Domination & submission _ the BDSM relationship handbook ( PDFDrive )

worlds? The process of choosing an avatar to represent you in this virtual world
also came with an added bonus: the ability to be the person you always wanted
to be. In virtual worlds, we are unencumbered by age, obesity, bad teeth, bald
spots, muffin tops, spare tires, small boobs or tiny penises. Everyone is perfect,
or at least as perfect as they want and can afford to be, which for the most part, is
pretty darn perfect.
For some people, this illusion of instant bodily perfection can be pretty heady
stuff. Combine that with a large dose of internet anonymity, the allure of
consequence-free 3D graphic cybersex, and a ready supply of naïve hormonal
teenagers, and you end up with a recipe for a potentially problematic detachment
from reality that could be downright catastrophic for any relationship, D/s or
vanilla. Adding a BDSM relationship dynamic to the mix can be a little like
throwing a bucket of gasoline onto an already out-of-control fire.
The sophistication of the 3D graphic cybersex available in these online virtual
worlds is astounding, however, even at its best it is still only as good as one’s
imagination. In that sense, it is really not much different from phone-sex,
sexting, or cartoon porn – perhaps better than nothing, but that isn’t exactly high
praise. Some virtual worlds impose bewildering rules on what is, and isn’t,
allowed sexually. One of the largest online virtual worlds, for example, forbids
erect penises and/or any hip to hip contact between avatars. In fact, if you want
your avatar to have a penis at all, expect to hand over some real cash for the
privilege, since starter avatars come penisless in almost all virtual world chat
programs.
Unfortunately, when it comes to virtual sadomasochistic sex, things get even
more complicated and frustrating. For sadists who get off on inflicting pain on
others, and masochists who enjoy the sensations of pain, a virtual world where
no one feels pain at all can be just a little exasperating. Imagined pain and
pleasure are poor substitutions for the real thing, unfortunately. Bondage loses
much of its appeal when a person can free himself from his restraints with a
simple click of his mouse, and simulated impact-play has all the emotional
impact of swiveling Ken’s little plastic arm to spank Barbie’s perfect little
plastic ass.
In short, BDSM play in these virtual worlds leaves a lot to be desired. The
product designers typically have little or no experience or knowledge about the
lifestyle or its practices and so what you end up with, more often than not, is a