The Lord of the Flies - Child AVs and the Nursery Syndrome

Am I the only one who cannot wait until Jig takes on Gorean Slave Auctions and yiffing?

Better yet, yiffing AT Gorean slave auctions. o.0

There is no yiffing in Gor!

Just let me catch my breath!

You *did* AR this when you saw it, right?

It has a chilling effect on the free exchange of discourse and ideas.

You don't even have to be in an adult situation - the presence of a child AV triggers the same response we rightly have in RL when a child is around. You control your behavior and what you are willing to discuss. You do this both to protect the child, and to protect yourself from abuse at the hands of those responsible for the child.

The Child AV can trigger that same emotional, gut level response.

Yes, the AV is really an adult player - so why not just get on a poseball with them and have at it... But it doesn't work that way.

It feels just as wrong, and arguably rightly so, to be putting oneself into a fantasy of wanting to be improper with a child representation as it would be to be improper with a real child. And that extends far beyond 'adult / sexual' topics.

We don't generally take kids to a lot of things adults do - often just to events where we simply want to sit together and talk about life, fashion, politics, religion, work, or whatever.
- Throw a child into the room, and everything gets heavy editing.

Throw a fake child into the room, and that editing becomes uncomfortable...

I stand corrected--as does, apparently, the mustelid.

I'm so angry with myself for getting sucked into this foolishness again.

I swear that the next 17 times Jig asks this same question, I will not fall for it.

I don't think she'll have time to ask more than that before the forums close.

Sigh. Certainly I thought this point would be cleared up long ago. Nowhere have I suggested witch hunting. I have no problem with child avatars myself, inherently. I had one once (or maybe I still do and can't find it). It's not a big deal unless you are into really weird things. I have a rabbit avatar too, but I'm not into rabbit sexuality either. It's a bit of a stretch to make any such connexion.

* * * * *

Regarding how widespread sexual harm to children is (note: for those not reading closely, not the same topic as child avatars), this is what I found within 10 seconds on google: http://www.cpiu.us/statistics-2/

Even if it's 1/100th that widespread, ah, that's pretty darn widespread. Most governments in the western world have made unlawful any sort of depiction of kids and adults in certain situations. It's not McCarthyism to do something about it. One can cry "McCarthyism" on almost any issue.

For example: "Why, look at the persecution of men by feminists, such McCarthyism, feminists are singling out men who are of certain beliefs and making a big noise!"

Or "All those mothers against drunk drivers, can't a guy have a little drink? Gee, they set up roadblocks and make us test our breath, even the communists didn't have to suffer the indignity of police roadblocks!"

There's hardly a social ill that can't be justified by calling the honest concern "McCarthyism."

* * * * *

Regarding fantasies... if you have repeated, recurring fantasies about devouring a candy bar, it's pretty much a no brainer what will happen if you are placed in a situation with a candy bar where you think there won't be any repercussions.

'Bedroom games' notwithstanding, those who *really do* fantasize about children... should not be anywhere near a situation where they might think they could get away with something. This is just so basic.

* * * * *

And when it comes to parenting, actually yes, there *are* specific rights that parents have, in western society. Tons. Regardless of how childless you might be yourself, you help pay for our kids' education. You drive slower near schools. If we die, you (through the state) ensure that our children are fed, clothed and so forth. There are incredible additional penalties if you harm a minor, as compared to comparable harm to an adult. This, in fact, is so deeply part of the fabric of society it's undeniable.

Even more to the point, we as parents are held responsible for our kids, far more than anyone else. It's the end conclusion of just about every single internet discussion of this nature.

Think of that every single time anyone makes the argument "It's the parent who should ... (fill in blank)." And you know... I'm good with that, with parents being responsible.

If something's not right with a kids' situation, the parent gets suspected and blamed first. "Where were we, when (fill in blank)." It's the first question every single time.

And if assigned that level of responsibility by society, you better believe I am gonna take such responsibility seriously. If I don't as a parent, should I expect you to be responsible for my kids? I am going to take that responsibility given to me seriously, in every statement, in every vote, in every action.

If people tire of "think of the children" arguments, do realise ~ if we don't think of the children, society in general has assured that we as parents are going to pay the price for it, not you.

She'd better not. That's MY turf!

/me struggles mightily -- and with only partial success -- not to point out the application of this same argument to role play involving rape and other forms of sexual violence . . .

This is not a fair comparison. Firstly, eating real life candy bars is not immoral. Secondly, even if it was, eating virtual candy bars won't make you fat.

Scylla, you are absolutely right.

Smith, I KNEW I liked you . . . for some utterly unaccountable reason . . .

I thought it was my giant wang

Who cares what kind of word processor you use?

Me doc prep long time?

Really, you know! You're just encouraging him!

And that's totally Scylla's job!

Q: What do you get when you cross a word processor with a communications satellite?

A: A six-tonne Wang that wants to reach out and touch someone!

(if you remember when this actually made sense, I'll see you in the nursing home)

LMAO

Uhhhhhh . . .

(I have to PRETEND that I don't understand what Smif is talking about . . .)