~About SSC~ Safe, Sane, and Consensual? altho the term SSC originated (from what i have read) as a way to combat media hype over what BDSM is *not,* it has since become many many other things.  SSC is a flag waved over the heads of everyone who practices BDSM, and who are *expected* to abide by certain rules.  SSC has become a magic blanket that some seem to feel will protect them from all the bad guys in the BDSM world.  it's almost become a way to avoid looking into yourself and finding your own philosophies and what is right for each individual.  safe and sane, the two S's, that make up SSC, are subjective terms.  telling a submissive to ask if a dominant is "safe," is in NO way enough for that submissive to determine if that dominant is safe... FOR HER.  each of us are individuals.. each have things that are safe and are not safe, and there is no one rule that applies to everyone.  in terms of *sane,* i feel the same way... there are things that are done daily, that some might consider insane, while others consider good clean fun.  i think the primary question is... is it CONSENSUAL? and consent means.. fully informed, knowing, rational consent.   a random rant on SSC and why i don't like it... :) my biggest problem with the term SSC, which, for those of you who are new to BDSM, is the standard credo tossed around in the BDSM scene, is that two of it's three parts are completely subjective.  Safe, and sane, are *not* objective terms and do *not* mean the same things to everyone, nor should they.  we are not automatons, and i for one, have no desire to become one.   the term consensual is NOT subjective and, to me, is the cornerstone of EVERYTHING else that BDSM is founded upon.  consent is everything.  my second problem with the term SSC is the same kind of problem that i have with *most* of the concepts of safety that are touted as BDSM safety precautions.  SSC is waved around, people jump up and down and yell and fuss and scream about how they ARE SSC, and you are NOT SSC... like it's magic blankie, that will protect them from anything bad ever happening. the fact is that it won't.  screaming SSC... taking pride in your safeword... boasting about your safecalls... and all of those things... none of them will mean a thing without each person looking into themselves and using some plain ol' common sense and good judgement about what is and is not right for them.  i think my opposing view to SSC is along the lines of... "to each their own... as long as it's consensual."  (i would add, and legal... but pondering some of the archaic laws in different states in the US... er, never mind LOL)    i *do* understand that the original intent of the term SSC was to combat media hype over what BDSM is not, however... at this point it's gone WAY beyond being just that, to being something that people found relationships, lives, and schools of thought upon.   all images, content, text, and site layout are copyright ©1999 by amateurslaves.com