Reilithion -> RE: What should a slave consider her worth to be? (3/30/2006 3:44:42 AM)
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Wow. There's a lot of very strong opinions being thrown around here. I think, though, that some of us are getting bogged down over semantics. For instance, it may first appear that LuckyAlbatross and HedonisticFemSub are at odds, but closer examination and an understanding that words are only an approximation of meaning will show that they are arguing over a non-existent issue. I believe that HedonisticFemSub is reacting very strongly out of a (quite rational, really) fear that repeatedly reinforcing the idea that someone is worthless will generally cause that person to regard themselves as being worthless. Beyond the fear lies the truth: It happens, and people become mentally ill because of this all the time. Particularly young children. However, LuckyAlbatross has been trying to point out that, for instance, being used and treated like dirt doesn't mean the same thing to zer as it does to HedonisticFemSub. It isn't undermining her self-worth, it is, in fact, reinforcing it. Though it may not sound quite right to LuckyAlbatross, I believe a way of expressing it to HedonisticFemSub would be to say that LuckyAlbatross, and many like zer, are actually quite proud of being sluts, and dirt, and "worthless". Thus, treating them as such is actually a reinforcement of their self-definition. So, it sounds to me like you two are really just arguing the same point using different vocabulary, and the real issue is communication on this forum. As for my view on the subject, I especially like how namasteguardian has pointed out that self-worth and worth-as-<fill-in-the-blank>-to-someone-else are different concepts. I agree that, in a perfect setting, one's self-worth should be entirely self-determined. However, note my previous comment about repetitive reinforcement sort of overriding that. It's sad, but it happens, and it's a human characteristic -- we're all vulnerable. The solution may be in LuckyAlbatross' ability to value in zerself whatever others notice (whether they value it or not) in zer. Why not? It may not be a simple thing to reproduce in one's self, but by golly, it certainly sounds worth pursuing!
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