//All of this sexual freedom, quote unquote, that's going on right now is actually the Apollonian masquerading as the Dionysian and that's what's so fucked up about it. It's a highly structured authoritarian jail calling itself freedom, but only gives permission slips for what it deems appropriate.//
Love this. Is it partly that sex is so inherently destabilizing to the ego, we can't help craving rules and more rules?
Kristen - I think yes, it's partly that. Of course, before antibiotics - modern medicine - sex could literally kill - and it still can kill - and women run the risk of pregnancy - so there's a biological reason for creating some boundaries, or at least parameters around it. But what Paglia gets at - is the wildness of the Dionysian spirit/impulse - and it IS destabilizing, sex/desire can literally start wars (Helen!!) - it's nothing to be trifled with. I think what disturbs me - and I'm going off what Ryan said, but I'm not speaking for him - is when the language of control - demanding people use certain labels, stay in a certain box, demanding people use the same language to describe what is extremely personal or outside the bounds of language - comes from the side proclaiming itself as free. sometimes the language used is indistinguishable from the fundamentalist types who want to ban books and censor behavior. It's ... disturbing. There is a space where people can be free of all of that, you just have to be conscious of it, and say No to it. I think maybe people don't realize they can say No. I think online it's more difficult - there are people who are Extremely Online, and it shows. again, this is just my two cents. it's a complicated issue!
/language of control - demanding people use certain labels, stay in a certain box, demanding people use the same language to describe what is extremely personal or outside the bounds of language - comes from the side proclaiming itself as free/
The language of control. Yes! The tell for me is when questions are not welcome and complete unquestioning agreement is the only acceptable response. Delighted to see Camille Paglia- who is never not interesting- showing up here. Thanks for your rich and thoughtful response.
“Complete unquestioning agreement is the only acceptable response.” Absolutely. I want no part of any community who demands that because that’s NOT a community. That’s a CULT. Cults demand unquestioning agreement. People are legit SCARED to say the wrong thing or they will be shunned. And doxxed on social media. Etc. People who dismiss this fear as illegitimate are caught up in the cult-like atmosphere and don’t realize it. The thing about cults is that the people who are in them don’t know they are in a cult. I guess I’ve just read 1984 too many times - i have an instinctive resistance to controlled language. Even if I agree with the underlying ideas or opinions I reserve the right to find my own words for things especially when it comes to my own personal experience. I’ll speak of my own life in my own way. I’ve had people correct me and the terms I use before in posts I’ve written about my own mental health. They don’t like the words I use. Nope. Sorry. It’s my life I’ll use my own words. You’re totally free to not read me!
The cult analogy is a great one. The demand for unquestioning agreement can show up in or out of religion, but it's harder to see when the movement itself doesn't see itself as religious. You've given me some new ways to frame this. Thank you!
Thank you, Sheila. So good to learn about Ryan and the wonderful work going on. Stripped down to the bone, back to the basics of DOING. The spirit of John Cassavetes LIVES ON.
Jimmy! Always so good to hear from you. I agree - it makes me happy to know there are groups out there like Ryan, carving out their own spaces. Feeling free and liberated. Very inspiring!!
//All of this sexual freedom, quote unquote, that's going on right now is actually the Apollonian masquerading as the Dionysian and that's what's so fucked up about it. It's a highly structured authoritarian jail calling itself freedom, but only gives permission slips for what it deems appropriate.//
Love this. Is it partly that sex is so inherently destabilizing to the ego, we can't help craving rules and more rules?
Kristen - I think yes, it's partly that. Of course, before antibiotics - modern medicine - sex could literally kill - and it still can kill - and women run the risk of pregnancy - so there's a biological reason for creating some boundaries, or at least parameters around it. But what Paglia gets at - is the wildness of the Dionysian spirit/impulse - and it IS destabilizing, sex/desire can literally start wars (Helen!!) - it's nothing to be trifled with. I think what disturbs me - and I'm going off what Ryan said, but I'm not speaking for him - is when the language of control - demanding people use certain labels, stay in a certain box, demanding people use the same language to describe what is extremely personal or outside the bounds of language - comes from the side proclaiming itself as free. sometimes the language used is indistinguishable from the fundamentalist types who want to ban books and censor behavior. It's ... disturbing. There is a space where people can be free of all of that, you just have to be conscious of it, and say No to it. I think maybe people don't realize they can say No. I think online it's more difficult - there are people who are Extremely Online, and it shows. again, this is just my two cents. it's a complicated issue!
/language of control - demanding people use certain labels, stay in a certain box, demanding people use the same language to describe what is extremely personal or outside the bounds of language - comes from the side proclaiming itself as free/
The language of control. Yes! The tell for me is when questions are not welcome and complete unquestioning agreement is the only acceptable response. Delighted to see Camille Paglia- who is never not interesting- showing up here. Thanks for your rich and thoughtful response.
“Complete unquestioning agreement is the only acceptable response.” Absolutely. I want no part of any community who demands that because that’s NOT a community. That’s a CULT. Cults demand unquestioning agreement. People are legit SCARED to say the wrong thing or they will be shunned. And doxxed on social media. Etc. People who dismiss this fear as illegitimate are caught up in the cult-like atmosphere and don’t realize it. The thing about cults is that the people who are in them don’t know they are in a cult. I guess I’ve just read 1984 too many times - i have an instinctive resistance to controlled language. Even if I agree with the underlying ideas or opinions I reserve the right to find my own words for things especially when it comes to my own personal experience. I’ll speak of my own life in my own way. I’ve had people correct me and the terms I use before in posts I’ve written about my own mental health. They don’t like the words I use. Nope. Sorry. It’s my life I’ll use my own words. You’re totally free to not read me!
The cult analogy is a great one. The demand for unquestioning agreement can show up in or out of religion, but it's harder to see when the movement itself doesn't see itself as religious. You've given me some new ways to frame this. Thank you!
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Thank you, Sheila. So good to learn about Ryan and the wonderful work going on. Stripped down to the bone, back to the basics of DOING. The spirit of John Cassavetes LIVES ON.
TOP NOTCH.
Jimmy! Always so good to hear from you. I agree - it makes me happy to know there are groups out there like Ryan, carving out their own spaces. Feeling free and liberated. Very inspiring!!