scoobdog

Are we talking like the shady side in structural dynamics that allow abusers to victimize the talent in any given label or are we talking labels that themselves are specifically fronts for exploitation? It's kind of a broad topic simply because exploitation is somewhat distinct from abuse in that they're not mutually exclusive but they're still independent systems. This thread reminds me of that whole Rebecca Black / ARK Music thing in how naked commercialization of the the creative process (as opposed to distribution) exposed a lot of people to a side of the industry that rarely gets seen. Talent managers run amok is easy villain fodder for literary and screenwriters, but the reality is far less personal. Labels regularly manipulate the creative process in a way that divorces them from any responsibility for the product while still giving the power over the creative process to benefit sales, a good example being Chris Brown.

That little brat.

That comes with it. It's only natural to be angry when you're mistreated for something you have no control over, and depression is a logical conclusion of enduring that over a long period of time. The thing is that, even with neurotypical people, the tendency is to recoil from confronting abuse and letting that depression alter your neural function. If you keep on this path, ghosty, you really will become mentally ill.

I get that. It's not easy being told that you need to embrace the thing about yourself that people use as cudgel, but you're not mentally ill. Neurodivergence isn't a disorder, it's an alternate way of thinking - you still feel sadness, anger, regret ad joy; you still have the ability to be empathetic. Don't keep saying you're ill when you're not.

NGL, that kinda hurts.

Your baking skills are unmatched, disco.

I thought you were leaving the political right, ghosty.

Don't apologize, ghosty. I would consider it an honor to be called crazy by you.

Can't have a pool bar without jacuzzi people though - they bring the muffin top cuties for the watershow.

Her toes sure ain’t.

Yes, ghosty. I know you’re straight.

Right up until that one douche spills his second Long Island iced tea into the jacuzzi.

Aside from the fact dudes don’t make good doms, I agree.

I don’t think starting your own country is a viable solution. Ghosty, what do you need to feel like your contributions are appreciated?

No h8 bro.

That is true. I don’t know anything about the dude. He could be a comedian mimicking hard right talking points for satire, but you’re not wrong in realizing that there are people who say such things seriously. How do you plan to combat it, Ghosty?

I think you have a really wrong idea about what BDSM actually is. If you’re thinking of a dominatrix, you’re probably thinking of the prime time police procedural version who ties up stock brokers, gangsters, and other psychopaths who lack an internal dialog. They aren’t dominating these broken men, they’re being the missing conscience and it’s not the norm for either doms or subs. A dominatrix isn’t there to control her subs, either sexually / physically or psychologically. Quite the opposite: she’s there to break control, to force the sub to release his self imposed constraints by refusing to acknowledge them. I’m not saying you should visit a BDSM dungeon, but you could certainly benefit from being released from your various psycho-sexual tics. Of course you don’t want to give up that control, even as it’s throttling your chances at meaningful relationships romantic or platonic.

I'm sure she's her usual self.

You aren't?

Do you still chat with her?

Good times, man.

Pretty sure we've had the conversation about "Photoshop" and videos here on the UEMB before...

I read that as "kicked out of Red Lobster for the most romantic date imaginable" before coming to the inevitable realization that Fuggs probably got shaky FaceTime videos from military hottie of him fucking some other chick with a cheeky "Wish you were here..." text.

Me neither.

Nice