Interesting question. My opinion is that tickling is what it is to the majority of the world. A silly kind of horse-play, found most often among children. To some of us, it's something more.
I personally dig the sensation, and I dig even more trying to deal with it when it's being delivered in overwhelming intensities. In a sexual atmosphere, it can be very erotic. In a public atmosphere, such as a gathering, it's more like intense fun. Like snowboarding.
You'll find that many in the tickling community equate tickling so intrinsically with sexuality, they are unable to regard it in any other way. Such people are often mortified at the idea of tickling children, as they equate it with molestation. My opinion is that just because some are uncomfortable with childhood tickling, it doesn't mean the rest of the world should be.
