Brad

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I'm with Mikeyboy on this one. I think political correctness has gotten a bad rap to some extent and that the term is misused, perhaps beyond repair. People latch on to stories of extreme versions of it that just about no one would agree with and it tarnishes the whole thing. Even the term itself is worded in such a way as to put people off it. I'd compare it to how more and more often I see people shy away from calling themselves a feminist and consider that a negative term. In some circles the word feminism has come to mean purely militant, yelling, angry people that hate men. But if you define feminism as a desire and fight for equality, then it's a concept most people can get behind. It's the same here. The Internet loves extreme stories, and so we hear so many of them that it warps the nature of a term and skews our view of people. If political correctness means I can't debate ideas, delve into tricky topics, and must censor reasonable speech from those who would twist the intent of my meaning to find glee in being offended, of course I'm going to be against it. But one person's hate speech is another person's political correctness. What if I came into these threads and made jokes about "spics" or derided any member who identified as bisexual or gay as "faggots"? What if every time a lady expressed a strong opinion I called her a cuunt? What if I insisted on calling a transgender member a shemale because I think "it's" just being sensitive and "I don't mean anything by it" or "I'm just joking around"? How about if I post Halloween pictures where I dress in black face, and then get angry at anyone insulted because I refuse to acknowledge the historical issues with that? I suspect--I hope!--if I did any of those things I'd be called out on them. I hope people would explain to me in no uncertain terms that I was being at best naive and at worst, an ignorant jerk. And I hope I wouldn't get away with it by saying anyone offended is just being politically correct. I'm all for discussion and debate. I believe it's healthy to share ideas outside your bubble. I roll my eyes at folks who go out of their way to be offended. But I am for tolerance and respect.

There's only a few of the social groups I actively post or share material in. Too time consuming to stay up on all of them, I find. However, I still like being a member of some of the ones that I don't contribute much to because I figure even simply being a member tells people who visit my profile something about me, my interests, turn-ons, etc. For similar reasons, what social groups a lady is part of is something I take note of if I visit her profile page. Taking some at random, if a a lady is part of the kink, foot-worshiper's, uniform & roleplay, or bath time groups, they can all tell you something about possible activities to inquire on/discuss if they line up with your own interests...

One I could never make sense of is: "brand new! Very well reviewed!" Was never really sure how you could manage both at once...

You can also put me down as more of a fan of recommendations. To my mind the benefits of having the overall more positive atmosphere that this creates outweighs anything that is lost. I think something people sometimes forget is not having reviews does not mean you can't warn of scams. It is fair to report a bait and switch, theft, or violent situation. But if a lady is legitimate and it's just that you didn't have a good time with her, the chemistry wasn't there, or whatnot, them I'm all for the idea of "if you don't have anything nice to say, then..."

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Think of the need for intimacy not as a need like air or water, but as a human drive that -- generally speaking -- most humans crave or require to be fully content. I would put it on a similar level with our drive to socialize. Even most introverts occasionally want to interact or spend time with others, and those with no social circle tend to be unhappy. Or compare it to the impulse to get out into nature, even if it's just to walk through a park or feel the warm sun on your skin for a stroll. Who hasn't noticed that the longer they're shut up inside during cold, dark stretches affects their mood and well-being? Another example would be the desire to experience art, music, culture, or even pulp entertainment. A person can physically live in a dark a cellar by themselves and no belongings, but you can see how they'd say the sun and company and things to engage with are "needs." Simply put, there's a reason solitary confinement is considered such a severe punishment! Of course, not everyone is the same or going to crave these sorts of things--intimacy or just pure physical sex included--to the same level. Indeed, plenty of people are perfectly content without one or more of the things I've listed. But when we say that companionship and touch are needs, I believe most of us are putting them at this sort of level.

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