needs to be hide all the time...part of growth is acceptance and accpetance comes from many forms, within ourselves, our community our friends and surroundings...
<BernieRoehl> How soon do people think we'll see a character on a television series who's openly into the scene? Or a character in a (mainstream) film?
<shadodancer> unfortunately alot see BDSM as a *physical*thing when it is in reality a *mind* thing
<^missy-> Agreed, Sir. However, this girl has found that on line they are not so accepting as those met in person, Sir.
* BernieRoehl is curious as to whether proto-kinkoids will have any good role models in the near future
* SkyDom slaps Justice^ around a bit with a large trout
<SkyDom> hado
<SkyDom> hear, hear, shado
<^missy-> BernieRoehl, there is already a singer who is very open about her participation in this lifestyle.
<lil^bear^> we as a community need to educate people VIA the internet, good logical precise information, thru our actions in public, thru our behaviours, once we can educate then this lifestlye will be more acceptable..
<BernieRoehl> Who's that, missy?
<^missy-> Tina Arena, Australian singer.
* BernieRoehl nods
<Finn^m^> you mean food fights lilbear???
<BernieRoehl> So she talks aboutit openly, in interviews and such?
* lil^bear^ giggles..
<^missy-> Yes, that's how I knew she was. :)
<lil^bear^> yes she does Sir Bernie and there is another female singer who is open about her lifestly however the name has slipped my mind at the moment
<Mltdwn^glory> Hmm...interesting....but will we ever see a judge or priest talk openly about their interests?
<Mltdwn^glory> in bdsm thart is :")
<shadodancer> hopefully Mltdwn^glory
<shimmer``> not before they get arrested ;)
<katiias> ahem
<Finn^m^> Anne Murray????
<ti`mara{OR}> lol finn
* shimmer`` giggles
<SirLancelot> LOL
* Kilted_One laughs at shimmers answer
<^missy-> Not unless the Pope says they can have sex, Sir. :)
* shimmer`` blows KO ...a kiss
<BernieRoehl> That actually raises an important point, shimmer. Will we see changes in the laws regarding BDSM?
<shimmer``> what are the current laws?
<shadodancer> think that has started Bernie
* BernieRoehl is chuckling at Anne Murray in bondage... brings back childhood fantasies...
<katiias> *too much info*
<DukeDom> now that's just sick <s>
<katiias> rofl
<Kilted_One> agreed info overload
<Finn^m^> :)
<BernieRoehl> In Canada, we're not too badly off. For one thing, the laws are at the federal level. In the states, it actually varies widely from state to state.
<shimmer``> or is it the personal interpretation of the judge that's in question, rather than actual law
<katiias> is that a bootable offense?
<Mltdwn^glory> the current laws dance around many issues in this lifestyle...that is a whole discussion on it's own.
<TechnoMage> And what's the situation in England now? Where they outlawed "domestic discipline". The land that gave us "The rule of thumb"!!!
* BernieRoehl mostly wanted to gag Anne Murray, but that's off-topic :-)
<shadodancer> lol Bernie
* shimmer`` grins
<`abi> I vote in favour of uniforms....
<^missy-> kermy was stopped at the border and dang near arrested because they thought he was bringing bondage porno into the country.
<shimmer``> wearing, or taking off, abi? ;)
<`abi> yes shimmer
* shimmer`` laughs
<ti`mara{OR}> no way missy
<^missy-> If it's a national law then someone needs to tell the border guards.
<SkyDom> ya gotta get yer bondage porno somewhere.
<^missy-> I'm not kidding ti`mara{OR}
<shimmer``> this may shock y'all, but i've never seen a bdsm porno
<BernieRoehl> !!!!
* shimmer`` sulks
<katiias> ARREST HER
<katiias> NOW
<shimmer``> screenng at your house, Bernie Sir?
<Finn^m^> me either...
<SkyDom> you poor, sheltered angel......I'll bet we can help you with that, shimmer.
<BernieRoehl> That's an easily solved problem, shimmer
<BernieRoehl> You bet! :-)
<shimmer``> pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease cuff me :)
<lil^bear^> arrest who?? i ddint do anything!
<^^blush^^> either have i shimmer!!! :o(
<katiias> LOL
<lil^bear^> ohh good...not me
* BernieRoehl is innocent too... He's never appeared in a bdsm porno
* SkyDom has
* katiias chortles
<Mltdwn^glory> they all say they didnt do it lilb
<shimmer``> ok, SkyDom :)) name the time and place ;)
<katiias> not that you *know* of, bernie
* BernieRoehl laughs
* katiias adjusts the secret camera angle...
* lil^bear^ is innocent tho..
* BernieRoehl thinks a video party might be a fun idea...
<SkyDom> my house tmorrow and bring pebbly....
<lil^bear^> Finn made her a halo
<BernieRoehl> So that's what that lens in my wall is, kattias. I was wondering about that. :-)
<shimmer``> what a great idea, Bernie Sir :)
<ti`mara{OR}> i think a video party would be great!!!!!
* katiias smiles innocently
* BernieRoehl makes a note -- video party
<Mltdwn^glory> I thnk an audio paryt would be as well
<lil^bear^> video party?
* lil^bear^ blushes
<shimmer``> i'll cum in costume
<katiias> audio party?
<BernieRoehl> If everyone brings a video or two, it might make for a fun evening.
* lil^bear^ wont be going
<katiias> thats messy shimmer
* SkyDom backs up Bernie's note....hell of an idea.
<shadodancer> great idea Mltdwn^glory !!
<shimmer``> yes, but so much fun
<^missy-> I'll come in slavegirl garb. ;)
<katiias> well, as long as you can wash it right afterwards shimmer
<SkyDom> and we could make a video of the video party for the next video party.
* BernieRoehl laughs
<shimmer``> i'm wearing my "slavegirl" robe, missy ;)
* Kilted_One thinks that we should do that and have several recorders going so that we can all swap copies
<Mltdwn^glory> record all the play then have a contest to see if ya can ID who says what :))))
<katiias> lol
<^missy-> Mine says Mistress on it. So I'll have to be nekkid. ;)
<katiias> who says what?... you mean... we have to SPEAK?
<katiias> dang
<shimmer``> hahahahaha! we can switch robes ;)
* shadodancer seems to remember this idea from somewhere :)
<KneelB4me> hello everyone
<Mltdwn^glory> no kat....ya have ta squeal like a piggie :))
<shadodancer> LOL
<Mltdwn^glory> :)
<katiias> good... got that one down pat
* BernieRoehl notes that we're drifting slowly but steadily off-topic... and that He's as much at fault as anyone! :-)
* shimmer`` gets a mental image of Ned Beatty and shuts down
<katiias> of course..then they;ll allknow its ME
<katiias> dang
<katiias> ya bernie,,, its YER fault
* BernieRoehl smiles
<BernieRoehl> So... getting back on-topic... what else do we think the next few years hold for our community?
<katiias> aging bdsm'rs
<shimmer``> tear-proof latex and pvc wear?
<Mltdwn^glory> LOL
<SirLancelot> lol katiias
<lil^bear^> wrinkles
* SkyDom notices the same, Bernie.....but it's the most fun I've had since I joined these things....:)
<Galadan> to a degree, I would think what becomes of it depends on what we do about it, doesn't it?
<Mltdwn^glory> kinkoid toys from a new era....
<shimmer``> pain ... and not the fun kind
* BernieRoehl smiles
<Galadan> aging bdsm'ers kat..speak fer yerself..I ahve awhile to wait before that'll happen
<lil^bear^> we our in charge of our own future we make our destiny as a community...
<Kilted_One> what is the fun in tear proof shimmer?????
* katiias <~is gagged... sorry...
<shimmer``> ummmmmm right ... lemme rethink that ;)
<BernieRoehl> Okay, leaving aside wrinkles, arthritis pain in the old flogging arm, nearsightedness etc etc... what changes do we see in the community (besides continuing growth)?
<SirLancelot> I only see increased volume...not much change
<lil^bear^> better floggers?
* lil^bear^ giggles
* Kilted_One hopes that there are BDSM retirement homes when it comes his time to do so
<SkyDom> electric floggers...gas powered floggers......??
<SirLancelot> here here to that!!
<shadodancer> i'm sure there'll be canes KO :)
<shimmer``> dungeons with wheelchair access ;)
<SirLancelot> uhhh <groan>
<Mltdwn^glory> Yummy
<BernieRoehl> Automatic flogging machines
<Finn^m^> viagra for floggers?
<shimmer``> hearing aids? "yell louder, hon ... i can't tell if you're in pain"
* lil^bear^ laughs
<TechnoMage> The jetsons robot maid... with a crop and an attitude.
<^missy-> I don't like my floggers that stiff, just my men. ;)
<shimmer``> damn, these drugs must be kicking in
<lil^bear^> i think the only real change we are going to see is an increase in the community and more acceptance by the general population...
<SkyDom> this is getting out of hand, Bernie....lol
* BernieRoehl smiles
* BernieRoehl laughs
<SkyDom> oh, geez....and here comes northernmiss to calm things down.
<northernmiss> smiles sure bringer of calm here
<lil^bear^> but i often do wonder at 80 years of age..how we are all going to cope
<Mltdwn^glory> Hi yella one
<TechnoMage> Acceptance might be key... There are many who are curious, but afraid to ask...
<shimmer``> drugs, lilbear ... good drugs
<BernieRoehl> I plan to find out, lil^bear :-)
* lil^bear^ figures by 80..she will get her responses under control
<tru_s{Ach}> bdsm references are sneaking into the media and music and movies more and more....but will it ever be taken seriously?!
* lil^bear^ smiles at Sir Bernie...
<SkyDom> shimmer...can I come to your house?
<SirLancelot> Damn it ...they'll take us seriously or we'll beet it into them!!
<shimmer``> only if you want the flu, SkyDom Sir ;)
<SkyDom> I'll bring videos!!
<BernieRoehl> Good question, tru.
* lil^bear^ wonders what it feels like to be gummed
<shimmer``> lol
<luvs2btied> LOL
* BernieRoehl smiles
<MstrKey> hah
<`abi> we'll let you know lilbear...scout out the territory on your behalf
<DukeDom> Why would we want to convert the masses ... as we are now, we're not a threat ... and we're not too mainstream ... yet
<BernieRoehl> Well, we're just about out of time. Anyone have anything else they'd like to add?
<tru_s{Ach}> a question that many avoid answering Bernie
* lil^bear^ giggles..ok abi
<Mltdwn^glory> what tru....
<Mltdwn^glory> Ill answer :)
<Mltdwn^glory> LOL
<tru_s{Ach}> bdsm references are sneaking into the media and music and movies more and more....but will it ever be taken seriously?!
<BernieRoehl> Whether the mainstream media references will go beyond making it seem odd and trivial, and help us all to be taken more seriously.
<BernieRoehl> That might almost be a topic in itself, tru. (hint, hint...)
<BernieRoehl> Well, it's just now turning 10 pm.
<tru_s{Ach}> leather collars look great on Whitney Houston.....PVC looks great on Madonna.....but is that all it is?
<BernieRoehl> So, to summarize...
<BernieRoehl> We're anticipating that the scene will continue to grow, fueled by the internet. We suspect that improved technology (videoconferencing, VR etc) will lead to some people staying online while others opt for the real thing.
<Finn^m^> I see each aspect of bdsm viewed differently..on an individual basis by the general population..ppls seem more tolerant of bondage for instance..than domination...etc..
<BernieRoehl> We anticipate greater diversity in our community as it grows, and we're optimistic enough to believe that we as a community will be accepting of that diversity.
<BernieRoehl> We also see the scene continuing to become more mainstream, with greater acceptance/indifference by the vanilla world.
<BernieRoehl> We also want to have a video party. :-)
<Mltdwn^glory> I think it allows more ppl the option to discuss and explore their hiddne thots and discuss what they are interested in
<BernieRoehl> By all means, let's continue the discussion. However, I'll close the log and wrap up the formal part of the discussion.
<BernieRoehl> Thanks for participating, everyone!
<DukeDom> Thank you Bernie
<niceguybh> thank you everyone for some excellent insights...
[shimmer`` SOUND]
<^missy-> !shimmer`` applause.wav
* BernieRoehl smiles
<MistressAstra> yes, thanks Bernie
<Mltdwn^glory> Night all...thx for the talk
<tru_s{Ach}> thanks Bernie
<shimmer``> thank you, Bernie Sir :)
<BernieRoehl> I'll get the log posted later tonight
* Kilted_One thanks Bernie for his job of moderation
* BernieRoehl takes a bow
<BernieRoehl> I'm going offline to format and upload the log. I should be back briefly later. See you all soon...