SSC v RACK?

[MasterPhoenix]

When I was first learning of the lifestyle I read a lot of references to SSC (Safe, Sane Consensual), and it made sense. But as I delved deeper and taken it to real time, I have run into problems with that terminology. It sounds good as a theory, but with Safe and sane both being relative terms. There is no 100% 'safe' way to beat someone with a flogger, whip, etc... Also, if you asked the general population, the fact that I get off on tying up and beating the woman I love they would tell you I was off my rocker insane.

I gravitate towards the RACK (Risk Aware Consensual Kink) side of thinking. With it being risk aware, that means we both know that there are risks in our type of play, and we are ready to handle them. For example, if I am going to do some cutting, I need to have iodine or bactine nearby to help prevent infection. If I have her bound by ropes, I keep a knife nearby so I can cut her loose, etc...

I know that there are times that those two terms get used interchangeably and mean similar things, but its my belief that the RACK is more accurate for that thing in which we do.

I got thinking about it in another thread that was talking about watching SSC porn, so I figured I would give my two bits on this version of it.

 

[Evil_Geoff]

Not to toss a bucket of water in here but dadgum I get tired of this one...

SSC (Safe, Sane, Consentual) and RACK (Risk Aware Consentual Kink) are not philosophies.

They are no longer outlooks about how to approach the lifestyle.

They are not guidelines regarding how we should play.

They are soundbites. They are marketing slogans. They are a shorthand approach to making what we do seem less scarey to the vanillas.

Nothing more, nothing less.

And according to the Kinky Lawyer (and yes, he's listed in the KAP list) SSC is actually the more legally defensible of the two terms. *shrugs* Whatever.

If one floats your boat because it's "darker" or more "mysterious" or "edgier" I'm happy for ya. Really. But please, do not buy into anyone's arguements that one or the other "means" something better or truer or more profound.

That's kinda like arguing whether "It's the real thing" vs "It's a Pepsi Generation" is the more legitimate way to evaluate soft drinks.

 

[CutieMouse]

(When I read this I thought "EG's gonna say sumthin'!" LOL)

 

[Irony_Sinclair]

Not to toss a bucket of water in here but dadgum I get tired of this one...

SSC (Safe, Sane, Consentual) and RACK (Risk Aware Consentual Kink) are not philosophies.

They are no longer outlooks about how to approach the lifestyle.

They are not guidelines regarding how we should play.

They are soundbites. They are marketing slogans. They are a shorthand approach to making what we do seem less scarey to the vanillas.

Nothing more, nothing less.

And according to the Kinky Lawyer (and yes, he's listed in the KAP list) SSC is actually the more legally defensible of the two terms. *shrugs* Whatever.

If one floats your boat because it's "darker" or more "mysterious" or "edgier" I'm happy for ya. Really. But please, do not buy into anyone's arguements that one or the other "means" something better or truer or more profound.

That's kinda like arguing whether "It's the real thing" vs "It's a Pepsi Generation" is the more legitimate way to evaluate soft drinks.

Bullshit. Respectfully, of course.

I don't seek approval from the world for what I do or who I am. I can't completely say that I don't care because in some ways I do. Not so much because of judgement but mutual respect. I no more want to know what my sister does in her bedroom than I want her to know what I do in mine. Nor do I or would I ever "push" my choices on others. Meaning, for example, I would never wear leash to a public restaurant. That's uncooth and disrespectful in my opinion. What mistress and I engage in is private and intimate, just as much as what every person I encounter does, whatever that may be. And I'm glad for that. So, as I said, in way I do care what others think, but I certainly don't care about justifying it to them or making it seem less scary.

Nor do I care if they think it is scary, weird, perverted, et al. I'm not looking to be "accepted" or "recognized" or any of that. If Bill across the street gets off on dirty gym socks or Jane next door loves it in the ass or Karen down the road is strictly into missionary, I don't care. That's their private life just as mine is mine.

As for markerting and such, I guess, but I don't really get that. Unless you mean what I already said. Or if you meant markerting as in trying to lure people in. In that case, I don't think any slogan would suffice. There's always the drive-by folks but I think we can all agree that once you scratch the surface you'll discover it is either right for you or not, pretending aside. And no slogan will change that.

I know that all those years ago when I was so curious yet so ignorant that SSC really struck a chord with me. Not so much because it "tore down stereotypes" but that it was a simple way for me to realize that even in my submission I could retain some control. It made it understandable and managable and established a platform to begin working from. And even now, as those lines of SSC get blurred to some extent or another, I, no we (wife and I) still work from that basic foundation.

You talk about the terms as if they were trendy at some time and now passe as we in the life have transeded such D/s-juvenilliality. I disagree. I think SSC is a great thing for those curious and new and looking to learn. Our fantasies can sometimes far exceed what should be our realities. SSC helps keep that in check until and if we decide to push our limits.

I think SSC is a great acronynm for beginners and lifestylers alike. How you define it and what it means to you will always be evolving but it's still a great sounding board.

 

[MasterPhoenix]

EG,

I am going to respectfully disagree to an extant. I do agree that they are very soundbitish, but I think that they are a distillation of the larger concept by which we practice. You have said that you do not wish to damage Janey,as I have no wish to damage rose. In our desire to hurt without damaging them, we educate ourselves and make ourselves aware of the risk involved.

The person from whom I learned these concepts is one who is active in her area's lifestyle group, and she drilled it into my head.

I do think that SSC is far to oversimplistic, in that nothing we do is 100% safe.

EDITED TO ADD: I prefer the RACK because I feel of the two it is more accurate, even though it is still oversimplified.

Just my two cents, take it for what its worth.

 

[intothewoods]

Well, MP, "risk aware" is just as relative as "safe" or "sane." Just sayin. On the other hand, it seems like many terms in BDSM have different meanings for different people.

EG - I've read some of your previous posts on this, and I get what you're saying about the two terms being soundbites for vanillas, but as for those who practice BDSM using the term, what is your objection? Is it just that these terms are aimed at vanillas? Or is there something else?


Finally ... I wanna be the kinky lawyer!!!!!

 

[WriterDom]

There are risks to talking a shower. And sane is a relative term. So we are left with consensual. The key word.

 

[Evil_Geoff]

EG - I've read some of your previous posts on this, and I get what you're saying about the two terms being soundbites for vanillas, but as for those who practice BDSM using the term, what is your objection?

I don't object to either term in and of themselves. What I object to is people placing them in opposition to one another. Making them an either/or proposition.

Risk Aware Consentual Kink - Lets break it down into it's component parts and look at what they mean, shall we?
Risk Aware - We understand there is the risk of emotional or bodily injury or death occuring with some of the activities we are doing.
Consentual - We are adults and even knowing the risks all parties involved are consenting to these activities.
Kink - The activites we are engaged in are NOT mainstream sexual practices.

Safe, Sane Consentual - again, the break down
Safe - While there may be some risk involved in our activities, we have taken steps to minimize the risks (ie, education, practice, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, etc) .
Sane - The activites we are engaging in are done with the intention of all parties involved having a positive experience.
Consentual - We are adults, and even knowing the risks all parties involved are consenting to these activities.

Contrary to popular belief, in terms of BDSM Safe does NOT mean 100% risk free. Like other "Extreme Sports", in the BDSM world "Safe" means you've done everything humanly possible to minimize the risk. We think of driving cars as a "safe" activity, but hundreds of people die in cars every day. When was the last time you heard about anyone being caned or flogged to death? Statistically, you are far more likely to die in a car accident than a dungeon accident...

Hell, any of us are far more likely to die if we go parachuting than we are in a dungeon accident. Or mountain climbing. Water skiing. Swimming in a pool. Even on the job industrial accidents like in coal mines are far more dangerous than kinky sex play....

But because Americans on the whole are way, way WAY more uptight (there for less educated about sex and sexual play, and therefore more afraid! After all, ignorance breeds fear) about what happens in our bedrooms, the "dangers" of accidental injury are blown completely out of proportion to the risks of other everyday activities. Like taking showers. Or working on ladders.

Arguing SSC vs RACK is like arguing "Tastes GREAT!" "Less Filling!" Screw it. If one works for you, fine, feel free to use it. It doesn't make it better than what the other guy uses. THAT is what gets my knickers in a bunch.

 

[graceanne]

You know, I bet that shank wouldn't mind a picture of your knickers in a bunch.

Just sayin'.

Oh, and so I won't be accused of totally hijacking this thread - I prefer RACK, but don't particularly care either way. *shrugs*

 

[intothewoods]

Thanks, EG .

 

[Netzach]

An explanation of SSC in a book was the first thing that made me differentiate SM from people who just liked to randomly beat one another up and fuck which made no sense to me, it seemed kind of pointless and random. I had no concept of the dynamics under the surface and therefore really no interest.

So I guess the ad campaign's worked.

I like reading what slave david stein has said repeatedly about the phrase, that it's turned into something completely out of its original context and out of control. He actually worked on coining it in the early days of GMSMA.

http://www.leatherleadership.org/library/safesanestein.htm


It's been lifted out of its original context terribly. Our generation really can't remember a scene in which dangerous tops (dangerous as in ER's and even cold bodies) were NOT blacklisted and the notion that a slave might be a human being was really generally novel or laughed at and that was ok. The poly/het scene didn't find guys dying while being cruised more or less "oh how sad" acceptable and inevitable - the poly/het scene essentially existed in 1. pro sessions and 2. a few seriously freaky people in NYC and SF forming the first organizations - it was so in its infancy that it had a very limited self-perception at all - that you could be straight and kinky and not totally alone with your thoughts.

The gay leather scene was having its eyes opened to some serious and real problems and being forced to confront AIDS and problems with how people interacted.

The people who coined SSC were essentially reacting to a scene turning increasingly more dangerous and increasingly more blind to its own dangers and in denial of its own dangers. SSC was needed internally as well as externally. GMSMA was coming to existence in a world in which the whole idea of SM safety was radical and new. Let's not forget where gay rights were at in 1983 - you were trying to create a positive self image for a community that has never in history felt any permission to create such a thing. It's really not that far from the seventies - here is a community that has always had to conduct itself sexually and romantically in the darkest corners and under the worst kinds of discrimination suddenly turning around and noticing one another and realizing "we can actually fuck, we can actually desire one another and not have to look over each shoulder every minute" People critical of the promiscuity of the gay community in the 70's and 80's have no concept of that, what that felt like or meant.



Can you imagine things like the women on the internet disappearing with SM being something you couldn't really mention in public, without any sense of what you should do to protect yourself, without any precedent being set anywhere other than "well you hook up you takes your chances" for the next person to think about?

As for me, I've always expressed my safety credo thus:

I will not do anything intentionally to put you in a hospital or in a psych ward. I will educate myself and guard against the likelihood of these things happening to the best of my capacity.

 

[Chicklet]

Until opening this thread I wasn't aware that there was supposed to be a major difference between those two terms...

Geoff, your posts are great. Isn't it funny how surprised I am when I learn something new?

 

[Irony_Sinclair]

As always Netzach, you impress me.

 

[Netzach]

As always Netzach, you impress me.

Thanks, but honestly I think it's a question of history. There are a lot of ways in which the history of the gay leather community has been intertwined with the history of the pansexual/straight leather community, but the original moment is kind of lost or diluted - how fortunate we are that this is one moment we can pinpoint still and know that this is where these guys were coming from. It's made me really try and understand what was going on around me in NYC when I was just a child - when my only exposure to queerness let alone SM was through what I saw on the news (GRID! The gay cancer!) and in little glimpses on the street.

If I were to mentally write my own self into history it's as an offshoot of this history and those moments, if that's WWII maybe I'm a house in Levittown.

Who could have thought that?

 

[Irony_Sinclair]

Thanks, but honestly I think it's a question of history. There are a lot of ways in which the history of the gay leather community has been intertwined with the history of the pansexual/straight leather community, but the original moment is kind of lost or diluted - how fortunate we are that this is one moment we can pinpoint still and know that this is where these guys were coming from. It's made me really try and understand what was going on around me in NYC when I was just a child - when my only exposure to queerness let alone SM was through what I saw on the news (GRID! The gay cancer!) and in little glimpses on the street.

If I were to mentally write my own self into history it's as an offshoot of this history and those moments, if that's WWII maybe I'm a house in Levittown.

Who could have thought that?

A while back I posted a thread on a DVD review: https://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=504240

In the second DVD Cleo talks about the gay leather scene and those early days and her involvement in them. About AIDS and the awakening and awareness. Good stuff for sure.

 

[MasterPhoenix]

I don't object to either term in and of themselves. What I object to is people placing them in opposition to one another. Making them an either/or proposition.

Risk Aware Consentual Kink - Lets break it down into it's component parts and look at what they mean, shall we?
Risk Aware - We understand there is the risk of emotional or bodily injury or death occuring with some of the activities we are doing.
Consentual - We are adults and even knowing the risks all parties involved are consenting to these activities.
Kink - The activites we are engaged in are NOT mainstream sexual practices.

Safe, Sane Consentual - again, the break down
Safe - While there may be some risk involved in our activities, we have taken steps to minimize the risks (ie, education, practice, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, etc) .
Sane - The activites we are engaging in are done with the intention of all parties involved having a positive experience.
Consentual - We are adults, and even knowing the risks all parties involved are consenting to these activities.

Contrary to popular belief, in terms of BDSM Safe does NOT mean 100% risk free. Like other "Extreme Sports", in the BDSM world "Safe" means you've done everything humanly possible to minimize the risk. We think of driving cars as a "safe" activity, but hundreds of people die in cars every day. When was the last time you heard about anyone being caned or flogged to death? Statistically, you are far more likely to die in a car accident than a dungeon accident...

Hell, any of us are far more likely to die if we go parachuting than we are in a dungeon accident. Or mountain climbing. Water skiing. Swimming in a pool. Even on the job industrial accidents like in coal mines are far more dangerous than kinky sex play....

But because Americans on the whole are way, way WAY more uptight (there for less educated about sex and sexual play, and therefore more afraid! After all, ignorance breeds fear) about what happens in our bedrooms, the "dangers" of accidental injury are blown completely out of proportion to the risks of other everyday activities. Like taking showers. Or working on ladders.

Arguing SSC vs RACK is like arguing "Tastes GREAT!" "Less Filling!" Screw it. If one works for you, fine, feel free to use it. It doesn't make it better than what the other guy uses. THAT is what gets my knickers in a bunch.

Gotcha... I understand your point completely EG....

And it is a damn good one...

 

[intothewoods]

The gay leather scene was having its eyes opened to some serious and real problems and being forced to confront AIDS and problems with how people interacted.

The people who coined SSC were essentially reacting to a scene turning increasingly more dangerous and increasingly more blind to its own dangers and in denial of its own dangers. SSC was needed internally as well as externally. GMSMA was coming to existence in a world in which the whole idea of SM safety was radical and new. Let's not forget where gay rights were at in 1983 - you were trying to create a positive self image for a community that has never in history felt any permission to create such a thing. It's really not that far from the seventies - here is a community that has always had to conduct itself sexually and romantically in the darkest corners and under the worst kinds of discrimination suddenly turning around and noticing one another and realizing "we can actually fuck, we can actually desire one another and not have to look over each shoulder every minute" People critical of the promiscuity of the gay community in the 70's and 80's have no concept of that, what that felt like or meant.

I've only recently read about the gay leather community and BDSM. It's funny, I've read so many things about the history of AIDS and gay activists, and the history of, say, the Castro district in SF. But the gay leather community was kind of a huge mystery to me.

Interesting stuff. Thanks, Netzach.

 

[Evil_Geoff]

If you are in the SouthEast (primarily SC, NC and GA) and have an interest in our leather history, you might be interested in attending:

T3WD, COLUMBIA, SC's PANSEXUAL BDSM GROUP, IS PROUD TO PRESENT!!

MATTHEW CARY - Mr. Southeast Leatherfest

MAY 5, 2007

2:00 PM
“Leather History: Uncovering the Mine Shaft.”​

You know our leather history must be out there, but you’ve never seen it with your own eyes. We’ve all heard about magazines like Drummer, The Leather Journal, and Dungeon Master, but when was the last time you could touch and even actually read them? You’ll have that chance in this presentation.

But this presentation will go a step further; as we take a step back in time to the Mine Shaft, New York’s most notorious leather bar in the 70’s and 80’s. “The Shaft” comes alive in newsletters, posters, artwork and over 1500 photographs recently discovered in an attic right here in the Southeast.

These photos have been digitized and will be presented with a projector at life size, giving you the feeling of being present in the bar. Join the crowd at a “Mine Shaft Man” contest; see a demonstration at “The School for Lower Education;” and check the dress code as you enter and take a look around the bar. If you’ve ever wondered what the New York leather scene was like in the 80’s, here’s your chance to immerse yourself in the experience.

BIO
Matthew Cary traces his kinky roots back to his early years, when he discovered the joys of tying up his babysitters. His BDSM activities continued into high school and college. In 1993, when the book “Different Loving” was released, he learned that there was a vocabulary and culture that went along with the activities in which he’d been engaged, and this opened up a whole new world for him.

Cary has since devoted himself to learning and sharing as much about the lifestyle as he can pack into a lifetime. He has created a vehicle for his passion, Leather Journey Magazine, which enables him to pursue both of these goals, by creating opportunities for interactions with both the community and the individuals that make it so interesting.

He is the founder and current Director of the Smoky Mountain Power Exchange in Knoxville, TN (SMPEX), Leather Journey Magazine, and House Cheiron. In addition, he has served as Program Coordinator for NLA-Nashville. Cary has presented a variety of interactive discussion workshops for SMPEX, Tri-Cities Power Exchange, MSDB, NLA-Nashville, Darke Family, Charlotte Lovers of All Kink (CLOAK,) MDG, and GLOVE. He is a member of SMPEX, Leather Journey, NLA-I, the Leather Archives and Museum, NCSF, Charlotte Area Power Exchange (CAPEX), CLOAK and Leather Tribe.

As the current Mr. SELF (Southeast Leatherfest) and the first runner up in the inaugural Mr. World Leather contest, Cary’s goal is to pass on his enthusiasm to others and encourage them to document and record their local leather histories.

If you are interested in attending, PLEASE, RSVP to ME with a PM, with MAY DEMO in the subject line. As always, the location will be sent 7-10 days in advance to those who are members in good standing of T3WD or reciprocal groups. Lit members, if interested in attending, let me know. I will make arrangements for you to be able to attend. If you are a member of TECKC, SSCN, CAPEX, CLOAK, SMPEX, Tri-Cities, TAAG, TMG, KEY, LOCK, AIRS, KIS, MBK, or any other BDSM group that I know about and can authenticate, let me know and we'll get you in under our reciprocal agreement policy...

Unfortunately I will not be there for this. My oldest is graduating from college on the 6th, and the 5th I will be flying to Michigan to be the proud Papa as he walks across the stage... Which kinda pisses me off because I was REALLY looking forward to this presentation!

 

[MasterPhoenix]

EG,

If I ever get the honour of meeting you in person, the first round is on me.

 

[ownedsubgal]

honestly i don't particularly care for SSC or RACK. as far as SSC, i was always made aware of the SSC, as briefly described by Netzach. i assumed of course it was something that applied to the BDSM/leather community only, not to D/s folks like myself, so when i began chatting and reading online with a more diverse group of "lifestylers," and found that people were applying it to D/s as well, it confused the heck outta me, and still does honestly.

as for RACK, i understand why many prefer it to SSC...it has a more inclusive ring to it. i don't care for RACK primarily because of the "K"..kink...this is my life, not my "kink." to use such terminology would be to belittle our way of life. my issue with both terms, and why i don't really feel they apply to D/s, has to do with the fact that they really are referring to activities...a.k.a. "scenes"...kink, and play. yes, i am beaten by my Master, yes we engage in some perverse sexual activities...however it is never, ever within the context of a scene...it is simply life.

in the offline world, it has been extremely rare that my Master and i have encountered folks who actually utter either of these terms....SSC or RACK...but when we run across someone who does, that tells us that they're one of 2 things: too much of a "newbie", or too bdsm/leather inclined....for us to socialize/interact with.

 

[Auraka6669]

I have a solution!

A new acronym!!!

PYCT

Pick your consensual term.

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

/shrug.

 

[BiBunny]

I've got a good one, too. MYOB.

 

[Auraka6669]

I've got a good one, too. MYOB.

It's good. But it's not new. Don't be mad because you aren't with the times, like myself.

 

[BiBunny]

It's good. But it's not new. Don't be mad because you aren't with the times, like myself.

Oh, yes, I know it's not new. That's why I didn't put what it stood for 'cause I thought everyone would know.

 

[SilencedNeeds]