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gypsygrl -> RE: RACK vs SSC (9/23/2006 7:44:45 AM)
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As a submissive, Safe, Sane and Consensual gives me an easy to remember set of rules that can be of help when I'm in trouble. It works for me in a way that "risk aware consensual kink" doesn't. I'm sure a lot of this is subjective, and can't imagine that it works for everyone, but, when I'm playing with someone I don't know that well, in a lets get to know each other way, I take a risk when I allow myself to enter subspace, and might find myself needing to come out fast and re-negotiate things when I'm sort of foggyminded. SSC can be very effective as a crutch in those moments. If a Top/Dom crosses a limit, I can invoke the consent criteria without having to be too present, mentally. SSC works precisely because it doesnt require too much thought especially in those situations where I'm not thinking clearly. RACK is too ambiguous to be effective at these times.
I also use SSC in early negotiations with Dominants. I expect them to be familiar with the idea and at least have some appreciation of what it means. This tells me how much exposure they have to some of the debates and controversies within bd/sm and D/s and how aware they are of the wider community. Discussing SSC also helps me to gage how invested they are in my wellbeing as a sub or bottom.
As I experience it, I move in and out of subspace rather easily and have a lot of little things I do to protect myself against doing stupid things when I find myself in subspace unexpectedly. Relying on a slogan like SSC is one of these little things. I know that any agreeement I make while in subspace isn't consensual, using a strict definition. I know that while I'm in subspace, I'm not exactly sane. I know that its not safe for me to operate heavy machinery while I'm in subspace. :)
I think its easy to forget that when we're talking about bd/sm and D/s we're talking about activities that encourage altered states of consciousness and some of us enter an altered state easier than others. For me, this stuff is as much mental and emotional as it is physical. My thought processes can be very different depending on what state I'm in. Sometimes, I can handle, and seek, complexity and ambiguity and other times I need almost mind-numbing simplicity. In those times when I need simplicity, SSC works, though it has its faults.
I have never used the idea of SSC to judge someone else's play. Its very much about my own thought processes and taking care of myself in potentially situations. For example, if something feels nuts, or doesn't feel safe, I hesitate. If I'm feeling manulated, I back away. If questioned, I explain in terms of SSC. But, its always about me and my decisions, and not even about the particular Top/Dom I'm interacting with. If I take this path of backing away, it just means we aren't compatible.
Those are my thoughts and why I think SSC is a good thing. :)
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