My $.02 (after inflation)
TickledToDeath said:
...Ps. Yes I did have the pleasure of meeting the founder, unfortunately, I don't think she got enough of a taste of tickling
With no intent to be disparaging to either of the three commenters in this thread, to date, I feel I might be able to offer some helpful commentary here.
Many of you here know (ESPECIALLY the fine folks named in this thread, to date) that, I too, have affiliations and historic ties with both the tickling AND BDSM community. I think the hope and spirit of this thread is to begin the impetus to begin to "bridge" that "natural schism" that has seemed to permeate the very core of both the BDSM and tickling communities for longer ago than most people here can relate to. I support that effort too...and I believe njjen ,ticklishbbw, and TTD do, as well. We have had many frank discussions about this...not to mention that I have had similar discussions with MANY other people here who are active in BOTH communities. There seems to be a reasonable amount of alignment where tolerance, attitudes, and mutual acceptance is concerned among all such individuals intern to this topic of discussion having a similar vision.
I would like to amplify a few points, for the benefit of objectivity here too, if you all will permit me to be so bold. I, too, have had the pleasure of being engaged in VERY frank, open, and candid discussion on the topic, dynamics, benefits, and impacts of tickling as it relates to my/njjen's local Dominant/submissive (hereinafter referred to as D/s) community. Until VERY recently, the local D/s community had a very (traditional) "Old Guard" style mindset/mentality with respect to tickling as a viable method of "power exchange." In the same venue that TTD had the pleasure of meeting the founder of our local BDSM group...he and shygirl needed to part soon thereafter as they had pressing obligations that they had to return travel far to attend to (this all took place at a local [Upstate NY] tickling gathering, significantly far from TTD and shygirl's hometown area). Anyhow...after TTD and shygirl had departed...the founder of said BDSM group began to engage in me (and some others in the room) in frank discussion about this historic "schism" we refer to in this thread. She was truly fascinated and intrigued by my perspective on both communities, with full-knowledge that I (and others present, such as...but not limited to njjen) are active in both communities. There was NO judgment in her tone...fascination and intrigue would probably best befit the tone of that conversation and it had ended with great hope of that "schism" beginning to fade a bit...at least locally, anyhow.
One of the important points I raised during that conversation...as a counter argument (in defense of some of the BDSM or D/s community) is that the tickling community would like tolerance and acceptance, in turn, from the BDSM or D/s community...as a peace offering...moving forward to narrow that "schism." (For those BDSM and/or D/s participants who are "free-thinking" enough to accept that that there CAN, in fact, be benefits and/or power exchange resulting from engaging in tickling play). I went on relate an experience which TTD, njjen, myself and others from the tickling community had while attending a tickling gathering which was hosted in a "BDSM dungeon." Unbeknownst to the ticklers/ticklees, later in the tickling gathering, the regular BDSM D/s membership base was allowed to enter the club and engage in their typical styles/methods of play. The result of that meeting (as I saw it, at least) was that the BDSMers were more receptive/tolerant of the tickling playstyles (for the little time the tickling continued) than the ticklers/ticklees tolerance/acceptance of the BDSM or D/s playstyles ensuing in the room. Comments came from members of the tickling community (none of whom have a presence in this thread as yet, for the record) that they objected to having to bear witness to BDSM or D/s playstyles in their quest to continue with "tickle play."
I know this is no "double-blind" or Masters and Johnson, Freudian (insert your favorite similar authority here, please) scientific study...but...to be fair...that reluctance has shades of being a "two-way street."
The epilogue to the story is that there is SOME hope...at least at the local level here in Upstate NY...that some of those traditional BDSM and/or D/s "Old Guard" attitudes toward tickling are changing in a positive manner. The challenge to members of BOTH COMMUNITIES is...Can you find it within your heart to look with tolerance (if not open-mindedness?) upon the traditions and playstyles of BOTH COMMUNITIES and PERHAPS peacefully coexist in the same realm with one another, free of judgment?
For the record, my intent here was not to fuel controversy between njjen, and TTD...rather...it is to protect that fragile bond that is beginning locally with the local BDSM D/s community...ESPECIALLY as it relates to the founder referenced here in. She took a BRAVE step forward to help bridge that "schism," and at a time when reluctance seemed high on BOTH sides of the debate to compromise. She should be met with support, in my opinion, as a reward for her courage and open-mindedness...as opposed to ridicule, condescension, or being ostracized by EITHER community.
As a member and fan of BOTH communities, I want to issue a public "thank you," to njjen, ticklishbbw, and TTD, for taking what I feel are BIG and IMPORTANT steps, here in this forum to help begin the process of narrowing that "schism..." and who knows...maybe even eliminating it?
...Got an asbestos suit I can borrow, Phineas? 
