Latexistentialism

It’s the “existential question” that philosophers and poets have been asking for centuries… “Does my life have any meaning?”

The answer to this is generally something like “You make your own meaning”.  In other words, your life can be given meaning depending upon what you do with it.

Most people regard fetish as a form of “entertainment”.  It’s “good sex” but after the act is over and done with, it becomes, at best, a fond memory rather  

than having any real meaning.  Yes, it may have enhanced an act of love and there may be a tiny bit of meaning in that, but mostly, it’s merely titillation followed by satisfaction and dismissal.  It’s like television or sports — we are caught up in the action and the story, our emotions are moved and played with but when it is all over, we change the channel and look for some new source of entertainment. Our lives are not affected by it in any long range sort of way. 

For something to have real meaning, it must affect our lives in some way — we must grow from it somehow. For something to have meaning, it must lead to some sort of self-actualization.

One does not “grow” from “conventional fetish”.  There is no forward movement, no upward climb toward the peak of the mountain.  No skills are developed or improved. It does not evolve us toward who we can be. One does not become a “better” Rubberist by doing “conventional fetish”.  One does not take any steps toward being all that he can be… One does not evolve toward self-actualization.

If you are reading this, you are probably a Rubberist.  Like it or not, life has somehow dealt you the “fetish” card.  It’s part of you. There’s not much you can do about it. You might find life easier to take and even enjoy if you accept your fetish.

However, as fetish is intrinsically intertwined with your sexuality, it is a very powerful force. Some say that sex, the propagation of the species, is the single strongest force affecting the behavior of any living creature.  Sex is magic. It affects all of us in just about everything we do. In our younger years when our hormones are strong, physical sex is the driving force of our lives.

So, here’s my proposal.  You’ve got this rubber fetish running a good part of your life. It’s a strong force and it’s not going to go away. Mostly what you have done with it in the past is enhance your sex life.  But in and of itself, it provides very little meaning to the rest of your life.

Why not use the power of your fetish to drive other things which do bring meaning to your life?

Use it as a catalyst, a conduit, or “fuel” to push other aspects of your life which can give it meaning and a sense of purpose.  While there is nothing wrong with sex, you can use your fetish to power new practices in your life.

(Slippery Seal, of the IAR, was the first person I know of to use the term “latexistentialism”. )


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